As Bond Street prepares for another dazzling festive season with stylish spruces, magnificent light installations and sparkling winter window displays from Cartier to Ralph Lauren, discovering the perfect gift in this magical setting makes shopping all the more special. Whether you are buying for a globetrotter, a gourmand or someone who considers himself to be a snappy dresser, we've got present-buying options in spades. Take your pick from a coveted timepiece, a stylish travel bag and plenty more besides. And once the checklists have been ticked, why not pull up a seat at Brown's Hotel, Claridge's or The Ritz and indulge in a well-earned festive afternoon tea or heart-warming tipple, in the glow of a five-star fireplace? Cheers!
Winter Warmers
Whether he's embarking on a New Year's ski holiday in Verbier, or hankering after a dash of sharp tailoring, good outerwear staples are a welcome gift as winter marches on. Moncler's Maya Matte short jacket, £1,520, taps into an iconic house design with all the trimmings. Downfilled and crafted from extra-soft nylon, the lovely shade of rich cranberry is apt considering the time of year. With its curvaceous shawl collar and five-gauge and mohair blend, Zegna's waffle-knit cardigan, £2,125, is in a league all of its own when compared to other Christmas jumpers. Comfort and joy can also be found in sumptuously soft accessories such as a cashmere scarf. There are plenty to choose from this season, but few offer the “ooh” factor found in Canali's pure cashmere scarf, £390, in muted grey. And you really can't go wrong with a new cashmere coat by Hackett. Made in Italy from wool and cashmere yarns and featuring a detachable quilted bib, the overcoat, £800, fuses classic tailoring and practical detailing to a tee.
Zegna, 37-38 Bond Street, London W1S 2RU
Timepieces and Jewellery to Treasure
While women's jewellery takes precedence, men's jewellery has been gaining momentum over the past year thanks in part to celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet, who have been flashing more bling on the red carpet than ever before. With festive cocktails and New Year's Eve parties just around the corner, where better for the fashion-lover in your life to show off their most treasured Christmas gift, Asprey's stunning signet ring in 18k gold, £3,350. For something a little more edgy, Alexander McQueen takes the iconic skull and pearl motif and weaves it into a double chain bracelet, £350, with imitation pearls and crystals. Cufflinks are the perfect accompaniment to a crisp white shirt. This pair by Louis Vuitton, £345, features two designs – the LV signature, the other a set of flowers – in silver coloured brass. No doubt there's someone on your gift list who deserves an extra-special treat this Christmas, in which case, Breitling's Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40, is worth the £5,200 price tag. As for the water resistance at 660ft and power reserve of 78 hours, that's bound to impress him too.
Breitling, 130 New Bond Street, London W1S 2TA
Gorgeous Gifts for Underneath the Christmas Tree
This year, why not go big on under-the-tree gifts and stocking fillers with exceptional goodies for which they will forever thank you? After all, it's the little things that count, be that a Bialetti x Dolce Gabbana M Medium Moka espresso maker, £85, or a cotton-and-silk-mix tie straight off the peg at Hugo Boss. It's also worth remembering that socks are not just for Christmas. Hot foot it to Paul Smith for jaunty colours, motifs and patterns. This pair of cotton-mix, Signature Stripe socks, £26, are a perennial favourite designed to give ankles a much-needed boost of colour through winter and beyond. For those with a sweet tooth, what could be better than opening a box of Charbonnel et Walker's milk chocolate truffles, £12, on Christmas morning? The same goes for unravelling the ribbon on an instantly recognisable orange gift bag stamped with the distinctive Hermès horse and carriage logo. The French luxury brand's latest offering, Terre d’Hermès eau de parfum intense, £85, is bursting with woody bergamot and black pepper top notes.
Hermès, 155 New Bond Street, London W1S 2UA
Travel and Leisure Essentials
Some will fully appreciate the gift of airport-ready essentials and slouchy weekend clothes. If he prefers to pack light, then a good carry-on bag is essential. Trust luxury German luggage brand Rimowa to deliver on style and substance. Its compact black duffel bag, £1,150, is made in Italy and designed with heritage and sustainability in mind. Its trademarked Econyl nylon fabric sees to that. The Ophidia bi-fold wallet from Gucci, £355, is made of beige and light brown fabric, topped with a signature red stripe and Double G emblem in gold-tone finish, and is just the ticket when travelling from A to Z. Burberry's check-label cotton hoodie, £550, in a warm shade of nutmeg, could just as easily be paired with your new Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote bag. Question is, are you going to gift it or keep it? For the most stylish phone covers there's always Bottega Veneta. Here, the Intrecciato iPhone 16 Pro Max Case, £350, has a rich, tactile appeal. Finally, if music and podcasts are more his thing, then Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay HX over-ear headphones, £549, are the business. Standout features include adaptive active noise cancelling, seamless connectivity, and 35 hours of play time. Cool. Very.
Bang & Olufsen, 72 New Bond Street, London W1S 1RR