While Angelina Jolie may have set an impossibly high bar with gifts like a California waterfall for Brad Pitt, the rest of us can find festive joy in more accessible treasures. Guardian fashion authority Jess Cartner-Morley has curated her ultimate Christmas gift guide for 2025, offering 31 expertly chosen ideas that blend style, thoughtfulness, and a touch of luxury.
Cartner-Morley champions the "treasure hunt" of seasonal shopping, emphasising that the perfect present doesn't require Hollywood budgets. Her selection spans beauty secrets, wardrobe staples, and delightful home touches, ensuring there's inspiration for every name on your list.
Beauty, Jewellery & Personal Style
The guide highlights several must-have beauty and accessory items. Top picks include the cult-favourite Gisou honey-infused lip oil, a product adored by teens and adults alike, and Trinny London's Miracle Blur, a primer that smooths skin. For jewellery, chic, minimal ear cuffs from Helena Rohner and elegant marbled resin heart earrings from Octobre Editions make the list.
Fashion desk-approved recommendations feature heavily. The Aries temple T-shirt is noted as the ultimate insider-knowledge piece, while chunky gold hoop earrings from Arket come personally recommended by the Guardian's own Lauren Cochrane. For a timeless touch, a gold Casio analogue watch offers a chic alternative to constantly checking your phone.
Home, Gifting & Thoughtful Touches
Cartner-Morley advocates for gifts that are both beautiful and practical. She suggests a set of personalised notecards from Papier for a classy touch, and embroidered napkins from H&M as a sophisticated home gift that requires no display effort. For a personal festive decoration, a croissant-shaped Christmas bauble from Ustudio serves as a sweet memento.
The guide also includes ideas for upgrading everyday items. A luxurious lamb's wool hot-water bottle cover from Glassette and a corduroy glasses case from Oliver Bonas are highlighted as life-enhancing luxuries. For the culinary enthusiast, a heart-shaped colander is a whimsical yet useful kitchen addition.
Fashion Staples & Seasonal Essentials
Key wardrobe pieces for the season are carefully selected. The knitted polo shirt from Uniqlo is spotlighted as a budget-friendly take on a major designer trend, while a chunky-knit waistcoat from Next is praised for its cosy, modern layering potential. The season's must-have outerwear, a classic Barbour barn jacket, is also featured.
For cosy comforts, the list includes high-waist knickers in delicious colours from Dora Larsen and stylish men's waffle cotton pyjama bottoms from Chelsea Peers. A final foodie recommendation is a pistachio panettone from Lina Stores, celebrated for its flavour and beautiful festive packaging.
This comprehensive guide distills months of research and fashion desk expertise into a concise list of 31 genuinely brilliant gifts, aiming to take the stress out of Christmas shopping and replace it with inspiration.
