Shops & Services

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A brilliant way of showing family and friends how much they mean to you, especially if you can’t see them this Christmas, is to put time and thought into choosing gifts they’ll love. Canary Wharf’s five shopping malls are full of this year’s must-have presents, across every price range – and being able to stay inside while shopping is a bonus in the cold and wet winter months. Read on for ideas to help you find the perfect present in Canary Wharf.

GIFTS FOR HER

Jewellery, make-up and accessories are lovely to buy for oneself, and even better to receive as gifts. If she favours contemporary jewellery, visit Monica Vinader in Jubilee Place, known for its modern diamond designs, popular friendship bracelets, contemporary pearl earrings and pendant charms, many of which can be engraved – find out more in store.

When it comes to make-up, the top brands in Canary Wharf have a bright and beautiful array of Christmas collections and gift sets, whether you’re after a showstopper of a present, or small, fun stocking fillers. When it comes to specific products, ask her for a nod in the right direction or play it safe with a gift card for her favourite brand, whether that’s Bobbi Brown, Space NK (both Cabot Place) or MAC (Jubilee Place). And you just can’t go wrong with Jo Malone London’s dazzling Christmas collection of candles and colognes, diffusers, lotions and potions. Most covetable of all is the luxurious Advent Calendar – snap one up while you can.

Across Jubilee Place, Cabot Place and Canada Place, the brands leading the way when it comes to trend-led collections and classic wardrobe staples are Sandro, Maje, The Kooples, Kate Spade New York, Zara, Bimba Y Lola, Reiss Womenswear and COS. These style emporiums stock a fantastic range of gifts in the form of clothing, accessories, shoes and fashion jewellery. As a thoughtful extra touch, opt for the personalisation on offer at Kate Spade New York and Coach. Ted Baker has pulled out all the stops with gifts across beauty, homeware, jewellery and ‘Winter Warmers’, while Wolford is where you’ll find premium shapewear.

GIFTS FOR HIM

There are a number of brands across Canary Wharf that you may already know and love for their men’s clothing, both casual and formal, such as BOSS, Moss Bros, Reiss, GANT and COS. What you might not know is that they also stock a wide range of accessories and toiletries that are brilliant as gifts, from wallets and watches to masks, fragrances and footwear. Head to the Polo Ralph Lauren store to browse its iconic branded clothes and acessories, and to Hackett for gifts big – smart leather luggage – and small (cufflinks, keyrings, snazzy socks and ties).

When it comes to the most stylish of luxury goods, Montblanc, with its subtle yet distinctive star logo and monochrome aesthetic, is the place to shop. Its pens are timeless and beautifully designed, as are its watches, wallets, cufflinks and luggage. Upstairs, also in Cabot Place, and just as chic but rather more colourful, are the Paul Smith collections of clothes, shoes and accessories, often featuring the brand’s signature stripes.

The specialists at Barker Shoes, Calvin Klein Underwear (both Cabot Place) and Ollie Quinn (Jubilee Place) will sort you out with the best of footwear, underwear and eyewear while, if he’s a gadget guy, the team at Currys PC World in Canada Place is ready to advise about all the new and best products across smartphones, headphones, gaming consoles and more.

Last but not least, the grooming goodies he won’t want to be without; Penhaligon’s, known for its high-end fragrances, has created handsomely packaged festive gift sets. Molton Brown’s sets feature everything from men’s fragrances and skin care to travel sets and home fragrances, packaged in a complimentary Art Deco-inspired gift box. There’s also a decadent advent calendar packed with 24 mini products for Molton Brown devotees.

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

Your first stop must be Waitrose & Partners with its adjoining floors of John Lewis & Partners in Canada Place – at its very best at Christmas. Yes, there are pyjamas, and party wear, and plenty of treats, but it’s the toys that will thrill the kids on Christmas Day. Its top 10 toys this year are practical, fun and innovative, from a sustainable scooter to a Lego gingerbread house, a coding robot and feelings flashcards – all the more relevant after the year we’ve had. These toys will be popular, so the partners in store are ready to suggest great alternatives if your favourite has already sold out.

Ahead of the toy bonanza, kit them out in Christmas pyjamas, perennially popular with kids of all ages. The White Company in Jubilee Place has a range of gorgeous sets featuring everything from penguins and pom-poms to reindeer and glow-in-the-dark prints; siblings and cousins will love wearing matching sets for family Zoom calls. At Zara Kids, Cabot Place, opt for stylish grey stars for older children or, for the under-fives, out-there elf PJs! The White Company is also brilliant for cute and cosy kids’ slippers, stockings and sacks, and the softest cuddly toys.

Monsoon Kids in Canada Place has everything you need to make the little ones in your lives feel like princes and princesses, even if you’re staying at home; they can dress up in sequinned dresses and statement jumpers. Monsoon’s fun, and sparkly, accessories are perfect stocking fillers, as are chocolates – find delectable treats at Charbonnel et Walker, Hotel Chocolat and Godiva – and books from Waterstones in Cabot Place, which has in stock all the top new releases this winter.  

There’s no time like the present (!) to get shopping, especially if you’ll need to post gifts to any lucky recipients. Pop into one of Canary Wharf’s many restaurants afterwards for a much-needed meal or festive drink. Merry Christmas!

You can also read about Helaine Blumenfeld OBE in Canary Wharf.