Christmas is a time for sharing and giving, but finding that perfect present for the woman in your life can be a stressful task. Whether you’re looking for your partner, mum, sister or daughter, have a look at a few failsafe gift ideas that are guaranteed to leave your lady smiling.
Perfume
Do you know any women who don’t like receiving perfume as present? No, me neither. Whatever she’s into, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a woman who won’t delight at opening up her favourite bottle of scent this Christmas. Though it may not be the most original gift idea, perfume is a tried-and-tested Christmas winner and is one of the few gifts that manages to be both luxurious and useful. Not only will she be thrilled when she opens the beautifully wrapped and reassuringly heavy box, but she’ll also think of you whenever she uses it. If you’re unsure about which fragrance to go for, try a classic scent like Chanel No 5.
“What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course." Image by Lindsay Wilson
Good Housekeeping Magazine Subscription
Does mum pride herself on maintaining the perfect home? Does your girlfriend aspire to be a domestic goddess? If so look no further than a subscription to Good Housekeeping magazine, the essential guide to living healthily and happily for the modern woman. Full of delicious recipes ideas, health and fitness information, beauty tips, relationship and family advice, celebrity interviews, book and film reviews, travel features, gardening ideas and household inspiration,Good Housekeeping is the only magazine for the accomplished 21st century homemaker.
Jewellery
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but you don’t need to splash out extortionate amounts to treat your lady to some special jewellery this Christmas. Not much beats the excitement of opening that small-yet-weighty box and knowing there is a beautiful trinket inside, so make her day and show her exactly how much you care with some charming charms. If you’re looking for a fashion-focused female, a statement necklace will go down well; if she has more of a classic style then you can’t go wrong with a simple pair of earrings. With costume jewellery available in most stores, you don’t have to break the bank either.
Real or fake? Image by osamayy
Grazia Magazine Subscription
If you’re looking for a gift for a lady who lives for fashion then you can’t beat an annual subscription to Grazia magazine. Chock full of spectacular designer fashion, excellent shopping, celebrity gossip, fascinating interviews and informative articles, Grazia is the glossy fashion weekly for the thinking woman. Because of the diversity of the magazine it makes a wonderful present for most women, as there truly is something for everyone in here. A Grazia subscription will allow the lady in your life to keep up to date with the latest fashion trends, current affairs, health tips, beauty reviews and hot gossip: a year round winner of a present. Designer Shoes
Designer Shoes
You know you’ll get in your girl’s good books if you treat her to that special pair of shoes she’s been dreaming of. Perhaps she fancies herself as a bit of a Carrie Bradshaw type and already has hundreds of pairs of shoes lined up in her wardrobe; perhaps she’s more of a frugal fashionista: either way, the right pair of shoes can transform a woman’s mood as well as her outfit (seriously!) – don’t just take our word for it! Whether she’s actively looking for a new pair of heels to wear on New Year’s Eve or you just want to surprise her with a pair of shoes you know she’ll love, you can’t go wrong with a strappy pair of Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks or Christian Louboutins, like this gorgeous pair below.
The signature red sole of Louboutin shoes. Image by Carmen Rodriguez
HELLO! Magazine Subscription
Are you looking for that perfect present for a woman with an insatiable appetite for all things celebrity? If so then you can’t beat an annual subscription to celeb bible HELLO! This renowned weekly is your girl’s guide to all things showbiz and highbrow. Covering all top celebrity news including glamorous parties, openings and fundraisers, each edition is also packed full of entertainment news and events, beauty advice and reviews, health information, tasty recipes, brainteasers and puzzles, horoscopes, competitions, and over 32 fashion pages. Any woman will enjoy whiling away the hours with the latest edition of HELLO! magazine.
A Stylish Scented Candle
A decent, great-smelling and long-lasting scented candle is a must for any household and is one of those treats that women rarely buy for themselves, yet are always more than happy to receive. Keep away the winter gloom with beautifully ambient candlelight and the delicious smells of allspice, frankincense, myrrh and musk, like this lovely set of three from Molton Brown.
Molton Brown ‘The Blend’ scented candle collection
BBC Good Food Magazine Subscription
What could be a better gift for any budding chef than a subscription to the UK's top-selling food magazine, BBC Good Food? This wonderful and indispensable magazine is a must for any kitchen, and whether the lucky recipient is a total novice or fancies herself as the next Nigella, Good Food will provide mouth-watering recipes split into snacks, starters, main courses, desserts and sweet treats sections, stunning food photography and plenty of cooking tips, all while giving your culinary skills a boost. With many reader offers on both food and kitchen gadgets, a Good Food subscription is like having Jamie Oliver living in your kitchen!
A Classic Watch
Are you looking for a lady who struggles with lateness? Choose the right watch and she’ll never be late again; constantly starting at the beautiful trinket on her wrist will mean she never loses track of time! Like a good pair of shoes, a stylish, classic watch is something that almost all women will love and can work with a variety of outfits. From simple yet stylish leather strap watches to etched gold bracelet designs, there is unquestionably a watch for every woman, whatever her personal style. This stunning rose gold stainless steel watch from Armani packs a real aesthetic punch while not breaking the bank.
Luxurious Toiletries
Like scented candles, fancy toiletries are something that women often buy as gifts for others as opposed to themselves, so spoiling her with an indulgent pampering set will be a rare Christmas treat. You can’t go wrong with a great-smelling set of good-quality toiletries, be it moisturiser, bath oils or hair care products; there’s a reason toiletries appear on most Christmas present guides, and it’s because they are guaranteed to raise a smile. Sets containing a variety of products are always a good bet, like this one from Clinique.
