TREATS FOR HER

. LUXURY TREATS FOR HER .

I’m starting to get that festive feeling, the urge to consume a years worth of bratwursts in one month, drink gluhwein at every excusable occasion and of course spend far too much money on gifts for loved ones (and myself – I tend to go with the one for you, one for me rule). When it comes to Christmas I absolutely love finding the perfect gift for my family and friends, seeking out those luxury treats that they’d love but perhaps never treat themselves to. My Dad and Jase each Christmas always buy me a couple of real luxurious treats like a Chanel makeup palette or L’Occitane bath goodies and it’s always nice to have a couple of treats that you might not otherwise buy yourself. Equally my mum and sisters will always buy me fabulously chic home treats like quirky books, homely candles or pretty home accessories which I vaguely request as ‘bits and bobs’ on my Christmas list each year.

As we’re building up to Christmas now I thought i’d share a few luxury little treats which may inspire your Christmas shopping this year … think luxe toiletries, decorative hard backs, and beautiful candles! The above includes a selection of fabulous little treats which would make the perfect gift for mum, girlfriends and even siblings!

I’ll start with candles, I bloody love candles. Every year I add a whole ton of candles to my Christmas list, ranging from pretty decorative numbers to simple but wonderfully smelling ones! Candles can be a little expensive and so for me, make a perfect gift each year. Liza has treated me to a couple of amazing candles over the years, from a huge Highgrove Christmas candle a couple of years ago, to my birthday this year when she bought me a ‘stress relief’ scented Aromatherapy Associates one, my Dad bought me the fabulous ‘Marmalade’ candle which you’ve no doubt spotted in a few of my posts and i’m forever adding to my collection with treats to myself too! Aromatherapy Associates offer beautifully presented, wonderfully infused and extremely luxurious candles which are fab for a real treat (I have nearly 4 of their candles, all in different scents, sizes and for different occasions now and I really really love them). I also love Shearer candles for super pretty diffusers or simple but still very pretty scented candles. Their candles would make wonderful stocking fillers or be a fab addition to a festive pamper package! Plus of course if you;re looking for some festive scents to fill your house with this season then it’s definitely worth checking out their Christmas candles which come in every possible festive scent possible!

On the topic of Aromatherapy Associates, it’s not only their candles which are perfect Christmas treats, their selection of gift packages are also to be admired. I’ve been fortunate to receive one myself which Liza bought me for my birthday, a beautifully packaged little kit including a candle, bath oils & bath wash all infused with relaxing scents to help you de-stress. But their gift sets come in a number of varieties which means you’ll easily find one to suit your needs and taste. The set above is a special Christmas gift set featuring some of their most popular rose infused products which I was lucky enough to be scent as a treat from AA, a really great pressie & a fab treat!  T London is a new brand which i’ve only been introduced to recently, but another great company for luxury bath treats and I love the chic & art deco style of their packaging. Of course another absolute favourite brand of mine for luxury bath time treats is L’Occitane, i’m a big fan of the brand and always like to buy some pressies for myself and my loved ones in store at Christmas time! Lush is always an easy win and super cool option too!

I love the idea of making mini stockings for friends or my sisters, and last year I tried to create a little mini stocking of beauty treats for my sisters on top of their main pressies. It’s so nice to have a little extra something at the end of Christmas day and the stockings can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make them. Choccies, bath bombs and a little beauty treat are always great ideas. I was lucky enough to receive a couple of goodies from Nourish & Shavata recently and their cute packaging and reasonable price ranges make them the perfect sort of treats to feed into a little festive stocking! Other brands and products I love that would make great little Christmas treats are MAC lipsticks (everyone loves a little MAC and at £13 it’s a great luxury lipstick treat), Keihl’s skincare products are also a new favourite of mine and would make great luxury treats for anyone that’s into their beauty or brands, Elemis also have a  ton of really lovely spa like products which would upgrade any bath time plus of course make a really nice little treat!

My final idea, and again is something I myself love to receive and always request at Birthdays and Christmas is beautiful hard back books which not only make good reads but also wonderful coffee table decor too! I have a ton of books already, but even this year have a good 5 or 6 on my list. I know often books are thought of as a boring present, but there are so many fab niche books you can buy now, it’s almost a guarantee you’ll find something your loved ones would enjoy. I myself love foodie, fashion or home decor hard back books so always ask for these types of books as presents (Honestly Healthy, Berlin Street Style & 100 Years of Fashion are currently on my wish list). I always try and buy my sister Harriett books to do with fashion design and textiles, and my mum books on home decor and gardening, Jase and my dad love their food & restaurants so I often by them a lovely recipe book or city restaurant guide (36 Hours in Europe, Where Chefs Eat, Polpo, Eat & Where To Eat London are all great reads) . Origami Home is a book that was recently published (and one i’ve been reviewing for a new ‘book club’ feature) that would make a fab read or coffee table accessory for those DIY or craft lovers, it’s full of beautiful colours & craft ideas! You can find such beautiful books on the topics that they do make great presents despite the perception.

So there you go, a little round up of luxury present ideas which i’m sure any woman would love, you can shop the edit above if anything took your fancy, but there are also tons of boutique or independent shops which sell pretty little ‘bits & bobs’ which you can pull together to make a little luxury Christmas stocking (for men or women)! I always think a stocking full of little treats makes a great gift, whether it’s Lush bath bombs, Lindt choccies, a pretty hardback book & a little OPI polish or a more expensive combo with spa worthy toiletries, beautiful candles & a little beauty treat to boot, it’s the thought that goes into making the stocking and picking all the best bits, that either way the receiver will no doubt love the collection you pull together for them!

What do you think of my ideas & Christmas rituals, I’d love to hear any of your present ideas for the ladies in your life? PS stay tuned as i’ll be giving away a festive little hamper full of my favourite treats for you in December too!