2024 Christmas gifts for her

My birthday is in December and many moons ago I created a birthday list that ended up doubling up as a handy Christmas list. It was also the year I got my best birthday presents ever because everyone knew exactly what I wanted! I think it was my 21st actually – so a big excessive year! So I thought as I celebrate the 12th year anniversary of my 21st birthday, a most auspicious of occasions, I should bring back the birthday list! But to make it more user friendly we’re going with a “Christmas gifts for her guide”!

The very bespoke: Christmas gifts for her list

– French butter dish
I don’t have a specific one in mind but something neutral and simple like this one on Amazon looks great. I am not pro the easy spreadable butter but I would also like my proper butter to be… easy spreadable – hence, French butter dish. Essentially it’s a clever little dish that allows you to keep your butter out of the fridge by using a water seal.

– Beautiful colourful napkins
I love a beautifully set table. It brings me a silly amount of joy. I have neutral napkins but recently spotted these gorgeous colourful ones on H&M. I can’t decide between the lilac or the pink but actually think two sets of each colour would work well in combo. The red would also be gorgeous is you’re looking for Christmas napkins!

– Robert Welch steak knives
Now that I am happily an old lady, I am very big on good cutlery. The price of the good stuff is an absolute joke but hopefully this set will last me forever. We opted for the Radford Bright set and it still is the perfect classic good quality set for us. We didn’t have the “upgrade for steak knives” money at the time but have recently picked up a four pack on sale. I am tempted to buy another four to complete our set.

– Sezane knitwear
Since we’ve moved to the UK I have slowly been upgrading my knitwear. I like very soft things and Sezane has gorgeous cashmere or mohair options that are pricing but not deathly so, their designs are timeless but still interesting and their colour palettes are gorgeous. You should definitely size down as their fit is definitely oversized. I opt for an extra small from Sezane but normally shop between a small and a medium for jumpers. From their current collection I love the Stacy jumper and the Angie and Angelo cardigans.

– Wolf & Moon interchangeable earrings
I recently stumbled across this quirky charming brand and went down a rabbit hole! You buy a set of their standard gold hoops and then you can buy additional charms to add to your hoops as you go. I love the foodie focus of the brand too! I would go for the scallops, pomegranates, figs or apples! I love that once you have your first set you can just keep going every year as their new collections are released.

– Glass candle holders from Issy Granger
I have been lovingly looking at these for a very long time and particularly like the Ombo shape. I recently found a great dupe from Dunelm (see stocking filler list). But a small part of me still wants an original. But pricey… And limited storage space. On the one day list! And maybe YOU’LL buy them and love them!

– Silly rude plates by Dan Jamieson
These make me laugh. Some of them are too British but they’re snarky and great. Link to the hate plates here.

– Stagg ekg electric kettle in white or navy
We have a hot water tap that is honestly dangerous but some days I have my doubts and don’t think it’s good enough for a proper cup of tea. I have been quietly thinking about this kettle for some time now.

– Label maker with the keyboard for typing
If you’ve been around for all of five minutes you’ll know how much joy this would bring me. I have a label maker that links to an app on my phone and at the risk of sounding like a luddite – it’s just more complicated that it needs to be.

– Plates from the Detail Smith
I remember falling in love with these plates when I was in university and DYING at the price of them. I still think they’re super expensive but with all the money I am saving on no longer indulging in cheap rosé, late night McDonalds and drunker uber nights now that I am an old lady – I could probably swing a few. They’re available from The Blue Cafe in Tamboerskloof and this might be the year I finally take the plunge. They’re available from Poetry too – but we don’t support them, thanks very muuuch!

– Caroline Gelen’s recipe book – Pass the Plate
I have been following Caroline on Instagram for quite some time and I have made a fair few of her recipes – all have been keepers from her spicy watermelon salad to delicate chocolate peanut butter pots. She’s recently brought out her first cook book and I am thiiis close to adding to cart.

– Origami parrot lamp
I have wanted one of these lamps for the longest time. I don’t know who did the original design but they’re something like this and I think they’re quirky and charming and beautiful.

– This blue ceramic swallow from Provence
We loved the ceramic swallows in Porto but the traditional colours weren’t my vibe. I found this blue and white one which will work with our current ceramic collection. I have almost bought this so many times but keep getting put off by the delivery cost being almost as much as the swallow. If I am still thinking about this bird when we’re in France next year, I will have it posted to us in France. Maybe the delivery will be more reasonable in country!!

Big expensive gifts

– Bag charms from Loewe
These are utterly ridiculous and unreasonable expensive but somehow I want about six…? The sequinned shrimp is magic and the dragon fruit is just insane.

– Chanel classic tan slingbacks
No explanation necessary.

– Signet rings by Castro Smith
Look these are gorgeous but aggressively expensive. And I appreciate WHY they’re expensive. But goodness me. I love the Hummingbird mini, the Anatomical classic, the Swallow & Hummingbird and the Hare & Trap signet rings. Please Jono, wait until we’re very rich for these ones.

– Monogrammed pillowcases
These are expensive but I want them. It’s for my “when I make partner one day” list.

– Embroidered napkins
Goes on the same list as the monogrammed pillowcases. Ridiculous, but I want them. I think I am just holding out for my rich lady era.

Successful previous gifts

– My engagement ring – best gift ever. And yes, it’s a gift. He’s not getting it back?

– My kindle – one of the best gifts of my whole life and really unlocked a world of more books. You can say how much you like the feel of paper books as much as you want. But you’re wrong and you’re missing out. While you’re here – here is my round up of my favourite books of 2022 and 2023.

– Hermes scarves
Jono hit the nail on the head with an Hermes scarf a couple of years back and I truly believe it is a gift that can’t go wrong. They’re pieces of art and I love my Hermes babies. My suggestion is to go with the classic size – 90x90cms. And remember when shopping, the design on the edges is more important than the design in the middle because the way you fold the scarf you very rarely will show the middle. Don’t be duped by a cute central design with nothing to show for itself along the edges.

– Kenwood mixer
This was a wedding gift from friends who are also our next door neighbours. This has been a game changer in terms of baking – from cookies to cakes and now I make breads too! And I have also stopped asking to borrow THEIR Kenwood which feels like a gift for them too.

– Luxury advent calendars
I feel like luxury advent calendars are part of my BRAND to be honest. The problem started with the Jo Malone advent calendar which was a gift from a friend. It was such a great gift I immediately burst into tears. Perfect gift. I can also recommend the Space NK advent calendar. And this season I am trying out the Harrods advent calendar – will report back!

– Aarke sparkling water machine
This was technically a me to me gift. I used to use the Soda stream but I no longer want to support their brand. And in all honesty, the Aarke machine is just stupidly beautiful.

– Automatic pepper grinder
This seems crazy but it’s a top gift. I absolutely hate grinding pepper manually and now I have a clever grinder where I push the button and black pepper happens! Magic!

– Bow heels from Nikki Hoyne
I adore the classic bow heels from Nikki Hoyne and bought five pairs last year. Yes, that is embarrassing for me. They’re a fantastic work heel due to the wedge heel and can add a little personality to a smart work outfit.

– Custom made jewels from Claire at Botanica
Jewellery of all kinds is lovely. But there is something incredibly special about designing a piece from scratch especially with my favourite Claire from Botanica. There is no one else I would work with. She is brilliant, professional and let’s me know when my expectations don’t align with my budget (often…). Claire designed my watermelon tourmaline ring for me, a gorgeous grey spinel Jono gifted me with the most unique colouring and of course my OTT “something blue” for our wedding. I first started work with Claire because rumour has it she is the “Tourmaline Queen” – and friends – it is true!

– Good quality spatulas from Le Creuset
I cook a lot – and I am constantly reaching for my Le Creuset spatulas over my Ikea basic chaps. I found myself constantly looking for the one I had – and now that I have two I am a happier woman.

– Jo Malone anything! Let’s be honest – it’s all gorgeous. Make an effort and engrave something please. It really amps up the magic and it is FREE.

Stocking filler ideas for you (I own and love these things already)

– Little brass flower spoons from Amazon
They just make me happy! Pretty little impractical spoons for afternoon snacks or dessert.

– Glass candle holders from Dunelm
After wanting the Issy Granger candle holders for over two years, I gave up on ever justifying the expense. Dunelm has some gorgeous glass options – I have a bunch in different shades of blue with this fluted one being my favourite.

– Tulip bulbs!
We bought Tulip bulbs when we were in Amsterdam last year and they brought me so much joy in Spring when they started popping up. They’re a great Christmas gift as you need to plant them in the cold.

– Flying Tiger foodie Christmas baubles
I have been buying a handful of these every year and I absolutely adore them! They’re quirky and silly and affordable! I noted the golden pig is new this year and it’s too cute! I have the sprinkled croissant, the lobster, the cheese and the hot dog! They’re just too good!