As we trudge our way through the depths of November, it begins to feel that there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel after all and we’ll be stuck in the purgatorial, distinctly un-festive winter month with nothing to look forward to for the foreseeable future (unless, of course, you celebrate Thanksgiving).
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the clock strikes midnight on December 1 – before we can even blink there’s barely a week left until Christmas, and we haven’t done any shopping. When balancing a job, a social life, exercise and a decent night’s sleep, it’s normal to feel like you’re tumbling uncontrollably through the months after being pushed down a steep hill.
You’re not alone in this experience, and it’s perfectly ok if you’ve made your way to this article after feeling like you’ve achieved little in the way of festive planning. We’re here to help answer all your online retail questions with regard to last-minute shopping and next-day delivery, as well as provide a bustling list of thoughtful presents that can be purchased at a moment’s notice.
Next Day Delivery during Christmas at key retailers
Order before 6pm on Christmas Eve for same-day fast-track delivery
We’ve curated a selection of wonderful gifts that are safe for last-minute purchasing.
Shop now
Cocoon
The best of the bunch, Cocoon’s curation of luxury bags is unrivalled on the rental market. From a vaycay-ready basket tote by Loewe to a crystal-encrusted Prada Cleo, all of your bag-related needs will be taken care of by the frontrunner in the field.
The best part? They own the entire collection, so the process is controlled from end-to-end in-house rather than seller-to-buyer. Every time I’ve used the service, I’ve been taken aback by the speed, customer service and ease of use. An all-round success.
Membership / Rental
Offering three monthly membership options, you can choose from Premium, for bags valued up to £1800, or Deluxe, for bags valued up to £7,000, or if you’d rather not commit, there’s a flexible option, too. Flexi allows you to take home any bag from the entire collection for the week, there’s sure to be an option that suits your lifestyle. The Starter is a great introduction, offering one bag up to £1,000.
There are gift cards too worth £50, £100, and £200.
Pricing
Buy now, Cocoon
Jane Austen: The Complete Works: Classics Hardcover Boxed Set (Penguin Clothbound Classics)
.webp)
Being a bookworm is one thing, being an Austen lover is a different beast entirely. Not only is this breath-taking clothbound selection of Austen’s classics currently on sale, but it’s available on Amazon Prime for speedy next-day delivery.
Buy now £63.99, Amazon
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne, with Cooler, 75cl
There’s nothing more frustrating than showing up to the function with a bottle of Champagne, only to have to wait an hour or so for it to be perfectly chilled before popping. Treat the party host in your life to a Veuve Clicquot cooler set this Christmas so that they can take the summer by storm, when it finally rolls around.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
Benefit Lookin Crisp Gift Set
Worth £150 and currently an additional £40 off, this adorably kitschy Benefit gift set is the perfect gift for the makeup lover in your life. Complete with coveted classics like Benetint, They’re Real mascara, The Pore-fessional Super Setter and so much more – your recipient is sure to feel like a real snack.
Buy now £45.00, Very
Coach Tabby 26 Refresh Polished Pebble Leather Shoulder Bag – Black
There’s a shining sartorial spotlight on Coach accessories at the moment for good reason. Reasonably priced with a remarkably luxurious feel and timeless aesthetic, any handbag lover would be delighted by a Coach Tabby under the tree this Christmas.
Buy now £450.00, Very
Rachel Jackson Medium Deco Sun Mixed Birthstone Amulet Necklace
Not only does the fabulous jewellery designer offer free luxury gift-wrapping on orders over £50, but Rachel Jackson will be offering next-day delivery on all products including those with custom engravings right up until 2pm on December 23.
We love the customisable birthstone amulets which come with different sizing, plating and chain options to suit your recipient’s tastes. The glittering, symbolic stones fall naturally inside the amulet to reveal a glorious sun engraving behind. You can also pop into their concession at Selfridges if you’re willing to battle the crowds.
Buy now £175.00, Rachel Jackson
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle
French fragrance house Diptyque has some of the best candles on the market. When you can sniff out the aromas through the packaging, you know that this is going to a room-flooding scent - and on burning, it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, each of the fragrances in the candle collections will fill your home with their addictive notes.
The Baies is a cult favourite with a unique profile that’s instantly recognisable and unique to the brand. It combines the freshness of roses with the sweetness of blackcurrant leaves for a vibrant finish that is heady yet not overwhelming. The candle offers up to 60 hours of burn time and you only need to light it for short bursts to set the scent of your space. Reuse the jar for cotton wool buds or pads to curate an Instagram-worthy Shelfie.
Buy now £56.00, John Lewis
Whoop 4.0
The Whoop 4.0 is a powerful tool designed for athletes or those who simply want to optimise their performance while managing stress. This subscription-based wearable tracks essential metrics such as heart rate, sleep quality, and recovery levels, providing tailored recommendations to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Meanwhile, the Whoop app delivers in-depth analysis, allowing you to understand how your body responds to training and rest, ensuring you maximise your potential without risking burnout. Its lightweight strap makes it comfortable to wear during workouts and daily activities, helping you to take control of your health journey.
Buy now £199.00, Amazon
Brutto: A (Simple) Florentine Cookbook
Best for: Florentine cooking
“Brutto ma bono” is the ethos at the heart of the late, great Russell Norman’s cookbook. Meaning “ugly but good”, it is the rather relatable motto on which crafting authentic Tuscan cuisine is contingent.
Filled to the brim with the small plate recipes that Norman pioneered, Brutto is all about using simple, high-quality ingredients to craft excellent Italian food – from anchovy with cold butter and sourdough to penne with tomato and vodka.
Buy now £21.98, Amazon
TOM FORD Black Lacquer Eau de Parfum
The Tom Ford fragrance wearer exudes confidence with the sultry scents that fill the collection and Black Lacquer is an extension of this. The distinctive aroma is smoky, dark and resinous. It has a deep, sensual aroma with a mysterious feel, from the black lacquer exterior with black-on-black to the elixir within. The named accord provides a smoky touch that oozes luxury and is given even more warming depth with Makassar ebony wood that brings notes of leather and birch.
Buy now £290.00, John Lewis
Experience Gifts
Wecandoo Workshops
Home to an array of glorious artisan-led workshops ranging from intimate cooking classes to pottery how-tos, glass-blowing, and jewellery-making courses, Wecandoo is the perfect last-minute Christmas gifts for those looking to purchase something meaningful and exciting while also providing something to look forward to. Workshops are set in artisan studios and are on offer for both London and Brighton locations.
Buy now, Wecandoo
Ruuby Mobile Beauty Bespoke Massage
That hardworking person in your life deserves to relax, yet rarely finds the time to do so. Sneak a peek at their schedule and book a bespoke luxury massage to celebrate their birthday this year with the help of luxury mobile beauty service Ruuby. London’s first digital beauty concierge, the company specialises in five-star beauty services for private clients with the help of a network of 600 vetted providers.
Buy now £73.00, Ruuby
Masaj Gift Card
Redeemable at their three London studios – Soho, Marylebone and Shoreditch, a voucher bundle from Masaj is the perfect self-care gift. Choose from ready-to-go bundles which include treatments combined with Masaj’s signature candle, or curate a bespoke voucher which has been selected to suit your recipient’s needs. Prices begin at £58.50 per voucher.
Buy now, Masaj
Theatre
There’s no better time to head down to the West End and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience at one of London’s theatres. The Only in the West End this Summer campaign is raising awareness of all the brilliant things the area has to offer and, as imagined, there are some great shows featuring on their list.
Whether it’s taking little ones to see Disney on Stage at Covent Garden, or spending the day watching Harry Potter and the Cursed Child back-to-back or daring to see the thrilling 2:22 A Ghost Story with older children, a trip to the theatre is an absolute must.
If you’re worried about the cost of the theatre then Kids Week 2022 is here to help - throughout August, kids (under the age of 17) can see a show for free when accompanied by a paying adult. If you’re looking to integrate your theatre trip with a short overnight stay in London, then check out the money-saving pacakages Holiday Extras are offering.
Buy now, Evening Standard Tickets
ABBA Voyage
It's one of the most talked-about productions in town, with streams of sequinned-speckled party-goers flooding the DLR’s Pudding Mill station for every performance.
Set in a purpose-built cathedral to one of Sweden's greatest musical exports, ABBA Voyage is the party every disco-lover must experience. With incredible lightwork and avatars that will leave you rubbing your eyes to believe aren't real, this is a peek at what the future of gigs could look like.
If your mum is up for dancing, standing tickets are most budget-friendly (nudge your way back to take it all in) while seated options mean you can see the 40-years-in-the-making production in all its glory.
Want to make it extra special? Add lounge access for bubbly and nibbles before the show takes off.
Bookings are available from £104.50.
Buy now £104.50, ABBA Voyage
Red Letter Days
More into experiences than things? Red Letter Days is your fast track to some of the most unbelievable experiences, luxury dining and exhilarating days out.
Buy now, Red Letter Days
