10 Christmas Unwrapped Gifts for him & her What women want From spa days to timeless jewellery, Lorna V reveals what women will be after this Christmas


really) and invest in time for truly personal presents. ‘There’s been a big move away from the conspicuous consumption we had 10 years ago,’ says Fortnum & Mason’s head of fashion and beauty buying Sarah Burton. That means ostentatious handbags are out. Burton recommends bespoke


T


and personalised jewellery. “You can choose interesting stones with hidden meaning that might tell a personal story.” Statement earrings, layering necklaces and rings can also be engraved with a special message and gift wrapped with a handwritten note from a calligrapher. If you’re buying for a super-


edgy woman Burton says there’s a move towards genderless style rather than super-decorative, think timeless jewellery and accessories (like scarves) with an emphasis on quality, cut and construction. Being ethical and sustainable


apply very much to Christmas shopping. “With beauty there’s a huge move towards solid soaps as there’s so much waste involved in liquid soap and its plastic packaging,” says Burton. All the big perfumers are producing soap


You need to invest in time for truly personal presents at Christmas PHOTOGRAPHS: ALAMY; GETTY


bars beautifully packaged in paper, and thanks to new developments these are highly moisturising.” Should you buy the women in


your life experiences for Christmas? According to the retail analysts at PwC it depends on their age. For working families time is a huge luxury and spending priorities are food and toys, so experiences like spa treatments and pampering for women are appreciated.


Fortnum’s is renowned for its


Christmas food hampers and the store now offers bespoke food, beauty and bath hampers so that you can create a home ritual. A hamper (choose in-store or online) might include artisan hot chocolate and cookies, cashmere socks, face masks and bath bubbles. Gifting for women all-round is


primarily about treats says PwC’s consumer markets leader Lisa


Hooker. “Beauty is an interesting all-round winner — it’s practical and it’s a treat.” Women under 30 with no


commitments are massively into fashion as well as beauty. ‘There’s a big resurgence in buying stuff,” says Kien Tan, PwC’s director retail strategy. “For Generation Z, the generation following the millennials, it’s all about what’s instagrammable.”


Buying online


Skint London editor Janie Lawrence says if you’re shopping from the comfort of your sofa and buying gifts online download the Honey app. This searches out discount promos and applies them to your bag at check out.


o be on trend with your gifts this Christmas then the key is to enjoy the shopping experience (yes,


For both millennials and


Generation Z, check out who they’re following on Instagram and which brands the influencers are championing. “The impact of bloggers and


influencers on Christmas will be huge. Not only are they linking up with brands and retailers, they’re also creating their own products,” says Tan. Burton says Londoners will be


looking to support smaller business at Christmas, whether it’s buying artisan brands at Fortnum’s or shopping locally, and certainly the PwC retail analysts agree. For Skint London (the online


lifestyle resource specialising in all things London costing a tenner and under) the capital’s many markets are the solution to cheap and cheerful, or quirky presents.


Saturday 3rd November 2018


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