The classic care packageÌý

The gifts you include don’t need to be large or expensive. Here, it’s truly the thought that counts. Choose items that exude care: a tube of hand cream and a duo of bath and body wash (like the ones in â€�our bath & body collection), a candle,Ìý a soothing herbal tea (or their favourite blend) and a wellness journal likeâ€�. If you wanted to make it a bigger present, you could also pop in a â€�wool blanketâ€� that’ll feel like a warm hug. Nestle it all into a box filled with tissue paper so they can slowly peel back each layer to reveal the lovely surprise within.Ìý

The fireside setÌý

Anyone who’s lucky enough to have an open fire, a log burner or an outdoor fire bowl at home will enjoy this present, and it’s one that’ll instantly bring to mind good memories of cosy evenings and campfire gatherings.Ìý

Begin with a basket that they can use for kindling but which, for now, will hold the rest of the gifts. Our smallâ€�Redford is perfect for the job as it isn’t too large. Next, pop in some natural firelighters (the sort made from straw or wood chippings), a prettily-packaged box of matches (we love by The Archivist), a bundle of pinecones dipped in wax scented with essential oils (which you can DIY yourself or buy online) and enough toasting forks for everyone in the family ( from RE are our favourites). You can wrap the presents up in the basket, but, as with all these gift ideas, we think it’s perfectly lovely just to tie a big bow around the basket and perhaps pad out its contents with shredded tissue (a great fire starter in itself). Just don’t forget the marshmallows if toasting around the open fire bowl!Ìý

The hot chocolate kitÌý

This one’s the perfect gift for a family (whether the children are young or old) because it’s something everyone can enjoy, and is especially good if you don’t know all the recipients well because there’s not much chance you can go wrong. Depending on your giftee’s tastes, you could also do something similar with tea, coffee or cocktails.Ìý

To your mug or set of mugs â€�(choose generously-sized ones like our â€�large Bowsleyâ€�´Ç°ùâ€�Molland cappuccino designs), Ì�add a clip-top jar or paper bag filled with a homemade hot chocolate mix –â€� is our go-to and is appropriately luxurious. We do think homemade is best for thoughtfulness, but if you’re pressed for time, there are some delicious and well-packaged pre-made blends around that you can pick up during your weekly shop (look out f´Ç°ùâ€�). Finish off with marshmallows and, for all-out festivity, red and white-striped candy canes that can be used as stirrers.Ìý

The foodie parcelÌý

There are many people who’ll appreciate a food-themed gift, not least all the cooks in your life. And just like the hot chocolate kit, you can’t really go too far wrong with food.Ìý

We’ll start this one either with our long Ì�Borough chopping boardâ€�(in which case you’ll probably want to arrange all your gifts in a box or basket) or a tray that they can then use for serving and breakfast in bed. To that, add a cookbook you know they’ll love, or else one that’s well-thumbed in your house (stuck for ideas? Our personal recommendations would beâ€� a²Ô»åâ€�, while serious foodies will also enjoyâ€� ´Ç°ùâ€�. If you want to push the boat out, you could also include our kitchen towel and a well-made chopping knife or a beautiful copper milk pan, but otherwise, you now just need to add a selection of ingredients. Go for the artisanal over the everyday â€� smoked Cornish sea salt or fleur de sel from Brittany, spice blends like zaatar, ras al hanut and rose harissa, and traditional festive sweets from the continent like panettone, panforte and lebkuchen.Ìý

This is another elevated gift idea you could adapt to suit your recipient, switching from cook to baker. For this alternative,â€�begin with ourâ€�Lewes pouring bowl, add a book like or , pop in a wooden spoon and a selection of cookie cutters, then put together your own gingerbread mix in a jar and include a note on the recipe, or seek out sugars flavoured with vanilla and lemon and baking spice mixes ( do a great selection).Ìý

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Ready to start creating your elevated gift? Start with our gifting edit, where we’ve gathered together an curated collection of presents, including artisanal tableware and luxurious woollen throws that make great elevated gifts in themselves.Ìý

Cook’s space

A well planned kitchen layout is your best friend at busy times like Christmas. The classic triangular arrangement of fridge, sink and hob is an old favourite but a wonderfully efficient way of working. Nerine, kitchen designer at Neptune Fulham, explains, “The cook needs to be in the middle of the action - in the middle of the triangle - all the helpers should work around this space, ideally not crossing paths or walking through the cook’s space.� She also suggests positioning your festive helpers on the opposite side of a kitchen island or table, away from the main action.

And next to helpers, plug points are the most useful asset when you’re cooking up a festive storm. Nerine recommends fitting them at the end of island units or in the back of larder cupboards where the microwave - or even a kettle - can be positioned, keeping the cook’s area clutter free.

Easy access

Access to essentials is key for a smooth running kitchen - and that doesn’t just mean having oils and salts near the stove for cooking. Nerine recommends installing your spice rack and knife block in a drawer adjacent to the prep area to keep your space tidy.

Any food prep requires plenty of handwashing, so a soap dispenser and plenty of freshly laundered towels hung on a built-in sliding towel rack will also be well used.Ìý

Slim, integrated chopping block units, plate racks and open racks are all useful design solutions for busy cooks who need equipment close to hand, but cumbersome items like extra large roasting tins and deep saucepans might need to be extracted from their usual place at the back of a cupboard ahead of the big day.Ìý

Order within

There’s plenty of organisation that can be done ahead of the big day � the benefits of which will be reaped for months afterwards. We all have a junk drawer, a muddle of can’t-throw-away things - Blu Tac, string, pens, the odd nail varnish and batteries of varying sizes. Drawer dividers will section off cutlery trays (our Barlow or Ratcliff dividers are a good option), or even shallow boxes, are a great way of making sure all the muddle is sorted.

And if you’re fond of a gadget, a built-in charging station is a handy device for keeping electronics (and their leads) out of sight too. Our Chichester charging station is made of oak with a leather surface that slots into a drawer that can be used to charge - and hide - up to six devices. An essential for Christmas lunchtime, surely.