Guys, here’s your guide to winning at Christmas. I guarantee that pretty much everything on this girls’ Christmas gift guide will make you the most popular partner on Christmas Day.
Before you start shopping
Before you start shopping, take some time to do some research. Don’t expect to find gold when you hit the shops without a list. You’ll be confused and you’ll waste time.
Ask what her favourite shop is, ask her friends for ideas and really listen to see if she’s dropping hints.
Don’t be afraid to ask what she wants. If you like to keep it a surprise, ask for a few ideas so she won’t know which one to expect. All this background work will help you pick a gift that won’t be returned or exchanged on Boxing Day.
If you really want to make it a surprise, here’s my girls’ Christmas Gift Guide to help you navigate the shops this silly season. Even better, most can be ordered online so you don’t even need to set foot in a shopping centre.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Jewellery
Who doesn’t love receiving jewellery? I love wearing a mix of fun costume pieces and more valuable sentimental pieces every day.
Ok, as it turns out, a few girls I know couldn’t care less about jewellery. Take note of what she normally wears. Look back at photos to see if she likes small or large earrings, or wears more necklaces or bracelets.
Where to shop:
- Samantha Wills – Bohemian luxe pieces that come in beautiful carved wooden boxes. You can’t go wrong with the Bohemian Bardot ring, and I love this cuff and necklace.
- Polli – A local favourite label of mine who design cute and quirky laser-cut pendants and earrings. I love the feather pendant and the flamingo earrings.
- Codelove – She’ll love the hidden morse code messages in these simple beaded earrings.
- Elk – If she loves wearing larger pieces, pick up a wooden necklace from Elk. I like this one and this one.
- Uberkate – Unique and custom silver jewellery from Sydney. Every mum I know wants aa unique, sentimental piece with your family names and I’m also loving Uberkate’s new earrings and fine necklaces.
- Tiffany’s – The little blue box makes hearts flutter at Christmas. I love the classic mesh ring and the new Atlas collection. Or if you want to splash out, no-one can refuse diamonds.
Tips for buying rings
To find out her ring size, find a ring she normally wears and trace inside onto a piece of paper. This will give you an approximate guide. You can always have the ring resized later.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Technology
Just when you think you have enough gadgets, another one comes along that you can’t live without.
On my wishlist:
- Ipad mini
- Phone – after losing my phone I’m deciding between the iphone or the new Nexus 5
- Camera – The hybrid Panasonic Lumix camera gives you the features of a DSLR but with the ease of a compact camera. I also love the Olympus OM-D with interchangeable lenses.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Beauty
Clarisonic – At first I was sceptical about the Clarisonic but I love mine. It’s an exfoliating cleansing brush for your face. You can find it at adorebeauty.
Give the gift of good hair – ghd have just release a limited edition white ghd eclipse. If she has a really old hair straightener, this new eclipse will be life changing. Available online from Sydney Salon Supplies or from selected salons.
Cloud nine wand – this is the perfect hair styling tool for creating all kinds of curls and waves in your hair. You can order online here or find it in selected salons.
Net-a-porter vouchers – this is my wish-list shopping mecca. Now that Net-a-porter stock beauty, a $100 voucher will buy more than just a t-shirt at this luxe store. Every girl loves packages that arrive wrapped in that black and white ribbon. Order online here.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Homewares
Buy her something cute for the home. Some almost fool-proof stores are:
- Table Tonic – my picks are the Moroccan pouffes and the ikat and anchor cushions.
- Jonathan Adler – I’m in love with the dachshund accessories, but you’ll find something for everyone from this fabulous designer.
- Anthropologie – Amazing homewares, and a great range of clothing and accessories too.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Candles
Mr Romance and I have discussed the price of candles but I think they’re worth it.
My picks are:
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Books
I love a good coffee table book and everyone will love the Humans of New York book. The fashionista will love the Little Black Jacket by Chanel and the traveller will adore Naples: A way of Love.
If she loves cooking, a beautiful cookbook is always a popular gift. The latest from Bill Grainger, Nigella Lawson or Donna Hay will be sure to please – or even better, check out Lorraine Elliot’s book Not Quite Nigella.
What Katie Ate is another pick. Be careful, if she hates to cook she may be insulted by a cookbook for Christmas.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Salon vouchers
Treat us to an experience. A spa day or mani/pedi is always welcome.
One problem to consider with vouchers is that they can expire before we have time to use them. To really make this an amazing gift, offer to book it in and make sure we enjoy the day. Take us to a café before, but remember that after a facial we’ll want to head straight home to relax.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Flowers
Flowers delivered once a week for a year! OK, this is quite extravagant, but how wonderful would it be? Maybe just once a month for a year. How fabulous. Try Little Flowers if you’re in Sydney or go have a chat to your local florist. I’m sure they would give you a great deal with an order like that.
Magazine subscriptions – the budget version of the flowers, but when the mag arrives each month she’ll smile at your gift. I don’t read many magazines but top of my list are Renegade Collective, Real Living and Elle.
Mrs Romance’s Christmas Gift Guide – Gifts to avoid
Please avoid giving the following gifts:
- Lingerie – it’s so difficult to know our size as it can vary due to brand and design. You think it’s sexy, we think it’s uncomfortable.
- Home appliances – the least romantic gift ever. Unless she specifically asks for something, I believe appliances should fall under normal household spending and not as a personal gift.
- Foot spas – they sound good but are the least used gadget ever. Just buy her vouchers for a pedicure instead.
Whatever you choose, if you put some thought into it then I’m sure she’ll love it because you bought it.
What’s on your wish-list this Christmas?
Sonia
Christina you will love me for this…my hairdresser recently got me the exact same conical wand that he uses (and the Redken seasalt spray he also uses)…IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! I absolutely love it and can’t believe I waited so long to get one. Once I get my length back, I’ll be giving those Victoria’s Secret babes a run for their money (in the hair stakes only!).
I would love to find a house full of furniture and homewares under the Christmas tree this year. We’ve virtually doubled the size of our house with our extension and there is just so much to buy, but sadly no unlimited funds to buy it all!
I’d also love a case of Mumm or Veuve Clicquot to enjoy on Christmas Day…err, and beyond!
Mrs Romance
Oh how good is that wand? Total life changer for me too. How could I forget to include a champagne on my gift list? It’s a must, and I like your taste Sonia xx
The Style Loop | Hair Romance
[…] you’re stuck for gift ideas, on Mr & Mrs Romance I wrote a girls’ Christmas gift guide and Jim wrote the guys’ Christmas gift […]