Present Indicative: Inigo’s glorious gift guide is here

For homebodies and dedicated decorators

Here’s a hamper for the interiors-obsessed (so naturally, we want every single thing). There are top titbits for tablescapers, a cushion for post-turkey sofa-slumpers, beautiful bins, boxes and body-wash sets and much more, as well as some delightful decorations – because if you can’t deck your halls now, when can you?

Recognise a few familiar names in there? While you’re here, why not revisit our stories on Viola Lanari, Gergei Erdei, Paboy Bojang, Sophie Conran and Jess Wheeler.

Clockwise from left: 1. Mustard A4 ‘Circle and Square’ stationery box, £48, Tobias and the Angel. 2. ‘Selene’ napkins, £52 for four, Sophie Conran. 3. ‘Calyx’ glasses (shown in rose and saffron), £180 for two, Gergei Erdei. 4. Ruffle cushion, £99, In Casa Paboy. 5. Handmade tin star garland, £35, Montes & Clark. 6. ‘Celestial’ wastepaper basket, by Cressida Bell, from £50, Harris & Jones.
7. Decorative plaster stars, £50 for three, Viola Lanari. 8. Artist-edition ‘Reflection and Intention’ refillable hand- or body-wash set, by Charlotte Trounce, £49, Reia. 9. Brass ‘Flower’ candlestick, £80, Jess Wheeler; shown with ‘Oak Leaf and Acorn’ candles, £16 for a pair, Rosily.
10. Green check linen tablecloth, by Claridge’s, £355, Summerill & Bishop.

Remember that feeling of a full stocking heavy on your toes come Christmas morning? Well, now imagine it’s a gorgeous Liberty-print stocking, filled with pleasures beyond compare. Similarly, think of the best secret Santa present you’ve ever received, then times it by 10. For while new socks will always prove most useful, a little spoiling something never goes amiss – whether it’s a new cookbook by the much-loved Jeremy Lee (who we met earlier this year), a sumptuous sheepskin hot-water bottle or a sunny yellow egg cup, perfect for an indulgent Yuletide breakfast. We’ve even included some notecards, for the inevitable flurry of thank-you letters after it’s all over.

Clockwise from left: 1. Crème sheepskin hot-water bottle cover, by Shepherd of Sweden, £38, Aspiga. 2. Cooking: Simply and Well, for One or Many, by Jeremy Lee, £30, 4th Estate. 3. Black hat ornament, £16 for two, Petersham Nurseries. 4. ‘Strawberry Thief’ stocking, £29.95, Liberty. 5. Charleston notecards, £65.50 for 10, Scribble and Daub.
6. Yellow striped egg cup, £14, Villa Bologna Pottery. 7. Mini kenzan flower frogs, £13.50 for four, Niwaki. 8. Santa on a rocket letterbox biscuit, £10.95, Biscuiteers. 9. Hardback weekly 2023 diaries, £35 each, Choosing Keeping.
10. ‘Collective Noun’ matchboxes, by Fee Greening, £10 each, Polkra.

These big hitters are for the most special of people – the loves of your life, your closest kin and those in need of festive cheer with added flair. They’re once-in-a-decade dreams, chosen with William Morris’ maxim in mind: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Happily, most of these – from Bridie Hall’s perfect paperweight to a tangerine dream of an umbrella, and Palefire’s enigmatic lamp – fall into both categories.

Clockwise from front left: 1. ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ carafe and tumbler, £88, Petra Palumbo. 2. Multi/brown woollen blanket, £425, Colville.
3. Orange whangee-handled telescopic umbrella, £75, London Undercover. 4. Serpent/bay ‘Satellite’ uplighter, £600, Palefire. 5. Limited-edition paper geranium in terracotta pot, £149, Miranda Sinclair. 6. Objects of Desire, by Maria Hummer Tuttle, £50, Vendome. 7. Bronze candle, by Jamb, £280, Moro Dabron. 8. Wedgwood blue intaglio paperweight, by Bridie Hall, £65, Pentreath & Hall. 9. Large pink-guava resin salad bowl, £205; with zest resin ‘Stone’ salad servers, £100; both Dinosaur Designs. 10. Velvet backgammon roll, £360, Rose Uniacke.

Need something for the foodie in your life? Here’s a veritable smorgasbord of ideas, from a cool-looking cake (sorry) from Anya Hindmarch’s wonderfully witty café, to Botivo’s refreshingly herbal non-alcoholic aperitif, made with a mix of gentian, wormwood, rosemary and thyme. (We first tried it while having a booze-light lunch with Sandra Alexandra.) On the non-edible end of the spectrum, who wouldn’t love to get their hands on – or in – these oven gloves from Sister by Studio Ashby? Meanwhile, if the Ballymaloe puddings cookbook hits your sweet spot, keep your eyes on your inbox for our festive missive, coming soon; just be sure to subscribe here first.

Clockwise from left: Igloo cake, £75, Anya Hindmarch. 2. Rainbow lacquered ice bucket, £285, Matilda Goad & Co. 3. Botanical non-alcoholic aperitif, £26.95, Botivo. 4. Oven gloves made from surplus fabrics, by Sister, £50 per pair, Studio Ashby. 5. Fèlsina 2021 extra-virgin olive oil, £45, River Cafe. 6. Classic pannetone, by Muzzi, £29.99, Sous Chef. 7. Chocolate sardines, by Simon Coll, £1.95, Brindisa. 8. Ballymaloe Desserts: Iconic Recipes and Stories from Ireland, by JR Ryall, £39.95, Phaidon. 9. Cup and saucer, by William Kentridge, £30, RA Shop. 10. Jam box set, £21, London Borough of Jam.

We’ve been saving the best till last. We’re giving our beloved readers the opportunity to win all the presents shown in this picture. You heard us. All you need to do is head to our Instagram post and follow the competition instructions to be in with a chance. Oh, and then you need to work out if you’re selfless enough to give any away. After all, they are jolly nice.

You can find the terms and conditions of the competition here.

Fabric credit throughout: ‘Pico V3432-2’, £72 per m, Villa Nova.