In partnership with Very
Every year I tell myself I’m going to be organised for Christmas. I picture a serene December version of me gliding around the house in a tasteful knit, pressing cloves into oranges and labelling beautifully wrapped presents in flawless calligraphy. And then every year the reality is me in mismatched socks, rummaging in the loft for the decorations, wondering why the fairy lights are in a knot so tight it feels personal.
But THIS year, I’m calling it early. I’m embracing the chaos and leaning full throttle into gifting with Very, because if there’s one thing that makes Christmas shopping easier, it’s being able to do it in bed while eating a mince pie.
The joy of gifting small people (who are easily impressed)
Let’s start with the babies, because honestly, they are the easiest people in the world to shop for. They don’t need trends, or brands, or a 14-page wishlist. Give them something that makes a noise or lights up and they will look at you like you’ve personally reinvented electricity.
Rosie, my granddaughter, is currently living her best life in the Baby Einstein Curiosity Cove 2-in-1 Activity Jumper. It’s bouncy, it’s colourful, it’s full of little things to smack enthusiastically – basically a baby rave in equipment form. And yes, she has had it a little early, but my daughter Bee explained that bouncing her up and down by hand was getting a little tiring.
Her big brother Joey had a similar bouncer when he was tiny, and honestly, it was the thing that saved all of us. He would happily bounce away for ages, giving everyone else enough time to do the essentials like drink a hot coffee and remember their own names.0
If you’re hunting for kids toys this Christmas then Very has got you covered.
Grown-up gifts that feel a bit special
Once you’ve sorted the kids, it’s time for the adults. And here’s where jewellery enters the chat.
I’ve always thought jewellery gifts are perfect from Christmas. Jewellery is small but meaningful, sparkly but not impractical, and it doesn’t require batteries or an Allen key. You can wrap it in five seconds and look like you put in far more effort than you actually did, which is basically my life strategy.
This year I’ve been eyeing up the Katie Loxton Molten Luxe Bangle in gold. It’s simple, elegant and makes you feel like the kind of person who owns multiple moisturisers and remembers to descale the kettle. A total winner.
The fine art of self-gifting
Now, technically Christmas is about giving. Sure. But also, realistically, it’s about treating yourself for surviving the year without running away to live in a lighthouse. I am a firm believer in the concept of the ‘Christmas Me Purchase’ – something cosy, comforting, and entirely justified because it’s December and I’m tired.
This year my treat from Very is a pair of the Peach Fit Women’s Cosy Dept Joggers in festive red. These trousers are everything I want to be as a person: soft, warm, relaxed and not trying too hard. I will be wearing them for festive outing to my favourite National Trust properties and while I wrap presents, drink sherry, and watch Love Actually for the 47th time, loudly insisting I “don’t even like it that much” while crying when Emma Thompson opens the necklace box.
A Very easy Christmas
So this year, skip the faff, the queues, and the existential crisis in the middle aisle of a shop where you start genuinely considering buying someone a novelty mug shaped like a hedgehog.
Very has the toys, the jewellery, the cosy clothes, the lot, and you can get it all from your sofa. Now if you’ll excuse me, Rosie is calling me from her jumper and my sherry glass appears to have mysteriously emptied itself. Happy gifting!
