Christmas gift ideas

Shopping at Christmas can be a real challenge. Sometimes it necessitates a spreadsheet, sometimes it means a frantic rush around the high street on Christmas eve. Either way it’s high pressure and it’s all too easy to get overwhelmed by an onslaught of enticing offers, coaxing Christmas ads, and stacked shelves.

Well, the good news is we’re here to help with a sensible, straightforward guide to Christmas gift ideas that sorts the merry from the meh. Let get going, Santa’s readying his sleigh.

Before you start shopping

It’s too easy at Christmas to head out in a rush and just start buying, but a little bit of planning before you shop will mean making smarter choices, so you end up with better presents and a healthier bank balance! Here are four things to do before you start shopping (whether that’s online or on the high street)

1. Write a list – who are you buying for? What ideas do you have already?
2. Set a budget – do it per person and total, so you can keep track.
3. Think about the person – what are their likes and dislikes? What did you buy last time?
4. Think about the planet – buying low quality fossil fuel-based products are not a gift in the long run, so consider ways to swap them out for sustainable alternatives.

When you’re shopping

Vote with your pound – In 2024 Britain was expected to spend over £25 billion at Christmas. That’s a whole lot of cash and it could be going towards supporting independent or sustainable businesses with ethical supply chains, or it could well…not go towards them! Use your buying power to support causes and businesses you respect. And here’s a good moment to remind you that Interflora is a network of 1000s of independent florists across British and Irish high streets!

Take breaks – whether it’s staring at a screen or braving a high street scrum, festive shopping can leave us worn out. Make sure you rest and refuel regularly and keep reminding yourself that gifts aren’t the be all and end all, they’ll appreciate you no matter what.

Buying for little people is all about their age, so do some extra researching about what’s age appropriate (things appropriate for 4 year olds are definitely not the same as the ones for newborns!) We like books for most ages, and if you’re on a budget local charity shops always have a good collection. We’re also fans of lovely soft toys with buckets of personality like our Rosie bear and there’s the brilliant sustainable option of Loved Before. We’re also loving classic wooden toys at the moment, they’re durable and beautiful.

Gifts for children to avoid:

• Clothes – unless the parents or carers have asked for them, it’s hard to get the sizing right and they probably have lots already!
• Plastic toys – they’ll ultimately end up in landfill, taking a long time to break down

Christmas Gifts for adults

You’re usually list like this might have ‘Christmas gifts for her’ or ‘Christmas gifts for him’ but it feels a touch old fashioned in 2025! So we’re being inclusive. Shopping for adults is all about knowing the person and what their likes and dislikes are. You could opt for something that encourages or supports a hobby, or if they’re home is bursting with stuff choose a class or experience (think pottery, cooking, knife skills). At the moment we’re loving gifts that get us away from all our many screens like games and puzzles or second-hand books. And of course we’re always going suggest a bespoke bouquet, hand made by a florist as a great option – it’s festive, compostable and totally unique.

Gifts for adults to avoid:

• Single use or novelty gifts that will only end up in landfill

Christmas Gifts for new parents

New parents tend to be low on energy so make your gifts all about giving them a boost. If you know them well you do them a night off by babysitting. If you want to support them another way think food! or you could cook them some delicious treats or get them a voucher to order some or send them a hamper full of fabulous treats to graze when they just can’t face cooking. We like pamper gifts too, like spa evenings or even just some lotions and potions so they can relax at home.

Gifts to avoid giving new parents:

• Breakable things – nothing the little one can grab and chuck!
• High effort things – chances are they won’t have time for a hugely intricate board game or that set of classic novels

Christmas Gifts for friends & family

When it comes to friends and family you can really make the gifts personal. Think hard about the things the love and hate or perhaps consider celebrating memories you’ve made together. You could try a personalised photo book, or tickets to a show or an experience for you all. We also love sending bespoke bouquets (you can ask the florist to include their fave colours or blooms) or a new plant pal because it keeps bringing joy after the season is over.

Christmas Gifts for colleagues

Want to treat your team or maybe a client or supplier? We’ve got a whole team dedicated to perfecting corporate Christmas gifts, you can apply to be a corporate customer over here. Flowers or hampers are an ideal treat for colleagues because they’re a combination of special and a little bit luxurious – showing them some proper glad tidings.

Before shopping for your partner have a chat with them first – maybe they’d rather skip the prezzies this year in favour of a trip or something new for you both? Finding a great present for a partner is all about showing you really do know them and knowing them takes clear communication! If you both decide gifts are on the cards, try and get them something personal – perhaps a nice edition of a favourite book, or that piece of jewellery they’ve been hankering after or even try making them something yourself. And of course, a gorgeous fresh bouquet or wreath will never go down badly, especially if it’s an early treat to help give them a boost when Christmas is feeling a bit hectic!

Avoid: things they need, they might need a new iron or a spade, but they don’t make the most thoughtful gifts, aim for something they want but might not buy themselves.

Christmas Gifts for someone who has everything

The answer to this is food, always food. Okay chances are they have food, but they’re not going to have that particular bag of gourmet crackers and luxury cheese, are they? Or they’re not going to have that delicious local wine in their cupboard. Send a gorgeous hamper bursting with goodies. Or make one yourself.

We hope you’re feeling a little less overwhelmed by the Christmas shopping. If you’ve got any more ideas (or previous hits or fails!) we’d love to hear about them. Let us know over on Insta. 

More Christmas Gift Ideas to Consider

• Personalised photo albums: A great way to capture memories with friends and family.
• Subscription boxes: Whether it’s for coffee, books, or gin, this is the gift that keeps on giving well into the new year.
• Gourmet treats: From fancy truffles to hand-crafted cheeses, spoil your loved ones with a food-focused gift.

Christmas Gift Ideas, All Wrapped Up

When you mix up classic Christmas gift ideas with thoughtful personal touches, Christmas shopping feels less like a chore and more like you’re totally bossing the festive period. Whether it’s a hand-tied bouquet, a lovingly crafted Christmas hamper, or a little DIY magic, these ideas will help you spread some festive cheer without the panic of last-minute shopping!