The 2020 Ultimate Home Gift Guide
A year-end round up just in time for Christmas.
Christmas might almost be here, but you can set any gift-related angst aside with our ultimate 2020 home gift guide. Below you'll find an in-depth list of Christmas gift ideas organised into categories that relate to family and friend's most common interests and needs, as well as some must-haves ahead of the new year.
Jump to Gift Ideas:
- For the Aspiring Chef
- For the Coffee Drinker
- For the Host With the Most
- For Kids With Big Imaginations
- For Those in Need of a Little R&R
- For the Art Lovers
- For the Stylish Home Decor Enthusiasts
- For the Wine Connoisseurs
- For Your Four-Legged Friends
For the Aspiring Chef
Stumped by what to get for a loved one who is passionate about home cooking? We've got some home gift ideas just for them. Whatever your loved one's culinary interest may be, there are a multitude of old favourites and new classics to choose from.
Game Changing Cookers
Show your home chef some love by gifting them a new cooker in which they can test out a multitude of delicious recipes. For a high-quality slow cooker with a classic touch, go with a beautiful enameled Dutch oven – not only do these pots last a lifetime, their cooking uses are also endless. A pressure cooker is an excellent choice for versatility and efficiency - cook a wide range of recipes in much less time than traditional slow cookers. If the person you're gifting has a taste for the finer things, gift them a sleek new sous-vide cooker. A sous-vide cooker will allow them to whip up restaurant-quality foods that are unbelievably flavourful and tender.
If you've had your ear to the culinary ground lately, you've likely heard of air fryers and food dehydrators, two up-and-coming cookers that have expanded what is possible in the home kitchen. Air fryers are the next best thing in healthy cooking, as they can produce delights with all the crunch of oil-fried food but none of the grease. Food dehydrators are amazing for making dried meats and dried fruit or vegetable chips; they're also renowned for their food preservation abilities. Pasta makers and juicers may be less trendy than air fryers and dehydrators, but they're just as useful – both can allow you to make the most of your fresh ingredients at home.
These versatile tools can make food prep a breeze. A high-tech food processor makes an amazing gift, especially for someone who loves to cook but hates the tediousness of food prep. A high-quality kitchen knife can also be an incredible gift for a home chef that will last them years. Or give them the joy of a spiralizer, which is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to its ability to produce vegetable alternatives to pasta.
If we can say anything about coffee fanatics, it's that they'll always appreciate having a new method for making coffee at home. Lay their old percolator to rest and give them a coffee maker they'll love to use every day. If they're interested in low-tech coffee makers that exist off the beaten path, consider gifting them a French press, vacuum coffee maker, Turkish coffee pot, or pour-over coffee maker. Higher-tech options include automatic coffee makers, cold-brew coffee makers, and ever-popular espresso machines.
For the Host With the Most
For some people, hosting brings immense joy. If someone you love is passionate about hosting (even if it's just a small family get together), these Christmas gift ideas are for them.
Serving Essentials
Gifting a habitual host with brand-new serveware and dinnerware will reignite their enthusiasm for entertaining. Refresh their dinnerware stores with shiny new cutlery and bone china or supplement what they already own by gifting them an elegant cheese board.
A decked-out bar cart and bar tool set will allow any home bar enthusiast to expand their drink making expertise – they may spend hours perfecting classic cocktail recipes or inventing their own. A luxe new bar cart can be the new home for all their new glassware and tools, including classy new decanters holding all their favourite drinks.
If one of your friends or family members loves to bake, encourage their passion by presenting them with a gorgeous new stand mixer, gleaming bakeware set or a fresh supply of baking tools. With luck, you'll get to reap the tasty rewards of their new baking gadgets.
All kids love receiving toys, games and other novelty items, but they also love playhouse-style gifts that engage their imaginations. A decked-out play kitchen set will have your kids whipping up imaginary dishes every time. Standing at their own easels, they'll feel like professional artists working on masterpieces. Playhouses and play tents can encourage your kids' creativity – you'll be surprised at the many different imaginary scenarios they'll be able to create in one environment. The best part about gifts like these is that they encourage collaboration, imagination and play.
For Those in Need of a Little R&R
If you're looking for gifts for someone who might be needing a little r&r around the holidays, we have gift ideas that'll show some extra love and give them a much-needed opportunity to unwind.
Spa Supplies
Everyone enjoys a spa day. With the right supplies, you can turn any bathroom into a rejuvenating spa oasis. A bath rack can be used to prop up books, devices and anything else you might need while soaking in the tub. A diffuser loaded with calming essential oils or a few scented candles will set the relaxing mood and keep tensions low. Be sure to gift your loved one a fluffy new bathrobe or bath towel set to keep them cosy after their soak.
Sleep is vital for our health and well-being, so if someone you want to gift is struggling with sleep, surprise them some possible solutions. Refresh their entire bed with a new set of high-quality sheets and pillowcases. Add a layer of comfort with a mattress pad or topper designed to aid sleep. If they're a little stressed, a weighted blanket can help alleviate some anxiety, while a heated blanket can remedy freezing-cold fingers and toes.
For the Art Lovers
Pursuing a creative interest can be a fulfilling and rewarding way to fill free time. Plus, art and music supplies make for incredible Christmas gifts! This holiday season, give your artistically inclined loved ones an outlet to express their creativity.
Art Supplies
For the artistically inclined, there's nothing better than having a dedicated space in their own home to practice their skills. This festive season, surprise your creative friends with an arts and crafts station of their very own. Help them discover a love for fashion design by gifting them a dress form or encourage them to paint by gifting their very own an easel.
Retro and incomparably cool, vinyl records are experiencing a return to the cultural limelight. Young and old music lovers alike are rediscovering the magic of analogue music. Help foster your friends' and loved ones' record collection by presenting them with a high-quality turntable. Supplement it with a portable Bluetooth speaker that will allow them greater flexibility when listening to their music. Make sure they have a secure place to store all the records they'll be receiving this Christmas by gifting them a stylish audio rack or stand.
For the Stylish Home Decor Enthusiasts
Done right, home decor gifts can be some of the most appreciated and memorable items your family and friends receive this Christmas. Our advice? Pay attention to home decor trends that are upcoming for the next year. Retro decor and country garden decor are currently topping the home decor trend charts, while joyful living and desert-style are big trends for 2021. h
Retro Reboot
Retro, sleek, and visually stunning, mid-century design is rising in popularity. Look for functional items that utilise sleek yet organic lines, simple shapes and colour blocking.
This lavish look pairs quintessential English manor house finds with blousy blossoms and dashes of British quirk. Ideal for any fan of The Crown, gift your country garden friends with floral accessories, plush cushions and heritage interior pieces,
Enjoying a fancy bottle of wine with loved ones can bring everyone closer, especially during the festive season. If one of your friends or family members is especially fond of all things wine-related, embrace their interest by gifting them some new wine glasses or a sturdy new wine rack. If you want to go above and beyond this year, consider getting them a special wine fridge designed to hold all their favourite bottles. For a little extra surprise, you could even put a bottle or two of their most-loved wine inside the fridge before you give them their gift.
For Your Four-Legged Friends
Your pets might not be first on your list of loved ones who still need holiday gifts, but it's never a bad idea to use the holiday season as an excuse to pamper them. Everyone in your family can get behind showing your pets a little extra love, especially during the holiday season when everyone's a bit busier than usual.
Canine Care
A new dog bed is the obvious choice if you're looking for a simple gift for your four-legged friend. If your dog sheds, a dog bed is a comfortable solution for discouraging your dogs from lounging on your furniture. Or cover your sofas and chairs with pet-friendly slipcovers so that you won't need to worry about where your pup chooses to nap. New food and water bowls are simple options if you aren't looking to spend too much money on your pets' holiday gifts. If you have an old or disabled dog who struggles to walk long distances, consider a dog carrier or stroller; strolling your dog around is an excellent way to help a disabled dog get some fresh air.
Your cats can also appreciate having new places to nap and perch. A cat bed is the simplest choice, but you can also go with modern cat furniture (modern multipurpose furniture with cat-friendly features), a cat tree or a wall-mounted cat perch. If you plan on hosting guests, providing your cat with ample hiding or perching options can help them feel more comfortable with other people in the house.
