With just over six weeks until the big day, this months shopping guide is here to support all your Christmas preparations, from decor choices to gift ideas for the interior lover.

When I first started to compile this month’s shopping guide, I was selecting items which very stereo-typically related to the tradition of Christmas, red and white stripes, forest greens, and rich berry reds. However, based on my personal style; and I trust that of many of my followers, you might be looking for something a little less traditional and would prefer a more calming, neutral take on Christmas.

With that in mind, I’ve made the bold choice to embrace my love of a calm, neutral, earthy colour palette and leave the vibrancy to be splashed across magazine supplements and the internet.

I’ve categorised this years selections into three sections:

• Table Preparations: Wow your guests this Christmas with a sophisticated table setting.
• Home Decor: Create your very own winter wonderland.
• Gift Ideas: Thoughtful gifts for the interior lover.

When it comes to buying Christmas gifts, first and foremost, I try to avoid Amazon (actually I try to avoid Amazon 365 days of the year, where I can help it).

If you’re able, please try to support small local businesses. You may pay a premium for some products, but often these have been made with love, care and attention, rather than being churned out on a production line somewhere in the Far East.

Last years Christmas gift guide I selected a range of unique gifts lovingly made by small independents.

Table Preparations

Wow your guests this Christmas with a sophisticated table setting.

1: Silver Feather Embroidered Table Runner

Less is often more. The simplicity of this table runner from The White Company, in a neutral cotton linen blend with a decorative silver embroidered feather detail, is the perfect start to your table setting for the big day.

Co-ordinated napkins are also available.

2: Silver Beaded Round Placemats

Add some extra sparkle with these handmade silver beaded placemats. The White Company offers them in a set of 2, though at £40, they’re not the cheapest.

The John Lewis alternative is more affordable at £27 (sold individually at £13.50 each). Although it’s difficult to see the difference in quality between the two online, the visual appearance is very similar. Considering the price; less than half of The White Company’s it’s well worth considering, especially if you’re entertaining more than four people.

3: Frosted Beaded Napkin Rings

When arranging your table setting, it’s lovely to have everything co-ordinated, but it’s not necessary to have everything to match identically. Consider mixing and matching within the same colour theme.

These napkin rings, again from The White Company are beautiful and would complement both the runner and placemats I shared above.

Priced at £25 for a set of four, I’d definitely invest in these if you’re looking to wow your guests; especially if you’ve decided to purchase the John Lewis placemats.

4: Embroidered Berry Napkins

If you’re looking for a subtle nod towards the festive season, you might like these Berry Napkins from Cox and Cox.

5: Ngolo Wine Cooler

Keep your wine or champagne chilled in this fabulous wine cooler from Nkuku.

Its simplistic design, with the contrasting detail of recycled glass and a metallic rust-effect finish, creates a standout piece.

There’s currently 20% off by using promo code AUTUMN20 (valid at time of publishing).

6: Optic Serving Bowl

Showcase your Christmas dessert in a beautiful serving dish. At £60, it’s quite an extravagant purchase for a trifle dish. Alternatively, I’ve found a trifle dish from Procook that has a similar design element to The White Company’s, at a more affordable price of £25.

It’s very easy to get carried away when purchasing items for the special day. However, it’s worth looking at what you’re really going to get value from. Opting for cheaper alternatives can free up your budget for items you’ll use more often. That’s the best approach.

There are so many stunning glasses available it was impossible for me to just choose one or two. Here’s my favourite selection.

7: The Met x Anthropologie Red Wine Glasses

Inspired by swirling Art Nouveau patterns, this limited edition collection in collaboration with The Met, embodies modern elegance with a distinguished octagonal silhouette and an ombré effect.

These wine glasses are £72 for a set of four, and I think they’re well worth the investment. Plus, if you sign up for Anthropologie emails, you can benefit from 10% off your first order.

8: Champagne Coupe

Add some elegance with these champagne coupes in a tinted orange glass and gold-tinted rim.

They’re very affordable at £8 per glass and by signing up for Urban Outfitters emails, you can also benefit from 10% off your first order.

9: Kavya Tumbler

The Kavya tumbler, crafted from hand-blown recycled glass, has an appealing organic shape and is available in a smoky, earthy tone.

Available as a set of four.

There’s currently 20% off using promo code AUTUMN20 (valid at time of publishing).

10: Yala Hammered Wine Glass

The Yala wine glass, with it’s classic shape and shorter, sturdier stem, comes in a beautifully rich Dusty Terracotta colour; perfect for the Christmas season.

Available as a set of four for £45.

Remember, there’s currently 20% off by using promo code AUTUMN20 (valid at time of publishing).

11: Lovell Wine Glasses

The most expensive of my wine glass choices is the Lovell Wine Glass from The White Company, priced at £58 for a pair. If you are need more than two, it could get pricey.

However, if like me it’s just going to be the two of you for Christmas, this elegant, bell-shaped design may be a worthwhile investment.

Home Decor

Create your very own winter wonderland.

12: Honeycomb Paper Tree

Add a touch of 70s décor to your home with a honeycomb paper Christmas tree decoration. Available in a supersize (90cm), medium (60cm), or small (40cm), these paper decorations are a perfect addition to your home, either individually or arranged in a cluster.

13: Light Up Paper Star

Continuing with the 70’s inspired theme of paper Christmas decorations, this light-up paper star adds a beautiful glow, creating a cosy ambience in your home.

14: Viti Baubles

These elegantly shaped Viti Gold Baubles from Nkuku, in tones of antique gold and silver, are the perfect addition to your Christmas tree. Alternatively, they can create a beautiful look as part of a table setting.

15: Konara Giant Bauble

Add a subtle touch to your festive decor with this gold crackle Konara Bauble, featuring a unique metal foil crackle glaze finish that creates an opulent sparkle. Perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree or added to a garland.

Don’t forget, there’s currently 20% off with promo code AUTUMN20 (valid at time of publishing).

16: Metal Mistletoe Decorations

I love these mistletoe decorations from The White Company. There are so many ways that they can be used; from hanging on the tree to being used as napkin ties, or, if you want to really impress, why not use them as present toppers?

17: Champagne Glitter Stem Decorations

Yet again another beautiful choice from The White Company (I apologise for selecting so many pieces from them this month, but they have such fabulous options that it was impossible to narrow it down any further).

These magical-looking decorations aren’t just for the Christmas tree. They can be be added to a garland, used as napkin ties for a festive table setting, or create a real wow factor as present toppers.

18: Habitat Tabletop Tree Christmas

If less is more when it comes to decorating your home, you might like this simple yet modern tree ornament. The layers of cascading whitewashed wood have an architectural beauty, forming the shaped of a traditional fir tree.

Perfect as an additional decoration for your home or the ideal centre piece for your festive table.

Gift Ideas

Thoughtful gifts for the interior lover.

19: Ester & Erik Candles

These beautiful hand-dipped Danish candles from Ester & Erik are available in various colours, perfect for creating a warming atmosphere, during those dark winter months.

20: Handmade Glazed Ceramic Mug

Frankie is a ceramic artist based in East Anglia, with a gallery in Suffolk and a studio in Essex.

To view her full collection, check out Frankies Studio.

21: Miller Resin Salad Bowl

Elevate your dining experience with the Soho Home Miller salad bowl.

Sculpted from resin with an iridescent finish, this unique piece is the perfect addition to your serve-ware collection.

If you’re a Soho Home member, you can save 15% off the retail price.

22: Stoneware Vase

This unique, hand-thrown vase inspired by nature has been created by local ceramicist Kim Croysdill.

It’s perfect for holding a single floral stem or sitting in pride of place on its own.

23: Reclaimed Boards

These reclaimed boards from The Rustic Shack are perfect for serving platters or sharing boards.

To save an additional 10% on the retail price of £48, consider signing up for The Rustic Shack newsletter.

24: HK Living Woollen Cushion

The extra chunky knitted wool and soft cotton of this HK Living cushion not only makes it super stylish in this fantastic colour combination, but it’s a great addition to your sofa for extra comfort.

Stocked by Vanil in Suffolk.

25: Off-White Shiny Vase

The contemporary design of this vase makes it the perfect centrepiece for your dining room table or mantelpiece. It’s ideal for displaying fresh flowers and adding a touch of elegance to your home.

26: Meraki Scented Candle

This white tea and ginger scented candle by Meraki, made using soybean oil and developed in Denmark, is part of a collection inspired by nature. It offers a refreshing aroma to help you relax and wind down at the end of the day.

27: Vintage Baskets

Perfect for logs, kindling or as a laundry basket, these vintage French mid-20th century baskets are both functional and beautifully decorative. Featuring aged, worn, and faded willow and hazel wood detail, they’re available from The Rustic Shack for £60.

Sign up to their newsletter to benefit from 10% off your first order.

28: Hasley Bottle Opener

Sophisticated and practical!

This bottle opener blends form and function, as well as a touch of elegance with its Art Deco design. Crafted from white marble with distinctive veining, it features a solid brass inlay for opening bottle tops.

29: Beacon Vase

This vase is a particular favourite of mine as it can be used as a candle holder, lantern or traditional vase.

This modern vase features a stunning pleated glass finish, creating a textured effect that reflects and refracts light, adding a warm ambience to your home.

This vase is not cheap at £100, but by signing up for the LSA newsletter, you can save yourself 10% on your first order.

30: Eclectic London Candle

These candles from Tom Dixon, inspired by the city of London, are designed in London, hand-poured in the UK using 100% natural ingredients

Encased in a hand-spun copper vessel with white marble lid, they’re intended to be reused as a contemporary home accessory that lasts a lifetime.

Sign up to the Tom Dixon newsletter to enjoy 10% off your first order.

31: Bubbles & Bottles Set

Now, these are very cool!

Bubbles & Bottles, designed by Pols Potten, come as a set of four different coloured vessels, perfect for both storage and display.

However, at a rather hefty price tag of £330, they won’t be within everyone’s budget. But, by signing up to the Heals newsletter you can save 10%.

32: Pauline Marble Cheeseboard

Who doesn’t love a cheese board, regardless of it being Christmas or not?

This cheeseboard from Anthropologie is an ideal gift, and with an additional 10% off when signing up for their emails, it’s a win win.

33: Gavivi Mango Wood Bowl

The decorative hand-carved etching that adorns the edge of the Gavivi serving bowl adds a simple yet striking design detail.

Priced at £65 (£45 for the small), and remember, there’s currently 20% off with promo code AUTUMN20 (valid at time of publishing).

34: Snowflake Mug

And finally, a Christmas shopping guide wouldn’t be a complete without a Christmas mug, and this Snowflake Mug from The White Company is perfect.

With a beautiful embossed snowflake detail, this mug is full of sentiment and festive charm, making it a wonderful present for someone special.

So, that concludes, my Christmas edition shopping guide. I hope you’ve found it helpful and I’ve been able to inspire you when it comes to getting your Christmas gift list prepared.

Have I tempted you with any of my suggestions?

If having to buy gifts for others is something you dread, why not consider booking me in for a Personal Shopping consultation, where I can assist you in finding the right gift for that someone special.

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