As the most wonderful time of the year draws close, the spirit of generosity is at an all time high. To help you save time and effort, we’ve curated a list of ideas that make for the best gifts this season – all worth leaving under the Christmas tree.
Restaurants have begun decking up in red and white, the streets are being lit up, and the crisp winter chill has set in across several parts of the country. Naturally, there’s no better time than now to whip out those planners and list out the best ways to make your loved ones smile. After all, nothing spells festive cheer like thoughtfulness wrapped in vibrant colours and a ribbon.
The tradition of gifting during Christmas has origins shrouded in mystery. Some believe it stems from a former Roman custom, which was then linked to the Biblical Magi who’d delivered presents to the infant Jesus Christ – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Others attribute it to the highly-contested tale of a fourth century Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas – the inspiration behind Santa Claus – who would distribute gold coins to the poor covertly through their windows each night so their fathers could pay dowry. Multiple theories also point to more modern, commercial influences that led to gift-giving as it stands today.
Regardless, this tradition is now an essential part of merriment. And zeroing in on the perfect option often entails hours of research. We’ve got you covered with our practical yet fun guide that features the best Christmas gift ideas. From premium skincare products to delicate upholstery – there’s something in here for everyone.
Christmas gift ideas for a very merry festive season
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Few things spell luxury like a delightful, elegant fragrance. And if your loved one enjoys the more exquisite things in life, may we recommend these creamy and comforting perfumes that are quintessentially Christmas and feel like a warm hug. On offer are their bestselling options from their iconic collection – November and Oud Cashmere – which come with spicy and sweet notes. There’s also the Discovery Set which features new launches Tuscany Brunch and Aqua Cordelia. You could choose to try the travel-friendly set if you’re presenting this to a globetrotter.
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Self-care is the name of the game over at the CHOSEN store – a dermatologically-formulated skin and hair care line. On offer this festive season are products that promise to pamper and protect – Milk Route Water-less, a miracle exfoliator as well as Safescreen Munnar, a zinc-based sunscreen. Need we say more?
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Spotlighting the spirit of travel, design brand Mokobara has something up its sleeves for globetrotters this festive season. On offer are luggages backpacks, totes, slings, wallets – the whole shebang. In particular, the Set Of 2 with internal compression system and an external charging port; the The Transit Backpack with hidden umbrella holder and a 180 degree clamshell opening bucket pocket; and The Backpack Pro with the magnetic back pocket come highly recommended. As do the sleek Cabin Duffle and functional Briefcase. Best part? These are backed by Deepika Padukone and come with the promise of great quality.
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This online home decor brand is known to fuse traditional craftsmanship with modern ethos – all through the most elegant set of furniture and accessories. Their latest collection spells festive cheer – complete with red and green cushion covers, rustic silver and white Xmas tree, red and silver tea lights, vibrant wreaths with bells, and floral napkin rings, amongst others. We can’t think of a better brand to deck the halls with (pun intended).
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This premium decor brand has a 75-year-old legacy to its name. In the spirit of Christmas, it’s rolled out colourful curtains and upholstery in hues of red, green, and white. The former features embroidered details – florals, geometric, and contemporary – and flow elegantly. Their collection Deep Secrets, meanwhile, spotlights the depth of forests through details inspired by sparkling waters and the bark of trees. The collection Alana, meanwhile, is underlined by a mix of floral and geometric patterns in neutral colours. If versatility and elegance is what you’re after, this is the perfect option to invest in.
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This premium hair care line is for your loved ones who struggle with managing their curly hair. Clean, vegan ingredients make for a formulation that’s perfect for children to use. Choose from shampoos and co-washes to bonnets and headbands. There’s also satin pillowcases and travel-friendly packaging sizes worth considering.
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Known for their contemporary, chic home decor designs, Vaaree has pulled out all the stops this Christmas. Their festive range includes vibrant cushions, woollen throws, lighting, fragrances, candles, runners – the whole shebang. If you’d like to give your home a holiday makeover, this one’s for you.
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‘Tis the season to be at your fashionable best – especially if you ask Lenskart. Keeping up with trends, the brand has some of the best looks in store, all while keeping things functional. We’re eyeing their Series A and Air Flex. The former features chunky acetate frames, sophisticated metal accents, and subtle temple detailing. The latter comes with cutting-edge Swiss TR90 technology, crystalline frames, and sharp edges. Don’t miss out.
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Known for their elegant, quality designs – The Decor Kart is a luxurious gifting option this festive season. We’ve got their lamps on our radar in particular. From the quirky Butterfly Pendant Light with its Instagrammable, colourful details to the more modern and minimalist Exposior Table with an asymmetrical black iron frame that would fit right into any decor – there’s no dearth of options to choose from.
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Vegans, this one’s for you. The season of gifting can be tricky, especially when it comes to more unique presents that truly spell – thoughtful. The Deccan Bidri Open Gladiator Sandals are comfortable and classic – with a versatile print, soft insole, and breathable lining. There’s also the Rohtang Stripes Z Toe Chappals with a quirky Z pattern that arrives at a casual brunch with as much pzazz as a dinner party. We’re eyeing the Shoulder Tote Bag & Sling Bag Combo that come with a water-resistant inner lining, enough space for all your essentials – wallet, battery bank, phone, charger, passport – and stylish patterns.
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If there’s one Christmas tradition you can’t miss out on, it’s the one that involves the family cosying up in matching pyjamas and watching holiday specials on the television together. Giving you a chance to really hop on to this in style are Mackly’s PJ sets – Night Before Christmas and Very Merry Everything Christmas. These feature quirky prints in vibrant colours and comfortable material that feels like second skin. These are perfect for all age groups two-three, 12-14, and women and are available in a range of sizes. Need we say more?
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Known for crafting the most impeccable set of tools to perfect your beauty routine, Iris Cosmetics is a quality option to turn to for a Christmas gift. On offer is The Luminous HD Complete Brush Set, which features 14 varieties of soft, smooth brushes – nine for the face, five for the eyes. Each has its unique utilisation – giving you the best possible blend each time. These also come with an Iris Leather Case – perfect for travel. Best part? They’re cruelty free!
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One of the country’s most popular ethnic brands – FabIndia has modern, elegant barware sets on offer this Christmas. Perfect for hosting – a standard holiday season practice – the set titled Viaram features vibrant blue goblets, which compliment the blue glass decanter. There are also natural cocktail and whiskey glasses, shakers, jiggers, openers, cocktail spoons, strainers, and muddlers to choose from. We can’t think of a more refined present.
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Popular wellness brand Love, Indus fuses unique, regional Indian ingredients with modern-day technology to create the most exquisite skincare products. For Christmas they have three collections on offer – each addressing a specific skin concern. Amrutini comes with a Precious Potion Vital Cream, Transforming Serum, and Luminosity Dewdrops – featuring ingredients like muga silk, vegan silk, copper, and Ashwagandha. There’s also the Velvet:08 Broadway Bright, which is a vegan polish that borrows from the regiments of Bhutanese women, and Freedom of Expression Line Limiter which is a nod to the Konkan coast – smoothening lines and creases.
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Fusing fashion and comfort – Michael Kors is the perfect go-to for a luxurious gift this season. We’re eyeing the quilted puffer jacket – made with 100 percent recycled polyester and insulated with down and feathers. A modern take on a winter classic – this can be layered over a dress or paired with a pair of dark-washed denim. Need we say more?
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Conscious footwear label Monrow has a range of vibrant, versatile heels in store for Christmas. You could choose from block and kitten heels to flats and wedges – each handmade with love and attention. These can take you from work to party with ease – all while ensuring you look your fashionable best. Best part? They’re vegan and cruelty free.
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Known for crafting quality watches, Panerai has luxurious gifting options in store this Christmas. We’re eyeing their recently-launched Luminor Due Luna collection – featuring a moon phase for the first time since 1860. The timeless design is marked by lean proportions and comes in four iterations – each with a 24-carats moon against a starry midnight sky. The Luminor Due Luna Goldtech in particular comes with a see-through sapphire crystal in the back, three-day power reserve, and white mother-of-pearl dial with golden Arabic numerals and hour markers. Combine this with their wide selection of strap colours and eco-conscious approach and you’ve got yourself a deal you can’t miss out on.
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A frontrunner in the business of fashion timepieces – you can rest assured to stay on-top-of with a Guess watch. Naturally, these are quite coveted. We’re eyeing their new iridescent designs with oversized cases – marked by glittering stone-studded bezels, mesh strap, glitzy dials, cut-through detailing, and vibrant hues. Playful and versatile, these fit right into any aesthetic and promise to make heads turn.
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Wildly popular when it comes to all things skincare and wellness – The Body Shop is a dependable, exciting choice for a Christmas gift. For the festive season, they’ve got a limited-edition range of products – Passionfruit, Wild Pine, and Spiced Orange. There are also ingredients like avocado, shea, and edelweiss to nourish skin and truly drive home the ultimate self-care experience. You could choose from shower gel, body butter, body lotion, body scrub, lip balms, face masks, hand balms, and body yoghurt to fill up those stockings or get that perfect Secret Santa clue. Best part? There are combos and gift sets if you’re pressed for time.
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Popular ceramics brand Villeroy & Boch has truly embraced the spirit of Christmas with a host of festive designs. This includes cups, mugs, bowls, a cake plate, and a teapot in red, white, and green details. Perfect for any at-home brunches you’ve got lined up for the season. Don’t miss the stunning festive motifs – Santa, wrapped presents, and more!
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A classic gifting option – regardless of the occasion – is a good perfume. The only caveat to this is a brand that truly understands fragrances. That’s where Calvin Klein comes in. The Defy Eu De Parfum fuses seductive leather notes with a refreshing hints of citus – particularly mandarin oil. There’s also an earthen, woody quality to the fragrance, which is bottled luxuriously and in line with the edgy, chic look of the brand. Need we say more?
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With the promise of impeccable fit and quality craftwork – designs by Sulakshana Monga are a luxurious choice this Christmas. In particular, we’ve got the black and red blazer set on our radar. Complete with vibrant red pants and black sheer lace top – this one’s guaranteed to make heads turn. We can’t think of a more chic choice.
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With the promise of crafting fresh, innovative designs – LAVIE handbags are unique, head-turners. Made by Indian craftsmen, their collection is eclectic and elegant. We’re eyeing the Glossy Shelly – featuring a structured black handle, detachable sling strap, and functional compartments. The croc texture adds a certain versatility to the bag – making it ideal for every mood and ocassion. There’s also colour variants on offer – red and white.
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One of the country’s finest beauty and cosmetics brand – Colorbar Cosmetics has a range of quality products on offer this Christmas. This includes vegan matte lipsticks, nail lacquer, smokey kajal, sculpt pencil, serums, and miracle gummies. We recommend the Sexy Twosome Highlighter – with one-of-a-kind formula that helps you get an elegant finish each time.
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Versatile, elegant, and vibrant – Platinum Evara is a stunning choice this Christmas. Their unique diamond pieces elevate their delicate design – symbolising the indomitabe spirit of women. Clean and luxurious, this one is bound to turn heads. Don’t miss out.
Which of these are you investing in this festive season?
All images: Courtesy brands