Christmas shopping for a lot of unique personalities can be difficult, so we partnered with Boots to make it easy.
With the days of December already dwindling down, but your list of gift recipients longer than ever, you may be on the verge of feeling overwhelmed — but we've got you covered. Browsing online shelves can take hours, if not days, before you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones, so we did it for you.
Luckily, you can do all of your Christmas shopping in one place this year: Boots. Not only does the retailer have something for everyone — from luxurious gifts for him to self-care gifts for her — but it also manages to cover every person on your list without forcing you to exceed your credit card limit. Ahead, check out the affordable Christmas gift guide that's sure to spare you a headache or two.
For the Mum Who Deserves At-Home R&R
If anyone at home has had a difficult year, it's probably your mother. The Liz Earle Brighter Every Day Collection (£22.12) is the perfect way to tell your mum it's time to treat themselves, especially when they want just 20 minutes away from you and your siblings.
For the Flatmate Who Loves Doing Everyone's Makeup
Before lockdown last spring, this friend was the amateur makeup artist who was often personally requested by your group of mates to contour their faces before a night out. To pay them back for all of those free hours of blending and painting, there's the Benefit Life is a Pretty Party Mascara, Blush & Primer Christmas Gift Set (£28.50). Packed with kit essentials, like blush and mascara, this gift set is sure to meet their expectations — and thank them for all of their help.
For the Tween Cousin Just Starting Secondary School
If you thought your dad who has everything was hard to shop for, prepare for your cousin who just hit puberty. It's their first year in secondary school, they only just discovered what skin care is, and they believe everything cool is to be discovered on — and only on — TikTok, so the odds of getting them a gift they'll actually like are slim. Luckily, the Soap & Glory Original Pink Collec-Tin Christmas Gift Set (£10) exists, and it's just cute and trendy enough for your tween cousin to post it on their Instagram Story.
For the BFF Who Just Dumped Their Partner During Lockdown
After the amount of late-night phone calls you've received from your best mate, it's time to give them a subtle but sweet message with the Ariana Grande Thank You Next Eau De Parfume Set (£37). But hurry, they need this before they go back to their intolerable partner (again).
For the Coworker Who Struggles With Sleep
Eventually, insomnia comes for us all, but this coworker has it so bad that you can see their dark circles through their blurry computer camera. This Well Slept by Eve Down Time Camomile Scented Room Spray & Eye Mask (£12.50), which includes a sleeping mask and relaxing room spray, should inspire shut-eye the next time counting sheep doesn't work.
For the Person Who Just Started Prioritising Their Skin
Committing to their skin-care routine was this person's number one goal while in lockdown, and they've achieved it! Now, it's time to level up their routine with the Ole Henriksen Let's Get Luminous™ Brightening Vitamin C Essentials Set (£32), a collection of popular products even a veteran skin-care enthusiast would appreciate. Not to mention the hero ingredient — vitamin C! — is one that few routines should be missing.
For the Person Whose Love Language Is a Good Book and a Bath
Self-care to this person is rereading the Harry Potter series while soaking in the tub. Who would've guessed a gift that combines their two favourite things exists? The Harry Potter Gryffindor Bath Fizzer (£4) is probably the only way this friend hasn't shown off their house pride.
For the Person Who Wants to Save the Planet
Admittedly, we all need this type of person in our lives. Not only will they remind us that single-use plastic is unnecessary and easily avoidable, but also that earth-friendly beauty products are often better than their damaging counterparts. In short, the BBC Earth Eco Bathroom Starter Kit (£15) is their ideal gift. This unique set's goal is to reduce bathroom waste, so it'll perfectly fit into your friend's eco-conscious lifestyle. Just don't be surprised if they try to give you the same gift with the hope that you, too, invest in clean beauty.
For the Friend Who Doesn't Do Anything Without Lipstick
You check your bag for hand sanitiser and your keys, but this friend doesn't go anywhere without knowing a lipstick is nearby. When it comes to elite lip formulas, Fenty Beauty (£22) reigns supreme, and this set offers not one but two mini limited-edition Stunna Lip Paint shades that look great on every skin tone.
For the Gran Who Loves Florals
The Joules Ladies Gloves & Hand Care Gift Set (£20) is the perfect gift for the gran whose hobbies revolve around their hands. Those beautiful potted plants come at a price, you know. When the gardening (and frequent hand washing) gets the best of their skin, the floral wreath hand cream, exfoliator, and burgundy gloves will save the day.
For the Aunt Who Really Misses the Spa
Right about now, your favourite aunt who introduced you to facials and pedicures is probably missing their standing spa appointments, but you can help them to ward off the nostalgia with the Sanctuary Spa Favourite Selection Box Gift Set (£20). Housed inside are spa-worthy essentials — like a foaming bath soak and indulgent lotions — that your aunt is sure to spend their Christmas using.
For the Friend Who Is an Amateur Perfumer
There are two types of people in this world: people who love perfume and people who absolutely never wear it. This friend is the former. In fact, their collection is big enough to pair a scent with every unique outfit they own. So their standards are high, but we know the YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum Body Gift Set (£78) will not disappoint. It's sexy and iconic, and the bottle is so nice to look at, it doubles as decor. Bottom line: they'll love this gift.
The Universal Crowd-Pleaser
What's a gift everyone could use in the winter? Hydration from head to toe. The Nivea You're a Star Gift Pack (£6) provides exactly that thanks to its refreshing face mask, aloe-infused lip balm, and moisturising cream.
For the Cool Dad Who Just Retired
Did your dad just retire? Are they finally in permanent R&R mode? Consider giving them the Baylis & Harding Signature For Him Black Pepper & Ginseng Slipper Set (£14) this Christmas. Sure, slippers are kind of the default gift for dads, but it almost never fails to be exactly what they need. Plus, these slippers come along with a shower gel and soap that will make them feel distinguished and posh.
For the Friend Who's a Self-Proclaimed Cinephile
Now that the cinema isn't the best place to spend your Sunday afternoons, this friend decided to dive deep into classic cinema at home, which makes the No7 Wizard of Oz Power of Eyes Collection Christmas Gift Set (£20) the perfect gift. Inspired by the 1939 masterpiece, this makeup set brings to life the famous Emerald City without involving a natural disaster or wizard.
For the Brother Who You Love to Hate
We take it back: the hardest person to shop for is your brother. The only thing you two have in common is that you share the same parents, but as far as interests go, the last thing you remember them really loving was created in 1994. In other words, go for something safe but satisfying, like the Jack Wills Men Scarf Christmas Gift Set (£25). Scarves are necessary winter accessories, plus the musky fragrance is the perfect size for them to toss onto their dresser or into their gym bag.
For the Blossoming Beauty-Lover
The Real Techniques Face Brushes Shimmer Essentials (£20) are exactly the kind of gift your makeup-loving friend is hoping for this Christmas, especially now that they have extra time to consume YouTube tutorials at home. Plus, this gift comes with a bonus necessity: a cleansing balm to actually keep the brushes clean and germ-free.
