Unique Christmas gift ideas: Gifts for women

Fed up of giving safe-but-boring jewellery? Tired of silver chains and gold charms? Then we suggest a creepy-crawly gift. Hand-beaded butterfly necklaces by Clara Francis from the wonderful Shopfloor Project website (browse thoroughly, it's a Curiosity Shop of a site) are like nothing else she'll get given, and are perfectly complemented by the sweet beetle fob purse.

Beaded butterfly necklaces, £80
By Clara Francis
Buy online at theshopfloorproject.com

Leather fob purse, £30
By Kate Sheridan
Buy online at katesheridan.com Photograph: PR

Whether you are braving lingerie or just want a cosy dressing gown, Princesse Tam Tam is a great brand to try. Neither overly girly nor boringly plain, their styles are flattering, comfortable and come in a lovely range of fabrics and colours.

Pyjama top, €50 (approx £43), and bottoms, €50
By Princesse Tam Tam
Buy online at princesstamtam.com Photograph: PR

Look beyond the beanie with these stylish structured hats: perfect for Boxing Day walks. Both are fair trade, and both have delightful button details.

Fair trade knitted hat, £26
By Komodo
Buy online at fashion-conscience.com

Red felt cloche hat, £39.95
By Pachacuti
Buy online at panamas.co.uk Photograph: PR

If you are going to go classic with a jewellery gift, then these simple key charm necklaces from independent jewellers Goodman and Morris are a lovely choice. There's also a more gothic key-and-skull option for a harder edge.

Key necklaces, £75 (silver) or £135 (gold)
By Goodman Morris
Buy online at goodmanmorris.com Photograph: PR

The V&A shop is one of our absolute favourite places to browse: packed full of art-themed gifts from jewellery, clothes and accessories to quirky children's toys and gadgets. This chic bonzai print laptop bag is a particular favourite of ours, as are the kimono-inspired phone covers.

Laptop bag, £12-20 (three sizes)
By V&A
Buy online at vandashop.com Photograph: PR

Ah, the Christmas smellies gift set: so often chosen with little thought or inspiration and received with a fixed grin. Not this one. It is utterly delightful. Green and Spring make indulgent, luxury products based on natural ingredients and inspired by the British countryside, and all are adorned with drawings of native birds. What's more, Guardian readers can enjoy 15% off all Green and Spring products until 16 December. Simply enter GUAR15 at the checkout.

Bodycare gift set, £22
By Green and Spring
Buy online at greenandspring.com Photograph: Daniel Pothecary/PR

Gentlemen, save yourselves an embarrassing trawl around the lingerie department of your local department store and buy some Mimi Holliday lingerie online. She will like them, trust us. Although this is perhaps not the ideal present for great aunt Maud ...

Étoilé de Nuit bra, £49, and knicker, £40
Bienvenue teddy, £75
By Mimi Holliday
Buy online at damaris.co.uk Photograph: PR

This is the perfect gift for a label lover - they will coo over the Longchamp name, but it won't set you back the wince-inducing price of a Chanel or Marc Jacobs handbag. It's not cheap, mind, but the recipient might well think you've really gone to town.

Le Pliage Play handbag, £85
By Longchamp
Available from selfridges.com Photograph: PR

One for the more girly girl, this vintage-inspired kisslock purse is lovingly handcrafted and features a whimsical Libery print. Have a browse around the Peppermint Twist website; they have a whole range of purses and bags in sweetie-inspired patent leather and in a range of lovely fabrics.

Liberty print seashells purse, £28
By Peppermint Twist
Buy online at pepperminttwist.co.uk Photograph: PR

Though the design of these earrings is classic - a simple style based on the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh - the story behind them is fascinating. All Clogau's jewellery is made using a little touch of their ever-decreasing stock of Welsh gold.

Silver and rose gold earrings, £79
By Clogau
Buy online at clogau.co.uk Photograph: Andreas Vogt/PR

If lingerie would be greeted with scorn, and jewellery with a raised eyebrow, how about a more minimalist gift? Rucksacks are set to make a comeback, and this grey suede one is stylish and understated.

Suede rucksack, £135
By Eastpak
Buy online at eastpak.com or call 0845 601 1151 for stockists Photograph: PR

No girl wants to see a multipack of tangas in her stocking, but these regal briefs are likely to meet with approval. If Elizabeth I is not your monarch of choice, Five Go Mad also stock a version with her papa, and there is even an Ann Boleyn nappy cover to complete the family set.

Queen Elizabeth pants, £15
By Twisted Tee
Buy online at fivegomad.co.uk Photograph: PR

Say it with flowers - flowers that don't need to be thrown away after a few days. This lovely red rose ring is by Kat & Bee, who also have some really unusual, quirky designs - the whole site is worth a good browse.

Rose ring, £65
By Kat & Bee
Buy online at katandbee.co.uk Photograph: PR

The lovely econe jewellery site has a wonderful selection of jewellery, from the simple and pretty to some outrageous statement pieces. You can also commission pieces from their workshop.

Silver bracelet, £56
By Oria
Buy online at econe.co.uk Photograph: PR