Christmas gift guide for London art lovers
Master the art of gift giving this Christmas
Back to ItineriesFind the perfect present for art addicts and culture cravers on your list in 2020, no matter your budget.
The art of gift giving seems more important than ever this year.
The perfect gift can make a big difference when helping us express our gratitude, appreciation and warm wishes to our nearest and dearest.
Whether you’re looking for great gifts to get the men in your life or hunting for the best presents for her, we’ve rounded up a selection of creative Christmas gift ideas guaranteed to bring a smile to your loved ones' faces this festive season.
From premium handcrafted personalised presents, gifts from London’s finest art gallery shops, or hampers from London’s most luxurious institutions, here’s our quick guide to gifts celebrating art in every form that can be delivered directly to your door; just in time for Christmas.
Master the art of Japanese-inspired gifting with Japan Centre
Gift giving is an important cultural ritual in Japan.
Whether you’re shopping for fans of Japanese culture or want to share your love of Japan with the people you love, you’re sure to find the perfect Japanese gifts with Japan Centre.
For those looking to master the art of origami, fill their stockings with Showa Grimm's beautifully decorated Yuzen Chiyogami origami paper. Or, purchase an elegant pair of origami crane earrings for pierced ears, made in Japan using real origami paper.
Perhaps your loved one has a passion for calligraphy, or is looking to learn about the craft? From high quality Japanese calligraphy paper, authentic brushes, ink kits and how to guides, Japan Centre has everything they’ll need to master one of the most ancient art forms Japan has to offer.
Or, turn your loved one into a sushi chef from the comfort of your own home with Clearspring's luxury Japanese sushi kit, beginners guide books, plus plenty of handy kitchen tools and devices to make Japanese cooking that little bit easier.
Whatever you decide, pick-up the perfect present online for those with a passion for Japanese culture.
Luxury leather with a personalised touch from Aspinal of London
Discover the art of gifting with English style and give a gift that will be cherished for years to come from Aspinal of London.
Shop for sporting enthusiasts who’ll treasure the deluxe outdoor themed accessories, or avid travellers who’ll gratefully receive luxury leather luggage and travel wallets. Or, select a timeless keepsake from the range of silver cufflinks, pens and jewellery, or browse a curated collection of gifts for him and for her. Plus, for those on a budget, explore the range of gifts under £75 for an affordable yet impeccably crafted Christmas gift.
From scented candles, exquisitely crafted board games and luxury leather bags and accessories, every one of Aspinal of London’s accessories is made of the finest hand-crafted Italian full-grain leather and designed by expert craftsmen.
What’s more, add a personal touch with Aspinal’s embossing and engraving service to create a truly unique gift. Using traditional hot presses and brass blocking dies, they’ll hand-emboss your chosen leather gift with a choice of gold or silver foil or blind embossing.
With retail stores closed throughout November, Aspinal of London is also offering a safe way to shop in-store this Christmas with the virtual personal shopping service. Customers can book a 30 minute time slot with one of Aspinal’s expert client advisers, who will provide a bespoke shopping experience from the comfort of your own home. Appointments are available from Monday - Friday from 10am-6pm, customers can book by calling 0203 326 5008, or fill in an online form here.
Great gifts for art addicts from The National Gallery
Take inspiration from The National Gallery gift shop and find the perfect present for those with a penchant for paintings.
Offering all the latest art book publications, high quality fine art prints and products designed exclusively for the The National Gallery, get ready to excel at the art of gift giving in 2020, no matter your budget.
The online shop also features gifts inspired by the latest exhibitions. From the likes of a 100 piece jigsaw puzzle of Artemisia Gentileschi, prints from Titian’s world-class collection, or Monet, Van Gogh and Turner trinkets to name just a few, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Explore the carefully curated gift guide selection online to choose the perfect present for him, her, or your home, and inspire a love of art in your little ones too.
Excel at gifting with the Royal Academy of Arts
A fail-safe spot to shop for all art addicts out there is the Royal Academy of Arts gift shop.
Packed-with classy goods, souvenirs, homeware, jewellery and exclusive high quality prints, it’s the perfect place to pick-up a present for those with a passion for paintings.
Discover books, materials, stationary and much more inspired by past and present artists and exhibitions, alongside a range of products dedicated to household names in the art world whose works have been exquisitely applied to scarves, socks, totes and other trinkets.
Offering five different shops, each with its own unique personality, there’s plenty to explore online while stores remain closed throughout lockdown. Or, you can plan your Christmas shopping trip with a side serving of culture once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Shop iconic posters in a range of sizes spanning 250 years of RA exhibitions with the Poster Bar. Browse an ever-changing range of RA collaborations with the 6BG Shop. Stock-up your loved-ones studio with stationery from the Newsstand shop. For high-end purchases including commissions, editions and one-off pieces, explore Gallery X, the Porter Gallery. Not forgetting the RA shop showcasing the full selection of exclusively created and carefully selected products, there truly is something for everyone no matter your budget.
Brighten up the home with gifts from Firmdale hotel group
Shop decorative gifts inspired by award-winning British designer Kit Kemp, Founder and Creative Director of Firmdale Hotels.
Renowned for her use of vibrant colours, patterns, textures and unexpected details, each gift embraces the unique designs that beautifully decorate the interiors of the Ham Yard hotel, tucked behind Piccadilly Circus.
Explore the selection of festive stockings, crackers, gift sets, stationary, scarfs, pocket squares and more, there truly is something for everyone in your family to unwrap with excitement.
Plus, for those who are looking for a one-of-a-kind present inspired by folk art, explore the miniature bureau gift. Mirroring a Swedish, hand painted marriage bureau which takes pride of place in the Ham Yard hotel’s drawing room, take home a miniature version filled with contemporary Kit Kemp treasures.
Whatever you decide, get ready to give gifts packed with extraordinary details.
Shop housewarming gifts from Smeg's Flagship store
For those looking for gifts for loved ones who have just moved homes, or perhaps you fancy treating yourself, discover a range of kitchen goodies inspired by Sicilian art and quirky collaborations at Smeg UK.
This year, Smeg are celebrating the 70th anniversary of Charles M.Schulz’s popular comic strip character, Snoopy, bringing the character life with their special-edition FAB10 fridge. See Snoopy immortalised on one of Smeg's retro-style fridges with an original drawing of the playful pup, flanked by his friend Woodstock. Only 25 pieces will be available in the UK so you can rest assured you’ll be giving a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
Or, shop the range where Sicilian aesthetics and state of the art technology join forces to bring a unique collection of domestic appliances created by Smeg with distinct Dolce&Gabbana decorative motifs. Featuring a slow juicer, blender, toasters, citrus juicer and kettle, there’s plenty of options to jazz-up your loved one's kitchen.
Plus, if you’re looking for something a little softer, discover the new cookware collection. Designed by the studio from Milan by Raffaella Mangiarotti and Matteo Bazzicalupo, each piece has been entirely Made in Italy.
Smeg know that shopping this year is slightly different, so they’ve introduced a virtual tour of the flagship Regent Street store. Whether you’re looking for expert advice, to see a product close up, understand a product feature and how it works, or for general inspiration on the breadth of the product range, the team of product experts can help with any questions you may have.
Give gifts from Ikoyi’s online outlet
Looking for a gift to give those with a passion for Ikoyi’s West African dining experience?
Tucked behind Piccadilly Circus in St James’s Market, the Michelin starred restaurant, from friends Jeremy Chan and Ire Hassan-Okdukale, is a hidden gem in the heart of London filled with West African inspired treasures. From the art that decorates the restaurant, to the dishes that are served-up to diners.
Now, the duo have launched a new e-shop. Offering the perfect festive gift for restaurant aficionados, Ikoyi merchandise includes a Tee, Plantain Tote bag and Cameroon Boyo Coffee, from as little as £10 a gift.
What’s more, for the ultimate luxury gift, Ikoyi has worked with N25 on their Ikoyi Kaluga Hybrid Caviar. It’s hand-selected, aged for 6-months and has a complex range of creamy, acidic and umami flavours.
Take home a hamper from The Wolseley
Bring a taste of five-star dining into your home or that of a loved one with one of The Wolseley’s exceptional hampers or gifts.
From the classic Indulgence Hamper to the celebratory Signature offering, there’s a hamper to suit every taste and budget.
The online shop also enables you to explore an indulgent assortment of confectionary, iconic vintage silverware and some of The Wolseley’s most popular tea blends. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured each gift will make a killer stocking filler idea for those who cherish the art of splendour.
Plus, if your loved one would rather indulge in the full dining experience once London’s lockdown restrictions ease again, pop a Gift Card into their present for the ultimate treat.
A popular gift for any occasion, you can add your personal message during the checkout process and choose to have your voucher delivered in our beautiful gift packaging or via email.
Combining British heritage with European grandeur, The Wolseley is one of the West End’s swankiest settings. So, give your loved one a gift you know they’ll truly cherish.
Packed full of Christmas from Fortnum & Mason
No Christmas is complete without a treat from London’s most luxurious department store, Fortnum & Mason.
For those who treasure the art of tea, Fortnum's is the place to pick-up a present, with over three centuries of tea-history. From decorative tins and innovative infusions to exquisite silverware, teapots and accessories, you’ll find the perfect gift for every tea-lover here.
Or, if you’re looking to go all out for your loved ones, a Fortnum's hamper is the gift that keeps on giving. Filled with dazzling and delicious treats from the Food Hall, secure your December delivery slot while you can and treat a loved one near or far this Christmas.
Plus, the 2020 Fortnum's Food Shop is bigger than ever, offering all joy-giving things for the festive season. Fill your little one’s stockings with treats like the Musical Merry-Go-Round Biscuit tin and listen to the jolly hum of ‘Jingle Bells’ as you enjoy its buttery, baked contents. Or, top-up your cupboards with wines, traditional mince pies and festive preserves filled with fruit and flavour.
What’s more, explore the online shop for curated gifts for the ladies and gentlemen in your life. From the luxurious softness of a cashmere slipper to exclusive perfumes, or luxury leather wallets to smart cufflinks and socks, there’s a great gift for everyone to look forward to giving this Christmas.
Featured Venues
Royal Academy of Arts
Gallery
The Royal Academy of Arts is a world-renowned art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. For over 250 years, the RA has existed to champion art and artists and offers a place where art is made, exhibited and debated. Enjoy their expanded campus with free displays, new spots to eat, drink and shop, and much more.
National Gallery
Gallery
The National Gallery is one of London's greatest art museums located in Trafalgar Square, London. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.
Ham Yard Hotel
Hotel
In the midst of Soho and moments from Mayfair, Ham Yard has an urban village feel. The hotel revolves around a leafy courtyard with a bronze sculpture centrepiece by Tony Cragg. Interiors are designed by Kit Kemp in her award-winning modern British style. Alongside the hotel's 91 individually designed bedrooms and suites are 24 apartments, 13 boutiques and a restaurant and bar, there is a drawing room and library, rooftop terrace, spa and gym, theatre, private event rooms and bowling alley.
Aspinal of London
Retail
Aspinal of London is a quintessential English lifestyle brand. Discover handcrafted luxury leather goods for men and women including handbags, accessories and gifting ideas. Add a personal touch with their embossing and engraving service to create a truly unique gift. They use traditional hot presses and brass blocking dies to hand-emboss your chosen leather gift with a choice of gold or silver foil or blind embossing.
Japan Centre
Retail
Japan Centre's flagship store combines the traditional elements of a ‘depachika’ (the Japanese word for a basement food hall) with a range of unique specialist rooms, all set around their open kitchens and central dine-in courtyard. It's the go-to destination for fans of Japanese food, culture, cooking and cuisine. As you enter off Panton Street, you’ll be welcomed through the sights & smells of their traditional Showaken Ramen Bar on the ground floor - a perfect pit stop after you've done all your shopping, before you head down to the depachika where your senses will be delighted as you explore a unique dining and shopping experience.
Smeg Flagship Store
Retail
Smeg's new state of the art London flagship store is situated on the corner of the recently redeveloped St James’s Market. Located amongst the West End’s most exciting destinations. With an extensive range of large appliances, from ovens and cookers to fridges and dishwashers on display, the store also sells a wide range of small appliances and accessories, each with Smeg’s hallmark signature style and design.
The Wolseley
Restaurant
The Wolseley is a café-restaurant located in Mayfair, on London’s iconic Piccadilly serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and weekend brunch. Explore The Wolseley's online shop for the perfect present or indulgent treat for every occasion. Plus, discover their delightful range of gift hampers, candles, teas and coffees, silverware and much more.
Fortnum & Mason
Retail
Since 1707, Fortnum & Mason has been home to extraordinary food, joy-giving things and unforgettable dining experiences. Situated on Piccadilly, it's the most luxurious department store in the world. Offering full range of luxury signature hampers and gift boxes, sweet and savoury treats, and gifts for every occasion.