All wrapped up: Stunning Christmas gifts for her
Wife, mother, sister or aunt – indulge the women in your life with our edit of decadent gifts
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
Step away from the gift cards. When it comes to buying the perfect Christmas present for her, a little thought can go a long way. Chances are, if you pay enough attention, you’ll find she’s already dropped some ‘subtle’ hints about what she’d like to find under the tree this year.
And, if not? Then Luxury London is happy to provide some assistance. From gorgeous handbags and accessories to money-no-object buys, here’s our guide to the best Christmas gifts for wives, girlfriends, mums, sisters and every other woman on your Christmas list.
The best fashion gifts for her
Really Wild tweed bomber
Buying for a woman as likely to be found tramping around the countryside in wellies as she is strolling down Bond Street in heels? Really Wild is your go-to for perfect anytime, anywhere gifts. The British brand’s AW23 collection is bursting with covetable pieces perfect for the party season and beyond, from silk slip skirts in festive hues to cosy shearling jackets and timeless cable knit scarves and sweaters she’ll turn to for years to come. Our pick of the bunch, however, is this brilliant jacket which seamlessly blends an urban bomber silhouette with the classic tweeds of the British countryside. The fact that it’s woven from a luxe cashmere and lambswool blend is simply the icing on the cake.
Tweed cashmere and lambswool bomber jacket, £495, reallywildclothing.com
Brunello Cucinelli cashmere jumper
Have you always considered choosing clothing for women to be a tad treacherous? The key is to find a crowd-pleasing piece with something for everyone. Take, for example, this brilliant cardigan by Italian ‘king of cashmere’ Brunello Cucinelli. Its oversized cable knit will satisfy fashion-forward sisters and girlfriends, its timeless oatmeal hue will fit in seamlessly with your mum’s wardrobe, and its quality cashmere construction will even give nan plenty to love. You’re welcome.
Brunello Cucinelli cable-knit cashmere sweater, £1,890, net-a-porter.com
Emilia Wickstead Josiah dress
No Christmas is complete without a little glitter and sparkle. If you happen to know a woman likely to spend the festive season so preoccupied with hosting arrangements and party planning that she forgets to buy herself something fabulous for the big day, she’ll be overjoyed to find this incredible Emilia Wickstead dress under the tree.
Josiah sequinned dress, £2,100, emiliawickstead.com
Max Mara
'Tis the season for wrapping up, and few are the women who haven’t coveted one of Max Mara’s signature belted coats. This winter, the Italian brand is offering coats in an array of neutral hues. We're fans of this universally flattering tobacco shade, which is sophisticated but won’t become instantly grubby after one trip on the tube.
Max Mara Lilia cashmere coat, £3,895, harrods.com
The best accessories for women
Gucci GG leather belt
Who said the staples had to be boring? Yes, every wardrobe needs a classic black leather belt - but why not inject a little fun and glamour into this everyday piece courtesy of Gucci? The Italian fashion house has buckled its minimalist design with the iconic 'GG' logo rendered in gold-tone hardware and embellished with pearls. Trust us, they'll wear it with, well, everything.
Gucci GG embellished belt, £360, harveynichols.com
Old Burgundy Inhabitation of Leopards scarf
Tucked into her favourite coat, tied around the handle of her bag or worn as a gorgeous hair accessory, few and far between are the women who won't appreciate a beautiful silk scarf. Made using ethically-sourced premium wood-based cellulosic silk which replicates the feel of natural silk, Old Burgunday's scarves are woven by skilled artisans using a sustainable production process that guarantees only the finest quality finished product. Featuring a vibrant print inspired by the natural habitat of leopards, this timeless design will be a favourite for seasons to come.
Inhabitations of Leopards scarf, £210, oldburgundy.com
Paris Texas croc-effect boots
Everyone needs a great pair of boots in their winter wardrobe and, should you choose a pair to gift wisely, she’ll return to them year after year. If she prefers the leg-lengthening effect of a knee-high boot may we point you in the direction of Paris Texas. Perfect for pulling on with jeans or wearing under mid-length dresses and skirts, the classic black croc-effect leather makes for a welcome point of difference from standard brown and makes for easy day-to-night transitioning. (And, if she really loves them, they come in white too.)
Paris Texas croc-effect knee-high boots, £625, harveynichols.com
Malone Souliers Maureen pumps
A bumper season of festive parties, drinks and dinners left her favourite heels looking a little worse for wear? Gifting a pair of Malone Soulier’s whimsical mules will put you straight to the top of next year’s good list. First up, the brand’s signature Maureen pump is the ideal option for anyone who prefers their seasonal metallics a little more understated. Created in a flattering champagne hue, with Malone Soulier's best-loved silhouette, this gorgeous design delicately hugs the heel for a flattering, leg-lengthening effect. Not a fan of heels? Seek out the Robyn Mary Jane in the same colourway for a chic party flat that will still look great come summer's weddings.
Malone Souliers Maureen pumps, £550, harrods.com
Di Minno
Flats more her thing? Milanese footwear brand Di Minno does a fine line in shimmering, sparkling party shoes that won't leave her reaching for the emergency flip flops. Our picks? The Valentina mules (surely the chicest way to wear leopard print this season) and the cute-as-a-button Babette Mary Janes. Both can be worn with gowns and mini dresses now and with jeans come the new year. We call that a savvy investment.
Valentina mules, £445, diminnoshoes.com; Babette Mary Janes, £685, diminnoshoes.com
Tom Ford Jameson sunglasses
Everyone looks good in sunglasses – which makes them the ideal gift for particularly fussy fashion fans. The choice, however, can be a little overwhelming, so there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, always opt for a big-name brand you know she loves. Secondly, remember that rounded frames in a versatile shade will suit almost all face shapes. Thirdly, never be so bold as to choose coloured lenses. These tortoiseshell designs by Tom Ford tick all the boxes.
Tom Ford Jameson sunglasses, £235, farfetch.com
The best handbags for women
Burberry Rocking Horse bag
As long as you steer clear of anything garishly coloured, vastly oversized or miniscule (Jacquemus, we’re looking at you), gifting a designer handbag is hard to get wrong. If you’re buying for someone who already has quite the collection, opt for a classic shape that has been given a new-season twist. Burberry’s timeless (but completely new) Rocking Horse bag is one of Daniel Lee's first designs for the house and features an updated take on the classic Burberry insignia.
Medium Rocking Horse handbag, £2,490, burberry.com
Aspinal of London Lottie bag
What is Christmas about if not the excuse to give your most eye-catching bag an outing or two? With this in mind, you may want to gift Aspinal of London’s shimmering Lottie clutch bag a few weeks ahead of the big day. Yes, it’s versatile enough to wear year-round but this piece really comes into its own during Christmas party season.
Crafted from full-grain leather with a practical yet chic letterbox design, it's roomy enough to carry all her party essentials (yes, including a smartphone) while remaining slimline and chic. It also comes complete with a coordinating gold chain for hands-free dance floor action. As for the colour? Champagne, naturally.
Lottie clutch bag, £495, aspinaloflondon.com
Saint Laurent College bag
Alternatively, if you’re buying for a younger friend or family member who has yet to amass their own collection, get them started with a piece they’ll treasure forever. Finished with the iconic YSL Art Deco logo, chain strap and quilted leather outer, Saint Laurent’s mid-size College bag promises never to go out of style.
Saint Laurent College medium quilted bag, £2,000, matchesfashion.com
Bottega Veneta
Before he moved to Burberry, Daniel Lee’s revitalisation of Bottega Veneta saw the brand's bags become some of the most covetable (and valuable) on the market – and this legacy continues under new creative director Matthieu Blazy. A surefire way to impress a woman who knows a thing or two about fashion, then. Featuring an oversized version of the brand’s signature Intrecciato weave, the Arco bag comes in understatedly chic orange which is imminently versatile. The ultimate everyday carry-all.
Bottega Veneta Arco tote bag, £2,780, harveynichols.com
Home Comforts
Sleeper feather pyjamas
If, like us, you are of the opinion that the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve are best spent wearing loungewear and working your way through your most decadent festive hamper, you’ll also agree that sophisticated pyjamas make excellent presents. For this, turn to Sleeper, whose ostrich feather-trimmed set is as suitable for a cocktail party as it is for curling up on the sofa.
Sleeper black feather pyjamas, £240, brownsfashion.com
Jo Malone London gift set
Beauty gift sets tend to get a bad rap as Christmas presents. We've all, at one time or another, received the dregs of the Boots gifting aisle from a relative who left their shopping to the last minute. Select said gift set from a brand as chic as Jo Malone, however, and you needn’t worry. This greatest hits selection features best sellers from scent collections including English Pear & Freesia, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Peony & Blush Suede, and Wood Sage and Sea Salt.
House of Jo Malone London gift set, £166, jomalone.co.uk
Thames & Hudson and Assouline
The greatest presents are those that recipients love but wouldn't necessarily think to buy themselves – and coffee table books tend to fall squarely within this category. A trio of luxurious tomes delving deep into the history of Pop Art, the fantastical couture creations of Karl Lagerfeld and the art of expert Tuscan hospitality make for fascinating reading – and they look great to boot.
A House Party in Tuscany by Amber Guinness, £29.99, thamesandhudson.com; Pop Art Style by Julie Belcove, £83, assouline.com; Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Fashion by Akfons Kaiser, £25, waterstones.com
Showstopping Christmas gifts for her
Valextra Iside bag
Some brands just exude the kind of quiet luxury that lets you know they’re expensive without the need for a flashy logo or monogram print. Valextra is one of them. There’s an art to creating this kind of subtle appeal and it tends to lie in meticulous design, fine materials and quality craftsmanship – none of which come cheap. If money is no object, Valextra’s Iside bag is a sublime gift that may well prove to be a savvy investment if current auction trends are anything to go by. Think of it as a modern-day Hermès Kelly.
Valextra Iside bag, £335,000, harrods.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto watch
Watches and jewellery make perennially excellent Christmas gifts and if you can combine the two, then so much the better. Crafted in 18 karat rose gold and set with round-cut diamonds on the case and bracelet, this elegant watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre's signature Reverso line is a family heirloom in the making.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto watch, £64,000, net-a-porter.com
Kiki McDonough Signatures bracelet
Looking for something as unique as she is? Allow us to point you in the direction of Kiki McDonough’s signature jewels. Tapping into current trends for coloured jewellery, the London-based designer has created a range of unique pieces spanning a rainbow of shades, with this pastel-hued topaz, peridot and diamond bracelet being a particular showstopper.
Signatures topaz, peridot and diamond bracelet, £8,200, kiki.co.uk
