All you need is brilliant design, comfortable feet, perfect skin, and a little of nature’s finest
Words Hannah Kane
- 3 Month Flower Subscription, BLOOM & WILD, £80
- Teething Toy, MATCHSTICK MONKEY, £9.99
- Pine Cone Paisley Classic Skinny Scarf, ROCKINS, £150.00
- 2018 Calendar, RED HOT, £20
- Shimmering Body Oil, MOROCCANOIL, £38
- 9093 Kettle, ALESSI at THE DESIGN MUSEUM, £100
- Plate, DARKROOM at THE DESIGN MUSEUM, £60.00
- Vienna Slipper, STRIVE, £69.95
What to buy the men who have everything? For my creative brothers I’ll get something artistic yet functional for their homes. The Darkroom plate from the Design Museum looks great mounted on the wall as artwork and comes in four punchy, monochrome designs. The Alessi 9093 kettle is another example of impeccable design. Launched in 1985, the fusion of Art Deco and Pop Art styles is a timeless classic, and the whistling bird when the water boils never fails to entertain. For my adorable nephew who’s teething I’ll get the Matchstick Monkey, arguably set to replace the ubiquitous Sophie the Giraffe as the chew toy of choice.
A monthly letterbox flower subscription from Bloom & Wild is the gift that keeps giving into the next season. The Ivy arrangement containing aromatic fir, berries and velvety red roses is a seasonal favourite; framed by lush green foliage it can be purchased as a one off, or as the first of a three, six, or 12 month subscription.
The Strive slippers are the perfect gift for the woman in your life who needs to take a load off her feet. Already championed by Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson, the company is spearheading the new wave of designer orthotics – podiatrist-designed and healthy for your feet, with contemporary styling. A fun stocking filler for the GBF (or indeed anyone with an appreciation for the male form) is the raunchy Red Hot British Boys calendar by London photographer Thomas Knights who has turned hot gingers into a worldwide sensation with exhibitions and a coffee table art book. And for my stylish ladies I’d like to gift a Rockins crepe-de-chine neckscarf, like this psychedelic paisley and graphic pine cone number. These skinny scarves add an air of rock and roll insouciance to even the most humble outfit.
Finally, time for a little self-gifting – this Moroccanoil Shimmering Body Oil with pearlescent minerals suspended in nourishing Argan oil adds a luxurious glow to the skin, just in time for a dance under the mistletoe…