Before You Begin Your Christmas Shopping, Here's How to Get it Right

Gifting woes? Never fear. We turned to the experts of St James’s to help us answer some of the most common Christmas conundrums.

The season’s quickly come around again, and with it comes a new wave of that old familiar festive deliberation - what to buy for who and why? In the name of St James’s, this is your signal to stop right there and read up on our guide to picking out the perfect presents for everyone on your Christmas gift list. Trust us, you (and they) will thank us later.

How to impress a foodie

Buying for someone with a set of taste buds so discerning you’re almost too afraid to offend? When it comes to gifts for food lovers, the secret is to present them with something novel enough that they won’t yet have experienced, but not obscure enough to risk your gift going down like a sack of spuds. 

Our suggestion is to choose a reliable classic you know they’ll love and take it up a notch with a twist of flavour or by splashing out on a higher quality then they’d normally get for themselves. Take Paxton & Whitfield’s selection of cheese as a great example - if you know they love goat’s cheese, how about gifting them a chunk of Kaldi featuring a hint of coffee? Or, give the classics an upgrade with the Week of Cheese gift box featuring seven highly-acclaimed favourites. 

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What’s the best wine for a gift?

Christmastime, mistletoe and wine… but which kind? Choosing wine as a Christmas gift is as simple as putting a little bit of love and thought into your decision - chances are, whatever you pick will go down favourably, but there are certainly ways to improve your chances of success.

Start by visiting a wine merchant with a strong reputation for their selections. The secret to seeking out a great wine is looking somewhere where the hard work has already been done for you and all that’s left is to take your pick of an appealing bunch. With a Royal Warrant and three Masters of Wine under their roof, Berry Bros & Rudd is the best possible place to start your search - even if you have no idea where to begin, whichever choice you make comes expert-approved. 

For Christmas, they recommend something ‘with a bit of peppery spice’, like an Australian Shiraz or a St Emilion that pairs perfectly with rich, festive flavours. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of bubbly - they suggest Champagne Gosset for something zesty and refreshing.

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How to choose the right book for someone else

A present with meaning and longevity, a good book is a longstanding gifting favourite at Christmastime. If you haven’t had eyes on their To Be Read list, choosing a book for a friend or family member can feel daunting, but don’t let that put you off the task ahead.

Your first task is to think about what you already know - do they read a lot of a particular genre or author? Do they have a niche interest you could help them explore further? Have you yourself read something and thought of them? If they’re an avid reader, we’d suggest complementing their existing collection with a special edition they likely wouldn’t seek out for themself. Hatchards is home to all manner of rare books including first editions, deluxe editions and signed copies that any bookworm would love to have on their shelf.

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Is it a good idea to buy someone clothes for Christmas?

If you ask us, clothes are some of the best gifts you can get - as long as they’re made to last and have the recipient in mind. If you’re thinking of treating someone to a style switch-up or a wild wardrobe pick, perhaps leave it for another occasion… The best Christmas clothing gifts tend to be practical, durable and classic.

A popular option for this year is to choose clothing made from quality natural materials like ethically-sourced wool. Brands like Mandkhai and Sunspel are great options for stylish, timeless pieces that can form a core part of someone’s staple wardrobe rotation. We’d certainly be happy to find a Cashmere Knitted Polo Shirt under the tree!

Where to find an extra special Christmas present

Packed full of makers, designers, craftspeople and artisans, St James’s is the best place to find something out of the ordinary to gift at Christmas. With heritage brands and specialists in everything from tailoring to fragrance, you’ll find a meaningful, one of a kind item that’s perfect for that special someone.