Image credit: Dave Lidwell
If you think you’ve ever been on the receiving end of an underwhelming Christmas gift, do spare a thought for the person cataloguing their seasonal haul in The Twelve Days of Christmas.
I mean, I’ve had my fair share of eccentric presents over the years. Take a bow, four pack of lint rollers from an ex-boyfriend. You too, Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy from my dad – yep, you read that right, my actual dad.
But none of those come close to the terrifying choices made by the alleged ‘true love’ featured in that song. Frankly, I can’t work out how she even made it to six geese a laying without calling the RSPCA. And by the time eight maids a milking arrived? Surely the only sensible option would have involved a restraining order.
Christmas shopping can cause even the most level-headed of us to make wildly inappropriate purchases. Trust me, I’m still living down the present I handed over to my parents one December in 1978 – two sheets of sandpaper. (Nope, beats me too.)
So, if you’re in a panic over what to buy this year, think of me as your own Ghost of Christmas Future, revealing 12 dream gifts guaranteed to result in smiles.
In fact, these festive beauty gems are so fabulous, I’d wager they’ll get a considerably warmer reception than the arrival of 12 drummers who refuse to stop drumming.
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A handbag-friendly wonder balm packed with shea butter, vitamin E and lavender oil that leaves lips, hands and feet as soft as silk.
Younger beauty fans will love Indu’s non-greasy moisturiser formulated especially for teens.
It leaves skin velvet smooth and the packaging? Insta heaven.
Forget other scented candles, this delicious bouquet of warm vanilla and sweet blueberry might be the greatest thing you’ll ever smell.
If you’re after a luxury hand cream, call off the search – fast absorbing and full of hydrating ingredients, meet the luxury spa day for hands.
Inspired by whipped cream sundaes, this foaming body wash is a cult favourite.
Fabulously frothy and moisture packed, it’s love at first use.
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Thank you, pop star Selena Gomez for bringing us Rare Beauty, but more specifically for this hair and body mist.
Prepare to be wowed by the veil of exquisite scent.
A cute festive offering of Laneige’s legendary glow-giving lip balm guaranteed to beat dryness and improve plump power – it’ll have you at adorable candy cane tube.
Finally, the cream blush we all deserve – beautifully blendable with a soft, lightweight hint of colour that effortlessly melts into skin.
Genderless scents are the perfect gift solution for unexpected guests.
This spray, which also comes in a handy travel size, blends fig, waterlily and sandalwood into a heavenly fragrance.
For a great male grooming gift, look no further than this chic, charcoal-enriched, all-in-one cleansing bar for hair and body.
If you want to treat a loved one to the ultimate in luxury, head for VB’s iconic high shine lip gloss in her dreamy champagne pink shade.
A timeless, effortlessly classy quartet of eyeshadows created by the queen of make-up – so joy-inspiring, I may insist you keep this one for yourself.
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The ultimate guide to Saga Puzzles, full of technical tips, tricks and hints.
With the start of the new financial year on 6 April, our money expert explains the changes to your pension, benefits and taxes.
