Christmas is coming...

Ooooh! I'm back. It's been (I'm scared to look) too long since I went virtual shopping. Where have I been? Well, for want of a better word, working. That and I've had a complete dearth of occasions to buy presents for but there's now only about 9 weeks until Christmas and I'm raring to go. Plus I've found some lovely places to go for a wander. The list starts here!

1. Personalised Branding Iron for Steak from Hunter Gatherer £24.95 

I would file this magnificent idea under a) what to get for a man, subsection i)...who has everything and ii)...who doesn't particularly like golf. I can see it hanging proudly in the shed with all our barbeque tools just waiting for the summer.

2. Bearded Man Tote Bag by Depeapa at &Vintage £14.00

This is wonderful and would make a great addition to anyone's kit from groceries to the beach particularly since we're all trying to avoid the dreaded carrier bag these days. I remember being deeply covetous of a friend's shopping tote that had an unusual line drawing printed on it and I've never found anything comparable... until now. 

3. Find a Penny - Glicee Print from Biro Robot (unframed) £35.00

The only dilemma with this stunning print is deciding what lucky room in the house is going to get it: A splash of colour in the kitchen, a thought for the day in the bathroom or maybe a cheerful addition to a nursery or child's bedroom. Beautiful.

4. Knitted Dotted Garland by Maileg from Sister's Guild £19.50

Got a little one in mind with a nursery to beautify? Try this beautiful jersey string with colourful dots from one of my favourite design houses at one of my favourite children's boutiques. Danish company Maileg are not that well known on these shores but Sister's Guild stock their classic and unique creations in abundance.

5. Leather Satchel from Lorton & Horn £62.00

A thing of beauty and suitable for just about anyone with taste. It will last for years and the more battered they get, the more charm they retain. I can remember when my school satchel finally fell apart after years of being dumped and stuffed and dragged about in corridors. It took some defeating. It wasn't as nice as this one though. 

Happy Christmas Shopping All!

On the 18th Day of Christmas...

Only seven more sleeps until the big day now. How exciting! Here is another great man-gift solution though that is not to say that this wouldn't make a fantastic Christmas present for culinary enthusiasts of either gender. This Set of 5 Kitchen Knives & Block £49.00 from Oliver Bonas is a refreshing departure from the traditional wooden job lurking at the back of the counter top bringing 'cutting' edge, almost sculptural design to the fore. Or, alternatively, it just looks damn smart and the perspex block puts pay to that irritating game of hunt the right knife. Particularly when you've got a massive Christmas dinner to prepare. 

On the 13th Day of Christmas...

God Bless You Ma'am! Perfect for that patriot in your life, this Queen Clock £45.00 from HunkyDoryHome would look absolutely gorgeous in any house as the style ticks both the contemporary and retro boxes. A very chic and enviable gift for almost any occasion as the iconic postage stamp cameo is an unmistakeable emblem of all things Cool Britiannia. 

Stocking fillers 11

Something for everyone and so indulgent. This is the Christmas Present Card £10.95 from The Biscuiteers - a business that has made an art form out of cakes and cookies. Choose your personal message and take pleasure watching them eat it. And what's more, the gorgeous gift box it comes in can be used afterwards to keep trinkets and personal keepsakes. Knocks a tin of Roses out of the park. Yummy!

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

Today I tackle the problem of what to get a man for Christmas. For me the hallmark of success in this matter is if the damn thing makes its way out of the packaging in time for the following Christmas. Sure, you can give them practical gifts like socks and golf balls because they will almost certainly use them but, when it comes to giving a man a present, there is a certain satisfaction to be had from finding something novel that they might actually quite like. (I'm not expecting any spontaneous emotional outpourings or anything). I like this hand turned wooden cherry bowl £40.00 designed by Andy Beck at Treecycle available via the Folksy artisan site. It's the ideal shape and depth for dropping in and scooping out keys, change, gum and billfolds as and when needed and will look fantastic in your hall or home office.

Stocking fillers 6

Ok. This is quite extravagant for a stocking but bear with me because I think it's almost irresistible particularly if one of your number is getting or has recently received a two-wheeled present this Christmas. The MPH Bike Bell £20.00 from Pedlars is one of three ingenious and humorous designs, one of which will suit any enthusiastic cyclist. And, if you don't want to spoil the surprise, just install it before you wheel out the joy.

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

Something contemporary and for the guys today. The Eva Solo Black Smiley £74.00 from www.mylivingspace.co.uk is an innovative and sophisticated piece of design but, most importantly for our purposes, it makes a great alternative to socks, cuff links and golf balls for that tricky man in your life who likes to spend a lot of time at Christmas exercising the nutcrackers in front of the TV. I know this is a good present because last year I gave one similar to this to my dad and he actually uses it. Success! It's ingenious really and so simple: put the food in the top and the waste in the bottom...or the other way around if you prefer. Also good for olives and quails eggs and ideal for parties when he's not using it. Cracking!

Showcase: House Knutsford

It's so nice when amazing shops introduce themselves. I checked out new Twitter follower House Knutsford's beautiful website this evening and have decided not to go to bed until I compose a wishlist of stunning gifts from their collection. It's a tough job but I suppose I'll just have to do it! 

1. Jeeves Pendant Light £150 by designer Jake Phipps

I can see these looking fabulous in a pantry or wine cellar but they would look just as effective in a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe. I love their bold shape and the way the gold metallic lining gives off a warm glow. Their long black cord allows for low suspension to give a lamp effect. Position it over a vintage telephone on a console table for a surrealist look.

2. Rose Flower No.12 Soap £12.50 

I like nicely packaged, good quality soaps but I rarely use them to wash my hands. I like to put them in drawers to scent my clothes and keep my boudoir smelling beautiful. This packaging looks almost too nice to hide away so I might need two: one for the drawer and one for the toiletries bowl in my guest room.

3. Caracalla Bagaglio Salvatori/Shelby No. 5 Aston Martin Holdall £295.00

Make a man very, very happy. One for the boys this and for car lovers everywhere. 57cm x 32cm x 28cm and every sumptuous inch made from and embellished with high quality leather.

4. Joseph Joseph Index Plus Chopping Board Set £65.00

I own the earlier version of this without the knife block and I have given it several times as a housewarming gift. I find it is particularly suitable for boys because, even if they completely ignore it, it looks undeniably cool on the work top in a trendy bachelor pad. The four boards are colour coded according to type of food: raw meat, cooked food, fish and vegetables and they all fit neatly into a silver knife block with handy tabs to 'file' them away when not in use. 

5. White Dog Light £65.00

A bone china lamp that glows from within to give off a low, warm light. Great for fending off the monsters under the bed. Also available in rabbit and owl designs. 

6. Queen of Everything Mug £11.00

Finally, and at the risk of completely over-exposing mugs this week, I have to just slip this little bone china one in because it is so pretty and a nice stylish antidote to all the relentless 'Keep Calm & Carry On" kitsch that seems to be absolutely everywhere at the moment. As I mentioned in my earlier post (A Grateful Cuppa), I think delicate, elegant mugs with unusual designs make lovely thank you and housewarming gifts especially if you pair them up for a couple.