Dear Santa....
Gift ideas for when you aren't in the garden, from picks under £50, to crafts, jewellery, clothing and more.
What do you want for Christmas? Despite being a total magpie for much of the year, come December I am always fresh out of ideas. You may have seen I’ve done a great big gardeners wish list which you can read here – but whilst I absolutely love to receive new garden gloves each year, (and socks, always socks please) I am also a little bouji and into life’s pleasures (not sorry) so I’ve put together a list of treasures for your perusal and inspiration, in case, like me, you’re at a loss.
I’m sure at the time of publishing some of these will go into the Cyber Monday sale, so I will update as and when they go in.
JEWELLERY UNDER £180
My jewellery vibe is generally: keep it classic and gold (thank you house of colour for confirming that one) so I can be confident I am not going to go off it. I like my jewellery to work hard and for a long time. As a result there is a pretty minimalistic vibe to this edit, but I like to think that ensures longevity.
In order right to left:
I absolutely love the simplicity of this Monica Vinader pearl necklace - something MV does so well is timeless pieces you know you will wear for years. 30% off at the moment.
This gal is on my wish list - Otiumber long knot pendant - someone please send to Colin.
Tilly Sveeas is famous for her heavenly T bar necklaces - if you dont have one you can add them to your list. I have had one since well before Ms Taylor Swift did, but I’ve added this super classic eternity ring pendant to my classics list. Pollyanna15 will get you 15% off
I resisted these Otiumberg heart earrings for quite some time and I am not sure why as they are one of my most worn pairs or earrings - hearts but not remotely cutesy. They ooze cool IMO.
If you’ve ever been onto my Insta you will be well aware of my long abiding love for all things Missoma. This is my latest buy: Missoma chunky entwine ring 20% off at the moment.
These Aya diamond huggies are perfect everyday chicness. I would wear them constantly as frankly I forget to change out my earrings often and they are just effortless cool. Also, Aya was founded by Chelsy Davy, a lawyer turned gemologist (how cool is that as a bio). 30% off at the moment.
Another classic, this Monica Vinader stacking ring feels like a - put it on and never take it off - sort of a ring - aka my kind of ring. 20% off
I have been such a fan girl of all things Laura Vann for a long time, but this is the piece that made me fall in love with her work - the Laura Vann Olive ring. It is just unspeakably gorgeous. 20% off at the moment
I love this By Alona Celestine ring - created by gorgeous London based design Alona Shelemy - the photo doesnt do it justice - its such a fabulous evening ring. 30% off at the moment
BEAUTY
I already have this brilliant LED mask, but if you don’t have it yet then this is definitely something to put on your list. The CurrentBody LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2 has become a bedtime ritual for me, 3-4 times a week I’ll climb into bed, put on my Netflix of choice (use the eye inserts) and chill in my mask, all whilst feeling like I’m winning at life with the skincare gains. Some like to meditate while they do it, I’m not sure I can quiet my brain for that long, but whatever works. I get asked a lot what it does, and the shortish answer is that red light therapy boosts collagen production which boosts glow and reduces surface lines, the near-infrared reduces inflammation and boosts circulation which is calming and repairing, and the deep near-infrared stimulates repair which reduces wrinkles and boosts firmness. I did a lot of research before investing and this one always came up best - they test every single LED and are the only brand that do. I find my skin just feels BETTER. Its glowier, its plumper, its improved. When I started raving about it they kindly gave me a discount code for 20% off, which I can now share with you: it’s POLLYANNACB and this is the deepest discount they do - so you wont better it!
I have been using this at home manicure system for 6 months now and I LOVE it and here’s the main reason: the take off is so easy, and it doesn’t screw up your nails. I’d describe it as somewhere between regular polish and a salon shellac - its going to last you about 2 weeks and take 60 seconds to remove. Just be sure and buy the GREEN FLASH polish not the regular one. I’ve made that mistake.
Finally - my hair curler. The old one, which has been my trusty favourite for a good 8+ gave up the ghost so I upgraded her to the newer model and my goodness what have I been missing. For me, the trick is it’s just a wand - no clamp (I always end up with kinks with a clamp from twisting it wrong), and its not circular, its sort of a squished tapered oval - and its this that gets a beachy wave rather than a ringlet. Not after a ringlet. She’s in the Black Friday/cyber monday sale too - so a good deal to be had.
CASHMERE TREATS UNDER £50
The utter LUXURY of it all. Socks, hats, jumpers - give me all the cashmere. Just be sure and buy good storage bags for summer or it can make for an upsetting autumn if the moths get to it.
Two superb and well priced cashmere offerings are from M&S - this cashmere beanie is one I have in red from last year and it’s so cosy and not at all itchy. Cashmere socks meanwhile to be the ultimate ‘the gift for the person who has everything’ solution.
Uniqlo also has a lovely cashmere hat in many colours - the lilac caught my eye. 30% off at the moment
Hush meanwhile have fabulous cashmere hats in red, blue and grey as well as arm warmers/fingerless gloves. Hush has 20% off EVERYTHING at present.
ME & EM PICKS
Its no secret I love this brand and making a list of my favourites was not hard - they don’t do black Friday / cyber Monday which I respect whilst also wishing they did because we all love a deal, don’t we? Here are my top 5 picks for December:
The cropped grey cardigan/jacket is utter perfection. Its got real structure to it, so you can wear with a white t-shirt and look put together, and its not too cropped.
Uber chic gloves - if you’ve watched All’s Fair (and if you haven’t - do - its compulsive) then you will see gloves are a thing. specifically long gloves. These look cosy.
This two-way belt is brilliant as its two in one - black on one side and brown on the other - I have it in brown and camel and its one of my most used items given its versatility.
This cashmere hoodie might be peak luxury but its such a useable piece, you’ll be wearing it for years.
This gorgeous brown triangle scarf is the perfect addition to elevate all winter outfits. Also in orange and grey which are gorge.
LITTLE LUXURIES UNDER £50
On to little luxuries which will delight:
TBco do the best Merino triangle scarves in a glorious array of colours - shown here in red. They make an outfit pop. The good luck cotton T shirt also by TBco is so cool - classic in the front and party in the back. 30% off at the moment.
I love an eyeshadow palette as a Christmas gift. It feels like such a treat. Vieve shown above do brilliant ones (as well as the cult primer) I have the Ninetease and the Muse and they both get used daily. 22% off at the moment.
These bow candlesticks by Lamp London come in loads of colours and make me smile.
The botanical napkins from Toast are adorable, as are these candles and this incense holder. Toast are too cool and sustainable to do sales, but thats ok. We love them for it.
Geranium and Tomato leaves are my two favourite garden scents - so this bath oil from Norfolk Natural living is just perfect. They also do a lovely advent candle and fabulous gardening hand wash in lovely brown bottles.
I have just bought my first Merit lipstick (shade millennial) for everyday wear and I love it. As I love all things Merit. My highlights: The Flush balm, the number 1 brush, the minimalist concealer. You can buy them all as a set here. All 20% off at the moment.
This head/neck scarf from Sezane is so lovely. And check out their warm woolly scarves whilst you are at it.
Knickers - not red lacy ones unless thats your thing. Comfy and cute knickers. These are made FROM TREES and are unspeakably soft. Stripe and Stare are my go to pants - you heard it here first. Currently on sale - the deals are changing daily.
CRAFTY BITS
I did A level art and it was my happy place and I have rediscovered my love of crafts, investing in embroidery, lino cutting, pottery etc - this may be a bit niche - but for those wanting to scratch a creative itch, here are a few of my recent finds:
I’m reteaching myself embroidery with this Molly Mahon Embroidery Kit and I also got inspired by her brilliant block printing and ordered this block printing kit - SO MANY to choose from and a lovely way to spend darker evenings.
We recently did a team xmas party where we did lino prints and I forgot how much i loved it. This book looks really informative and there are some really good entry level kits
And finally - not a craft but I do love a Christmas puzzle so perhaps this is any early gift. I’ve recently finished a Taylor swift one and now moving onto The Romantics and Jane Austen - each one is 1000 pieces so takes some time!
AND FINALLY
A couple of picks from some of my other current favourites - Toast, Cos, Sezane, Rails and Soeur, in case you want to ask for one big thing.
This jumper from Soeur - currently on sale, comes in two colours that you don’t find often and will go with loads - an ochre and a gorgeous green. (Sale ends Monday 1 Dec)
The Cole trousers from Soeur may be the perfect trouser. I squealed when I put them on. They are a total investment piece in terms of price, but my god - I will wear them forever. THEY ARE PERFECT. Worn here with the Gaia top which is also - utterly lovely and very useful.
This sleeveless cardigan from Sezane which I would pair with long sleeve tops and be an instant staple. The red ballet shoes are also finally back in stock!
The Toast Orla Jumper has already featured in blue in my gardening gift guide but each colour is equally delicious. The fact that they repair them makes me happy. The organic cotton easy sweater might also be the ULTIMATE classic gift. And this slouchy dress is giving me - just add chunky boots vibes.
This Green cocoon coat is my idea of heaven. Sadly not included in the sale but you see why - its perfect. And this boiled wool (I bloody love a boiled wool) structured cardi is fab. Love the crop.
AND I AM SPENT. phew. Hopefully you have found something, large or small - to add to your list or gift to others. xx
A note: There are some affiliate links in here, they cost you nothing but cover some of the time to put this together, and every single item here is one I recommend. Nothing gets on the list without my seal of approval.













Thank you! Just chose a gift for my friend thanks to your post.
Thank you for this post very kind of you to share xxx