THE ART OF
INTENTIONAL
GIFTING
London’s leading makers and maisons remind us that the most memorable Christmas gifts speak to personal connection. From bespoke scents to fine-bound books, here’s how to select items that will be treasured for years to come
For romance:
AN IRANIAN SILK FROM LIBERTY
ORIENTAL CARPETS
Tucked away on the fourth floor of Liberty of London, Liberty Oriental Carpets sells antique and hand-woven rugs personally chosen by Bruce Lepere, one of Europe’s leading experts on oriental carpets. “An Iranian silk is a beautiful gift from a husband to a wife,” he says, citing pieces sized for a bedside or walk-in wardrobe. Each takes three artisans 18 months to weave — not including preparing the loom, spinning the silk and dyeing it with natural pigments such as pomegranate skin. “They’re so fine you can almost wear them as scarves,” Lepere adds. Used as dowries for at least 5,000 years, they often feature symbols of fertility and prosperity. Highlights include a specially commissioned silk Kum with a William Morris design by an artist called Khani and a collectible work from contemporary weaver Mir Mehdi. “We work closely with clients to choose the perfect piece,” Lepere says, asking about both recipient and home before presenting options and their stories. “Rugs like these are for people who know that living among art enriches life. Why shouldn’t that include their floors?”
For expansion:
A LEATHER-BOUND FIRST EDITION FROM THE
CHELSEA BINDERY
Owned by Mayfair- and Manhattan-based bookseller Peter Harrington, The Chelsea Bindery specialises in fine binding with particular expertise in 20th-century first editions. “We carry forward a proud tradition of craftsmanship while giving new life to treasured titles,” says Emma Doyle, the bindery’s manager. “Each binding transforms a story into a work of art that reflects the affection readers feel for the books that have shaped them.” The process takes an average of three craftspeople working over 10 hours on each volume, and must be spread over 8-20 weeks. If time is tight, the shop’s 2025 Christmas catalogue includes around 150 finely bound first editions, including children’s favourites The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, alongside a highly collectible Breakfast at Tiffany’s featuring the silhouette of Audrey Hepburn with diamonds set into the tiara and necklace. “For many, a fine binding is the perfect gift,” Doyle adds. “It’s deeply personal, beautifully made and an heirloom that can be treasured for years to come.”
For atmosphere:
A BESPOKE SCENT FROM RACHEL VOSPER
“Of all our senses, smell is the most strongly tied to our emotions, which is why it makes such a thoughtful gift,” says Rachel Vosper, founder of her eponymous fragrance studio in Belgravia, where she creates handpoured beeswax candles using natural ingredients. The process of developing a bespoke fragrance takes several weeks. “I always start by asking clients to describe their favourite smells — a parent’s cologne, or a memorable holiday destination — and these memories often reveal a complex blend of nostalgia and emotion.” Vosper then guides them through notes such as pine and amber to build a personal olfactory profile, before producing 2kg of fragrance for use in candles, diffusers and room sprays. “The idea is that wherever your loved one lives, loves or hosts, the space will be infused with an aroma as unique and memorable as they are. What could be a better gift than that?”
For sparkle:
FINE JEWELLERY FROM DRIES CRIEL
For fine jeweller Dries Criel, an heirloom piece must balance artistry with wearability, contemporary spirit and timeless design. The finest also carry narrative weight — a bracelet built around a grandmother’s stone or an engagement ring echoing the architecture of the city where a couple met can hold a legacy that endures for generations. The process begins with a personal conversation, often at 5 Hertford Street, Criel’s preferred London address. “I listen closely to the client’s story, their memories and the emotion they wish to capture,” he says. Pieces are crafted by master artisans in his Antwerp studio, and clients are encouraged to visit to make the journey feel even more personal. “A bespoke jewel is a physical expression of intention,” Criel adds. “It transforms a moment into something eternal, creating an emotional resonance that lasts long after the occasion.”
The Festive Issue
Next Article – Family dynamics at Christmas
For more than a decade, Dr Paul Hokemeyer, a fellow of the Global Leaders in Healthcare programme at Harvard Medical School, has advised influential individuals, helping them navigate the complex emotional challenges that accompany their position. With a unique blend of legal, psychological and clinical expertise, he is uniquely placed to offer insight into how the holidays can become a minefield – as well as an opportunity for connection.