I had to hold back from posting this earlier! Mentally I cannot start planning, talking about or buying for Christmas until December. The last week of November at a push. On a personal level that is, because when it comes to working in retail marketing, forecasting seasonal gift sets starts 18 months ahead. But if I hear Mariah Carey trilling All I Want for Christmas in a shop in October I feel like walking out. Come December though it’s a different story – I’ll happily watch Love Actually every single year. Once I’ve brought out the wreath and watched the John Lewis Christmas ad a dozen times I’m ready for the onslaught of fairy lights, mulled wine and mince pies. And of course starting the month with the opening of a beauty advent calendar always helps set the tone. If you’re one of these super organised planners who’s already found the perfect present for everyone on their list then this comes too late, otherwise have a browse of these festive beauty treats, from budget-friendly stocking fillers to luxury gift sets.

The Stocking Filler

Hands up who still gets a Christmas stocking? There is no age limit to a well thought out stocking, as long as the toys and chocolate coins from your childhood evolve into appropriate gifts (although chocolate coins are still valid). This travel-size Radiant Glow Mask from organic skincare brand Evolve makes a great stocking filler for beauty enthusiasts or green beauties. Featuring upcycled blueberry particles to gently buff the skin smooth and raw cocoa powder to protect and hydrate, it smells so delicious you’ll want to eat it. Please don’t! Instead slather onto skin whilst breakfasting on your chocolate coins for guaranteed baby-soft polished skin that’ll see you through Christmas day. The 30ml jar works well as a travel size for that mini break you know you’ll need come January. 30ml RRP £12.00

The Christmas Decoration

We have a festive family tradition (who doesn’t): if we travel abroad in the run up to Christmas we bring back a tree decoration to add to the globe-trotting collection. To date our tree dazzles with a Polish bauble, an Indian elephant, a Tunisian evil-eye protective amulet, a Croatian angel and a Belizean star amongst the obligatory misshapen terracotta decorations my sister and I created at school. Adding to this eclectic mix is Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir mini mist. This 100% natural multi-tasking mist sets make-up, tones and tightens pores, offering the skin an instant boost of radiance, and comes packaged in a festive little box and ribbon to hang onto a branch. A bauble that has a purpose post-Christmas! Keep an eye on it as it may mysteriously disappear when you have your relatives over for the celebrations… Its travel size makes it ideal for in-flight spritzing to revitalise dry skin – we’re back to that January holiday. RRP £12.00

The Treatment Gift Set

To anyone who’s been reading Fresh Beauty Fix posts it’s no surprise to hear that I’m a big Caudalie fan, especially when it comes to their Vinoperfect Radiance range, so this gift set is right up my street. This set contains a full size 30ml serum and two free mini sizes: a 15ml night cream and a 30ml hand cream. All of these products claim to correct and prevent dark spots, even skin tone and brighten complexion. I’ve used the essence, serum and cream in my evening routine and love the gentle formulas, subtle citrus blossom scent and bright skin I’m left with. RRP £46.00

The Home Gift

I’d say at least 60% of the gifts I present to friends and family at Christmas involve beauty products of some sort. Whether it’s my mum’s favourite skincare or a selection of nail enamels to add to my cousin’s collection, I love matching beauty gifts to giftees. But if I need to explore gift options beyond beauty, my next port of call is what I like to think of as beauty for the home, such as this aromatic diffuser from luxury British spa brand Temple Spa. Having interviewed their Head of Product Camille Soldano the other month, I’ve recently discovered Temple Spa and this beautiful diffuser which adds a Christmassy fragrance to your home, with notes of lemon zest and juniper berry. An elegant way to dress your living room, bedroom or bathroom. 200ml RRP £35.00

The Luxury Gift Set

My appreciation of French pharmacy skincare knows no bounds, and recently discovering anti-ageing luxury skincare specialist Gatineau has been a real treat. Anyone looking for serious skincare and good value gift sets can tick both boxes with the Perfection Ultime Radiance and Luminosity Collection which retails at £79.00 but is worth a massive £183.00. For this price you get a 30ml serum, 50ml cream and a 50ml jelly mask, my favourite product from the set. Packed full of hydrating hyaluronic acid, I apply this jelly texture with the applicator provided for a pleasant super fresh feel. After 5 minutes I wipe it off with a damp muslin cloth to reveal smooth, hydrated and silky soft skin. All 3 products and accessories come in a roomy silver toiletry bag decorated with a delicate silver foliage pattern. RRP £79.00 

What beauty treats are on your Christmas wish list? Please leave a comment below to let me know.