Circulating a prescriptive wish list feels almost a contradiction to the art of gift giving - shouldn't the perfect present be a surprise? The most luxuriously random thing, the one you instantly love but didn't know you needed a second ago? Part of me loves the unexpected element of festive gifting – unpredictability and all. This is why a gift guide should be both extravagant and diverse, ranging from the practical to the fantastical, and serving, ultimately, as blue sky inspiration; the seed of a brilliant idea. So, the below is both a dream list and a hint to what I am coveting right now. Don't take it too literally – or do. I won't be sending anything back either way.
I am going to start ambitiously. Anybody want to buy me a sauna? No? Well, if you do, then this one, a collaboration between cabin designers Koto and outdoor sauna experts Out of the Valley, is a dream purchase. Beautifully no-frills and expertly crafted, the Falco sauna is wellness and escape combined.
The negroni feels perhaps too summery for the depths of winter, but this is precisely why I love it. I have been meaning to replace my lowball cocktail glassware set for a while now, so the gifting season brings the perfect excuse to help me out, if you so wish.
Liberty offers year-round inspiration, while bauble shopping there and its Beauty Advent Calendar have become a tradition for me on the run-up to the festive season. There is something mesmerising about a Liberty scarf, and this one has a whole city on it too.
I recently managed to ruin my cashmere dressing gown, so I am in need of a replacement. This Johnstons of Elgin grey number would be perfect for sipping coffee and reading the news on a lazy Sunday morning.
I am partial to a bit of nail polish now and again, but it can be a rather chemical-heavy process. Nail polish brand Nailberry and its award-winning, non-toxic product recently popped into my radar. A nice orange like Decadence has my name on it.
There's always a wealth of architecture books to peruse in the office, but this one, by friend of Wallpaper* and regular contributor Adam Stech, is one of this year's standouts for the modernist architecture-loving globetrotter. And who knows? You might end up buying your very own modernist gem during your travels.
I always wanted to try FaceGym – it sounds like an excellent idea for post-party repair in January, and it has also featured in the Wallpaper* directory of London facial treatments. Let's get booking.
Brooks is at the top of their game in crafting the perfect bike saddle and I'd welcome a new one for my trusty Brompton. In brown or black please.
I fell in love with the Tric Trac as soon as I first saw it on one of my very stylish colleagues. Elegant but also fun, excellent in a versatile Sahara Brown or a playful, bright colour pop – this is one to swoon over.
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Design is key in TAG Heuer’s end-of-year watch releasesTAG Heuer is embracing exciting materials and new collaborations, capping off a big year; discover the new Fragment and Monaco limited editions
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A new bungalow in Ljubljana is infused with the spirit of placeA bungalow set in the pioneering low-rise eco development of Murgle, the House under the Poplars trades grand architectural gestures for quiet innovation
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Wallpaper* Gift Guides: What beauty editor Mary Cleary has on her wishlistWallpaper* contributing beauty editor Mary Cleary shares the items she is hoping to unwrap this holiday season – from transporting fragrances to a must-have skincare device
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Architecture director Ellie Stathaki's gift guide for urban explorersArchitecture & environment director Ellie Stathaki shares her tips and wishes for the perfectly curated 2024 gift guide for built environment enthusiasts - and beyond
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Wallpaper* gift guide: architecture editor Ellie Stathaki’s picksThis gift guide spans an off-grid shelter, a sauna book, a model city, and restorative skincare – treats for architecture fans and beyond
