Christmas is full of comfort and joy, but it’s also fiendishly expensive.
All of us want to find perfect gifts for the people we love, and if we can do it on a budget even better. Here, the Citizen Femme team names the affordable, yet stylish and thoughtful treats they love to give their favourite people. Spanning homeware, beauty, fashion and culture, and all under £40, we share our pick of the luxuries that won’t lead to bankruptcy.
Becki Murray, Beauty and Wellness Director
Cashmere socks, £30, M&S
A pair of cosy cashmere socks instantly makes me feel warm and relaxed, a true little luxury on winter nights.
Sage and bitter orange candle, £30, La Bougie
Affordable candles don’t have to be tiny or have scents that disappear in an instant. La Bougie’s Sage & Bitter Orange Candle is full-sized and a reasonably-priced £30.
Letterbox flowers, £32, Bloom & Wild
You can never go wrong with some winter blooms to brighten up someone’s day, and the bouquets from Bloom & Wild, especially Our Florist’s Pick, can often arrive next day if you have left things to the last minute.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder and Head of Partnerships
Leak-proof travel capsules, £29.75, Keep Your Cadence
For the frequent traveller, Keep Your Cadence has fantastic little magnetic, leak-proof travel cases — perfect as affordable Christmas gifts that make packing and travelling easier.
Personalised Ravensburger jigsaw, from £20.99, Photobox
My kids adore puzzles — and nothing gets them giggling more than spotting silly photos of themselves. This makes a brilliant gift: 30 minutes of joyful, (semi)-peaceful play that everyone can enjoy.
Lobster cork bottle stopper, £8, Lisa Angel
For keeping your wine fresh, I love a playful wine stopper — perfect for those who fancy a tipple at home, but don’t want to risk a hangover by polishing off the whole bottle. A great economic, but cheerful option.
Rachel Story, Style and Commerce Director
Pure silk skinny scrunchies, £35, John Lewis
These are my go-to when it comes to quickly tying hair up – something I rarely did pre-baby. The silk material means that they don’t damage or pull your hair, but they’re still thinner than your regular silk scrunchie. Arguably, they’re not cheap for hairbands, but I swear by them for helping to protect my hair from breakage. Perfect stocking-filler material, in my opinion.
Mystical mini eye pouch, £26, Elizabeth Scarlett
I love a pouch for throwing in my bag to keep my make-up essentials together. Elizabeth Scarlett has a great selection and they can be personalised too, which always makes for a lovely bespoke gift.
Checkerboard chocolate scallop plate, £40, Poesy Ceramics
Who wouldn’t want to be gifted a gorgeous ceramic plate in chocolate checkerboard? Perfect for dishing out canapés during the party season, or for decoratively displaying piled-high tangerines.
Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
Le Vernis longwear nail colour, £30, Chanel
For a pampering evening at home, Chanel’s longwear nail polish is one of my favourites for a DIY manicure – and Rouge Noir is the perfect December colour. You might not spend £30 on a nail varnish yourself, which is why it makes such a nice gift.
The pure silk eye mask, £35, The Silk Collection
With party season in full swing, December can take its toll, but this silk navy sleep mask will help achieve a deeper slumber. A little luxury that goes a long way.
Six mini Fortnum’s famous teas, £32, Fortnum & Mason
Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
Monogrammed cotton pillow case, £24, Host
A discreetly monogrammed pillow case is a real thing of beauty, and makes going to bed feel that bit more special; these from Host are surprisingly affordable and made with soft Italian cotton.
Dickens incence no10, £5, Oneironaut
Oneironaut, an atmospheric scent shop just off Brick Lane, is one of my favourite gifting destinations. Its candles, fragrances and incense are heavenly and totally unique. My favourite (and a real crowd-pleaser if experience has taught me anything), is Dickens, a deliciously wintery mix of musk, amber, cedar and frankincense. The incense is just £5. Pair a pack of six with one of its minimalist, ceramic incense holders for the ultimate treat.
A Note To Say box of 10 correspondence cards, £28, Smythson
I know it’s old-fashioned, but a hand-written note is still a joy to receive and I really enjoy the way writing one forces you to slow down even for five minutes. Smythson offers the most elegant designs – I love these with the simple navy border, and also the monogrammed version. All Smythson products come in a chic blue box tied in a bow, making them even nicer gifts.
Bibiana Obahor, Digital + Design Lead
Pause bookmark, £5.60, Papier
I’m a sucker for an unlikely gift, and I love the idea of something small and thoughtful that’s also practical. This bookmark feels exactly that; it’s simple but beautiful, perfect for someone who loves reading or journalling, and a sweet little reminder of you each time they open their book.
Coconut skin body mist, £25, Phlur
I love receiving things I never quite get round to buying for myself, and hair and body mists are always on that list. This one from Phlur is a bijou but gorgeous luxury — light, comforting, and the kind of everyday treat that instantly lifts my mood.
Christmas cookie box, £24, Floozie
Ideal for someone with a sweet tooth, this Floozie Christmas cookie box is a delicious indulgence. Cosy, festive and made for sharing, you absolutely can’t go wrong with cookies.
Ella Mansell, Junior Culture Editor
Extra Virgin oil in ceramic bottle, £29.50, Daylesford
A really good olive oil is like liquid gold in the food world, and is sure to please everyone. An extra virgin, organic press makes all the difference in everything from soups to salads. Daylesford’s olive oil is grown, hand-picked, and pressed in Tuscany’s scenic Chianti. Plus, how chic is the ceramic bottle?
Anything by Joan Didion, books start at £9.99, Waterstones
A really great book is the gift that keeps on giving, and will stay with you long after Christmas. I love gifting (and receiving) bundles of Joan Didion’s works – she has a special way of seeing, thinking, and writing. I also think a book voucher from one of London’s book stores (Daunt Books, London Review of Books, or Foyles) is one of the most underrated gifts ever.
Ceramic electric diffuser, £28, Habitat
I love ceramic diffusers which offer a similarly relaxing atmosphere to a candle, except you can leave them running (on a timer) while you fall asleep without worrying about anything catching alight. It feels extra luxe when gifted with a bundle of essential oils from Neal’s Yard – lavender is my favourite for its calming effects.
Sadaf Quyoum, Lifestyle Partnerships
Signature Winter candle, £25, The White Company
My go-to affordable festive luxury is The White Company Winter candle tealights and Winter candle, the most divine Christmas scent with hints of cinnamon, clove and orange. This year, the brand has launched a stunning version in glass with a sparkly mercury finish, an extra special present for the home.
Satin Kajal liner, £32, Victoria Beckham
For make-up, I can’t live without Victoria Beckham’s cult satin Kajal waterproof liner, creating a perfect smokey eye. Priced at £32, it comes in a range of the most beautiful colours, making it an ideal luxurious gift.
Tiled Margot monogram coaster, £10, Anthropologie
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