Here are some great things that I use almost on a daily basis and would really miss if I didn’t have them in my life. They should be replaced immediately, in fact, if lost. I’m telling you because they’re all infinitely useful and therefore make the most excellent, non-frivolous Christmas gifts.
Perfect for people who feel sad at the idea of getting little luxuries that they have absolutely no need for and say things like “but what would I like do with cashmere socks?!” People who find joy in the functional and the practical. All of the things on my list serve an important purpose, but happily, many of them are also nice to look at and/or luxurious to the touch! Which is a bonus…
[Ad info: no paid or sponsored content. I currently work with Good Hair Day but this is not part of that paid work. Affiliate links are marked *.]
Good Wash Day towel. This ethically sourced organic cotton jersey towel (pictured below) helps hair dry faster, but with less friction and therefore less frizz. I’ve been buying one for a year or so and haven’t looked back – it’s smooth, soft and incredibly light, meaning you can wrap your hair while doing your makeup without needing Hulk Hogan’s neck muscles.
Lots of colors and prints, this is the perfect gift for beauty lovers who think they have it all, but apparently don’t. Softer hair awaits them. And now is the time if you want the frizz-free life: I have a 10% off subscriber code RUTH10 that gives you 10% off until December 10th!
Good Wash Day is a very small independent brand and works hard to be as sustainable as it can be within very tight margins. Providing this discount is a huge deal for them when dealing with companies that can regularly afford to drop prices because their manufacturing costs are so small and I’m truly honored that they’ve done this exclusively for my readers! The towels come beautifully wrapped so they can be sent directly to the recipient to save you the hassle of packing and shipping.
Also check out the OG of the detangling brush world, Tangle Teezer, (in Burgundy above) and the more ergonomic (really soft) Manta brush (pictured in white) that fits in the palm of your hand and feels like it’s massaging your scalp as you brush. Everything is fantastic, Manda is now my most used duplicator, especially for travel, my daughter loves the Wet Brush.
Find the Wet Brush Pro Detangler here* (different types but I like the Pro version – £13.99)
Buy the Tangle Teezer* (many varieties, Christmas edition is £14)
The manta brush is here online* (currently £25.50 instead of £34)
There are many versions. I have one that folds up nicely into a travel case – it’s called the Sensor Mirror Fold – and has 10x magnification. They don’t seem to stand by this version anymore, but it’s on Amazon and it’s half the price of the non-folding one. I really like being able to take it out of my desk and stack it, because it’s a magnifier and it’s so not fun to keep capturing your reflection!
What I have is £102 here* – Robert Dyas also has it in Gold if you prefer it to Stainless Steel.
Anyway, this is the gift that keeps on giving. I bought mine in 2016 and it still looks brand new. I rarely need to charge it (via USB) and I think it will probably outlast me unless my chin plucking sessions have to become a twice daily affair. Something that cannot be ruled out…
HOW ELSE DID THIS HAPPEN?!
Today’s jewelry boxes have clever holders and hangers for necklaces and small pads for bracelets and boards with holes to stick your earrings. It keeps everything perfectly organized and uncluttered and it’s also travel friendly, easy to store but even easier to keep out and look at.
I love these striped pouches from Daisy – you can personalize them too. Larger ones are £79 here*.
Anything. The key is, for ultimate enjoyment, to make sure the toaster tongs are magnetic so you can stick them to the side of the appliance when not in use. Gosh, it’s just pure functionality at this point.
I have these here* – £6.99
I just think Nigel Slater’s Eat (above) should be in every kitchen. It’s more of an idea book than a recipe book, so you can just wander through it and think of ways to use up that pen you’ve got lying around in the fridge, or dive in to find out what interesting things you can do with a salmon fillet. It is – and I hate to use this phrase when it is almost literal – food for thought. No complicated techniques or long ingredient lists, just ways to put things together in one dish lovingly and deliciously. Low-key culinary genius.
Obviously not a book for people who rarely set foot in the kitchen, don’t enjoy cooking and eat every meal courtesy of Deliveroo, because you have to have some passion for taste and great ingredients, but for pretty much everyone else it’s a pleasure.
Eatby Nigel Slater it is here* Online and in all good bookstores.
Remember also that my Books n Chocs position will give you lots of good ideas if you want a simple but thoughtful gift that won’t break the bank.
Yes, you read that right. A bed of nails. We follow my husband’s only recommendation (that he was allowed, because everything was central to the power tools) and it obviously involves something vaguely raised.
But look: he swears by it Bed of Nails. He’s never been a good sleeper and also has migraines, sore legs, pretty much anything that bothers anyone who has to sleep in the same bed, but ten minutes or so lying in bed with (short, non-life threatening) nails seems to settle him every time.
I’ve tried to lie to him, but I can’t – he’s obviously mind over matter – and so you’ll have to take his testimony instead of mine. He says that after the initial mild discomfort, he has a warming sensation that is actually very pleasant and relaxing and often at this point he falls straight to sleep, so we have no idea what will happen next. I’m sure you shouldn’t actually be sleeping on it, especially not for the amount of time it’s been getting, but so far it seems unscathed. He’s been doing it regularly for over a decade and apart from the back that looks like a sieve, he’s perfectly normal.
Bed of Nails is £70 at Cult Beauty here*.
Let me know in the comments if you have any useful gifts to add – I’ll round them up for next year. Although I can barely think about it this year. And remember to hit the like button if you enjoyed reading. And subscribe, if you haven’t already, so that my emails can annoyingly pop up in your inbox when you least expect it, instead of a Tuesday as originally promised…
