Here, we do not subscribe to candle slander. However, some say if someone doesn’t know what to buy you, you will receive a candle.
That is NOT to say Jo Malone’s English Pear and Freesia candle isn’t an absolute treat (iykyk), but not every gift giver wants to put £60 behind something that will melt - even with just 6 days to go until Christmas.
So, here’s a list of 60 last minute treasures that look like it wasn’t so last minute, all for under £50.
Spoiler, candles have not been neglected from the list.
For the traveller
Backgammon roll, Not Another Bill £49 - the perfect poolside tournament just got rollable
Monopoly Deal, Amazon £5 - do not play if partial to fallouts
Passport holder, Aspinal of London £45 (sale price)
Stackers Jewellery Travel Case, Sage Green, John Lewis £45 - practical and pretty case with a slot for anyone prone to losing their specs
Treasure Chest Mini Jewellery Box, Estella Bartlett £29 - because cheetah is now a neutral
Discovery perfume set, ILK £29 - ILK perfume is my worst-kept secret. I receive a compliment every time I combine this special selection. Perfect for the travel bugs or for popping into your handbag. The best gift to help someone find their new signature scent
Recycled see-through vanity case in croc green, Not Another Bill £49
Large Boxy Washbag, Jaipur Jammies £15
Beach towel, Dock & Bay £25 - tried and tested, it’s quick drying, sand repellent and compact, your ideal sunbed companion
For the host to gloat, seasonal edition
With some now swapping their Halloween decorations for Christmas trees on the 1st of November (yikes), it’s safe to say many bauble preferences are cemented.
That said, sometimes it’s best to steer on the side of caution rather than upset the balance with a giant silver bauble that clashes with the strict gold decor.
But that doesn't mean you can’t spruce up a collection with something unique.
Alphabet Christmas ornament, Issy Granger £22 - for the elegant
Pom Glass Bauble, Issy Granger £22
Christmas house light decoration, Zara £19.99 - chime into your hygge
Felt Christmas Decoration with Tartan Stars, Zara £10.99
Felt Skate decoration, Zara £5.99
We also must remind ourselves Christmas trees don’t have to be pristine. Largely, they should look like joy has thrown up on the branches.
Here’s a selection of comfy cosy felt decorations so no one is short of conversation over champagne and canapés:
Swaddling piglets, Bumble Living £7.50
Penguin fishing for a Christmas pudding, Amica Felt £8
Zebra and mistletoe, FatFace £10.50
Christmas Crab with Star, Sass & Bell £11.50 - now the star on our tree
Homebody pamper kit
A mixture of go-to’s I’ve returned to again and again, peppered with finds on my wishlist. A beauty buy is a perfect gift and opportunity for someone to discover something new.
Goddess Skin Clay Mask, Charlotte Tilbury £40 - my favourite mask for baby soft skin
Terry Slippers Fruit print, Djerf Avenue £49
Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 50ml, Look Fantastic £37.80 (sale price) - this is gel-based which is ultra moisturising and lasts and lasts - a little goes a long way
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Bundle, Look Fantastic £36
Like A Virgin Hair Masque by Coco & Eve, John Lewis £29
Eye masks by Pixi BeautifEYE, Boots £22
Caudalíe Instant Detox Mask 75ml, Look Fantastic £22 - for a pore-fessional cleanse
The Five Minute Journal, Amazon £20.24 (sale price) - because Beauty comes from within
Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 100ml, Liz Earle £16 (sale price)
Essie Nail Colour 50 Bordeaux Nail Polish, Boots £7.19
The stylist
Buying clothing is risky business, but socks, scrunchies, headbands and a statement print tee can’t be a miss.
White lotus scrunchie with red trimming, Good Squish £30
Headband, Djerf Avenue £39
Other Side Store 'Pasta La Vista' Tee, Unique Clothing £32
Ganni Organic Cotton Sporty Socks, Consortium £17.99 (sale price)
If not scarred from swimming lessons followed by swiftly changing back into them, tights are back and chic as ever:
Tora shimmery tights in plum, Swedish Stocking £32
Doris Dots Tights, Swedish Stockings £23
Red 50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights, Calzedonia £7.99 (buy one get one free)
For the Magpie:
Orb chain bracelet, Missoma £49
Tiny orb hinged hoop earrings, Missoma £49 - the comfiest huggy hoops for stacking up the ear candy
Sterling silver, £45
Mini beaded hinged hoop earrings, Missoma £49
Sterling Silver, £45
It’s in the details
We Should All Be Mirandas: Life Lessons from Sex and the City's Most Underrated Character, Amazon £5.79 - perfect for the coffee table or downstairs loo
The Quick Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer, Amazon £10 - how to experiment without spending hours labouring over the stove. Ideal for weekly meal preps or quick dinner party fixes
Table for Two: Recipes for the Ones You Love by Bre Graham, Amazon £16.53
3-pack cotton tea towels, H&M £9.99
Kew Soap, Magnolia & Pear, £6.50 - Every time I use this it leaves a lasting fragrance in my bathroom, cutting finely to that of Jo Malone {dupe alert}
Lobster Cotton Tea Towel, Fortnum& Mason £12.95
Porcelain Ceramic Oyster Shell Pinch Pot, Minnie Mae Stott £34.50
Mix and match egg-cups by Jore Copenhagen, Maison Flâneur £17.79
Birdlife Cocktail Napkins (Set of 6) by Malaika, Maison Flâneur £37.40
Hand block frilled cushion, Huddle £40
For the nest
In my books, candles are reserved for the gift givers - the pressie you’re least likely to buy for yourself. If you’re going to do candles, do it right:
Flare Candle Holder by HAY, Coggles £31.20
Luxor Glass Candlestick, Issy Granger £27 - elegant whilst not being too overbearing, a candlestick which also serves as a pretty ornament when not lit
Short Flare Candle Holder by HAY, Kin £25
I don’t want to recommend a scent I’ve not tried, so here are my recent top three discoveries:
Egyptian amber candle, FYG £25 - delicious
Calm candle, White company £22
Sublime Patchouli, H&M home £3.99
Don’t forget to top up their matches. A pot or cowboy boot is fun, but may not be to everyone’s taste, so if unsure, stay safe with an arty matchbox:
The Goldfish bottle of matches, Archivist £14.95
Chasing big cats, Rae £8
Lobster luxury matches, Curator Home £7.99
Stork and frog luxury matches, Botanic & Wild £7.95
Penguin with luxury Love matches, Dyke & Dean £7.95
There’s nothing quite like a last-minute panic buy. Wrap wisely. x
