Gift Guide

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Ideas for houseproud giftees, wellness-lovers and little ones (and not-so-little ones)

Wellness and self-care

As the evenings get shorter, we need to be kind to ourselves, looking after our mental and physical health. Why not treat yourself and a friend or family member to a day at Third Space Spa in Canada Place? The facilities at the luxury health club are a haven of tranquillity, offering beauty treatments, therapies and sports rehabilitation, as well as aesthetic treatments.

Alternatively, gift a premium haircut Canary Wharf at Adam Grooming Atelier – the recipient will come out feeling restored and looking sharp. The same can be said of Ted’s Grooming Room, a barber that shares the luxury heritage of Ted Baker, which translates into a top-notch treatment with complimentary drinks. Finally, TONI&GUY guarantees a quality cut from highlytrained staff, while Jon Hala offers the latest trends in colouring and treatments.

Get the full MOT and follow a visit to a hair salon in Canary Wharf with trips to Blink Brow Bar and Townhouse – the former promises quick, pain-free treatments resulting in fabulous definition and shape, while the technicians at the latter specialise in nail art, so you can treat yourself or a loved one to some beautiful, long-lasting creations. Finally, vouchers for a reviving vitamin infusion at Get a Drip in Cabot Place certainly won’t go amiss in the New Year.

Gifts to indulge the senses

Enhance your sight at stylish eyewear brand bloobloom, while Samsung Experience Store is the home of sound – the store offers the latest smartphones, TVs and appliances. A superior taste experience comes courtesy of Waitrose & Partners – the Canary Wharf branch is the biggest in the country. Skincare atelier Weather and Palette is an emporium of touch, creating bespoke treatments that enhance natural beauty. The smells of the fragrance, bath and body products at Penhaligon’s, meanwhile, are simply irresistible.

Children and teenagers

We all know how particular children can be with their toys, but Canary Wharf is a good place to start. When it comes to tasteful toys (which won’t ruin your home’s aesthetic), you can rely on John Lewis & Partners, The White Company and Swedish brand Newbie. They also do adorable child and baby wardrobes, from outdoorswear to pajamas, as well as nursery essentials such as blankets and cots. Creative knick-knacks from Flying Tiger Copenhagen make perfect stocking fillers, as do stationary and notebooks from Ryman.

Gifting doesn’t get easier when they grow up, but even teenagers can find something to get excited about on the Wharf, which is home to brands stocking everything from trainers to age-appropriate beauty products and – an absolute failsafe – technology. Alternatively, book a day out they won’t forget: Canary Wharf is home to one of London’s best indoor adventure parks, Flip Out, and the UK’s fastest indoor go karting track, Capital Karts.

Home decor

Home is where the heart is – especially at Christmas, and even more so if you’ve filled your home with gorgeous decor and accessories from The White Company. The brand has been making impeccably stylish, beautifully designed products for more than 25 years, and knows how to make a house a home. The focus of its tasteful bed linen, serve wear, cutlery, towels, robes, candles and diffusers is style rather than fashion and quality over quantity.

Plants make fantastic gifts, too. Fortunately, neighbourhood florist Flowers & Plants Co. does exactly what it says on the tin: beautifully-designed bouquets of British blooms and globetrotting greenery to bring yours or your giftee’s home to life. And then there’s the vast collection at Waterstones – because you can never have too many books.

Food and drink

It’s the most indulgent time of the year – when we gather with loved ones to eat, drink and make merry. For the sweet-toothed, there are truffles, liquorices and all sorts of sugary delights at Charbonnel et Walker, Lakrids by Bulow, and Hotel Chocolat. For those who prefer their treats in liquid form, the experts at Humble Grape and Nicolas can advise on bottles guaranteed to make a good impression. Alternatively, Dishoom has released a selection of gifts, including chai tins, incense and a cookbook.

Technology

There’s something about spending time with family that brings out the competitive spirit. Instead of charades, head to Currys for the latest in gaming gear. For TVs, headphones and smartwatches, there’s Samsung Experience Store, and John Lewis & Partners also offers a wide range of gadgets. All three will serve you well if you’re going down the practical route, stocking appliances from air fryers to blenders. If your giftee is a fan of Grind, you can purchase its coffee machines in the Cabot Place branch.