The most enduring Christmas gifts are rarely the loud ones. They’re the small, impeccably judged gestures that show you understand someone’s taste, or at the very least, their sense of humour. This year’s guide looks to fashion for cues: pieces that carry mood, texture and a little wit, but without demanding a dissertation to enjoy.
The “ugly” sweater
Kitsch has always had its place in fashion, and the holiday season is not complete without the “ugly” knit sweater.
House slippers
Slippers have graduated from afterthought to aesthetic object. A quilted slide or suede mule can make even the most domestic moment feel aesthetic.
Kitsch socks
Once shorthand for lazy Christmas gifts, socks have become fashion’s smallest act of mischief and a low-commitment way to inject humour into an otherwise serious wardrobe.
A coffee-table book
A great conversation starter that doubles as decor.
The perfect winter shoulder bag
A holiday must-have: a hold-all for all your party essentials designed to slip under winter coats.
A knit scarf
A soft rib or brushed wool scarf does what good fashion often does: provides comfort. It tidies, warms and elevates without trying.
Minimalist jewellery
Small hoops, fine chains, simple signets. Jewellery that doubles up as a Christmas decoration.
Loungewear you could accidentally wear outside
Ribbed knits, clean cotton sets, pyjamas. Who says comfort can’t be chic?
The everyday tote
If you’re thinking of Christmas gifts that they can use all year round, enter The Everyday Tote. Canvas or nylon, sharp straps, clean lines. Something that refuses to look sloppy and actually stands up to daily use.
Also read:
28 Christmas gifts to put on your wishlist, depending on whether you were naughty or nice this year
I rediscovered the beauty of a Keralite Christmas through memories of attending Mass with my sari-clad grandmother
Every look the stars wore for a cosy Christmas 2024
