‘Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.’
Eleanor Roosevelt
So with Black Friday almost over, Christmas is well on its way. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends very much on your opinion of Christmas. Here at Mrs Bee’s Emporium we love it, but we know not everyone shares our love of the festive season.
Whatever your thoughts on Christmas, the chances are that you’ll be thinking about gifts for your loved ones. Just like everything else, Christmas has its trends and fashions. It’s the same when it comes to gifts. You’re probably aware that there’s always a ‘must-have’ toy, where normally rational people get completely carried away in the fervour of finding one for their offspring. But you might not be aware that it’s the same for adults too. So what can you expect to be big this year?
Comedy clothes
Yes, comedy clothes. Whether it’s dodgy Christmas jumpers, rude messages or funny undies, if they’ve got a sense of humour, they’ll love a bit of comedy clothing. At Mrs Bee’s Emporium, we carry a wide range of personalisable clothes that are sure to make your loved ones laugh.
The other big clothing trend? Family pyjamas. Why wouldn’t you want to match your partner, kids, and even parents when it comes to bedtime? Matching pyjamas make a great Christmas Eve box addition, to get all snuggly and warm as you wait for the Big Man to arrive.
Puns galore
Christmas is getting cerebral with this year’s love of puns (punes if you’re a Terry Pratchett fan), or play on words. Why not combine your comedy clothing with a good joke, and even some personalisation? Which is another big trend this year.
Personalised gifts
Did personalisation ever go out of fashion? Well, it’s definitely in fashion this year. Whether it’s a named stocking to hang over fireplace, a family portrait cushion, or a bauble commemorating baby’s first Christmas, personalisation is a big trend.
The biggest trend in personalisation in 2018 is having someone’s handwriting inscribed on an item. Perhaps you want to remember your three year old’s attempts at writing their name, or have a much loved departed family member who you want to memorialize. A handwritten gift is perfect in both scenarios.
Is your little one growing up too fast? Then why not have some of their favourite clothes made into a soft toy? It’s a lovely way to remind yourself of how little and cute they were, especially when they hit their teenage years!
Embroidered items
Following on from the personalisation theme, does anything say homely charm like an embroidered item? Cushions and pillows, clothes, and even pictures are all perfect for being embroidered with a personal message. Combine this trend with personalisation, by having one of your children’s drawings memorialised on a cushion for you to enjoy for years to come.
Hygge
Ok, you may not have heard of it but hygge (pronounced ‘hue-guh’) is a Danish word that sums up what Christmas should be about perfectly. It means a feeling or moment of special charm and cosiness. Hygge gifts are things that help engender that feeling, such as softly glowing candles, snuggly knitwear, and self care kits. Anything really that feels like a treat for the soul. This year whites and neutrals are particularly cool in the hygge market.
Warm metallics
While neutrals might be the trend in hygge, rose gold and copper are the trend when it comes to metallics. They’ve been fashionable for a while, and it doesn’t look like they’re going away anytime soon. With their warm colouring and soft glow, rose gold and copper shades are perfect for bringing a touch of luxury to someone’s life.
Go retro
In direct contrast to the understated elegance of hygge and warm metallics are retro brights. Think the neon leg warmers of the eighties, or the bright tropical prints of 1950s fashion. It’s all about bright, flamboyant colours.
And it’s not just the clothing of the 1950s that’s making a comeback. So are the design and homeware trends of the day. So think pineapple and flamingos, cocktail glasses and hostess trolleys. It’s perfect for someone who harks back to the simpler days of yesteryear or loves a touch of vintage glamour.
Gin
Considered old fashioned a few years ago, gin has made a huge comeback. There’s now a wide range of gins on the market, with all sorts of flavourings, from fruit and botanical to toffee and caramel. And with gin goes tonic. Again, there’s a proliferation of tonics available, with different tastes to suit every palette. A word of warning: gin can be a very personalised taste, so it’s worth checking what someone likes if you’re planning on buying it as a gift.
Back to nature
All kind of natural items are big trends for Christmas 2018. Think all things natural. It includes woodland motifs, such as pinecones and toadstools, woodland creatures such as birds, foxes and bears, and watery lifeforms, including otters, jellyfish and narwhals. For those who prefer their nature magical, there are also fairies and mermaids.
If you prefer your nature real, then plants are another fashionable gift these year. For less green-fingered recipients, why not consider a cactus (perhaps with an appropriately personalised message)?
Another big trend in the natural world fashion is llamas. Yes, llamas. These grumpy South American dromedaries (they’re related to camels), have somehow become cute and cuddly and worthy of a place under your Christmas tree this year. No, we don’t get it either, but who are we to judge?
As Christmas 2018 approaches, there are plenty of trendy gifts to choose from, meaning that there’s something for everyone. Which trends will you be following this year?
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| Personalised aluminium Polaroid style Christmas tree signs was £9.99, now £7.99 |
