Gift season is slowly creeping up and if your love language is not gift giving, this guide is for you. Beyond the standard candles and holiday bundles, or worse, the gift card, we’ve put together items for the fashion-forward crowd, the sneaker head, and the beauty junkie.
Altearah Bio | Parfum De Soin in Red – Vitality
Instead of the usual scented candles, gift a scent that aims to uplift. Both a perfume and a wellness spray, Parfum De Soin is formulated with clove, cedar, and sandalwood, which help to support circulation, sharpen concentration and lift overall drive. Since winters can often come with lazy mornings and reduced focus, this spritz can bring back that vitality while leaving behind a comforting scent trail.
Chattels & More | Gifts That Live On
Whether you’re gifting someone who loves interior design or someone who is in desperate need of it, Chattels & More presents a festive edit to quell both cases. The homegrown brand is all about the balance between fun aesthetics and utility so take your pick from quirky pieces full of charm and fuller in practicality.
Fendi | Baguette® Mini
Who wouldn’t love a Fendi bag under the tree? And festive times call for festive bling and this sequinned Baguette® Mini channels the right holiday vibes. Unlike most mini bags, she can actually fit a lot, making it a thoughtful gift that’s both pretty and practical.
Harrods | The Night Before Christmas Hamper
If you’re adamant about a holiday bundle, then make it count! This hamper by Harrods features a range of comfort snacks that spell out winter warmth and satisfy every sweet tooth. Think gingerbread men, crackers, and of course, hot chocolate!
Juliette Has a Gun | Not An Advent Calendar
For those who like their gifts with a bit of irony, Juliette Has a Gun has released an Advent calendar that’s not exactly an Advent calendar. While the traditional Advent calendar is a countdown to Christmas, this set by Juliette Has a Gun does the opposite. Making you count down from Christmas to New Year’s, you can explore the best of what Juliette Has a Gun offers from one festive holiday to the next.
Malone Souliers | The Art of Evening
You can never have too many shoes and you can never go wrong gifting shoes. Italian footwear brand Malone Souliers expands on this philosophy with its festive edit. Dubbed ‘The Art of Evening’, take your pick between exquisite reds, metallics, and neutrals crafted in velvet, glitter, and lace.
Nike | Form Follows Motion
If you’re looking to gift a sneakerhead without actually gifting them sneakers, then this book by Nike is the ideal gift. More than just a coffee table staple, it explores the design history of Nike, showcasing original design drawings and prototypes of iconic sneaker models. It also features interviews with key figures of the brand and deeper insight that will excite any shoe fanatic.
Pandora | Holiday Charms
If the person you’re gifting has a charm bracelet, then make their day by adding some more! Pandora seasonally releases the cutest charms and the festive season is no different. From sparkly gingerbread men to celestial pieces that can be worn all year round, each piece makes for a thoughtful gift and a memorable keepsake of the holiday.
Parmigiani Fleurier | TONDA PF Minute Rattrapante Arctic Rose
If you gift a timepiece on Christmas, chances are the watch will be used to count down on New Year’s. Beyond sentimental thinking, the latest piece by Parmigiani Fleurier is perfect for the winter weather. Platinum bezel paired with an arctic rose dial, it’s a chic winter hue that exudes coolness.
Ralph Lauren | Polo Bear Cotton-Linen Jumper
Since Christmas time calls out the lovable-ugly jumpers, opt for a standard jumper to gift instead. The Polo Bear by Ralph Lauren is definitely a trendy piece but beyond the trends, it’s simply the cutest knit you can gift. Not only that but the composition of cotton and linen means that it will keep you warm without overheating, which is exactly what we need when dealing with Gulf winters.
NEOUS | Modern Evening
Whether it’s shoes or purses, leather goods in a gift box are always a good idea. London-based brand NEOUS understands that all too well, showcasing a festive edit of their bags and shoes. Designed for winter galas and festive soirées, take your pick from their plush velvets, fluid crepe de chine, and shiny metallic leathers, all sustainably sourced, of course.
VEGO | Festive Collection
Homegrown brand VEGO got last-minute gifting sorted with their curated collection of Christmas hampers. Take your pick from their hampers, featuring a balance between sweet and savoury Christmas treats. You can even customise them to your preferences or simply opt for individual treats to gift.
Mon Shampoing | Personalised Haircare
Gifting customised haircare to someone can be tricky, so consider this gift to yourself because we all deserve a little treat too! Paris-born clean haircare brand, Mon Shampoing, works by offering a neutral shampoo and conditioner and boosters catered to different hair types. By mixing the boosters in you get your own bespoke shampoo and conditioner to work on your hair during the winter season.
Kering Eyewear | The Ultimate Gift Guide
Eyewear is an unconventional gift but a practical one. In fact, for the fashion-forward crowd, eyewear is a make-or-break accessory and it doesn’t matter if the sun is out. For the holiday season, Kering spotlights some of its luxury eyewear, full of character, innovation, and craftsmanship. Our favourite is Balenciaga’s Super Busy for its silhouette alone. But beyond its statement-making shape, this frame is a standout piece all year round.
Kate Spade | Loop Suede Shoulder Bag
A gift that can be used all year long but is especially made for the winter season, the Loop Suede Shoulder Bag by Kate Spade is a chic contemporary piece in the season’s colours of chocolate brown and dark purple. With a side knot making a subtle statement, she’s an easy shoulder bag to pair with almost any outing.
Flowwow | Festive Decor
For those looking to make their gift count, Flowwow’s festive collection ranges from fresh decor to Christmas-themed candles set to brighten up the day. Made with seasonal blooms that evoke that cosy wintery feeling, our favourite has got to be the Christmas wreath made from fresh nobilis. Decorated with pinecones, baubles, and other Christmas ornaments, it makes for an apt Christmas gift, either to yourself or to a loved one.
Rasasi | Robusta
Why not keep a warm winter fragrance under the tree? Family-owned Rasasi has been creating perfumes for over 4 decades now, with their scents seamlessly creating moments with one spritz. We especially love their Robusta EDP, built around warm woods perfect for the season. The fragrance opens with fresh and nutty notes of bergamot, almond, and rhubarb, before following through a floral heart of lavender, jasmine, and orange flower. Finally, the scent dries down to a creamy, woody base of vanilla, amber, musk, and cedarwood. It’s opulent, a tad gourmand, and extremely cosy.
NALA | Festive Cookies
Sometimes, the best Christmas gifts are the ones we can munch on. Celebrating the merry holiday in their own way, NALA, the contemporary canteen at Alserkal Avenue, has released its Cookie Box, made for gifting and adding a sweet note to the holidays. In the box, expect to find NALA’s signature flavours such as Chocolate and Walnut, Double Chocolate, Matcha, and White Chocolate and Macadamia, as well as a new addition, the Ube Brûlée cookie. Don’t let the unique purple colour put you off, this cookie is just as rich and comforting as your typical Christmas cookie.
Nyrah | Eclectic Jewellery
If the person you’re gifting loves flowers, why not gift them the jewellery kind? Marked by their rose motif, Nyrah creates eclectic pieces that are designed to last. Made with recycled materials and ethically sourced diamonds, their pieces offer just enough statement to fly solo or be layered with a curated stack. Our favourites have got to be their convertible chain that transforms into a bracelet or their statement studs that seamlessly brighten up any look.
GIABORGHINI | A New Pair of Shoes
A new pair of shoes under the Christmas tree will always be loved. And if you’re looking for eccentric pairs or sophisticated ones, GIABORGHINI design both. Seen on the feet of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Anok Yai, among others, the Italian brand focuses on contemporary designs while retaining traditional leather craftsmanship. For the colder weather, we’ve been loving their peep-toe leather boots. The peculiar design actually makes it practical for the Gulf weather, making it a gift that can be used all year round.
