Luxuriate Life Magazine has the Christmas gifts to get you through the season stress-free. From experiences to kitchen appliances and gifts for your little ones, we have something for everyone.
EXPERIENCES
Shangri-La The Shard, Festive Celebrations
Shangri-La The Shard London, the capitals highest hotel, is celebrating this year’s festive season cosmically with their space-age Christmas tree, and spectacular space-inspired decorative Christmas displays, designed by McQueens Flowers. Apart from being transported in time and space, guests can enjoy further merriments with a variety of festive experiences to look forward to – A Skyline Afternoon Tea with a Futuristic Twist, Christmas Day at TĪNG Restaurant, and a spectacular Futuristic New Year’s Eve at the Sky Lounge or GŎNG. Celebrate this festive season and bring in the New Year in style, luxury, and comfort. You really cannot beat the views of this magical London hotel.
From: TĪNG, Sky Lounge, GŎNG
Price: £69 (Skyline Afternoon Tea). £250 (New Year’s Eve at the Sky Lounge or GŎNG)
Christmas at the Dorchester Rooftop
Enjoy pod-style dining at The Dorchester’s Rooftop Terrace with stunning views of Hyde Park. The pods seat four to ten people and are weatherproof and heated so you can relax and enjoy away from the bite of the London weather. With round tables and plush cushions, the pods are cosy and warm, a brilliant intimate setting to get together with family or friends, with festive treats, drinks, and live music. In partnership with LVMH, the rooftop terrace boasts three menus which are available.
From: The Dorchester Rooftop
Price: £275 (Veuve Clicquot Experience Menu)
The Savoy x Champagne Laurent Perrier
If you’re looking for a little luxurious theatrical flair to your festive celebrations this year, The Savoy and Champagne Laurent Perrier have come together as a double act to host a series of celebrations. The Savoy is going back to its theatrical routes with this year’s theme being ‘It’s Showtime’. The hotel has been decorated distinctively with red velvet swags, mirrored baubles and with a little stage where guests become the stars and create memorable festive images. Champagne Laurent Perrier is also adding to the extravagance at Thomas Foyer with sparkling experiences with their La Cuvée Rosé – A Christmas Promise with Champagne Laurent Perrier and Private Christmas Promise. A Festive Afternoon Tea and Champagne Afternoon Tea are also now available.
From: The Savoy
Price: £75 (Festive Afternoon Tea)
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Biltmore Mayfair
Enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea at the iconic Biltmore Mayfair. Indulge yourself in a range of sweet and savoury treats, from festive finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, homemade stollen and more. Pair these delicious festive treats with a cup of freshly brewed tea or a celebratory glass of champagne. This is a brilliant way to add to your Christmas spirit this festive season. The Festive Afternoon Tea is available until 31 December 2022.
From: The Biltmore Mayfair
Price: £80 (Festive Afternoon Tea)
READ MORE: FESTIVE DRINKS GUIDE FESTIVE FOODIE GUIDE
Hard Rock Hotel London Christmas Festivities
Hard Rock Hotel London have created a brilliant array of festive events this year. On Christmas Day relax and enjoy an afternoon and evening of live performances by Liverpool artist Luke Tanner; with his rough vocals combined with classic rock influenced songs. Hard Rock Hotel London, with its traditionally Hard Rock themed lobby, also has some great NYE room packages with champagne on arrival, a multiple course meal, bubbles at midnight, 2-for-1 cocktails after midnight and live performances from Joe Slater. There is also a very cool new sports bar called Third Half where you can watch sport on huge screens without crowds. Currently one of the best kept sporty secrets in London.
From: Hard Rock Cafe, Hard Rock Hotel London
Price: Hard Rock Hotel NYE Dinner Packages: From £99
Home House
The festive season is underway at Home House, one of London’s most exclusive private members’ club. Members and non-members are both welcome to these joyous celebrations. Throughout, the House has been converted into a magical Winter Wonderland with twinkling lights, roaring fires and of course a 15ft Christmas tree and more. Not forgetting a series of planned events from carol singing to wreath making, there’s something for everyone to enjoy but there are a few special merriments to look out including the great value Festive Set Menu.
Home House is also geared up to host private Christmas events from intimate dinners, exclusive champagne receptions and after-parties in their underground club room. Spaces are available to hire for up to 180 guests, with menus to suit all types of events.
From: Home House
Price: £50 (Festive Set Menu)
A Whispering Angel Alpine Terrace at Stanley’s Chelsea
Stanley’s Chelsea have commenced festivities with the opening of A Whispering Angel Alpine Terrace. Stanley’s extensive garden has been decorated with a fusion of alpine terrace and Whispering Angel Pink, inspired by the retro ski vibes of Chamonix, Val Thorens and Courcheval. As you sip on a cold glass of rosé or enjoy perfect pairings of Stanley’s classics served alongside the Chateau’s Whispering Angel and Rock Angel cuvees, you’ll be transported to the French mountains and feel reminiscent of the essence of après ski. An intimate setting ideal for a catch up with family and friends. The Whispering Angel Alpine Terrace is open from 8th December 2022 to 22nd December 2022.
From: Stanley’s Chelsea
Price: Varies
Great Scotland Yard Hotel x Floris London Festive Afternoon Tea
Celebrate the festive season this year with a multi-sensory Festive Afternoon Tea, brought together in collaboration by Great Scotland Yard Hotel and Floris London. Inspired by Floris London’s luxury scents of cinnamon and tangerine, Great Scotland Yard Hotel’s Head Pastry Chef, Verónica Garrido Martínez, has created a brilliant afternoon tea full of assorted savoury bites, cakes and patisserie. You can look forward to savoury finger sandwiches from ‘Roast turkey, celeriac and cranberry remoulade on brown bread’ to ‘Salmon gravlax, Avruga caviar and dill on white bread’ and ‘Pumpkin, rocket, Montgomery cheddar quiche’. Not forgetting those with a sweet tooth, indulge in a range of cakes and patisseries including ‘Christmas tree fruit cake’, ‘Tangerine & cinnamon baubles’ and ‘Chestnut Mont Blonc choux’. Taking place at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel’s – The Parlour (which draws on the tales of Britain’s Victorian explorers), this is a brilliant way to take a break during your festive outings and immerse yourself in an afternoon full of rich scents and flavours from Floris London.
From: The Great Scotland Yard Hotel
Price: £59 (standard booking), £70 (champagne booking)
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE – PAMPERING, WELLNESS & FASHION
MaiLi at PICO London
Enter the world of MaiLi with a new generation of hyaluronic acid fillers which use the smallest amounts of product, but leave you with long-lasting, natural-looking results which is ideal for Christmas. MaiLi uses ‘Smart Spring’ Science which uses highly flexible gel, which is malleable and retains its shape, imitating the modern mattress. With detail and refinement at the heart of MaiLi’s core, harmonise your reflection or reverse the signs of ageing and radiate confidence from looking and feeling your absolute best, just in time for the festive season.
MaiLi hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatments are only available at exclusive Centres of Excellence, where you’ll be treated by highly qualified practitioners like PICO London. As part of the MaiLi treatment, doctors at PICO apply the principles of Feng Shui (the Chinese art of creating balance and harmony to encourage a healthy and prosperous life with bountiful opportunities) when treating their patients. This is a wellness gift for anyone looking to pamper themselves with a little self-care.
From: MaiLi, PICO London
Price: Subject to consultation.
L’Occitane Christmas Advent Calendars
L’Occitane has created five new advent calendars for this festive season, but beauty based. Ranging from classic, to luxury, to reusable, refill, and giant advent calendars, and illustrated by Éva Offredo with colourful, vibrant, festive designs, they provide the opportunity to stock up on favourites or try something new.
The Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar contains 24 of L’Occitane’s best-selling luxury skincare, fragrance, and body-care treats, with the likes of the Shea Ultra Rich Body Cream (50ml), Relaxing Pillow Mist (15ml), Cherry Blossom Shower Gel (35ml) and more, consisting of premium products and new treats. There are options for everyone, especially for anyone obsessed with all thing’s skincare, body care, hair care and more.
From: L’Occitane
Price: £55 (classic), £99 (luxury)
Emolyne – The Lip Kit
What’s more perfect for the holiday season than a classic red lip? Emolyne offers a lip kit featuring a Velvet Lipstick, Defining Lip Liner and Gloss Lip. While ‘Port Elizabeth’ isa bright red shade, some may prefer ‘Lira,” a cool-toned nude, ‘Nigeria,’ a deep plum, or ‘Abuja,’ a muted berry red shade. With 12 shades to choose from, there is bound to be a shade to fit your loved one!
From: Emolyne
Price: £55
Freya Rose – The Woven Collection
Each piece is hand-crafted using an East Indonesian technique and 22ct Gold Vermeil. Of the 12 products available, your loved one may enjoy the Mini Hoops (£97), 22ct Gold Weave Curled Hoops (£195), or the Medium 22ct Gold Weave Cuff (£225).
From: Freya Rose
Price: £97-£225
JOVS Venus Pro Skin Rejuvenation and IPL Hair Removal Device
Using IPL, an intense pulsed light, as well as cooling technology, this device will effectively and comfortably remove body hair as well as eliminate wrinkles, pigmentation and dark spots. The hair remover includes 6 modes, fitted for various areas of the body. The hair-removing process takes only 10 minutes with the many features of this gadget.
From: CurrentBody
Price: £319
Mavala Lash Party Make Up Pouch
This is the gift for anyone on the go! The Mavala makeup bag contains Creamy Black Mascara and a Soft Khol Pencil in black, to touch up one’s makeup throughout the night, as well as Eye Remover Lotion and Double-Lash Serum to wipe the night away. This seemingly small pouch contains the Christmas gifts your favourite makeup-lover needs.
From: Mavala
Price: £39
The Diamond Store Annabelle Blue Lab Diamond Emerald Cut Halo Necklace
The 0.70CT blue lab diamond is the epitome of elegance, and its surrounding diamonds only compliment the necklace’s beauty. For £1420, you can make your loved one’s entire holiday season with this beautiful gift.
From: The Diamond Store
Price: £1420
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
Anyone–whether they love skincare or not–will love this gift. The Active Botanical Serum is critically acclaimed and will transform your complexion. Combating lost elasticity, low density, wrinkles and discolouration, the 22 organic botanicals will elevate one’s skin in every way.
From: Cult Beauty
Price: £185
Cellcosmet Cellmen Week of Wonder
This collection of Christmas gifts are the epitome of luxury skincare. The Week of Wonder set consists of a Gentle Purifying Cleanser, Active Tonic, Exfoliant Dual Action, Anti-Stress Mask, UltraCell Eye Contour and Ultra Vital Cream. The Week of Wonder set retails for £969.
From: Cellcosmet
Price: £969
Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream Set
A classic Christmas collection, the Rose Day Cream set is the perfect introduction to Dr Hauschka’s award-winning skin care range. We spend so much time prepping the Turkey and ensuring the festive meals are perfect. Why not take some time for yourself, prep your skin with this classic 3 step cleansing routine to a state of calm, balance, and nourishment.
From: Dr Hauschka
Price – £32
The Dorchester x Sestini Eyewear
The Dorchester and Sestini Eyewear have come together to celebrate The Dorchester’s history and Sentini’s rich Italian craftsmanship with limited edition sunglasses. These stunning sunglasses symbolise modern and traditional and have been made individually by hand in Italy using archival acetates (a vintage), with the lens and cloth made from recycled plastic bottles and enclosed literature from recycled paper. The frame of the sunglasses, which is engraved with The Dorchester’s new logo, is inspired by Oliver Messel, one of the most brilliant interior designers of the 20th century whose work also features throughout the hotel. To finish, the sunglasses are complemented by Sestini’s signature 1980s twist and rich, warm colours of Tuscan Cypress and Mandarino.
From: Dorchester Collection
Price: £499
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE – FOR THE TECHIES
Marshall Speaker – Willen Portable Speaker
The Willen Portable Speaker from Marshall is wireless, small, and sleek, made for the outdoors, is perfect for when you’re on the move. With a sustainable design, 15+ hours of listening on a single charge and exciting added features: a built-in microphone, ‘stack mode’ and in-app manual sound equaliser adjustments, this speaker provides premium sound for quality listening, ready for any occasion. The Willen Portable Speaker comes in two colours: Black and Brass and Cream.
From: Marshall
Price: £89.99
Google Pixel 6a Phone
An extra special treat, the Google Pixel 6a Phone is a great gift to surprise and indulge someone this Christmas. Whether you’ll be using this phone for daily life, work, taking it on holiday or to entertain the kids, this phone is super-fast, secure, and most importantly has a long battery life. The software is Android based and allows you to personalise your phone exactly the way you want it, with all the important notifications at hand. The real-time language translation is ideal for your next trip abroad. Whilst the camera snaps beautiful dynamic pictures day and night, excellent for the festive celebrations ahead. The Pixel 6a has a modern look and glossy finish available in three colours: Sage, Chalk and Charcoal.
From: Google
Price: £399
HiRise 3 Wireless Charging Stand
The HiRise charging stand is a must-have bedside accessory. The stand wirelessly charges iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods simultaneously. The entire accessory only uses one plug, eliminating clutter and maximising space.
The gadget’s design displays your phone upright, making it easy to read notifications without even getting out of bed. Your friends will love this little–but powerful–accessory.
From: Journey
Price: £100
Jabra Elite 7 Active in Mint
When working out, maybe the worst thing that could happen is your wireless earbuds falling out. With the Jabra Elite 7 Actives, this will never be an issue. Tested and Made to stay in your ears during the most intense workouts, these wireless earbuds are reliable, functional and sleek. The Elite 7 Active’s are noise cancelling, can personalise the sound to your hearing and has up to 8 hours of listening time.
From: Jabra
Price: £169.99
HyperX Alloy Origins 65
This mechanical gaming keyboard is the ultimate gift for any techie this holiday season. This keyboard may be more compact than others, but still contains all the same features of any large keyboard. The body is made entirely of aluminium and can withstand 80 million keypresses–making it just as reliable as it is compact. There is one key aspect that makes this a truly unique gift: its underlying LED lights.
From: HyperX
Price: £109.99
VTech Genio My First Laptop
This holiday season, give your little one their first laptop from VTech. Not only is this laptop easy to use, allowing children to develop computer literacy skills, but it has a kid-friendly browser. Kids can search the web and enjoy the wonders of the internet while still being protected. Users can create their own documents, play any of the 80+ activities and games, play music, watch videos, and read e-books.
From: Argos
Price: £115
Tory Burch McGraw Camera Bag
The Tory Burch McGraw Camera Bag in Black is a sleek, refined accessory for camera lovers. Made out of 100% leather, this accessory features an embossed finish, body strap and internal pockets. Make your camera-loving loved one’s holiday season with this stunning new addition.
From: Larizia
Price: £330
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE – FOR THE KITCHEN
KitchenAid’s Design Series Mixer in Blossom
Of course, KitchenAid mixers are meant to be used for all your cooking needs, but they also serve as great accessories to your countertops! With its thyme green exterior and 4.7L copper bowl, this appliance is just as beautiful as it is functional. Perhaps the best aspect of this appliance is the fact that the copper bowl will change colour over time, paralleling your growth as a chef.
This state-of-the-art mixer includes the mixer body, copper bowl, stainless steel wire whisk, dough hook, flat beater, pastry beater, and a rubber scraper. This mixer is easy to use, easy to clean, and will last you a lifetime – the same can be said for their formidable range of bakewear tins –great for your favourite chef this Christmas.
From: KitchenAid
Price: £749 (for the mixer), from £24 (for the tins)
De’Longhi Dedica Arte Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Dedica Arte Coffee Machine is part of De’Longhi’s recently updated bestselling Dedica range. This new and improved coffee machine is a great gift for coffee aficionados looking to enjoy barista style premium coffee in the comfort of their homes. Powerful and efficient, the Dedica Arte coffee machine also includes the LatteArt Wand and separate tamp accessary, great for whipping up some milk-based recipes. With a brushed metal finish and chrome detailing, The De’Longhi Dedica Arte Coffee Machine is compact in size and ready to try out some barista style coffee making at home. This coffee machine is available in Beige, Grey and Silver.
From: De’Longhi
Price: £249.99
Kuhn Rikon Cheese Fondue Set Alpina Induction Clay
The Kuhn Rikon Fondue Set is the ultimate Christmas gift to give any fondue lover. Made from white clay of the highest quality, featuring adorable stainless steel decorations, this gift will charm anyone for the entirety of the holiday season, and then some more! This set is entirely Swiss made, and includes a 23cm ceramic pot and 6 forks with bamboo handles. In addition to being a pleasure to use, the Alpina set is easy to clean, creating a hassle-free festive experience.
From: Kuhn Rikon
Price: £285
Microplane Black Sheep Grater
Although the Black Sheep grater is a small appliance, it packs a punch with its chic and elegant design as well as functionality. Made entirely of stainless steel, this grater may be used to zest citrus fruits over your holiday dishes and desserts or to grate cheese into fine spirals.
From: Royal Design
Price: £52.40
Stellar 7000 3 Piece Draining Saucepan Set
This saucepan set by Stellar definitely lives up to its name. Each saucepan is made of stainless steel, with an elegant and modern design that will never go out of style. In addition to being visually appealing, these Christmas gifts can outperform most other kitchenware. Made with a thick ‘hot forged’ base, the Stellar set evenly distributes heat throughout its pans. When making pasta, there is no need to use a colander, as the lids of these pans have built in drains, allowing you to consolidate appliances when cooking.
From: Stellar
Price: £192.50
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE – FOR THE HOME
Emma Bridgewater Christmas Joy Collection
The Emma Bridgewater Christmas Joy Collection will add festive cheer to any household. Perhaps the most festive pieces are the Quilted Throw and the Patchwork Cotton Cushion for their incredibly festive collection of fabrics. Each piece of these Christmas gifts add a level of festivity to the overall comfort and coziness both accessories provide.
From: Emma Bridgewater
Price: £65 – £157.50
Miller Harris Mandarin Natural Wax Scented Candle
As the lights glisten, cookies bake in the oven, and snow begins to flurry outside, the only thing that is missing is the fresh festive scents of a Miller Harris candle. The Mandarin candle is 220g of 100% soy and rapeseed wax with a burning time of up to 50 hours. ideal for your favourite candle-lover, or anyone who loves notes of mandarin oranges, geraniums, and herby marjoram.
From: Selfridges
Price: £50
CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE – FOR THE CHILDREN
Casdon Joseph Joseph Bake Set
Is your little loved one a big-time chef in the making? This junior baking set is made for those just beginning their culinary journey. Included for just £13 is a large mixing bowl, whisk, spatula, rolling pin and measuring cups. Whether your little chef is merely playing pretend or curating a holiday menu, these Christmas gifts are functional, easy to use and easy to clean.
From: Argos
Price: £13
Leapfrog Magic Adventures Microscope
The Magic Adventures Microscope by Leapfrog will be your little biologist’s favourite gadget. Your mini-scientist can examine flowers, animals, food, minerals and more with Leapfrog’s double-sided slides with BBC images and videos. Images and videos are displayed with a 200x magnification on a 2.4” viewing screen.
From: Argos
Price: £80
Paint The Goring’s ambassador, Teddy the Shetland, with MasterPeace Mindful Art Kit
MasterPeace, London’s first dedicated mindful art experience, have put together an Arty Gift Set in honour of Teddy the Shetland, The Goring Hotel’s most famous ambassador. Using MasterPeace’s super-fine artist-quality materials, petite Picasso’s can create beautiful, personal works of art to celebrate a truly wonderful little pony. The set includes a sketch, 4 Derwent water brushes, 4 Derwent watercolour pencils and a few extra special little gifts and is perfect for children and adults alike to get creative at home this art month.
From: Obby
Price: £20
Steiff Ben teddy Bear and Suitcase
Your little one will fall in love with the Steiff Ben teddy bear soft toy and suitcase this holiday season. The teddy bear will be their favourite companion, and the suitcase will also serve as a lunch box or travel case.
From: John Lewis
Price: £43
Night Sky
You betta WATCH out, cause Santa Claus is coming to town…Transform your room into an outer space light show with awe-inspiring projector. Learn about the night sky, view the planets, constellations, the moon and the stars. Transport your imagination to another planet and don’t blink or you may miss Santa zooming around the world and through the stars. For a closer inspection and not projection, my first telescope could also be an awesome Santa spotting tool and educational gift.
From: Night Sky
Price: £41.99
Vilac My First School
This lovely, compact Vilac My First School set comprises a wooden desk with a chalkboard surface as well as chalks, letters, word and number cards. It will help make early learning fun for your little one and you can encourage them to make different words in English and French using the vocabulary cards, as well as practice their maths skills using the calculation cards. This is a truly gorgeous looking learning set and a fab Christmas gift for ages 4+.
From: HippyChick
Price: £44.99
All imagery courtesy of the brands featured. Leading image courtesy of Mel Poole (Unsplash).