If you find yourself facing the festive season without a single wrapped present, fear not. The frantic Christmas scramble is a familiar ordeal for many, but with a little ingenuity, it's possible to navigate the final days with grace and even style.
Never Be Caught Empty-Handed Again
The horror of arriving gift-less at a family gathering is a formative experience for one writer, who learned the hard way a decade ago. After being told her new husband's large family wasn't exchanging presents, she arrived with only wine and novelty bin bags, only to be met with a pile of beautiful, thoughtful gifts from relatives. The lesson was clear: always have a backup plan.
While the official delivery window is slamming shut, there are still clever ways to secure the perfect present. Consider gifting experiences, like tickets to next year's cultural highlights, or subscriptions for monthly deliveries of gourmet olive oil, speciality coffee, or artisan brownies—a present that extends the festive cheer well into the new year. For those needing a physical item under the tree, several retailers promise to accept orders right up to the wire.
DIY Delights: The Thoughtful Last-Minute Save
One failsafe strategy is to keep a stash of homemade gifts at the ready. From tins of family-recipe brownies to painted candles, a personal touch often trumps a shop-bought item. An artist friend recommends a simple hack: transforming plain cream candles with non-toxic acrylic paint. For beginners, dots or stripes are an effective and easy design.
When it comes to decor, a last-minute 'zhoosh' is entirely achievable. Searches for 'nostalgic Christmas decorations' have surged by 200% this year, according to interiors brand Ruggable. Embrace the homemade charm of paper chains made from leftover wrapping paper or intricate paper snowflakes crafted with children—a fold, a few cuts, and instant festive kitsch unfolds.
For those without space for a traditional tree, a vase of winter branches adorned with glass birds and fairy lights creates a striking alternative. Floral expert Nini Torres of Bimba Floral Studio suggests baking orange slices into fragrant garlands or constructing a centrepiece from clementines and rosemary for a natural, aromatic display.
Entertaining in a Pinch
Unexpected guests need not cause panic. Culinary experts have simple, impressive solutions. Chef Ben Slater proposes toasted crumpet wedges as a blini alternative, topped with cream, smoked fish, and herbs. Lucy Mee, co-founder of On The Table, recommends cocktail sausages with chilli jam or quick honey, charcuterie, and cheese pastry bites. Pair with chilled wine and a festive playlist, and the impromptu gathering is saved.
This week's curated picks also include tested guides to the best LED face masks, flower delivery services, and supermarket crackers. In a heroic tasting session, drinks writer Joanne Gould has put 40 different tequilas and mezcals to the test, identifying the best options for festive tipples with a twist.
For those travelling, upgrading comfort with a rigorously tested travel pillow is advised. And as the new year approaches, the call is out for readers to share the products that help them maintain good habits, from trusty water bottles to the shoes that make walking a joy.
