Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Christmas must (not) haves?

Gallery christmas presents: John Calvin chocolates
John Calvin chocolates: Certain to feature in Gordon Brown’s letter to Santa, these Swiss luxury chocolates have been created to commemorate the 500th anniversary next year of the dour 16th century French theologian, founding father of reformed Protestantism and adherent to the theological concept of “total depravity”. Ho ho ho! CHF (Swiss Francs) 21.50 from Calvin09.org Photograph: www.calvin09.org
Gallery christmas presents: Obama comic
Barack Obama: Presidential material. Remember this guy? Relive his full, disputed-by-crazed-Republicans life story in this superhero-style graphic novel. $3.99 from Presidentialcomics.com Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters
Gallery christmas presents: The One-click Butter Cutter
The One-click Butter Cutter: This cuts the perfect amount of butter every time (unless you’re slimming, or greedy), and represents a welcome advance from the early prototype Two-click Butter Cutter, which we can all agree was prohibitively complex. $19.95 from Oneclickbuttercutter.com Photograph: www.oneclickbuttercutter.com
Gallery christmas presents: William Bounds Sili Gourmet Reusable Silicone Pie Crust Protector
William Bounds Sili Gourmet Reusable Silicone Pie Crust Protector: A cunning plastic ring that sits around your apple pies, ensuring their crusts are perfectly browned, but never burned. $£7.95 from Amazon.com Photograph: William Bounds
Gallery christmas presents: piano hands
Both stylish and practical, these neoprene gloves allow you to make beautiful music without the need for a keyboard, with guitar. At almost £50, you might consider them an heirloom investment piece rather than an impulse buy — but who can put a price on the magic of music? £49.99 from Iwantoneofthose.com Photograph: www.iwantoneofthose.com
Gallery christmas presents: shoe calendar
Shoe calendar: Cheer up your little lady with this 2009 calendar offering a different pair of shoes every single day of the year. Whether it’s flats in February or stilettoes in September, she won’t be able to stop herself drooling. And who knows, it might even distract her from nagging for a couple of minutes. £5.20 from Amazon.co.uk Photograph: amazon.co.uk
Gallery christmas presents: soap on a rope
Soap on a rope: The original personal hygiene-cum–suspension device, and still the best. So what if a bar of soap always goes a bit soggy or flakey before you finish it, and is invariably too harsh on the complexion? Does 'shower gel' rhyme? No, it does not. Musgo real soap on a rope, £8.95 from amazon.co.uk Photograph: amazon.co.uk
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
In My Tiny Kitchen, Every Inch Counts – Yet Drew Barrymore’s Ingenious Blender Earned a Spot on My Counter (And Replaced 3 Bulky Appliances)
The new 'Kitchen System' is a personal blender and food processor all in one, making it a must-have for small spaces (starting with mine)
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Former Texas Roadhouse worker calls out the outlet for ‘scooping out’ a bug from their cinnamon butter, but people noticed something even worse
Everyone has seen the viral videos of secret menu hacks or behind-the-scenes kitchen tours. But one former Texas Roadhouse server’s “throwback” TikTok of a bug in cinnamon butter is a literal nightmare. People with a fear of bugs, you might want to sit this one out.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
From YouTuber to NASCAR driver: Cleetus McFarland expands his racing resume at Daytona
Garrett Mitchell is better known as “Cleetus McFarland” to his millions of followers gained over the years as a racing influencer
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Woman orders wedding dress from Dior. Then she sees the box it came in. People are alarmed at the reveal: ‘I thought that was a fridge’
Forget butterflies and happy tears. This Dior bride’s big moment arrived looking less like couture and more like a Home Depot delivery. In a now-viral TikTok, handymen lug a massive wooden crate into her house–except it’s the kind you’d expect to hold a fridge, not a frock.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
8 Signs Your Healthy Southern Diet is Actually Causing Inflammation
Traditional Southern flavors often rely on fresh produce and lean proteins, but common preparation methods can unintentionally trigger inflammation. While many believe they are following a wholesome regional diet, specific dietary habits might be working against health goals. Identifying these subtle shifts in nutrition can help restore balance and improve…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
The science behind the trend for showering in the dark before bed
The latest wellness trend and “sleep hack” involves switching off the bathroom light before stepping into the shower. In the dimness, the water feels louder, the day’s visual clutter fades and the hope is that sleep will come more easily. This practice, often called “dark showering”, has spread on social…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play