The year’s biggest gift-buying extravaganza is on the horizon.
Yes, it may feel silly to talk about Christmas when it still feels so very long away, but trust me, it will be here before you know it. It pays to start prepping early, especially as the average gifting spend per Brit was £596 in 2024, according to Finder. And that's just the national average - Londoners spend even more, at a whopping average of £936 per person.
It’s an eyewatering sum, and one that will probably wind up being even more if you leave things to the last minute.
You don’t want to find yourself on December 24 frantically pinballing around the West End for presents - any presents - or pulling on riot gear for a shopping centre trip, as I have done on two separate occasions (take it from me, the trauma never quite leaves you).
Forming a loose Christmas gift shopping list now means you can spread the cost of the festive period over a few months, so you’re not totally broke between December and January's paychecks. Plus, just imagine how smug you’ll feel that you’ve organised it all in advance, gliding into party season cool, calm and collected while everyone else tangles themselves up in blind panic with decorative ribbon.
Father Christmas doesn’t have a monopoly on Christmas lists. To help inspire your efforts this giving season, I’ve put together a foolproof list of suggestions that will tick off every member of your family - and then some.
Parents, grandparents, kids, teens - heck, even the neighbours who unfailingly sign for your deliveries or water your houseplants when you’re away.
Christmas is always a big deal here at Standard Shopping. We’ve got guides on everything from advent calendars to decorations like artificial trees and festive wreaths. But our gift guides are arguably the best, curated to take budgets, quality and aesthetics in mind. In them you’ll find cult products alongside the hottest new releases, plus crowd-pleasers that will bring a smile to the face of your trickiest customer.
My mission? To make your gifts the most anticipated parcels under the tree.
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Best Christmas gift ideas for her
She may deserve an award every day of the week, but come Christmas, the present should be extra special. Whether she loves nothing more than a good boogie, can’t refuse luxe skincare, or could use something to make her life easier, I’ve got the goods below.
ABBA Voyage
It's one of the most talked-about productions in town, with streams of sequinned-speckled party-goers flooding the DLR’s Pudding Mill station for every performance.
Set in a purpose-built cathedral to one of Sweden's greatest musical exports, ABBA Voyage is the party every disco-lover must experience. With incredible lightwork and avatars that will leave you rubbing your eyes to believe aren't real, this is a peek at what the future of gigs could look like.
If your mum is up for dancing, standing tickets are most budget-friendly (nudge your way back to take it all in) while seated options mean you can see the 40-years-in-the-making production in all its glory.
Want to make it extra special? Add lounge access for bubbly and nibbles before the show takes off.
Bookings are available from £104.50.
Buy now £104.50, ABBA Voyage
Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Legendary dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross is the expert behind this LED face mask that was created with acne sufferers in mind.
Bringing the in-clinic experience to the comfort of your own home, you need not travel to Dr Gross’ Manhattan establishment to get the results. In just three minutes, the combination of 100 red collagen-boosting and 62 blue bacteria-busting lights will work their magic to bring you a clearer, plumper and more youthful complexion. It’s a powerful treatment that encourages cell turnover, so it is ideal for healing those red raw blemishes.
You will notice the control button on the forehead that is pressed to activate a different mode. After the allotted time, it turns itself off but while in use, the cordless design means you’re free to get on with other things.
We suggest popping it on during one of the many Zoom meetings you may have on a work-from-home day - just don’t forget to turn your camera off. Results are not immediate but gradual with consistent daily use over the course of 10 or so weeks.
Available with a luxe-looking white and gold exterior or a sleek black iteration.
There are over 140 five-star reviews with customers raving about the effects. One said: “Results are amazing - last week a friend I've not seen in a while asked me if I got botox or anything else done to my face”, while another praised its impact on blemishes, “It has helped hugely with acne - the number of spots has reduced, and the ones which still come up aren’t nearly as angry and seem to clear much faster”.
Buy now £465.00, Cult Beauty
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate on The Glow Kit
Combining medical skin science with spa-like products, we are continually impressed with Kate Somerville's line of products. This bundle showcases three of her glowing best: travel-size versions of ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash and ExfoliKate Glow Moisturiser.
Each delivers fast results, even more so when used together; glowing, refined skin will be yours before you know it. Use together, love forever.
Buy now £29.00, Lookfantastic
Smythson 2026 Panama Weekly Diary
A leopard never changes her spots, but when they're as chic as this - why would she ever want to? Manifest a wild and stylish year for 2026 with Smythson's limited edition Panama diary, now in a statement animal print.
Buy now £90.00, Smythson
Best Christmas gift ideas for him
Another pair of socks? I don’t think so - not for his big gift, at least. This year, treat him to a special something that will leave him chuffed beyond words. From slick new tech and cool accessories to cult folding bikes, see the list below.
West Ham Adults Navy Dressing Gown
Make sure you give this present to him first, for it’s perfect for lounging in while opening the rest of them underneath the Christmas tree. Ultra-soft, warm and relaxing, it features an embroidered West Ham crest. While this editor is a Hammer, these fuzzy dressing gowns likely exist across all club merchandise sites. Shop accordingly (and don’t get it wrong)
Buy now £40.00, WHUFC
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds
Apple has just dropped a host of brand new products for 2025, each of them designed to occupy the top of a tech lover's wishlist. For audio excellence, a new contender is in town in the form of Apple's AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds.
Lauded as the best in-ear active noise cancellation options around, the new earbuds offer 3D sound and up to 10 hours of listening. But they can do so much more too: think live translation, calorie and workout tracking and keep an eye on your hearing health.
The buds come with a charging case and five silicone tip sizes so you can enjoy a secure fit, no matter the shape of your lugholes.
Buy now £219.00, Amazon
Brompton C-Line Explore
British-made Brompton remains a true cycling icon. Compact, fun and easy to store, somehow this Brompton manages to make you feel like you’re almost riding a full-size bike while retaining its key USP – the fact that it folds down into a super-compact size. It comes complete with mudguards to get you to your destination clean and dry, as well as a front carrier block for loading up on Brompton luggage (which you can buy separately).
If you’re looking for something suitable to take on all forms of transport, this is it. The handlebars, gearing, frame type, accessories and colour are all customisable – but we found six speeds was plenty for city streets. We also love the Matcha Green colour, which is a newer addition, and the M-type handlebars – known as the ‘Classic Brompton handlebar’ – offer both comfort and style.
Buy now £1449.00, Evans Cycles
Fieldbar Drinks Box Cooler with Interchangeable Straps (10L)
A sleek little cool box is perfect for the person who appreciates a drop of something special. Fieldbar's 10L design comes with a leather strap for easy carrying and can hold the equivalent of two bottles of wine and two cans of beer. It'll come into its own come picnicking season.
Buy now £179.00, Harrods
Best Christmas gift ideas for grandparents
Your second set of parents, forget grandparents in your festive shopping list at your peril (and possibly your inheritance). Something indulgent, timeless and elegant is the ticket here - a little like them themselves.
Kindle Colorsoft
Featuring 16GB of storage, there’s room aplenty for all your literature. The seven-inch, 300ppi B&W, 150ppi colour screen and nice light weight of just 215g makes the Colorsoft comfortable on the eye and also in the hand. Meanwhile, the epic battery stamina last up to eight weeks, means your poolside Kindlecation will go utterly uninterrupted by power-outages.
And, yes, I say poolside, because it’s also IPX8 water-resistance rated meaning that it not only can it shrug off odd splashes, it can survive for up to 60-minutes fully immersed in two-metres of water, so whether you’re by the waiter-rich pool at the l’hôtel du Ostentation in Bali or merely having a soak in the bath, your Colorsoft can be your constant companion.
Buy now £239.00, Amazon
Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser 2.0
Loco for cocoa? Hot Chocolat's Velvetiser has long been the premium hot chocolate maker in the game, but the brand has upped the ante with an all-new design just in time for Christmas shopping. Available in three subdued shades, the updated model can now make hot and cold drinking chocolate with perfectly smooth results, whatever the temperature.
Buy now £149.95, Hotel Chocolat
Roberts Radio Reva
When you think of premium radio, Roberts is up there with the best. The brand has released an all-new Reva design for 2025, housing DAB+/FM/Bluetooth in an elegant wooden cabinet that comes in three colourways. Perfect for listening to your favourite podcasts and bringing style to tabletops.
Buy now £199.99, Roberts
Best Christmas gift ideas for teens
Trying to intuit the whims and wants of today’s teen is not for the fainthearted. Luckily, you won’t have to; the suggestions below have been chosen especially with them in mind. From tech that looks more expensive than it is and lavish beauty sets to cute homeware, shop with ease.
Damson Madder gift card
Give them the gift of freedom; for teen fashion obsessives, one of the biggest labels on the block right now is Damson Madder. The gift card can be loaded with denominations ranging from £10 to £250, and can be slipped inside a festive card or Christmas stocking with ease. Proves great things can come inside small packages.
Buy now £10.00, Damson Madder
Creative Stage Pro
Best for: Open audio immersion
Fresh out from the 80s’ innovators of PC audio, the Stage Pro from Singapore’s Creative Labs brings a new, affordable upgrade to desk-based gamers in the sonorous shape of a slick-looking 2.1-channel soundbar and subwoofer system.
The soundbar, at just 55cm long, is perfectly sized to be positioned under most displays, while still being potent enough to pump out 2x 20W of beautifully balanced game grunt from its custom-tuned mid-range drivers, with the ability to switch from Far Field to Near Field putting you right slap-bang in the centre of the sonic action.
The subwoofer section of the audio equation, meanwhile, delivers precision bass with 40W of oomph that you’ll feel in your chest as the bombs fall all around you in whatever arena of combat you’ve elected to enter. Particularly effective in games such as Bioshock and Doom, despite its compact dimensions (42 x 11.5 x 26.5cm H x W x D), the Stage Pro sub packs quite a punch.
Connection-wise, the Stage Pro offers HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Audio, Optical, and Aux-in, so you can hook up the likes of your PC, smartphone/tablet, and TV quickly and simply, whereas consoles can be connected to the TV as usual, the HDMI ARC seamlessly flowing the sound straight to the Stage Pro.
Coming complete with a remote control (2x AAA batteries not included) for ease of operation for sofa set-up gamers making the most of the SuperWide soundstage, the Creative Stage Pro is a very versatile 2.1-channel audio upgrade at an excellent price, bringing both affordability and aural immersion to gamers of all types the globe over.
Specs
Buy now £129.99, Amazon
Kudd.ly Hoodie Blanket - Mushrooms
“You know what they say about mushrooms - they're a bunch of fungis”. A free joke to write on the gift tag when you present this cosy, oversized hoodie to a grateful teen.
Buy now £29.00, Kudd.ly
Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 – USB DJ Controller – 2 Decks with 16 Pads and Built-in Sound Card
Treat the budding DJ in your life to a brand-new set of starter decks in 2024. Serato DJ Lite software is included in your purchase and offers all the features integral to learning how to mix and scratch like a pro. Simply set up your Hercules via an iMac or Windows PC and connect to a pair of headphones or speakers depending on how confident you are in your set. Complete with 16 pads for triggering funky samples and loops, this lightweight device is sure to kick-start your musical career.
Buy now £155.00, Amazon
Instax Pal
The cutest addition to Instax’s camera family is the Pal, a teeny gizmo that will earn a big place in their heart.
The palm-sized cam is shoot-only, using Bluetooth to send prized shots to Instax Link smartphone printers for printing out on mini, square and wide formats. As well as remote shooting, it can do interval bursts and even make animations!
Available in a range of sweet pastel colours, this is a crowd-pleasing gift that all shutterbugs will love.
Buy now £69.00, Amazon
Best Christmas gift ideas for kids and toddlers
In many homes, Christmas is all about the kids, so finding them a shriek-worthy present is the primary objective. I’ve covered a range of age groups, along with some ideas for toddlers and infants who may enjoy the packaging more than the gift.
The best Christmas gifts for kids in 2025
Vilac Classic Car
Push the iPad to one side and send their imagination into overdrive with this vintage racing car. Your little one can channel their inner F1 driver with their own customisable vehicle that can be emblazoned with the text of your choice. It is crafted from a hard-wearing metal and encourages motor skills.
Buy now £119.95, Not Another Bill
Tonies Toniebox 2 Bundle
The wait is finally over! The Toniebox 2 builds on the charm of the original with improved sound quality, a rechargeable battery, and a sturdier design perfect for tiny hands. Kids can simply pop their favourite Tonie figurine on top and instantly dive into stories, songs, or sing-alongs, all without screens. This bundle comes with a curated, personalisable selection of Tonies to get adventures started straight away. It’s a magical, mess-free way to spark imagination and keep little ones entertained for hours.
Buy now £149.99, TonieBox
Sylvanian Families Adventure Treehouse
This wonderful playset is a woodland dream come true, and is exactly what we imagined occurred in the tallest treetops when we were children. The Adventure Tree House has ropes which can go up and down, allowing the contraption to work as a lift.
The log ride accessory can be pushed down the in-built slides, and there are a variety of secret rooms and passageways for the Sylvanian Families figurines to cosy up in and enjoy.
Buy now £44.99, Very
Best Christmas gift ideas for your mates
Great friends are like family, so what better time than Christmas to make them feel like it? Use the most wonderful time of the year to treat your inner circle to something they’ll love? Whether you’re doing Secret Santa or you’re prepared to splurge on each one of them, find epic suggestions below.
Our Place Mini Always Pan 2.0
Downright adorable, this mini version of Our Place's bestselling Always Pan offers a fun way to treat the wannabe chef in your life. Available in five colours, each one sports a non-toxic nonstick finish inside to keep it looking as neat as possible. Start things off on the stove and finish them off in the oven - this baby can withstand temperatures of up to 230°C.
Buy now £100.00, Our Place
Maya Brenner Endless Summer Necklace - Capri
Fans of jewellery layering adore a little beading this summer, and LA-based jeweller Mara Brenner has just the treasure to light them up.
This beaded necklace, Capri, is made for wearing solo or layering with other pieces, ideally of the waterproof variety. The pretty mix of gemstones - turquoise, pearl, coral, rose quartz, and amethyst gemstones are all present - bringing to mind the beauty of the Italian Riviera.
Buy now £152.00, Maya Brenner
Shrimps x Oliver Bonas Striped Glass Coupes Set of Two
The homewares collab that's making my heart sing right now? Shrimps and Oliver Bonas. The two brands have devised an insanely covetable collection, which includes this stripey coupe set made from hard-wearing soda lime glass. Whether you pair it with a bottle of bubbly is up to you (but frankly, rude not to).
Buy now £34.50, Oliver Bonas
Britpop Brut by Alex James NV
From Blur bassist to cheesemaker and now winemaker, Alex James doesn’t know when to stop – and we’re glad he doesn’t.
His wine brand, cleverly named Britpop, has been welcomed with open arms by even cynical oenophiles and it’s not hard to see why. This fizz is made from a Chardonnay-based blend using the traditional method and is creamy, long and toasty.
Plus, the bottle is bound to spark conversation at any table.
Buy now £22.02, Laithwaites
Best Christmas gift ideas for your favourite colleague
Water breaks, minor crisis support and after-work drinks: what would work be without your work wife/husband? A lot gloomier, that’s for sure. Find them great gifts to round off the year below.
Ever Vessel Super Maxi
Best for: gifting
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift that actually gets used? The Ever Vessel Super Maxi has you covered.
Sleek, award-winning, and practical, this stainless steel bottle fits in car cup holders, dismantles for easy cleaning, and keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Personalise it with 29 languages or emojis for a one-of-a-kind present. With the festive bundle launching in October 2025, including a tea infuser and cold brew attachments, this versatile bottle is something anyone would be delighted to receive, whatever their lifestyle.
Buy now £55.00, Ever Vessel
INIU Mini Power Bank
It may be teeny, but boy, can this 10,000mAh power bank pack a punch. From INIU and available in a selection of fun pastel and black colours, the fast-charging palm-sized device is a lifesaver for anyone guilty of draining their battery well before the nightly recharge.
Was: £38.99
Buy now £29.68, Amazon
Sony MDR-ZX110AP On-Ear Headphones with Mic/Remote, Black
A great pair of headphones is a universally loved gift, and this pair from Sony are among the best budget buys in the game. They’re light, fold flat, and feature an in-line remote so you can forward, pause and play without reaching for your phone. There’s also a mic to make taking work or private calls a doddle.
Buy now £16.01, John Lewis
Best Christmas gift ideas for pets
What’s more heartwarming than your furry friend greeting you on Christmas morning in a little Santa hat? Laughing at the excited zoomies they’ll get when they see your gift.
Fortnum's Wicker Pet Bed with Tartan Pillow, Small
A lavish treat for a pampered pooch, F&M's wicker dog bed comes with a tartan pillow so they can nap after a long winter walk.
Buy now £195.00, F&M
Dunelm Turntable Cat Scratching Pad
Defer your Christmas playlist to your feline friend with this novelty scratching toy, which should distract them from clawing at your expensive furniture.
Buy now £19.00, Dunelm
SUCK Goldfish Pet Cat Ceramic Water Bowl
If your four-legged friend needs encouraging to get their sips in, this ceramic water bowl is more than up to the task. The fun goldfish motif offer a simple but quirky detail.
Buy now £15.99, John Lewis
Best Christmas gift ideas for your neighbours
Whether you live in a flat or a house, sharing a postcode with a good neighbour makes life a lot easier. You don’t have to spend much, but a small gift will spread endless festive cheer.
Amazon Gift Card
If you’re completely stumped, you can always pull a gift card out of your bag. Put them in the driving seat with an Amazon gift card, which can be loaded up with a custom amount or set from £20 - £150. The card can be sent via email or text message and comes with a variety of cover illustrations for the occasion. It’ll come in useful for major sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday or renewing their Prime subscription.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
The Olive Oil Guy Olive Oil Extra Virgin
Like fine wine, a good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be the subject of much snobbery. Not so with The Olive Oil Guy's take on the premium condiment.
The brand serves up its cold-pressed elixir, made with early-harvested Greek olives, is this fun bottle, making it feel friendlier to the masses. Expect rich flavour with a little peppery spice made for livening up summer BBQs.
Buy now £13.59, Amazon
OKA Vaserely Salt and Pepper Shakers Pair
Elegant and pleasingly weighty, these salt and pepper shakers from Oka are a step up from the usual tableware.
Inspired by classic ceramic forms, their curved silhouette adds subtle interest without shouting for attention. They’re the sort of practical gift that gets daily use but still feels considered — ideal for a hosting type who appreciates detail and doesn’t need another bottle of wine.
Buy now £30.00, OKA
Best emergency Christmas gift ideas
We’ve all been there; a last-minute party invite comes through, or a relative surprises the family by bringing their new partner to the shindig. When you need a good and inexpensive present that looks like you’ve made an effort, these are the small gifts that will save your skin.
F&M Piccadilly Chocolate Pearl Biscuits, 200g
Who is going to frown at a tin of biscuits, much less a tin from royal grocer Fortnum & Mason? These chocolate pearls are made from an all-butter recipe and finished with drops of Valrhona.
Buy now £11.95, F&M
The Original Black Garlic Peeled Cloves 150g
Gourmet gems for the larder are rarely ill-received and black garlic is one of those ingredients that shines in practically any diet. It can be used in veggie, vegan and meat dishes, delivering deep, rich, umami flavour to everything from gravy and a casserole to a festive cheeseboard.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Neom Organics London Ceramic Star Natural Diffuser
Neom's candles may blow the Secret Santa budget, but the dinky diffusers won't. This star-shaped one is just a giver and comes with a little ribbon to hang it off doorknobs or on the tree, offering a boost of scent when required.
Buy now £6.00, Neom Organics
