Special gifts to lift spirits when you can’t be there

After a year where it’s been difficult to spend time with the ones you love, Christmas feels more important than ever. But if you’re unable to see friends and family, how do you choose a gift to warm their soul? We’re here to help with that. Below, our in-house experts have selected their top picks to be sent in the post – they’ve done all the thinking so you don’t have to. 

For the friend or loved one who likes nothing more than to curl up on the sofa with a cuppa, our interiors editor Jennifer Morgan recommends, ‘A warm and snuggly rug – something to sink their toes into on a cold morning or night; a pair of cocktail glasses to kit out the home bar for NYE and 2021; and a stylish vase – one of my New Year’s resolutions is to have more flowers and this design works brilliantly with just a few stems.’

Finally, she says, you can’t go wrong with this Skandinavisk scented candle ‘with gorgeous notes of outside, like a Scandi forest’. These are truly gifts to lift the spirits. 

‘When it comes to lifting a loved one’s spirits from afar, jewellery is a wonderful choice because it feels like a personal message,’ says fashion editor Alison Taylor. ‘I like the idea of giving something that will bring joy on a daily basis. You can’t go wrong with anything Monica Vinader – try a friendship bracelet or coin charm to wear on a favourite chain. Or the Toggle chain bracelet from Wanderlust + Co – who are new to John Lewis & Partners – is just the right level of statement and a great price point, too.’

How to pick a special beauty buy for someone you love? Beauty editor Cassie Steer says, ‘You simply can’t go wrong with Cire Trudon’s classic, divine-smelling, hand-crafted glass candles.’ Cassie also recommends Laboratory Perfumes, a niche UK-based fragrance house that produces exceptional scents crafted from sustainable ingredients. ‘For me, Gorse is like being whisked off to a British heathland on a sunny day in May; crisp, zesty and fresh with a hint of warm, creamy sweetness thanks to a touch of cardamom. Perfect for those of us stuck indoors this Christmas.’ See more of Cassie’s ideas on beauty products to send in the post.

‘Nothing says it’s time to hunker down for winter like a luxurious piece of cashmere and this bestselling half-zip jumper by John Lewis is perfect,’ says menswear editor India Price. She also recommends Albam Utility’s new winter collection, where the focus is on ‘practical, honest clothing that looks great and feels amazing’, and these Grenson brogue boots, the perfect combination of form and function. For tech lovers? ‘An iPad is a big-budget present, but with more time being spent online than ever before, it will get more use than almost anything else out there – a true gift with purpose,’ India adds.

‘Hampers are proving to be the token of appreciation this Christmas,’ says Dan Cooper, Partner and Christmas Shop Buyer. ‘This is the first time we’ve had all Waitrose and John Lewis hampers together on the website and customers can see the whole selection in one place. This year we’ve also introduced vegan and gluten-free hampers, which are proving really popular, as are wine and beer gifts.’ The only problem you’ll have is deciding which one to buy.