It’s 1 December and, absolutely without doubt, the festive season. So if you’ve been holding back on the mulled wine, ice-skating, Christmas tree and sparkly earrings, now’s the time to let rip.
Choosing the right tree can be confusing. Is it best for our fragile planet to buy a real one and recycle it, a potted one you can keep, or even an artificial tree that you can store away and reuse for many years, saving you money in the long run too? There’s plenty to consider, and our guide to buying the right tree should help.
Once the tree is up, it’s time for the best bit: decorating. Whether you like to art direct this yourself, tweaking and curating like a pro, or prefer to hand it over to the kids, there’s always room for a new bauble. As our fashion editor – and self-confessed festive-season nut – Jess Cartner-Morley says in her December style edit, buying one or two new baubles each year is a lovely Christmas tradition.
Christmas parties will be kicking off now. Jess will get you dressed for them, and if you’re stuck for ideas for the dreaded office Secret Santa, we’ve got that covered too. From chocolate sardines to a clip-on light, we’ve found 29 brilliantly creative gifts for those impossible-to-buy-for colleagues, all under a tenner (OK, one is £10.50).
And coming up next week we’ve got the best eco-friendly gift wrap, Sali Hughes’s all-singing beauty gift guide, and the pick of the presents for travellers. As Jess Cartner-Morley says, the best part of Christmas is the pre-game, so enjoy the buildup.
This week’s picks
The best non-alcoholic prosecco, champagne and sparkling wines for 2024
Everything you need to know about Christmas trees, including style, sustainability and size
The best robot vacuums to keep your home clean and dust free, tested by our expert
The eight best e-readers, tried and tested – from Kindle to Kobo and beyond
December fashion essentials: this month’s edit, from party frocks to feelgood socks
Editor’s pick
The “Friday” part has now become almost meaningless during the Black Friday sales, which now swallow up the whole month of November. But it really does come to an end tomorrow, on the day known as Cyber Monday. Although there are many terrible deals clamouring for your attention, there are some genuine savings to be had. Jane Hoskyn has waded through the rubbish and checked the price histories to find deals that are actually good, on products that have been recommended by the Filter.
• The best Black Friday deals on the products we love: heated airers, skincare and the Always Pan
Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter
In case you missed it …
Struggling to get round to the Christmas shopping, or still searching for the perfect gift for that tricky seven- or 70-year-old? We spoke to every expert we could think of, from Monty Don and Yotam Ottolenghi to keen cyclists, pet owners and 14-year-old boys! And we’ve curated recommendations from experts across the Guardian, from fashion stylists to beauty columnist Sali Hughes and the food-obsessed Feast team.
It has taken us months – and a few near-breakdowns – but our 242(!) Christmas gift ideas will have everyone on your list covered.
