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Christmas Gift Guide Room by Room: bedroom and bathroom

Yesterday might have been a Christmas free zone when it came to appearances but the day is approaching inexorablyso there may still be shopping to be done. Today it’s the turn of the bedroom and the bathroom, both of which are basically an excuse to put together presents that are all about comfort and relaxing and the elusive “me-time”.

First up the bedroom and, as ever, you can start small and work up to your maximum budget here but remember it’s about buying things that the person wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves but if they get to use them every day and enjoy it then it’s worth doing. So a set of bedlinen may not be the most conventional present but if its wonderful soft cotton or washed linen and they will enjoy sleeping in it then it’s a gift worth giving – the set I have included here (no 11) is organic as well.

Team it with a pair of linen pyjamas (no 1), a sleep mask (no 12) and a good book (see earlier gift guides) and that would make me very happy indeed. But add a speaker ( no 10)  or a radio that will also wake you up (no 5) and you’re suiting the tech person as well. Slippers (no 7)  and an elegant carafe and water glass (no 6)  are optional extras. And I threw in a bag here because the wardrobe is usually in the bedroom and I’m not going to tangle with clothes buying but this (no 2)  is made in East London and comes with a choice of strap – gold chain for evening or canvas for day so it’s a sort of leather version of a bag for life – in that you can wear it day or night, summer or winter.

Moving to the bathroom and that’s often the inspiration for people who you find it hard to buy for – pretty pots of handcream and bathroom treats are often on the list for those so-called have-it-alls or buy-it-alls. Now that principle works very well but, once again, if you are buying “smellies” then include a pretty bag to package them in and that they can use every day just to make it all feel a little more thought through.

I have linked here to Trinny’s make-up (no 5), which subscribers to the newsletter will know I bought when it launched and have used ever since, but you might like to offer a subscription to Beauty Pie (£10 a month at no 12) which I also have. Don’t forget the boys with a subscription to Harry’s Razors (no 6) and round it all out with a scented candle (no 4) or the Neom candle (no 7) which, when burnt for half an hour, turns into body oil.

Finally, never underestimate the joy of pretty, and useful storage, see no’s 2, 9, 10, 11, 12 or a set of organic cotton towels (no 3) and these ones can be personalised.

I hope that has given you some ideas. That’s the last of the gift guides for this week but I will be doing a last minute round up around the home office next Tuesday so be sure to check back then. And on Thursday the last episode of the current podcast series is out so there will be notes and links from everything in that – including how to make the most of your entrance hall and interior design books you might like to give as Christmas presents. Which, now I think of it didn’t include mine… so here’s the link – you know – just in case….. because if you can’t do a shameless plug at Christmas when can you?

Enid Cat reads Mad About The House
Enid Cat reads Mad About The House

And I am including also this link to Alex Steadman (aka @thefrugality) post about where you can donate food, belongings and gifts.

Here are the links for the images pictured:

THE BEDROOM

1 Linen pyjamas from made.com

2 Miller saddle bag from Carloe London 

3 Reversible quilted throw from Whistles in collaboration with Brooklyn-based Cold Picnic

4 Tom Raffield table light 

5 Roberts Revival Mini radio

6 Carafe and glass from Such & Such 

7 Toms Slippers – for every pair bought one pair is given to a child in neeed.

8 William Morris cushion from Poppy and Honesty

9 Matilda Goad plant pot (or cotton wool storage or useful place for make-up pencils)

10 Hay for Sonos Limited Edition speaker

11 Organic cotton duvet cover from Westelm 

12 Cotton and velvet eye mask by Elizabeth Scarlett

THE BATHROOM

1 Organic soap from Aerende

2 Green marble tray from made.com

3 Personalised organic cotton towels from Not on the High Street

4 Soy wax scented candle from House Curious by Earl of East

5 Gift stacks from Trinny London

6 Shave set from Harry’s Razors 

Neom candle body oil

8 Subscription to Beauty Pie 

9 Shower Girl cup from WAGreen

10 Wooden Bath Caddy via Etsy 

11 Hemp storage baskets from Design Vintage 

12 Etched apothecary bottle (lots of designs available) from Vinegar and Brown Paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

2 Comments

  1. My favorite part is definitely the cat reading the book 🙂 So cute! I love these gift ideas (even if they are in the UK) as I’m looking for a few nice items for gift exchange ideas.

  2. Thanks so much for the Alex Steadman link, which I have busily circulated.
    To me this is what Christmas is all about. We gave up on tinsel, cards and pressies 25 years ago and all is calm at our place.

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