The Glass Christmas gift guide: our selection for the season of giving – and receiving
Penhaligons Empressa Christmas Box
Penhaligons Empressa Christmas Box
Penhaligons celebrates Christmas 2015 with a range of gifts paying homage to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet. Our favourite is the Empressa musical box. The marquetry effect references the cool blues of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s costume; the turning ballerina within reminds us of our childhood jewellery boxes … a Proustian delight, made even better with the addition of Empressa Eau de Parfum and a weighty glass jar of otherwise unavailable Hand & Body Cream. Perfect for daughters, nieces, and nostalgic friends and relatives.
by Rachel McCormack
Penhaligons Empressa Christmas Box priced at £125 available here
Pierre Marcolini The Chistmas Tree
Pierre Marcolini – The Chistmas Tree
Easter is not the only holiday we can celebrate by indulging in chocolate, as for Christmas Belgian luxury chocolatier Maison Pierre Marcolini revisits – in the finest dark and milk chocolate – the classic symbols of the season; Christmas trees, Santa Claus, baubles and decorations in stylish delicious dual outlines which do battle – in confectionery – with the winter elements, deliciously, of course.
by Caroline Simpson
From £14.90. Available from Maison Pierre Marcolini, 37 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4QE
De Beers Talisman Detachable Earrings
De Beers Talisman Sleeper Earrings
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its iconic Talisman Collection, De Beers Diamond Jewellers pay homage to diamonds in all their wonderment, with the collection featuring a range of diamonds, both polished and rough in their purest primal form. The colour palette within the collection sees De Beers reflect the magnificent tones of nature. With pendants, rings, bangles and these gold detachable earrings featuring round brilliant solitaire stud earring which are transformed with the addition of a detachable rough diamond drop to choose from, what’s not to love?
by Amanda Bernstein
Talisman Detachable Earrings. Rough and polished diamonds set in yellow gold. £2,825
De Beers 50 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4QT
Tel: 0207 758 9700
The Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask
The Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask
The Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask is a thing of glamour. Not only is it a luxurious high quality eye mask, which thoroughly blocks out the light and enables one to get a full night of restful and rejuvenating beauty sleep, this padded mask has an added bonus. Made of a patented silky fabric embedded with Cupron© copper oxide fibres (copper is well-known for its skin-renewing properties), it is designed to fight wrinkles as well.
The Iluminage mask has been designed to combat wrinkles while the wearer sleeps and has been tested in a number of controlled studies which showed positive results for the wearer within four weeks. Glass has been donning the mask during slumber for a few months now and has noticed significant reduction in wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. What could be easier? An all-round, dare we say, copper-bottomed win for everyone.
by Caroline Simpson
The Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Eye Mask costs £25 and is exclusive to Selfridges, London
Bella Freud Lion badge cashmere
Bella Freud Lion Badge cashmere jumper £380
Christmas isn’t complete without a special jumper, and this Rasta-inspired pure cashmere crew neck with Lion badge intarsia (and discreet Jah upon the sleeve) will add dressed-down cool to any look. The ultimate Christmas jumper for fashionistas who know their Trogan from their Treasure Isle and Tuff Gong, and would rather pull a rocker than a cracker.
by Rachel McCormack
Bella Freud Lion Badge cashmere jumper retails at £380 available here
Shamballa Jewels Nyima Cuff in 18k white gold with white diamond pave
Shamballa Jewels Nyima Cuff in 18k white gold with white diamond pave
Seeking spiritual enlightenment but not quite ready to forswear luxury? Shamballa Jewels offer the answer to your dilemma. As worn by Jay Z, the fashion cognoscenti – Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld and even the Danish royal family, Shamballa Jewels is a precious fine jewellery brand set up by brothers Mads and Mikkel Kornerup in Copenhagen, where the line continues to be produced.
Meaning “sun” in Tibetan, the Nyima is a exquisite white gold cuff which begins with a “meditative gap” to remind the wearer of the transitory and ever-changing cycle of the day, and, indeed, life. The cuff ends with a pavé bead set with diamonds, also symbolising the day, and can be purchased in rose gold, pure gold and white gold and customised with other gems and different diamond colours.
by Caroline Simpson
The Nyima Cuff in 18k white gold with white diamond pave costs €13,800 from Harrods Fine Jewellery Room, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL
Tel: 020 7730 1234
Paula Rowan gloves with rosette
Founded by the glamorous and talented Irish woman Paula Rowan her eponymous glove company, based in Dublin, creates beautiful luxury hand-stitched gloves and accessories, for men and women, made from the finest Italian leather and using classic traditional glove-making techniques. Available in a kaleidoscope of sumptuous colours, in many designs and lengths, with cashmere or silk linings and adorned with trims such as buttons or studs to customise, these gloves add a perfectly stylish finishing touch to your look.
by Caroline Simpson
Gloves, belts, purses and clutches are available from Paula Rowan and start at €100
Chanel Boy.Friend Or Beige watch
Chanel Boy.Friend Or Beige watch
The Chanel Boy.Friend watch comes in many guises, but our favourite is the Boy.Friend Or Beige. This watch has an almost schoolgirl-like simplicity, and we think the more casually it’s worn, the more impact it has. The classic, quite masculine elements of alligator strap, octagonal Place Vendome case in beige/gold (warm and flattering without the overt femininity of rose gold) and a simple face combine to make Chanel’s Boy.Friend confident, graceful and elegant, as all good boyfriends should be.
by Rachel McCormack
Chanel Boy.Friend Or Beige watch, medium £8,100, large £9,400 is available from Chanel
Mother Brown’s Remedy
Mother Brown’s Remedy
The holiday season may be the fun-est time of the year, however over-indulgence in eating, drinking and general revelry can take a temporary toll on your health. Mother Brown’s Remedy provides an answer to seasonal excesses. With wittily entitled supplements such as Fashion Flu, A Siesta, Do Not Disturb and Mourning Glory, Mother Brown’s Remedy Kit offers 100 per cent natural supplements for life or the times one feels a little peeky.
Ashaninka chocolate/Vivienne Westwood/Aqua Shard
Ashaninka chocolate/Vivienne Westwood/Aqua Shard
Sometimes chocolate is the best gift you can give to the ones you love; especially if they have the signature of Vivienne Westwood on them. The British designer collaborated with Cool Earth for the creation of a limited edition chocolate bars box, all the profits of which are going directly to Cool Earth’s rain forest partnerships.
by Alexia Sakellariou
The bar costs £3.95 and is available online and at Aqua Shard, until the end of December 2015. @aquashard #viviennexaquashard
Emprise Malletage Louis Vuitton
Emprise Malletage Louis Vuitton
Timeless and elegant, the newest Emprise Malletage watch of Louis Vuitton draws inspiration from the padded linings of the brand’s steamer trunks and interprets the quilted pattern in the steel bracelet through domed oval links. The watch has precision quartz movements and is a gift to treasure.
by Alexia Sakellariou
The Emprise Malletage watch retails at £2.540 from the Louis Vuitton website or the Louis Vuitton Maison, 17-20 New Bond St, London, W1S 2RB. Tel: 020 3214 9200
Gushlow and Cole Lady Grey gilet
Gushlow and Cole
First shown at London Fashion Week in 2003, Gushlow and Cole have gone from strength to strength in establishing themselves as one of the most stylish shearling manufacturers in the UK today. From full-length to cropped, full-fur or knitted-back, all their gilets are fully reversible and easy to wear.
Our pick of the collection is the Lady Grey reversible knitted-back gilet, which can be worn with a suede front or reversed to a fur front – both with a natural shearling edge. Imagine two gifts in one. How perfect.
by Amanda Bernstein
Gushlow and Cole Lady Grey gilet priced at £509
Jo Malone Lacquered Chest
Jo Malone London
This Christmas Jo Malone London have some amazing gifting ideas – all wrapped up in their trademark cream and black embellished boxes, and tied with a beautiful bow. Let’s face it, all of us would love something from Jo Malone and this year is no exception. Our pick of the best is their hand-made sleek black lacquered chest, filled with precious indulgences including colognes, two fragrant home candles and a scent surround diffuser.
by Amanda Bernstein
Jo Malone Lacquered Chest is available from Jo Malone London and retails at £620
Rosewood London Nutcracker package
Enjoy the holiday season with Rosewood London
Never has there been a better time to stay and enjoy the perfectly located Rosewood London than this Christmas. With lots of activities and events around Christmas and New Year to ensure that your holiday is as special as those sharing it with you, Rosewood London is offering guests who stay at the hotel on 19 December an experience of a lifetime. On this day guests will have the opportunity to gain exclusive use of the Royal Opera Box at London’s Royal Opera House to enjoy the matinee performance of The Nutcracker. The package includes a backstage tour, access to the curtain calls after the performance and a three-course meal served in the Royal Retiring room.
by Amanda Bernstein
Rosewood London Nutcracker package priced at £9,995. Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London WC1 7EN
Pinetum Limited Edition Signature Reed Diffuser
Pinetum Limited Edition Signature Reed Diffuser
Royal warrant holder, the British heritage brand Charles Farris Limited has produced Church Candles for over 160 years ago and now the company has introduced reed diffusers, along with scented and general candles, into its product range.
If you long for the quintessential smell of Christmas without the nuisance of needles, look no further – the Pinetum Limited Edition Signature Reed Diffuser is perfumed by sweet green pine needles mixed with eucalyptus and birch leaves, and weighed down by a base of amber and sandalwood offering the essence of fresh Christmas trees. Made in England and of the highest quality, the diffuser and reeds work through the slow evaporation of perfumed oils which the reeds are scented with. To refresh the scent, turn the reeds over or stir the oil to release more scent. The diffuser last up to eight-10 weeks.
by Caroline Simpson
Pinetum Limited Edition Signature Reed Diffuser (100Ml, 3.3fl oz) , £32, can be purchased online or from Charles Farris Limited, Quarry Fields, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6LA Tel: 01747 861 839
La Perla Lingerie
The iconic La Perla Maison collection comes in a new colour combination this Christmas – and what a combination it is. Sensual red is featured as the predominant colour alongside the absolute elegance of black trim, resulting in a luxurious, alluring range of lingerie. With La Perla only selecting the finest fabrics, each garment is sure to bring pleasure to the wearer (and the giver too). We love the short slip which has been designed specially for the holiday season.
by Amanda Bernstein
La Perla Maison short slip priced at £394