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All I Want For Christmas … A Gift Guide Part I (£50 and Under)

monocrhome wrapping paper from The White Company

It’s that time of year again and, since it’s no longer possible to ignore it and hope that it will go away,  here, for lovers of all things house and home, are some suggestions of things you might like to buy for friends and family. Or just yourself come to that. And, while we’re on the subject, you can always refer to Objects Of Design for ideas. That’s all been divided into categories with a range of prices as has the guide below. Happy browsing.

FOR £20 AND UNDER

christmas presents for under £20

LIMITED EDITION WOBBLY BOWL (£12) www.roostliving.com because the wobbly shade and delicate powder pink shade make this a gorgeous present for the kitchen, the bedroom or the bathroom.

LAUREL CERAMIC WALL HOOK (£14) www.rowenandwren.co.uk because these are so pretty and useful for any room in the house.

PERSONALISED RUBBER ADDRESS STAMP (£16) www.notonthehighstreet.com  because if you care about your house, you will also care about how your correspondence looks and this allows you to personalise writing paper, postcards or gift tags depending on what you choose to print.

EDISON BULB VASE MEDIUM (£15) www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk because if we can’t use his lightbulbs anymore his contribution shouldn’t be forgotten and they do make fantastic vases.

PRESSED GLASS BOWLS (£15 and £20) www.refoundobjects.com because if you’re going to treat yourself to pudding it should be as dressed up as possible. That’s the pudding not you, although, obviously, feel free to make an occasion of it.

HANDS BLACK WALL CLOCK (£18) www.habitat.co.uk  because these rather retro clock hands with no face behind them somehow contrive to look completely modern.

more ideas for Christmas for under £20

TIME FLIES MUG BY RORY DOBNER (£14.99) www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk  because this is an exclusive design and it’s a really beautiful mug

6 PIECE WAMON WASHI TAPE (£18.79) www.washitapes.co.uk because it’s not just for wrapping presents but for decorating notebooks and even furniture. My husband’s desk is a slab of wood on trestles, painted grey and with monochrome washi tape round the edge.

SPEAR ORGANIC COTTON TEA TOWEL FROM FERM LIVING (£10) www.courvertureandthegarbstore.com because drying up is dull and this stylish tea towel will help.

ALMDEDAHLS POMONA COASTER SET (£13.95) www.husandhem.co.uk because coasters can be useful and this retro apple design still looks as modern as it did when it was first designed by Marianne Westman in 1956.

 

UNDER £50

 

christmas presents for under £50

MAGNIFYING GLASS BY MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA (£49) www.quilllondon.com because it’s witty and if I have reached the age when a magnifying glass can help then you can jolly well look at one too.

PAINTER BOWLS SET OF FOUR (£39.50) www.conranshop.co.uk because little bowls are always incredibly useful.

TURNED MANGO WOOD CANDLESTICKS (£20 – £32) www.frenchconnection.com because candlesticks should be large and chunky.

BIKE TAPESTRY THROW (£35) www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk  because bikes are cool.

CRISTAL CAFE BY NORMANN COPENHAGEN (£40.50) www.bodieandfou.com because will dress up the table even if you’re serving tap water and the plastic cups come in my favourite monochrome shades with a hint of pink.

COTE BASTIDE SCENTED FIG CANDLE (£34) www.bodieandfou.com because Fig is one of my favourite scents and this is a gorgeous candle.

 

more stylish gifts for under £50

OFF WHITE LINEN NAPKINS (£32) www.eburyhomeandgarden.com because napkins bring a sense of occasion to any meal and these are beautiful soft linen.

ANYWHERE LIGHT (£34) www.desresdesigns.co.uk because  sometimes there isn’t enough light where you’re sitting for what you’re doing and you can just plug this in and drape it where it needs to be until you don’t need it to be there anymore. Clever.

DECORATIVE WOODEN TRAY (£38) www.discoverattic.com because it would look so pretty with fruit or bread or little bowls of olives and nuts.

BRILLIANT WIND UP RADIO (£45) www.coxandcox.co.uk because a wind up radio is brilliant for a bathroom, or a child, or for anyone who keeps forgetting to buy batteries and finds the heavy plugs and leads annoying in the kitchen where there are already far too many cables.

TALL MERCURY GLASS VASE (£35) www.unicheinteriorfurnishings.co.uk because this is just so unusual and so pretty.

 

 

 

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.