The festive season brings both joy and shopping stress, but help has arrived from an unexpected quarter. The Guardian has assembled its star columnists to share their ultimate Christmas gift recommendations for 2025, offering everything from budget-friendly finds to luxurious indulgences.
Celebrity Experts Share Their Top Picks
Among the 158 carefully curated suggestions, food writer Yotam Ottolenghi champions Japanese knives from Allday Goods (£29-£140) and regenerative flour from Wildfarmed (£1.88-£2), while restaurant critic Grace Dent reveals her passion for McNeill's Passion Fruit Preserve (£6.40), which she bulk buys for everyone she loves.
Beauty columnist Sali Hughes, known for her exacting standards, recommends the only nail polish brand she uses - Bio Sculpture (£24.80 for a duo) - and shares her perfect mug criteria: "large, pottery not porcelain for heat retention, and white inside so I can properly gauge the colour of the tea."
From Kitchen Essentials to Fashion Statements
The gift guide spans multiple categories to suit every taste and budget. Fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley highlights an M&S crystal-embellished cardigan (£36.80) that gives "very posh" vibes, while houseplants expert Gynelle Leon selects a sculptural glass watering can (£50) that transforms everyday chores into design moments.
For the practical-minded, gardening columnist Claire Ratinon suggests thermal wellies from Muck Boot (£113.90) that have survived four winters of daily wear, and columnist Tim Dowling - despite his wife's disapproval - recommends a Finisterre cardigan (£110) for cosy winter days.
Thoughtful Presents with Personal Stories
Many recommendations come with heartfelt stories. Agony aunt Annalisa Barbieri reflects that "the best gifts I've received are when people have really got me," recalling the most romantic present from her husband: clearing out her late father's shed.
Food writer Meera Sodha shares how a Nintendo Switch became a "life-expanding" gift that brought family joy during quiet post-Christmas days, while gardening columnist Alice Vincent warns against "panic buys and projection presents" that miss the mark.
The comprehensive guide includes ethical choices too, such as bike vouchers from The Bike Project (from £10) that support refugees, and Zaytoun's Palestinian medjoul dates (£10.99) sourced from West Bank farmers.
With prices ranging from £1.50 for an unusual pencil to £425 for a Victorian-style cloche, and everything from Skims bodysuits (£100) to sage risotto makers (£109.95), this expert-curated selection ensures no one on your Christmas list will be forgotten.
