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The Christmas gift guide: 100 great buys for every budget

This article is more than 5 years old

The shop starts here: from understated stocking fillers to the unapologetically over-the-top, get going with 100 hand-picked presents for every price, person and palate from Guardian Weekend’s editors and columnists


Under £10

Cinnamon stars

Meera Sodha’s pick
“Almost too pretty to eat. Almost.” Cinnamon stars, £6.50, konditorandcook.com

Mondrian socks

Abstract art for an ankle flash with impact. Piet Mondrian called it neo-plasticism, we call it fashion. Mondrian socks, by Chatty Feet, £8, chattyfeet.com

Bastarda hot red pepper sauce

Bring the fuego with Salsa Bastarda’s cayenne-laced sauce, inspired by Cantabrian fishermen (and a bottle of rum, yo-ho-ho). Bastarda hot red pepper sauce, £6.25, brindisa.com

Kids’ toothbrush

Pearly whites with a pea-sized squirt of virtue: 100% biodegradable, kids’ toothbrush with a sustainably grown bamboo handle and eco-friendly packaging. Also vegan, obvs. Kids’ toothbrush, £4, boots.com

Foliage notebook

Charming botanical stationery that’s chic, cheap and a-seasonally cheering. Foliage notebook, £8, somethingnice.shop

KeepCup

Last one standing using disposable coffee cups? Get 2019 ready and do your bit for the planet with a personalised, barista-standard reusable cup. KeepCup, from £10, uk.keepcup.com

Cable bite

That hole in their life (or stocking)? Fill it with an animal accessory that also protects your cables from breaking. Life, complete. Cable bite, £8, urbanoutfitters.com

Monkey tea infuser

Tiger come to tea? Make them feel at home with Kikkerland’s cheeky-monkey tea infuser. Monkey tea infuser, £8, habitat.co.uk

Houseplant pruner

Alys Fowler’s pick
“Keep haworthia and maidenhair ferns in order with this lovely indoor plant pruner.” Houseplant pruner, £9.99, burgonandball.com

Pomeranian mini calendar

A tiny dog calendar for all those tiny day dates – as pomeranian as it is practical. Pomeranian mini calendar, 2019, £9.99, paulsmith.com

Nine mini jar gift pack

Don’t sweat the small stuff; eat it. Nine diminutive jars of mustards, chutneys, jams and joy from Wiltshire’s condiment elite. Nine mini jar gift pack, £5.75, tracklements.co.uk

Super future rebel makeup bag

Give them the superpower of lightning-speed, Clark Kent-style makeovers. Failing that, a nice, bright makeup bag. Super future rebel makeup bag, £8, paperchase.com

Silver nail clippers

Sali Hughes’ pick
“The best nail clippers of all time. They are life-changing – believe me.” Silver nail clippers, £7.95, muji.eu

Baron de Ley Reserva rioja

Fiona Beckett’s pick
“A pukka rioja in a 50cl bottle – perfect for someone who lives on their own.” Baron de Ley Reserva rioja, 2014, £6, morrisons.com

Le Labo lip balm

Sali Hughes’ pick
“A beautiful and affordable balm from a brand loved by everyone of any gender or age.” Le Labo lip balm, £10, johnlewis.com

Noah’s Ark pencil set

Miniature ark art set for miniature artists in a pleasing 1920s print – top marks. Noah’s Ark pencil set, £4.50, vam.ac.uk

Eaton’s Modern Ready Reckoner: Essential Everyday Trivia

Get cleverer with top trivia from the Guardian’s resident quizmaster, Thomas Eaton, Eaton’s Modern Ready Reckoner: Essential Everyday Trivia, £9.99, blinkpublishing.co.uk

Hubert planter

For people who like beards and plants – there’s a pot for that. Hubert planter, £9, redcandy.co.uk

Smash choc-covered corn snacks

Felicity Cloake’s pick
“All I want for Christmas? Scandivian Smash snacks – I’m addicted.” Smash choc-covered corn snacks, £2.99, scandikitchen.co.uk

The Real McCoy And 149 Other Eponyms

A fitting stocking filler or secret Santa for the person of letters or pedant in your life – eponyms from Molotov cocktail to Cadillac. The Real McCoy And 149 Other Eponyms, £9.99, bodleianshop.co.uk

Mini karaoke microphone

A mini-mike for your smartphone that makes every song a sing-a-long and every moment a karaoke session. Gift with caution. Mini karaoke microphone, £10, urbanoutfitters.com

Slap-band watch

What time is it? Time you got a watch. It’s never too soon to become a smart arse – start them off with this wise owl watch from the RSPB. Slap-band watch, £9.99, shopping.rspb.org.uk

Bike bell

A pop art chip bell to complete the fish-bike trinity. Bike bell, £8.99, trekbikes.com

Love Cocoa avocado/70% dark chocolate bar

The perfect sweet treat for a good ol’ millennial-mocking session (also delish). Love Cocoa avocado/70% dark chocolate bar, £4.50, johnlewis.com

Guardian Weekly subscription

Subscribe to the new-look Guardian Weekly to send a carefully curated collection of our best reporting and writing from around the world – and support independent journalism. From £6 for six issues, subscribe.theguardian.com

Under £25

Getaway travel pillow

For adventurers, high-fliers and people that get a bit irascible and unpleasant to be around on long-haul flights. You’re welcome. Getaway travel pillow, £22, uk.bando.com

Jen Atkin x Chloe + Isabel rose gold-plated hair clip

Sali Hughes’ pick
“Chic not girlie, and suits all hair types.” Jen Atkin x Chloe + Isabel rose gold-plated hair clip, £12, cultbeauty.co.uk

Patternity bra top

If sacred geometry took on crop tops. Also good for yoga, spin class, Instagram etc. Patternity bra top, £25, johnlewis.com

Magnum Photos set of four Martin Parr coasters

Celebrate a better time of warm pints, Formica tables and glace cherries with Martin Parr’s wry snaps on a jaunty quartet of coasters. Magnum Photos set of four Martin Parr coasters, £17, plinth.uk.com

Brass pizza cutter

Class up pizza night – this elegant utensil is 100% more civilised than ripping pizza apart with your hands. Apparently. Brass pizza cutter, £11, hausofhyde.com

Liewood Elton maple wood rattle

Get in there before the plastic tat descends with this parent-pleasing wooden rattle. Liewood Elton maple wood rattle, £16, the-mini-edit.com

Seedball gift box

Seedball’s super-easy wildflower planting kits bring life to all gardens – now in stocking-ready festive tins. Seedball gift box, £19.99 for three, seedball.co.uk

Gingerbread man catnip toy

Make up for a year of cat v cucumber videos with a little something just for Mog. Gingerbread man catnip toy, £18, conranshop.co.uk

Faux fur bobble hat

A happy hat to brighten up the most miserable months. Faux fur bobble hat, £14, topshop.com

Claus Porto spiced citrus soap

A soap on a rope for super-secure suds enriched with walnut extract, bergamot, lemon, neroli and ginger. Zingy. Claus Porto spiced citrus soap, £20, mrporter.com

How Football (Nearly) Came Home, by Barney Ronay

It’s time to come out of mourning. Start the healing process with Guardian sports writer Barney Ronay’s recollections of bad food and great football at Russia 2018, where he trailed the England team in the most hopeful sporting summer in decades. How Football (Nearly) Came Home, by Barney Ronay, £12.99, guardianbookshop.com

Flamingo egg cup

Since you ask, flamingo eggs are roughly the same shape as hens’, but bigger. And we hear flamingo eggs are making a comeback. Celebrate with pretty-in-pink porcelain. Flamingo egg cup, £20.99, hannahturner.co.uk

Star Wars R2-D2 junior swim cap

A quiet word of advice: cool as it is, this cap can do damage to adult-sized heads, so do yourself a favour and leave the super-fan swim kit to the kids. Star Wars R2-D2 junior swim cap, £11, speedo.com

Fairtrade elephant jigsaw

An Elmer-esque elephant puzzle that’s fairtrade and handmade in Sri Lanka from sustainable wood. Fairtrade elephant jigsaw, £12.50, lankakade.com

Match A Leaf memory game

If a tree falls in the wood … your clever-clogs kids will be able to name and shame it thanks to this beautifully illustrated arboreal memory game. +5 playground points. Match A Leaf memory game, £14.99, laurenceking.com

Ottolenghi Simple

Easy-peasy lemon squeezy, Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest offers 130 accessible recipes for hassle-free feasting. Ottolenghi Simple, £17.99, guardianbookshop.com

Abstract face cushion

An arty, abstract 1970s-hued cushion to turn a crummy old sofa into a veritable art gallery. Abstract face cushion, £25, made.com

Face earrings

Pretty portrait earrings in 18k gold – intriguing without being ostentatious. Face earrings, £20, aweatheredpenny.co.uk

Book subscriptions

The Drum, by Ken Wilson-Max and Catell Ronca, from A Little Box of Books, a subscription book club specialising in diverse inclusive books for kids. Subscriptions from £18 a month, littleboxofbooks.co.uk

Chocolate salami

Looks like a salami, tastes like a fabulously festive medley of Madagascan chocolate, dates, cranberries, raisins, orange zest, pistachios and almonds. Confusing. Delicious. Chocolate salami, £20, chococo.co.uk

Sleep Tight bauble

It’ll be a fight to the top of the tree with This Works’ iconic sleep oils adorning it in this very welcome bedtime blends bauble. Sleep Tight bauble containing three oils, £13, thisworks.com

Pint elephant jug

Make sure they never forget your generosity (geddit?), with this hand-drawn elephant on fine bone china jug from Arthouse Unlimited, a social enterprise celebrating the artistic talents of adults with epilepsy and learning difficulties. Pint elephant jug, £22, yourssustainably.com

Stormtrooper decanter

What to get the stormtrooper that has everything? A glass decanter based on the original 1976 movie helmet, of course. Stormtrooper decanter, £21.99, thefowndry.com

£50 and under

Hot water bottle

The inanimate answer to a big ol’ hug, Boden’s cheery, lambswool hot water bottle does sofa cuddles, cold toes and January blues. Hot water bottle, £35, boden.co.uk

Japanese netsuke fish metalwork embroidery kit

Oh, you don’t already embroider Japanese netsuke fish? Up their craft game with this delicate (but not too difficult) metalwork embroidery kit. Japanese netsuke fish metalwork embroidery kit, £50, by Becky Hogg, vam.ac.uk

Mittens

Cute-as-a-button panda mittens that won’t get lost. Mittens, £28, etsy.com

Paul Smith + New Balance mini football

Where fashion meets football: New Balance’s innovative 18-panel football with Paul Smith’s signature stripes. Sexy and sporty. Paul Smith + New Balance mini football, £30, paulsmith.com

Man on a Mission gift set

Make this Christmas the Christmas he realises he has skin too, with the skincare must-haves from Kiehl’s best-selling men’s range. Man on a Mission gift set, £31, kiehls.co.uk

Calle 23 resposado tequila

Thomasina Miers’ pick
“No Christmas is complete without a good bottle of tequila.” 100% agave from Mexico’s Zapotlanejo region: the good stuff. Calle 23 resposado, £37.90, amathusdrinks.com

Chemex coffee pot

Meera Sodha’s pick
“Coffee for all your guests at once.” Chemex’s wooden-collared coffee pots make up to 10 cups. Coffee pot, from £37, hasbean.co.uk

Birdball Belle bird feeder

Alys Fowler’s pick
“Feeds small birds in style.” Birdball Belle bird feeder, £26, greenandblue.co.uk

Jewel slingback court shoes

Fashion desk pick
“Sparkle without sore tootsies – party perfection.” Jewel slingback court shoes, £35, marksandspencer.com

Lunar necklace charm

Don’t be fooled by its Mona Lisa mystique and delicate gold hue, this charming pendant packs serious celestial punch. Lunar necklace charm, £30, anna-nina.nl

Market basket

A handy hideaway, shopper or picnic basket handwoven by a women’s co-op in Ghana – bright, beautiful, and brilliant at keeping miscellany out of eye-line. Market basket, £50, lolaandmawu.com

Soundwave print

Turn their favourite song or first dance into a design statement by way of a foil soundwave print. A unique musical memento, whether romantic gesture or great gift for a super-fan. Personalised favourite song soundwave print, £30, notonthehighstreet.com

Edie Parker iPhone case

Fashion desk pick
“Commit to festive sparkle.” Happier-than-thou acrylic clutch designer Edie Parker turns her wand on phone cases for festive cheer that lasts all year. Edie Parker iPhone case, £40, net-a-porter.com

Tom Ford beard comb

An opulent grooming gift for the bearded other half who keeps using your comb. Tom Ford beard comb, £30, harrods.com

Boogie Daze gym bag

Jazz up their gym kit with more metal than the weights room. Boogie Daze gym bag, £32, uk.bando.com

Pat McGrath Labs lipstick

Sali Hughes’ pick
“Colour saturated and beautifully packaged. A little piece of luxury from the world’s greatest makeup artist.” Pat McGrath Labs lipstick, £35, net-a-porter.com

A Wilder bath oil

Organic bath oil spray of juniper, petitgrain and vetiver essential oils, chemical- and preservative-free. A Wilder bath oil, £28, wilderbotanics.com

JDP ceramics plant pots

Arty, earthy and impactful in any space, uplift their succulent collection with James Pegg’s dynamic ceramics. JDP ceramics plant pots, £45 each, jdpceramics.com

Made x Bobbin helmet in brass

“Look hot without getting bothered,” say Bobbin and MADE of their breathable, comfortable and spectacularly shiny bike helmet. Made x Bobbin helmet in brass, £45, made.com

Catherine Tough lambswool knee-high socks

Because, penguins. Catherine Tough lambswool knee-high socks, £25, thewisehouse.co.uk

Bonzo waterproof shower radio and Bluetooth speaker

If the shower’s their stage, up the ante with MADE’s neat waterproof speaker and radio, complete with snazzy snap-band that attaches to anything. Bonzo waterproof shower radio and Bluetooth speaker, £49, made.com

Small flap backpack

Lefrik’s super-stylish, nice-and-light backpacks are 100% made from recycled plastic PET bottles, and vegan. Fashionable, functional and feel-good. Small flap backpack, night blue, €49.90, lefrik.com

Babouche slippers

Luxe suede slippers let them loaf like a sloven but look like a sultan. Babouche slippers, £32, yonderliving.com

Handcrafted felt children’s slippers

Cute with a conscience, keep little feet happy with eco-friendly slippers handcrafted by female artisans in Nepal. Handcrafted felt children’s slippers, £39, nauseni.org

£100 and under

Basquiat porcelain plate

A playful plate that’s also a talking point: Basquiat’s crowned T-Rex was inspired by the Pez Dispenser. Great chat. Basquiat porcelain plate, £72, ariashop.co.uk

Creative Coder Kit

Children are, literally, our future. Accept that they’re already smarter than you and aid their path to world domination with this incredibly cool, wearable kit that introduces them to coding. They may spare you. Creative Coder Kit, £54.99, techwillsaveus.com

CAT men’s trainers

If you missed the memo that ungainly trainers are cool now, there’s still time show you’re in the know – CAT’s 90s Intruders are as on-point now as they were then. CAT men’s trainers, £85, urbanoutfitters.com

Moroccan neroli shaving duet

A sophisticated shave courtesy of industry favourite Aesop. Moroccan neroli shaving duet, £53, aesop.com

Half-zip wallet

An understated leather wallet with the Carhartt stamp of cool. Half-zip wallet, £60, carhartt-wip.com

Men’s jumper

Helen Seamons’ pick
“This green knit is perfect for Netflix marathons as well as going out-out.” Men’s jumper, £69, arket.com

Waterfall earrings

Graphic statement earrings, handmade and painted in pretty blue hues on lightweight wood. Waterfall earrings, £75, wolfandmoon.com

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera

Document the big day with Fujifilm’s sunshine-yellow instant camera – retro good looks with bang up-to-date functionality and a selfie mirror. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera, £79, urbanoutfitters.com

Table runner

A monochrome, modernist table runner with a conscience – Tribal Textiles provides living-wage jobs for makers in Zambia, and supports education and the local community. Table runner, $79, shop.tribaltextiles.co.zm

Vívofit Jr Spider-Man fitness tracker

You don’t need your Spidey-senses to know what your kids are up to. Trick them into staying active and cleaning the house by gamifying everything from swimming and step counts to homework and chores, all jazzed up in an interactive Spider-Man adventure app and watch. Vívofit Jr Spider-Man fitness tracker, £79.99, garmin.com

Classic cork yoga mat

Up their post-yoga glow with CorkYogi’s sustainable, non-slip mats with a mission; every mat sold ensures a contribution towards a training course for a survivor of human trafficking. Classic cork yoga mat, £65, corkyogis.com

Pure cotton dressing gown

Helen Seamons’ pick
“Is it even Christmas if you don’t get a new bath robe? British model David Gandy brings five-star hotel luxury to grey mornings.” Pure cotton dressing gown, £65, marksandspencer.com

Organic cotton hoodie

Brothers We Stand is the home of e-commerce with a heart. Every stylish, sustainable item has a clear social or environmental purpose – whether upcycling, using renewable energy or supporting community artisans. Organic cotton hoodie, £59, brotherswestand.com

Off-White iPhone 8 case

Is it a phone case? Is it a status symbol? It’s both, duh, courtesy of man of the moment Virgil Abloh. Off-White iPhone 8 case, £70, harrods.com

Espresso maker

This sleek stove-top coffee pot with Scandi leanings makes an Insta-worthy morning routine out of domestic chaos. Espresso maker, £70, habitat.co.uk

Drunk Elephant rescue party kit

Sali Hughes’ pick
“A great way to try this year’s most talked about (and best) skincare launch.” Five pint-sized products to see them through the party season, expect the very best creams, cleansers, serums and balms. Drunk Elephant rescue party kit, £63, cultbeauty.co.uk

Workout leggings

Explosive workout clothes to put some fire in their belly during spin class slumps and dark morning runs. Workout leggings, £60, sweatybetty.com

Bluetooth vinyl record player

Get them twistin’ the night away with this vintage-look LP player – primed for much-loved old records, but Bluetooth-enabled should you need to intervene. Crosley Cruiser vinyl record player, £89, urbanoutfitters.com

Dog collar

Love Fido more than your family? Let them know with this leather and brass collar, complete with charm. Dog collar, from £82, mungoandmaud.com

Clutch

A punchy red clutch with glee club-worthy pompom and a (discrete) inspirational message from Technicolor accessories brand Bando? Stop it. Comrade clutch, £49, uk.bando.com

PlayStation Classic

For the person who peaked in 1994 (we hear ya): a small-but-perfectly-formed nostalgia trip modelled on Playstation’s original console, pre-loaded with 20 classic games. PlayStation Classic, £89.99, playstation.com

J Crew girls’ reversible padded vest

First pro parenting tip: if you buy them lovely shiny things, they’ll be slower to notice the lovely shiny things you’ve bought yourself. Second: metallics make children easier to spot. Nailing it. J Crew girls’ reversible padded vest, £66.50, johnlewis.com

Cosmic dust earrings

Layer along the lobe with Anna + Nina’s delicate earrings, setting a subtle pearl among gold beads. Cosmic dust earrings, €59,95, anna-nina.nl

2019 diary

Scarlett Conlon’s pick
“A little touch of everyday luxury – Smythson’s leather diary will make scheduling that bit chicer.” 2019 Panama diary with gilt pencil, £75, smythson.com

Blow the budget

Hermitage 30-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac

Fiona Beckett’s pick
“One to selfishly sip.” Hermitage 30-year-old Grande Champagne Cognac (43%), £142.97 for 70cl, brandyclassics.com

Santoku knife

Yotam Ottolenghi’s pick
“A versatile knife hand-forged in south London.” Santoku knife, £240, blenheimforge.co.uk

Typewriter

The only barrier between them and their literary tour-de-force? Digital, obviously. Send the frustrated novelist an analogue muse via this pin-up blue Torpedo typewriter. Typewriter, £263.66, etsy.com

Internoitaliano Orte gardening tools set

Alys Fowler’s pick
“Perfect for borders.” Without doubt, the sharpest tools in the shed. Internoitaliano Orte gardening tools set, £121, nest.co.uk

Santal 33 eau de parfum

Say it with a gender-neutral, custom-blended scent in a personalised bottle from cult perfume house Le Labo – this year’s beauty eds’ pick from French perfume capital Grasse. Santal 33 eau de parfum, £180, lelabofragrances.com

Sea creature matryoshka

A traditional Russian matyoshka doll, handmade in Semenov – 99.9% guaranteed they don’t already own it. Sea creature matryoshka, £200, conranshop.co.uk

Stone Age Zine triangle wool scarf

The coolest pair in knitwear – designers Brenda Aherne and Helen Delany of Electronic Sheep – collaborate with fanzine founder Willy Carroll for an uplifting merino scarf as cool as it is cosy. Stone Age Zine triangle wool scarf, €152, electronicsheep.com

Garmin Vívomove watch

The smartest smartwatch in town, Garmin’s tasteful tan and onyx Vívomove looks like a “nice watch”, acts like a PT, PA and life coach combined. Terrifying, when you think about it. Vívomove watch, £259.99, garmin.com

Velvet throw

Give the gift of legitimised loafing with Toast’s opulent quilted velvet and linen throw – hides a multitude of spills, crumbs and dodgy PJs. Velvet throw, £225, toa.st

Balance bike

Smarter than stabilisers, the lightweight balance bike goes from tricycle to two-wheeler, helping kids hone balance, steering and Wiggins-worthy swagger. Balance bike, £109.95, micro-scooters.co.uk

Barisieur coffee and tea alarm

Night owls and aesthetes rejoice: ease into existence each morning with a freshly brewed caffeine hit from the super-chic Barisieur alarm. Barisieur coffee and tea alarm, £345, opumo.com

This article was amended on 26 November 2018. An earlier version referred to a snack as Swedish. This has been changed to Scandinavian as the snack originates in Norway.

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