It’s that time of year when the Evening Standard (and every other newspaper) starts to put in special supplements on gifts for her and gifts for him. I don’t want to be too simplistic but I think that men and women have very different Christmas gift strategies. In my experience, women tend to buy thoughtful gifts which they have been planning for a long time, while men pretty much universally have a mad rush the day before to secure something, and end up paying a lot to an unscrupulous salesperson for something that can be bought for half the price on sale 3 days later. If you are wondering if that is based on personal experience, it certainly is, I remember a few years ago I rushed down to Knightsbridge and bought a super expensive bag, only to be calmly informed at the time of presentation that it was the “wrong style, colour and shape” and to return it immediately. I’ve learnt my lesson and I’ll share it with you.
First of all, put some thought into it. On the bookends of gifts, that set of four different bath gels from Molton Brown will be thrown away immediately after you leave (and you will leave much earlier than you had hoped), while if you have a box including some Classic High Jewellery from Graff make sure that you hand it over in a private place because if the lady has any sense she will then and there “perform a sex act on you” as they say in family newspapers.
Actually, that reminds me of a Christmas party story I’ve heard about the famously arrogant head of investment banking at an institution which shall remain anonymous. He was pretty charismatic and apparently one of the analysts had too much to drink and offered him a BJ in the venue toilet. He looked at her a bit puzzled and replied:“ well that’s all right for you, but what’s in it for me?”
Anyway back to Xmas gifts. Assuming your budget doesn’t stretch to a £50k necklace, then knowing what to buy and getting it in good time is key. Make sure you have checked ring size surreptitiously if you have bought a ring, to get the right effect it needs to slip on perfectly. DO NOT BUY ELECTRONICS. Lovely ladies do not appreciate IPhones or Pocket Radios or talking Robots. Other things to avoid are holidays or days out or concerts and suchlike. Most women want something to appreciate then and there, not the prospect of something in the future.
I’ve bought accessories like scarves in the past but if you do get them, make sure they are Hermes. Underwear can be a good option but only as a side present for Christmas, not the main one. And of course it needs to fit.
Personally I think ear-rings or a pendant from a mid range designer like Anoushka or Ara Vartanian are a good option. Yes you could put together something cheaper with better stones by designing it in Hatton Gardens, but are you really going to find the time? Be realistic.
Finally, whatever you buy, make sure it’s wrapped nicely. Good wrapping paper and a ribbon is key, especially if you wrap it yourself.
So go out there now and start thinking, and hopefully you won’t run into me in Harvey Nicks at 5 pm on December 23rd. Also, if I have any ladies reading this, I’d love to hear what your favourite gifts are this year. Send a message to Style and Snitch and I’ll put together a top ten giftguide you can then point the man in your life to in a couple of weeks.
