Hands up if you love the pre-Christmas season – because I certainly do! The mere thought of Christmas trees and decorations, biscuits - especially traditional German Vanillekipferl and Hildabrödle –, gingerbread, Gluehwein and of course Germany’s beautiful Christmas markets make my heart jump!

Besides traditions, sentimental value and yummy dishes the festive season is the time of the year to please your loved ones with presents. For those of you who are struggling to find that perfect gift, my Christmas beauty and accessories gift guide may just spark your inspiration. It is categorized by gender or purpose and budget. Various gifts however are unisex and easily fit more than one category!

COS Cashmere Beanie € 35

When selecting things for this section of my gift guide I was trying to find items beyond the Jo Malone Candle and Kusmi Tea (which are amazing gifts that most women including me would love to see under their Christmas tree). However there is one staple item that I just couldn’t exclude – the COS 100% Cashmere Beanie. It is such a soft and nicely made hat and for 35€ a really qualitative and affordable present.

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 € 26

For make-up lovers I would recommend going for the Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 palette. The six neutral taupe-hued shades (five matte and one with a very slight sheen) have amazing pigmentation and a velvety texture. I love this palette because it is small enough to put in your handbag and perfect for travelling and yet has everything one needs for everyday make-up and even a natural smoky eye look.

Elephant Bag hanger – Georg Jensen € 35

The Elephant Bag hanger is a mini version of Jørgen Møller’s classic elephant form and a very stylish solution to the worry of where to leave your bag when out and about. This piece is so cute and practical it will surely thrill its lucky recipient.

bkr water bottle € 30

For all you gym lovers or those wanting to stay healthy by sipping water throughout the day, this perfectly designed bottle might just be the gadget. It is glass and hence nontoxic, sturdy yet not heavy, reusable and best of all – the silicon sleeve comes in heaps of colours! I personally love TUTU – a light baby pink colour.

LED Teak Cube Alarm Clock by GINGKO ELECTRONICS € 37

A simply gorgeous alarm clock made from timber wood. This gadget not only looks amazing but also has various technical features such as automatic dimming, three alarm settings, snooze function, 12/24 hours format display and temperature display. The clock responses to touch and noise and automatically switches off its display when it is quiet. Perfect for a good night of sleep without disruptive light in the bedroom.

Anthony - Ingrown Hair Treatment € 50

Any man with sensitive skin will know the issues related to shaving: irritated skin, razor burns, redness or inflammation. All gone, gone, gone (or at least severely minimized) with this wonderful product. Dead skin and bacteria are tackled by glycolic, salicylic and phytic acids while lavender and willowherb work together to calm and smooth irritated skin (buy here or here)

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin € 37

Monkey 47, no doubt one of the best gins out there, has released the perfect vessel to accompany its delicious premium brew, the perfect gift for any gin enthusiast!

H&M Metal basket € 10

This decorative metal basket by H&M is a true bargain for any minimalistic design lover (like me). I love the wire design, which is great for storage or décor display. They are available in four colours: black, white, copper and brass. I’d go for the copper version, which is already sold out online in Germany but still available in many stores. If you want to get your hands on any of these, better hurry ☺