9 gift ideas that’ll (hopefully) go down well
11.12.2024
Translation: Katherine Martin
Still on a frenzied quest to get your Christmas shopping done? Here are my nine gift recommendations, spanning beauty, fitness and art supplies.
A couple of years ago, my family agreed not to do Christmas presents. Pleased to be able to give my stress hormones some time off over the festive period, this was music to my ears. Ironically, though, I now have more gift ideas up my sleeve than ever before. Nine of which I’ve pulled together for this list. They range from handy gadgets I’d never be able to afford myself to things I’ve either reviewed or received as gifts and grown to love.
If you’re still on the hunt for Christmas presents, maybe one of these ideas will be just what you’re after.
Gifts I’d buy
One of my most frequently used gifts ever was a fluffy hot water bottle. It’s like a cuddly toy, but warm.
Molton Brown makes fairly pricey (but pretty) bath and shower gels. As much as I dislike pouring money down the drain, I can’t deny that I’d be thrilled to have the odd luxury product. The brand’s Discovery Sets give you the chance to try several varieties at once. Plus, the bottles come as miniatures, so they’re suitable for travel.
One reference book I’m always taking off my shelf is an old edition of «Das grosse Buch der Zimmerpflanzen» (English: The big book of house plants). It contains the key things you need to know about 330 different plant species. What soil does that bird’s nest fern need? How often should you water your elephant ear plant? The list goes on. It’s nice and compact, and perfect for people who’re new to the joy of greening up their living spaces. Or for people whose plants keep dying «for no reason».
Guidebooks
CHF25.90
Das grosse Buch der Zimmerpflanzen
German, Reinhard Ferstl, DK Publishing House, Zia Allaway, Fran Bailey, 2024
Visiting people you don’t know well over Christmas and don’t want to show up empty-handed? A Soeder hand soap and lotion set’s always a good shout. The local, sustainable, Zurich-based company produces refillable body care products that everyone’s bound to be able to use.
When it comes down to it, nail polish colours are really a question of taste. But you can’t really go wrong with understated, natural shades such as shimmering beige or pink tones. They’re perfect for creating a natural, put-together look that suits everyone. Unless, that is, the person you’re buying for gets their nails done regularly. If that’s the case, this Illuminating Mini Set from Londontown would be a non-starter.
These are the best hair straighteners I’ve ever got my hands on. When Ghd launched the Chronos, its highest quality styler yet, at the beginning of this year, it scored plenty of brownie points with me. It’s now also available for a limited time only in frosty blue, complete with a metallic box. This is definitely prettier than the standard, generic design in black or white. You can read more about the product in my review.
Source: Natalie Hemengül
Home workouts are like long-term relationships. You’ve got to keep them fresh and add a little va-va-voom every now and then. These Bala weight cuffs (0.5 kg each) are soft to the touch and can be attached to your wrists or ankles to up your fitness game. The weights can be used in a variety of ways, including during yoga sessions, walks and barre training. I especially like wearing mine when I’m doing my Pilates exercises.
Do you know somebody who likes to let their creative juices flow? Inspired by the universe, Caran d’Ache has launched its Cosmic Blue collection just in time for Christmas. I’d like to give whoever designed it a big hug. Having bought the multi-product set myself, I think it makes a fabulous gift. It contains ten metallic coloured pencils and ten matching metallic wax pastels from the Neocolor range.
Fino’s Premium Touch Hair Mask is a bestseller in Japan. The nourishing hair mask contains royal jelly and makes damaged hair feel soft. I brought it back from my trip to Japan as a souvenir for me and my friends and am thrilled with it.
Header image: Natalie Hemengül
Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
Beauty
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