Like every other year, the days ahead of Christmas seem to pass at lightning speed between a cheeky screening of Richard Curtis’ 2003 romantic masterpiece Love Actually (see Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday for the most reckless ones) and the thousand deadlines setting you apart from the long-awaited, food and family-powered winter break. And just like that… less than a month is left before Christmas, but your weekly Zoom calls – coupled with the anxiety of having to cope with the rising cost of living – continue to dissuade you from even thinking about the fast-approaching festivity season (and its unavoidable shopping session). From handmade ceramics and jewelry to sustainable garments, this curated list of gift ideas is guaranteed to put your mind at ease, providing you with the right dose of Christmas inspiration.

On the Dance Floor: Spinning Out on Screen

‍Boogie your way into the holiday season with On the Dance Floor: Spinning Out on Screen, a newly launched volume exploring cinema’s most iconic dancing scenes, from Gaspar Noé’s haunting Climax to Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic Pulp Fiction. Published by American film production and distribution company A24, the over 400 pages of this all-encompassing book will immerse you – and any lucky ones receiving it as a gift – in the most disparate rhythm-fueled cinematic stories of all time. Comprising a variety of dance floor-inspired dispatches from Charli XCX, Ryan Heffington, Lizzy Goodman, and more, as well as conversations with age-defining filmmakers and choreographers, this new visual and literary compendium will make you crave that previously-feared New Year’s Eve party more than anything else. With a foreword by none other than pop goddess Cher, On the Dance Floor: Spinning Out on Screen dives deep into the world of dance and what dancing means for contemporary life, presenting you with anything “from high school proms and house parties, to discos, raves, and the joys of dancing on your own”.

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

I have always enjoyed reading books that are set around Christmas time in the run-up to the winter break, and this one is no exception. Jonathan Franzen’s latest novel, Crossroads, will take you all the way back to December 23, 1971. Yet, its vividly narrated, intricate story breaks with the traditionally idyllic plots of most Christmas-related books to shed light on the complexities of family-based human relationships. Set in 1970s Chicago, Crossroads tells the story of the Hildebrandts, a Midwestern family whose life takes an unpredictable direction at a historical moment of moral crisis. Through a kaleidoscope of narratives and perspectives, Franzen projects the reader into the complex, at times dysfunctional but also humouristic reality of an ordinary family struggling to come to terms with what is expected of them. From Russ Hildebrandt and his wife Marion to their children Clem, Becky and Perry, each of the characters outlined by Franzen’s new novel speaks of the fragility of the family nest and what can go wrong when its precarious balance gets compromised.

Nesting Clay Casserole by La PALOMA

The perfect gift for anyone wanting to step up their cooking game as part of their New Year’s resolutions, this three-piece set of beautifully decorated clay casseroles will bring a twist to your meal prep routine. Serving as the ideal oven dishes for slowly cooked stews as well as colourful home decor additions for your kitchen shelves, these creations by London-based studio La PALOMA are destined to spark joy among your foodie friends and family relatives. Borrowing its name from the shop that Rosario, La PALOMA co-founders’ mother, ran in Dublin in the early 1990s, the shop now offers the same carefully curated selection of Mexican artesanías in the English capital. With a focus on traditional ceramic, glass and woven crafts from Mexico – all characterised by a natural, earthy palette, only occasionally enriched by a touch of bright colour – La PALOMA brings to the fore a sophisticated interpretation of Mexican culture, bridging its past, present and future in the name of thoughtful craft and design.

'Hafla' Ceramic Hand Painted Glasses by LRNCE

Thanks to their pastel-shaded aesthetic and Mediterranean-inspired design, these handpainted glasses by LRNCE will make you feel like it’s summer all year long, starting this December. Available in four different designs, these creations by Belgian designer Laurence Leenaert – founder of the Marrakesh-based lifestyle brand LRNCE – value craftsmanship and individual hand finishing; each glass is, in fact, decorated by Leenaert herself in her studio and therefore unlike any other piece that is part of the same stock. Play with the contrasting shapes and shades of the ‘Hafla’ glasses by purchasing them in different designs for an irreverent, mosaic-like dinner table.

Routine Desire 2023 by Oui Non Editions

Bring sensuality back into your everyday life with Routine Desire 2023, a new iconic calendar by London-based independent publishing house Oui Non Editions. To spice things up, this year the limited edition artists’ publications and printed matter-specialised powerhouse has joined forces with 12 trailblazing image-makers from all across the globe, commissioning them to visually translate their erotic fantasies onto a captivating series of images. With contributions from Torbjørn Rødland, Peter Puklus, Blommers and Schumm, Hudinilson Jr., Francesco Nazardo, Aura Rosenberg, Heji Shin, Celia Hempton, Camille Vivier, Leigh Ledare, Frances Waite and Walter Pfeiffer, Routine Desire 2023 is the ideal gift for those wanting to kick off the upcoming year in style, setting the tone for new exciting adventures. Check out Oui Non Editions’ latest releases for more gift ideas.

Crochet Wool Beret by GANNI

Climate change might have made this autumn just a “little” hotter than your regular British weather, yet winter is coming so there is no point in bracing the cold season unprepared. Step up your layers game with GANNI’s crochet wool beret and add an instant touch of Paris to your newest winter looks. Part of the brand’s responsible offering, the item is made from 45% wool, 35% post-consumer recycled wool and 20% certified recycled polyamide, which makes the product the right option for a sustainable Christmas gift. Not your thing? Browse over 40 different models, from classic beanies to knitted bucket hats, and find the perfect match for you and your close ones.