Who's got that festive feeling?! Not yet? Christmas is right around the corner which means you'll probably need to start prepping soon, even if you've been taken off turkey duty this year. Whether you're planning on hunkering down at home with an industrial hoard of wine and spirits, or hitting the road to stay with loved ones, or flipping Crimbo on its head and jetting off to warmer, sunnier climes, we've done a little pre-prepping for you to ensure the festive season runs that little bit smoother...
If you're spending Christmas at home this year, chances are you're going to be hosting your entire clan or various other familial satellites who pop up around this time of year. You're going to need a steady but free-flowing supply of good quality wine to remain comfortably numb to the unique weirdness of your family, as well as an armoury of comfortable garments and self-care items so that you can emerge from the experience relatively unscathed.
First off is knitwear, and we're not talking cringy crimbo jumpers here. No, you want impossibly comfortable extrafine wool knits that feel like a hug and look super stylish. We're thinking our crew neck Blenheim jumpers inspired by Navajo patterns, or for something a little less punchy, our Donegal knits bring a nice dose of traditionalism to the party.
Blenheim Jumper |
Blenheim Jumper |
Talbot Roll Neck Jumper |
If you're planning on any excursions to local Christmas markets, or feel like a pre-impromptu shopping trip, then you'll want to do so looking casually sophisticated. One of the best winter fabrics for doing exactly this is cotton velvet, with its dense rich pile and nuanced colour providing just the right amount of eye-catching style. We've crafted a number of different silhouettes in velvet this year, from blazers to bombers, all of which are ideal for elevating your casual fits.
Langar Bomber Jacket |
Mansfield Jacket |
Drawstring Trousers |
Prepping your home for the onslaught is no small task either, but paying attention to the fine details will go a long way. Scent and ambience are an important part of getting the mood right (and disguising the smell of gin at 10am on Christmas morning) so we suggest loading up on some great home scents and candles by the masters of natural ingredients, Haeckels.
Haeckels Pluviophile |
Haeckels Bog |
Haeckels Incense |
If, like most people, you're going to be visiting family at some stage over the Christmas period, your priorities are slightly different. You can relax safe in the knowledge that the turkey is someone else's 6kg problem. Going to see your parents also gives you the enviable license to revert back to being a teenager, lying around and doing a lot of nothing, while expounding on your ways to fix the world, the housing market, and French waiters. Such energy-sapping endeavours can only mean one thing: loungewear. Super comfy organic cotton kit that you can luxuriate in. Be our guest...
Lounge Jacket |
Swanfield Henley |
Slim Jogger |
That said, relaxing at your in-laws might be something of an oxymoron, in which case you'll be wanting to go on plenty of very long walks that just happen to take in a startling number of the local watering holes. Wrapping up warm then is essential so don't scrimp on the hat/scarf/gloves triumvirate.
Arbury Scarf |
Dock Hat Rib Light |
Elmer Woolpile |
When you're not staying in the comfort of your own home, then personal grooming can sometimes get neglected (not pointing any fingers here, stinky). No one wants to travel with a wash bag the size of a small mammal, but nor do you want your loved one's to ask if you're feeling ok when you're complexion is indistinguishable from grandma's bread sauce. You need to cleanse your mind, body, and soul, and we've got just the jam...
Haeckels Skin-Care |
Haeckels Traditional |
Cra-Yon Ami Amie |
If none of the above is relevant to you it's because you've been sneaky and have booked three weeks on a beach in Thailand. How could you?! Well don't come crying to us with aching nostalgia when you see us posting images of leftover braised red cabbage on Instagram, while you're having to make do with pool service. Still, it's the season of kindness so we haven't omitted you from our thoughts, hence why we've handpicked a trio of chic polos to help accentuate the smugness...
Hawthorn Polo Shirt |
Tabley Polo Shirt |
Hawthorn Polo Shirt |
And so, with Christmas prepped for, we shall leave you with our own bastardised version of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If', for nothing else than to fortify your soul against the oncoming onslaught of mince pies, family dramas, crap presents, afternoon hangovers, and Home Alone re-runs. Be strong, stay merry...