I wanted to throw my hat in the ring for one more ‘gift guide’ – although I suppose this is more a casual chat about Christmas stockings, and my vision on creating the perfect one!
Christmas stockings have been a tradition in my house for as long as I can remember. I remember being about nineteen and my mum asking ‘are we too old for Christmas stockings this year?’ only to be met by a look of absolute horror from my sister and I. Since then the roll of Father Christmas has fallen to the boyfriends, and let me tell you, that took some getting used to.
Make no mistake, Father Christmas v1 was no saint, there was the year the presents weren’t wrapped because he was ‘running late’, the year he gifted a Justin Beiber calendar ‘as a joke’, and lets not even talk about how over the years Father Christmas’s wrapping paper was suspiciously identical to mum’s (apparently he dropped some off at the beginning of December for Mum?). But, asking a twenty something boy to embody the spirit of Father Christmas, well, it’s not been plain sailing.
With that in mind I thought I’d put together my guide to creating the perfect stocking, whether you’re taking on the roll of Father Christmas, want to send this to your mum/partner/flat mate as a little hint hint nudge nudge wink wink, or you’re just looking for a little inspo for smaller gifts – I got you!
THE NON-NEGOTIABLES.
There are a few things every stocking should contain, things you can’t skip out on. Every stocking needs chocolate, socks and a bath bomb. It’s the simple things in life, right? I personally think you can’t go wrong with a pair of fluffy socks, a Terry’s Chocolate Orange and a slab of Lush’s The Comforter Bubble Bar, but there are so many options you’re guaranteed to find one that works. I challenge you to walk down the seasonal aisle in the supermarket without leaving laden in chocolate! Topshop always do great novelty socks + I love John Lewis’s thicker slipper socks, but if you’re sticking to a budget then Primark will always do the job too. Lush always have a great selection of bath bombs and bubble bars, but if you’re after something different make sure you try Bomb Cosmetics.
THE BOOKS.
I love getting a good book in a Christmas stocking, especially since the festive periods is one of the only times I get some uninterrupted peace and quiet to sit and read. My favourite book of 2017 has to be Caraval, a magical fantasy style book I got hooked on over the summer, but I also read Chris Hadfield’s An Astronaut’s Guide to Life On Earth and can’t see anyone not enjoying that! On my list this year is Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance, one I’ve been meaning to pick up for a while but haven’t had time to read!
THE PAMPER PRODUCTS.
Everyone likes a good pamper, and with a bulk of time off over Christmas to do literally nothing, pamper products are high on the wishlist. I can’t recommend Lush’s Sleepy body lotion highly enough, it’s a lovely luxurious body lotion that helps you feel nice and well…sleepy. On my list as well this year is the Aveda Rosemary and Mint Body Lotion – which I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since I used it in our Edinburgh Hotel last month. I love the Sephora Sheet Masks, especially the Green Tea eye masks, and at £3ish a pack they’re an affordable stocking stuffer. For something a little splurgier, try the Glossier Moon Mask (and use this code for 10%), a gorgeous moisturising face mask that makes your skin feel like new.
You can’t go wrong with a good hand cream, I love the Caudalie ones and Soap and Glory’s ones are fantastic, especially for the price! Aromatherapy Associates do some great gifts this time of year, I love their tree baubles containing mini bath oils or rollerballs.
THE FOODIE TREAT.
Christmas is the perfect excuse to eat whatever you want, right? A stocking is just made for filling up with delicious foodie treats – high on my list this year is a bottle of Starbucks’ Gingerbread coffee syryup so I can have festive lattes all year round! I love the look of Marks and Spencer’s Cozy Treats box, everything you need for the perfect hot chocolate, and they do a Whiskey edition too!
MINI HOME PIECES.
Homeware doesn’t have to mean big expensive pieces of furniture. Mugs, candles, pretty coasters, all will fit inside a stocking and don’t have to cost the world either. You can find gorgeous festive mugs in Homesense + even local supermarkets for super budget friendly prices, but if you feel like spending a bit more be sure to check out Anthropologie and John Lewis too.
A quick Google for candles will pull a thousand and one results, but I always think travel candles are a great stocking filler. For real luxury, check out Neom’s offerings, and for something cheaper but just as cheerful, check out the PF Candle Co Soy Candles, or Oliver Bonas’s offerings. I’ve got my eye on this festive offering!
STATIONERY LOVES.
I always love receiving stationery (although I probably have enough to be honest…) and so much stationery is stocking size! Kikki K have some beautiful pens for every price point, and I love their journals, especially the dream journal! Rifle Paper Co do some beautiful pieces, I love their desk planners, and just picked up a 2018 Constellation calendar which I adore. There are also some gorgeous handbag sized diaries about this year, including this marble inspired one from Marks and Spencer, and who doesn’t need one of those?
SMALL LEATHER GOODS.
Small leather goods are such an easy + affordable way to add a little luxury to a stocking. Little card wallets, coin purses, a nice key ring, a passport holder, all make great Christmas stocking stuffers. I love the Oliver Bonas card wallets, I use a holographic silver one myself and adore it. Coin purses are easy to find at an affordable price, this one from Accessorize is beautiful. I love a good leather key ring, and a passport wallet will always make a great gift for any travel fiends in your life.