A Christmas (or anytime) present guide for him/her/them/everyone
A few present ideas from the middle-aged Londoner household
I started this gift guide ages ago, I was so ahead of the game, on A middle-aged Londoner. I was really having fun making the videos – I planned to be super glam in all of them, picking out my dressiest clothes and putting on a bit of slap. Just playing really. After all the pain, both physical and emotional, of this year, it felt so good to play.
And then… blinkin disaster went and struck didn’t it – we had a leak Horatio managed to identify as coming from our main drain, the cellar was flooded, and I had to get it sorted out. Luckily, I found a really good company to do the work – I say luckily because finding the leak turned out to be a SEVEN day job (spread across three weeks) involving digging a big trench in the cellar under the hallway and, in the end, digging up most of the kitchen floor. “Waaaaaaa”. Our already chaotic house quickly descended into a bit of a hell hole, and certainly not a place for making fun little videos. So, do go and check those out as some aren’t in this guide.
Anyway. If you’re quick about it, you should still be able to get any of these in time for Christmas! You’ll have to run though.
In a time when most of us have WAY more than enough and the earth is spluttering under our over-consumption, it feels important to be considered about our present giving. What follows are things I recommend because I have and love them, or someone in my family does. I’m quite fond of “doing” so there are a few experiences in there too.
If you’re like me this guide will have come at a very good time, when you’ve just realised that Christmas is in precisely one week and you’ve not bought any presents, nor have you made any of the millions of things you intended to, this year, to give as gifts.
1. Candles good enough to eat!
Nata Concept Store is two school friends who make a range of food, and food adjacent, candles that are lightly scented with jasmine and are just seriously cool. They’d make the perfect little gift to take round to any dinner invites you have. I particularly love the giant olive (pictured).*
2. Stocking filler chocolate
Bare Bones Chocolate is TO DIE FOR. Nothing more needs to be said, except…this small brand, working out of Glasgow, making micro-batch bean to bar chocolate is not only one to watch, it’s one to support. Makers Lara and Cameron have created a brand that is sustainable and that doesn’t have the additives you often find in chocolate in it. Honestly, it’s so SO good.
3. The QUEEN of chunky jewellery
If you’re looking for a bit of chunky costume jewellery - mostly in golds and silvers, this brand, By Sara Christie, beloved of Instagram midlife style influencers (and me) is the one to go to. Think big and bold and in your face. Perfect for the middle-age woman who is finally taking up space and playing with being bold and vibrantly visible! I’ve got quite a few pieces but a little look at the website tells me there are quite a few more I like the look of. Quelle suprise.
4. Charity shop goodies
Second-hand shopping is brilliant, there really isn’t any need for new of most of what we get new. I go to charity shops for clothes, and if I’m in luck, I’ll pick up some lovely crockery or glass ware, and I use eBay for crockery. I’ve gifted really beautiful things in the past that weren’t new and I’m crossing everything I manage to pick up a couple of bits this year too.
5. Anything by Molesworth & Bird
I don’t have any of Molesworth & Bird’s enamelware but I’d like to. I’ve got a couple of their prints, a set of napkins, and a set of exquisite cards which I absolutely delight in sending to people with a little note of thank you, or whatever. I was looking at the aprons (for a pressie for myself) but they’ve sold out.
6. THE hero beauty product
Okay, my skin is pretty good naturally - I think it’s the vast quantities of water I drink, and have always drunk, and being fat does help, let’s be honest. But, I credit this brand, and in particular their NEM Watermelon serum with just how good my skin is. One of the builders couldn’t get over my skin, he said on three separate occasions how good my skin was, he mentioned it to my son and, he apparently went home and reported it to his wife! Anything from Sifali is a treat but, if you’re looking to really pamper someone, give them a session with founder, Jaya, whose hands are magic.
7. Make your own knife
Horatio and his dad went along to Kerr Forge (just outside London, in South Essex) and learnt how to make a knife. The classes are small (a max of three people) and are a full day, you get lots of attention and instruction and I hear it’s a really enjoyable thing to do. Horatio made a lovely little cleaver for chopping vegetables.
8. Actually good non-alcoholic COCKTAILS
The first time I had Mother Root Ginger Switchel, it was the base of a stunning cocktail at The Blue Pelican, in Deal. I then had it again as an off-menu cocktail at St John Bread and Wine, and I was hooked. Because of my cocktail of medications, I basically don’t drink anymore, a fact that depresses me no end as I love drinking - I love having a glass of beautiful wine, or…going to a fancy cocktail bar and having an exquisite cocktail. I’ve been missing adult tasting cocktails and finding lots of the non-alcoholic spirits just don’t cut it (Everleaf being a notable exception). This ginger switchel though, is fantastic - it has apple cider vinegar in it and uses techniques from wine making to produce a finished product with lots of complexity and depth. It’s excellent with tonic or soda water and lots of ice (why not give a bottle with a bunch of rosemary, a few good bottles of good tonic (aka Fever Tree) and a couple of cut glass charity shop glasses. That’s a perfect gift in my eyes. The ginger switchel is also good as a hot drink, I’ve been having some with lemon and honey to help get me through this blasted cold and cough.
9. Learn to decorate like a pro
Full disclosure…no-one in Household A middle-aged Londoner has done this but someone (me) has it on this year’s Christmas list. My daughter bought a stunning cake, by the Queen of Cakes herself, Lily Vanilli, as a surprise for my 50th birthday party and not only did it look superb but it tasted divine. And since then, I’ve been after learning how to pipe properly. If you check out their Instagram you’ll find loads of tutorials, they’re so great to watch, I could watch all day!
10. Ethical AND cute
Another Full Disclosure, Coco & Kiki was co-founded by one of Horatio’s friends. A photographer and film maker by day, Corrine set up Coco & Kiki with a friend, their aim, to give back in some way. This ethical and sustainable brand is incredibly careful about the fabrics it uses, including the dyes, and is working to minimise any negative environmental impact caused by the manufacture of their dungarees. The clothes are made in Southern India by women who come from troubled backgrounds - they work via a female founded studio where they receive training, and they are given support at work and at home. 100% of profits are reinvested into projects around the world. They’ve just launched a collection of adult dungarees in gorgeous fabrics too!
The Tardis of cycling bags
Horatio swears by this Chrome Industries Kadet bag, it’s his absolute favourite. It’s deceptively big, in fact, it really IS a Tardis. The product info says you can fit most tablets into it but, lemme tell you what, you can fit most laptops in! I know this because Horatio and I were betting we each had the bigger bag that still looks small - both were doing well until Horatio said “Can you fit your laptop in your bag?”. I tried and I couldn’t. I wasn’t too bothered though because he definitely wouldn’t be able to fit it into his either…except that he could! We rolled around laughing (exaggeration, obvs) and I’ve been impressed by this little tike ever since. Appartently it’s really good to use too.
*Eeep, I see they’ve closed for Christmas BUT…if you love the pasta et al candles, they are stocked in a number of shops around the UK and farther afield so you may just manage to pick a beauty up yet.
Have you started your present shopping yet? Have you finished!? Is there anything ono here you like the look of? Would you go to charity shops in search of gifts?