Each year without fail, family alliances will form at Christmas time.
Phone calls from stressed siblings and panicked parents flood in, all because they have no idea what to fill the Christmas stockings with.
Stocking shopping seems to become more challenging with every passing year. Unlike children, adults don’t need or want disposable toys, school stationery and games. Instead, we begin to see socks, mugs and other classic picks pad out the stockings when the festive season rolls around annually.
Don’t get us wrong, we still love the odd sock. But where’s the element of surprise? It’s too predictable.
The only countermeasure to this Christmas conundrum is to get creative. It is always best to buy less and buy better to avoid unnecessary tat infiltrating your shopping basket and eventually ending up in landfills. Rather than stockpiling novelty gifts for the sake of it, invest in higher quality pieces that offer more cherishable items for loved ones and will stand the test of time.
These could include jewellery, knitwear, homeware and upmarket beauty products one wouldn’t typically treat themselves to. As much as it’s about buying things they need, it’s also about being things they want. With rent to pay and mouths to feed, it’s human nature to cast aside our wish lists for the essentials yet these are the ideas that will ignite squeals of delight come December 25.
Still lacking inspo? Have no fear, as the ES Best team is here. Keep reading to discover the best stocking fillers for her, him and them this Christmas…
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Rains Box Bag Micro
This futuristic micro bag courtesy of Rains is a stylish yet practical crossbody for all your wavey rave essentials. A descaled version of the brand’s Rains Box Bag, this electric blue offering is ideal for festival-goers, city-dwellers and more.
Buy now £65.00, Rains
Joanie Como Vintage Floral Print Quilted Cosmetic Bag
Store your makeup in style with Joanie’s spacious cosmetics bag featuring a retro Sixties floral print.
Buy now £29.00, Joanie
TBalance Crystals Gold-tone Multistone Necklace
The TBalance Crystal’s gemstone necklace is strung with citrine, clear quartz, aquamarine, ametrine and aventurine beads with a soft rainbow palette. The stones are said to help attract prosperity, open the mind, symbolise courage and promote balance.
Buy now £208.32, Net-A-Porter
Daisy London Estee Lalonde Wavy Snake Bracelet
Infuse your outfit with some timeless sparkle thanks to Daisy London’s gold wavy bracelet. Available to buy in silver or gold, the elegant item is a forever piece they’ll be sure to cherish.
Buy now £55.20, Daisy London
Le Labo Tonka 25 100ml
You can always tell a Le Labo scent when you smell one. Rich and long-lasting, the brand’s blends have a unique depth that keeps you coming back for more.
For winter, you can shelve the brand’s herbaceous Baie 19 or sunny Neoli 36 and start spritzing with the comforting Tonka 25 instead. The marriage of cedar, musk and tonka bean will deliver the warm hug you need when the chilly mornings set in.
Buy now £168.00, John Lewis
Anthropologie Gold-Plated Icon Pendant Beaded Necklaces
Inject their jewellery archive with some colour with a trio of necklaces to adorn any everyday outfit. Peppered with beads, icons and chunky chains, this set will add a playful touch to any gold lovers’ collection.
Buy now £68.00, Anthropologie
Anya Hindmarch Eyes Knitted-wool Hot Water Bottle Cover
Anya Hindmarch takes the humble hot water bottle to new heights with the brand’s cute side-eye design. Perfect for the cold weather, the warming essential is a seriously good snuggle piece for winter.
Buy now £175.00, Matches
Laura Ashley X Joanie Merthyr Margam Floral Print Quilted Overnight Bag
We recently picked up one of these Laura Ashley x Joanie bags, and we’re in love. The holdall showcases a gorgeous vintage-style floral print, Laura Ashley’s insignia, and is crafted from deadstock fabric leftover from previous collections, which just happen to be all-natural.
Buy now £55.00, Joanie
Laia Farran Graves Little Book Of Versace: The Story Of The Iconic Fashion House
Treat your loved one to a fashion education with Laia Farran’s Little Book of Versace. A coffee table essential, the punchy yellow style bible is ideal for fashion aficionados, luxury fiends and art students alike.
Buy now £13.99, Urban Outfitters
Gucci Ghost Ring
Gucci’s ghost collection is still making waves, and for good reason. Featuring a silver finish and the brand’s spooky yet sweet miniature ghosts, the ring is sure to appease even the trickiest of brothers and boyfriends.
Buy now £215.00, Chisholm Hunter
David Shrigley Get Your Sh*t Together Book
David Shrigley’s latest read is the first book that exclusively features his recent artworks in colour. Known for his dry wit and deadpan humour, the British artist has collated hilarious essays and vibrant artworks in an incredible volume that will tickle any lucky recipient.
Buy now £30.00, Waterstones
The Body Shop Shake & Swish Ginger Haircare Gift Set
For men who want to get into beauty but aren't sure where to start, head to The Body Shop. The brand’s Ginger collection works miracles for anyone suffering from a dry scalp, plus it smells divine.
Buy now £30.00, The Body Shop
Uberstar Stainless Steel Penguin Cocktail Shaker
Serve your drinks as cold as can be with this cocktail shaker, which is based on the iconic Art Deco Napier design from 1936. The silver shaker is made from stainless steel and features a built-in strainer. For cocktails that need to be shaken, not stirred.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet
Ensure your loved one has the cleanest cut with Aesop’s Neroli shaving kit. Containing Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum and Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion, the set promises the smoothest shave with hydrating elements for sensitive skin.
Buy now £65.00, Aesop
Bold Bean Co Queen Butter Bean
Foodies will beam for the bean upon finding this jar in their midst. The Bold Bean Co has received rave reviews for its Queen Butter Bean, which are so good you can eat them straight from the jar.
Buy now £4.00, Waitrose
Seol + Gold Puffy Star Hoops
Suitable for teens, tweens and adults, Seol + Gold’s glittering jewellery collection has something for everyone. The puffy star hoops are an elegant take on the classic star studs and showcase an 18-karat gold plating.
Buy now £20.00, Seol + Gold
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed
The humble Birky will forever be a classic - especially this suede mule. Whether you pair it with a marl sock when it’s slightly chilly or prefer to go barefoot, these will see you through the season in ultimate style.
Buy now £130.00, Birkenstock
Acne Studios Vally Striped Felted Scarf
Acne has aced the scarf game, this much we know to be true. This genderless green and cream striped scarf is bound to keep chills at bay thanks to its alpaca wool and mohair blend.
Buy now £240.00, Matches
‘Welcome Drink’ Travel Incense Tin
We adore the practicality of this portable, vintage-inspired incense tin, which the spiritually-minded can take on the go. Considering the fact that the set comes with 70 incense sticks and a clip for up to 20 minutes of easy burning, we think it comes at an incredibly reasonable price point and would make an excellent gift.
Buy now £18.50, Dowse
Casetify Natural Flower
Add a modish element to your accessories arsenal. Casetify’s sweet floral phone case is sure to turn heads with its funky print and apple green trim.
Buy now £85.00, Casetify
Celui Nourishing Hair Oil
Give your loved ones the gift of fabulous hair. Celui’s hair oil is top-notch, comprising a non-greasy blend of 100 per cent natural oils and botanicals to help nourish all hair types.
Buy now £26.00, CELUI
BAGGU Mint Pixel Gingham Puffy Bottle Sling
Keep your reusable water bottle as chilly as ever with this cute puffy bottle sling by BAGGU. Adjust the length and carry with ease, whether you’re commuting to work or camping over the weekend.
Buy now £30.00, Urban Outfitters
Graham & Green Sheepskin Bike Seat Cover
Delight avid cyclists in the family with this luxurious sheepskin bike seat cover. Ideal for all genders and ages, the piece promises comfort and helps you to enjoy the ride.
Buy now £36.00, Graham & Green
Aries No Problemo T-shirt
Replenish his grey T-shirt supply with Aries’ No Problemo number. Easy to wear and easy to style, the top will come in handy for all casual occasions.
Buy now £79.00, END.
Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
Luxury renditions of store cupboard staples make for an easy stocking filler - especially if they love tinkering in the kitchen. Grey Poupon's little jar of French mustard is a classic that they'll never tire of smothering on chicken and cold cuts.
Buy now £2.00, Ocado
VENCHI Baroque maxi book set 200g
Start a new chapter in Christmas traditions with Venchi. The Italian chocolatier has this dinky set of truffles housed in a keepsake metal box that's perfect for elevating stockings.
Buy now £29.99, Selfridges
