At this time of year I read as many gift guides as possible to help create an inspired gifting list. I love giving and enjoy finding things that make my friends and family happy. When we lived in London my kids and I used to buy all our Christmas presents from the charity shops around Marylebone Road and we still buy at least some of our gifts from charity shops. The big focus on Christmas Day is on spending time together. After a leisurely breakfast we all help out preparing lunch which is a mixture of vegan alternatives and more traditional choices for those who want them. My favourite café opens even on Christmas Day so my dog Theo and I will start the day with a coffee and a walk as usual. When we get back I will open the champagne as I always do and have a glass before everyone else gets up. This is possibly why the cooking never stresses me out….

We open our gifts after breakfast. It used to be a big deal but as my kids have become adults the focus has shifted to the food and company. But I still put a lot of effort in finding gift that will be loved. What follows is my real gifting list this festive season. I hope this sparks some ideas for you.