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The festive season is upon us and a resilient spirit of generosity pervades – everyone deserves a little lift this year. We’ve searched far and wide for the ultimate stocking fillers, Christmas presents and knockout gifts for travellers keen to get back out there in 2021. From kayaks-in-a-bag and futuristic ski goggles to hampers stuffed with tasty treats from the mountain villages of northern Italy, here’s our 2020 Christmas gift guide for globetrotters.
The printed eye mask
Eye mask, Desmond and Dempsey, £20
This plush cotton eye mask in toucan print from nightwear brand Desmond and Dempsey is a welcome gift for globetrotters and homebodies alike. CD
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The cookbook
Saucy by Nina Parker, £13
Hurrah! Finally a recipe book that won’t collect dust on our shelves. We all know a good sauce can zhuzh up the most basic dish – good thing then that London-based chef and writer Nina Parker has collated the world’s best (and easiest) sauces from California to Japan. With our current home-cooking renaissance, it really is a gift that will keep on giving. RW
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The eco-friendly guide
Juliet Kinsman: The Green Edit: Travel (Easy tips for the Eco-friendly Traveller), from £7.72
Juliet Kinsman, our sustainability editor, has written a guide on how to be a better traveller, including post-pandemic travel advice that will help you to be more environmentally aware even if you’re only planning excursions close to home for the moment. RW
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The swimming trunks
Silly Sardines swimming trunks, Love Brand & Co, £120
You have to put on your specs and pull out your magnifying glass to distinguish the sardine shapes adorning these Love Brand trunks, which perhaps makes them all the more irreverent. Cheer up a grounded traveller this Christmas with a symbol of hope for 2021’s beach adventures. RW
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The magazine subscription
The ultimate in last-minute present purchases, yet still a cultural and creative boost for any tough-to-buy-for family or friends. Condé Nast publishes some of the world’s greatest magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Wired, World of Interiors and, of course, Condé Nast Traveller. Essential reading partners for any journey, long or short. With discounts and free gifts for more than one subscription, it’s probably time to treat yourself and someone else. Visit this link for the best gift subscription offers.
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The power parka
Junction Black Label parka, Canada Goose, £895
Heavy on warmth but with lightweight technology, this Canada Goose jacket proves that functionality need not be the slayer of style. In fact, it can move effortlessly between town and country, fending off coastal winds as readily as urban rain with its removable hood, and move from winter to chilly summer nights. The lucky recipient may need the occasional reminder to take it off. RW
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The travel puzzle
California Nights puzzle, Piecemeal Puzzles , £27
Made from recycled cardboard, these puzzles transport players to balmy Palm Springs or to the brightly painted Venetian buildings of Burano. The most recent addition is a memento of a challenging year, piecing together the beauty of summer 2020 when nature carried on and offered us all hope. Keep fingers twitching and brains ticking this winter, with this zeitgeisty, sustainable gift – there’s even a Spotify playlist to accompany it. RW
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The tropical sweatshirt
Sweatshirt, Loewe, £725
As part of its tribute collection to American artist Kenneth Price, Spanish house Loewe has created a line of clothing and accessories inspired by Easter Island. A favourite is this mint-green hoodie with palm trees. CD
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The AirPods case
Headphone holder, Fendi, £490
For the high-flier who has everything, Fendi has introduced this AirPod case as part of its already-cult collaboration with Chaos. CD
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The ski goggles
White Line goggles, from £81.90, Spektrum Sports
Designed especially for flat light and poor visibility, these White Line-edition goggles are bound to impress any ski bum. They are tested in the brand’s home mountain of Åreskutan in Sweden (should you wish lend your gift further kudos with a little background info), and clever Zeiss Sonar lens technology enables 20/20 vision, superior contrast and clarity to find your way down the mountain in tough weather conditions. RW
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The city-stamp passport cover
Passport cover, Louis Vuitton, £355
For the jet-setter in need of a little escapism this year – Louis Vuitton unveils its classic monogram passport cover complete with custom stickers. Simply choose your favourite cities and cover the case for a unique design. CD
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The fragrant candle
Chakra 05 eucalyptus-scented candle, Amen Candles at matches.com, £70
This non-toxic, vegan candle infuses the air with calming eucalyptus, transporting you to Australia’s tropical forests. Hand-poured in the French town of Grasse (the world’s perfume HQ), it sits in a smart porcelain jar with a reforested beech-wood lid. A great gift for the eco-minded traveller. RW
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The smart skis
Zai skis, Saint Laurent, £6,600
While ski enthusiasts await the heavy groan of chair lifts revving up again for the season with bated breath, why not use the hiatus to update their kit? This understated pair of black Saint Laurent skis deserves a confidently sporty and stylish owner, one who wears their brilliance lightly yet carves up the slopes like pro. RW
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The stocking-filler bath set
Stocking Filler gift set, Molton Brown, £40
A classic present for those who relish bathtime, with deliciously smelling, travel-friendly potions from Molton Brown. Bottles of bath and shower gel are packed with scents such as jasmine and sun rose, coastal cypress and sea fennell, all of which are gentle on the skin and easy on the eye. RW
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The sparkly bag
Sequin bag, Chanel, £4,030
For her latest Chanel collection, creative director Virginie Viard took inspiration from the colours of the Mediterannean. This version of the chunky 19 flap bag, in glittering cornflower blue, is a lovely accessory for the next beach-club adventure. Charlotte Davey
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The easy baking kit
Ready-to-bake batch of cinnamon rolls, Gail’s, £16 for nine
You know it’s Christmas when the small of freshly baked cinnamon rolls hangs in the air. Gail’s at-home baking kit promises just that, without the mounds of washing up – just warm, gooey, glazed swirls of heaven – the best of both worlds. RW
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The kayak-in-a-bag
The Inlet, Oru Kayak, around £675
Now you’ve seen it all. This lightweight model can be transported in a weekender-size bag and unfolds (like origami) to launch straight onto the water. It’s a godsend for kayaking enthusiasts accustomed to hauling heavy boats into trailers and a delight for beginners who may not have a way to transport a standard kayak. What’s more, it’s pretty darn cool. RW
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The Highlands hamper
The Fife Arms hamper, the Fife Arms Shop, from £400
The Fife Arms, quite the chicest and most sumptuous thing to have hit the Scottish Highlands since Victoria and Albert gave nearby Balmoral Castle a totally tartan makeover, is a place of eclectic wonders and diverse enchantments, full to overflowing with delightful objects. Now you can get your hands on at least some of them without risking a prison sentence by means of the Fife Arms Shop (shop.thefifearms.com). If in doubt, plump for a hamper. There’s shortbread, honey and hard liquor, naturally; but there’s also cashmere, china, and lotions and potions that will have you and your humble bothy bathroom smelling magnificently of Braemar botanicals – and longing to get back to the Fife Arms. By Steve King
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The passport holder
Personalised passport holder, Paradise Row London, £65/£85
Crucial kit for the modern nomad, the passport holder is always well received, particularly when personalised. Paradise Row London’s vegetable-tanned leather design ticks the box for the ethically minded, while a clever external slit appeals to those who may have once (or twice) lost their boarding card in the depths of their hand luggage. RW
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The mens wash-bag
Road Less Travelled kit, Triumph and Disaster, £45
This water-resistant bag from grooming connaisseurs Triumph and Disaster is the sort of useful gift a man may never consider buying himself. For one, it’s packed with delicious-smelling travel essentials – a cotton face cloth, natural shampoo and conditioner, and styling clays and pastes containing ingredients such as dragon’s blood (a natural plant resin) and kawakawa extract – but crucially, it’s also a quality canvas wash-bag that will last forever. RW
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The afternoon tea
The afternoon tea hamper, Petersham Nurseries, £80
For those who have a penchant for afternoon tea – homemade gooseberry preserve, summer-berry jam, shortbread, Villa Marcello proscceo and smart teas – this gorgeous box of goodies from Petersham Nurseries is pure British summertime joy (and a welcome break from the Christmas puddings and tins of Quality Street). RW
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The ice bucket
Tank striped glass ice bucket and tongs, Tom Dixon at mrporter.com, £175
For the person who has everything, Tom Dixon’s silver and glass ice bucket with tongs will turn up the volume at a drinks party. No more ferreting around in the fridge or diving into a large laundry basket of sad-looking cubes – guests can expect to have ice elegantly plonked in their spritz. RW
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The fizz
Grand Brut, £33.75, Perrier-Jouët
For a failsafe bottle of Champagne to pop open this Christmas, Perrier-Jouët’s Grand Brut comes up trumps. It’s deliciously light, with honeysuckle and yellow-fruit flavours along with sweet vanilla notes. An elegant French wine that is always well received here in the UK. RW
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The animal earrings
Mr Polar Bear earrings, Tessa Packard London, £1,500
For the intrepid explorer and wildlife lover, these onyx and mother-of-pearl polar-bear earrings by Tessa Packard London are a potent (and rather pretty) reminder to protect our planet. Founder Tessa discovered a miniature porcelain bear at a market which then stayed in a drawer for more than five years, only to resurface and inspire her to create these jewels. RW
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The alcohol-free tipple
Bottle of Feragaia, Feragaia, £24.95 for 50cl
It’s reassuring to know we’ve finally left the orange-juice and elderflower era for non-drinkers, or drinkers who simply fancy an alternative. Feragaia is an alcohol-free liquor distilled in Scotland using 14 land and sea botanicals. Citrus notes cut through its winey, vermouth-type character, topped off with a fiery kick – a smart spirit that demands the same respect as a whisky, just without the hangover. RW
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The evening spa voucher
Sundown Spa experience, from £145, Calcot Spa
For the busy friend whose downtime is non-existent, Calcot’s clever evening offering includes access to the relaxing spa, a 55-minute treatment (choose from Elemis facials or Aromatherapy Associates pedicures), as well as a tasty two-course supper worth £20 at cosy country pub The Gumstool Inn at 8.30pm. Productive relaxation suddenly ceases to be oxymoronic. RW
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The wine-lover’s hamper
The Experience Box natural-wine gift hampers, Passione Vino, from £195
The brains behind Passione Vino, wine supplier to many top London restaurants, Luca Dusi has created these hampers including three special Italian bottles, such as Fay Costa Bassa Valtellina Superiore from the steep slopes of the tiny mountainous village of Valtellina, plus farm-to-fork goodies from Sicilian tomato sauce to divine chunks of gorgonzola and aged Parmesan. RW
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The DIY facial
Bright Future Sleeping Facial, Allies of Skin at Space NK, £122
A professional overnight facial for tired winter skin is not only a thoughtful gift but the beauty ace card of the season. The Bright Future sleeping peel from Allies of Skin contains ingredients that gently dissolve dead skin cells, as well as healing probiotics – ideal for travellers keen to safeguard their complexion from air-conditioning and weather changes. RW
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The cosy travel essentials
Cashmere-blend travel set, Labeca London, £212
There’s something immensely satisfying about being fully prepared for a long journey – a snug blanket, cosy socks and a soft eye mask all packed into one handy pouch. Give someone that smug-and-sorted lift as they prepare for take-off in 2021. RW
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The chef’s knife
FKK X Nomad Rwanda edition, £180, Florentine Kitchen Knives
Buy a budding chef the ultimate tool for Christmas and give 20 per cent back to struggling coffee farmers through the Barcelona-based company’s collaboration with Nomad Coffee (the handle is made from Rwandan coffee-sack micarta). RW
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The kombucha gin
Salcombe Gin Voyager Series Restless, Salcombe Distillery Co, £65
Devon’s Salcombe Gin has teamed up with chef Niall Keating to create a gin using kombucha as a liquid botanical. The limited-edition bottle, Restless, is a thoughtful present for any lover of the spirit who has exhausted the usual suspects and would appreciate something a little exotic. RW
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The slick sneakers
Sneakers, Hermès, £640
If this year has taught us one wardrobe lesson, it’s to appreciate good-quality basics. These trainers from luxury maison Hermès, with contrast-colour details and chubby soles, are sure to put a spring in anyone’s step this Christmas. CD
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The clever backpack
Backpack, Victorinox, £165
For those who are already planning their 2021 trips, start the holiday right with new luggage from Swiss brand Victorinox. CD
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The starry sunglasses
Crystal sunglasses, Dolce & Gabbana, £2,225
For a truly indulgent gift, look no further than to Dolce & Gabbana’s shimmery sunglasses – for the starry-eyed come rain or shine. CD
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The embroidered handbag
Lady D-Lite bag, Dior, £3,600
Taking cues from the festivals of light in southern Italy, Dior reimagined its signature Lady D-Lite handbag with this exquisitely embroidered kaleidoscope of candy pastels and lime-green logo. CD
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The smart pyjamas
Kellen pyjama set, Rails, £163
A good pair of pyjamas has never gone unappreciated. Especially this set from LA-based brand of the moment Rails, in classic blue pinstripes and white trim. CD
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The fancy notebook
Notebook, Cartier, £220
If you’d rather be working from holiday than home, indulge in the art of analogue with this notebook from Cartier, complete with a panther motif inspired by the maison’s signature jewellery collection. CD
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The classic timepiece
Sweet Alhambra watch, Van Cleef & Arpels, £6,000
For a timeless (sorry) gift this Christmas, Van Cleef & Arpels unveils its latest Sweet Alhambra clover – whose design references Moorish architecture – as this watch with a mother-of-pearl face, yellow-gold trim and contrasting deep maroon strap. CD
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The vintage-style luggage tag
Luggage tag, Tumi, £65
A great present for the travel lover in your life. Tumi’s oversized tag reads, ‘You are here’ – a fitting reminder whether at home or abroad. CD
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The retro ski knit
Gstaad knit, Tata Naka, £755
Koibird stocks these fun jumpers in a range of colours inspired by classic winter-sports destinations. Après-ski never looked so good. CD
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The fragrance set
Miniatures Coffret Eau de Parfum, Celine, £270 for nine 10ml bottles
For the person who can never pick one. Parisian house Celine has released its nine signature fragrances in one oh-so-covetable set. CD
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The fizz and flutes
Champagne and two flutes set, Laurent-Perrier, £50
Christmas bubbles have taken on a new meaning this year. But no matter where or with who you are celebrating, it doesn’t get much better than this. Laurent-Perrier has released its classic La Cuvée Champagne in this stylish gift box with flutes. CD
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The beauty essentials
Departure Travel Kit, Aesop, £45
Searching for a ready-assembled set of high-quality minis for your hand luggage? Look no further than Aesop’s Departure Travel Kit. It’s filled to the brim with hand wash, hand balm, facial masque, moisturiser, lip cream, mouthwash and toothpaste, all under 100ml.
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The winter coat
Checked faux-shearling coat, Stand Studio at Harvey Nichols, £400
In an age where leggings and jumpers are synonymous with workwear, owning a smart, snug coat that lifts your overall look and mood is a real boon. Stand Studio’s checked coat will do just that, and is one of several delicious forever pieces in Harvey Nichols’ autumn/winter collection. You can pretty much blind click and still be the most popular gift-bearer this Christmas. RW
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The spirits
Dry gin and vodka, AMASS, £42.95 and £34.95
For the spirit lover whose home bar is filled to the brim with the classics, AMASS dry gin and vodka are the winning bottles (you’ll look as if you’ve done your homework). Both spirits are distilled in LA using natural botanicals (some from the brand’s master distiller’s own Californian garden). The bottle’s design makes it cool enough to keep, should all the marigold and camomile vodka vanish into vodka Martinis before Christmas is over.
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The Michelin-starred supper
Gourmet dinner voucher for two in Restaurant Hywel Jones, £220
Few places conjure such bucolic visions as Wiltshire pile Lucknam Park – an 18th-century country house hotel set in 500 acres of rolling parkland. The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park – set in the old ballroom and decked out with chandeliers and ornate curtains – has been whipping up extraordinary plates since 2006. Give loved ones or friends something to look forward to (and finally dress up for) in 2021 with this Restaurant Hywel Jones dinner voucher. It can be redeemed against the restaurant’s exquisite tasting menu, with dishes such as duck liver two ways or pot-roast squab pigeon (the vegetarian version is just as fabulous – caramelised cauliflower velouté), all served with creative flair. RW
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The personalised eye mask
Personalised silk eye mask, Not-Another-Bill, £40
There’s something special about receiving a personalised gift – especially when it comes in the form of an embroidered striped silk eye mask. Not-Another-Bill is the go-to e-boutique for bespoke presents such as this, which arrive next day in beautifully wrapped parcels. RW
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The ultimate whisky experience
A Whisky Masterclass at Gleneagles, Perthshire, £60
Where better to learn all about whisky than Gleneagles, the Twenties grande dame of the Highlands with a golfing pedigree and shiny new coat? The hotel’s whisky ambassador will talk through tasting notes for five blends, decoding the vocabulary of flavour to make buying the next dram a doss. RW
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The suitcase
Unique suitcase, from £770, Rimowa
Make every part of this gift unique with Rimowa’s customisable luggage. Choose the colours of the tags, handles and wheels to put a personal spin on their travel essentials.
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The fitness kit
Starter kit, P.volve, £127
Nothing focuses the post-Christmas fitness mind quite like a gifted class with additional kit. And excuses are futile when it’s online – no blaming the weather or long commutes. A streaming platform of more than 200 workout videos and an app ensure anyone anywhere can do the low-impact exercises that go with the body, not against it. Add in the full starter pack and this is the ultimate present for fitness fiends. RW
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The island rum
The Spirit of John Nance gold rum, SC Dogs, £25 for 35cl or £40 70cl
The Scilly Isles really came into their own this year when travel restrictions set Brits’ sights towards microclimates closer to home. So here’s a toast to our fair isles and the first and only distillery on Scilly to produce rum and vodka, distinct for their tang of the sea. RW
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The cosy slippers
Shearling slippers, FitFlop, £70
Take the classic Christmas suede slipper to the next level with phrases such as ‘impact pillows’ and ‘arch contours’. These are the technical slippers to ease you through winter, as light as they are divinely warm.
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The cabin bag
Cabin suitcase, Horizn, £349.42
Look holiday ready at every stage of your trip with Horizn’s sleek cabin bag, which comes with built-in smart chargers and laundry bag. The brand has recently launched a capsule collection with the Soho House group but we love this version from its H5 range in ice mint green. Easily spottable on the conveyor belt if you can bear to part with it. By Charlotte Davey
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The desk globe
Albion globe, £1,349
The ultimate gift for fans of travel is this incredibly chic globe from Bellerby & Co Globemakers. The world is a source of endless fascination and this piece, presented on an Oak base, rotates 360 degrees in all directions, facilitating adventure and discovery from the comfort of your own living room.
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The travel steamer
Cirrus No.2 travel steamer, Steamery, £110
Steamery has made the travel steamer not only an essential part of a travellers packing list, but a stylish one at that. At only 590 grams this is an essential piece of kit to keep the user looking fresh and wrinkle-free all over the world.
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The winning jewellery
Hirsh Time, Hirsh London, POA
Feeling uncertain about someone’s favourite gemstone, or even if a necklace is what they really wanted…? So many pitfalls and so much at stake. Luckily Hirsh’s newly launched at-home shopping service, Hirsh Time, has come to the rescue. Choose two or three items for your loved one to test drive at home (the hamper they arrive in also includes an additional wild card piece, along with Earl Grey caramels and a scented candle). The Hirsh Taxi driver will even wait outside while the jewels are tried on. RW
Book appointments here
The travel-inspired side table
Evolution side table, FBC London, £950
We all became armchair travellers this year, dreaming of far-flung islands, mountains and warmer climes. Escapism and planning adventures can compete with the real thing for thrill factor – so here’s the perfect present for resting transportive paper dreams on, suitably inspired by designer Fiona Barratt-Campbell’s love of the Seychelles. RW
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The non-yogi yoga workout
Annual membership, Bulldog, £117
Online brand Bulldog prides itself on its yoga for non-yogis, taking all the fitness and mental benefits of the practice without leaning too heavily into the zen and ommmm. An annual subscription is the perfect gift for nomads who crave a fitness regime on the move – or presently while staying home. RW
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The positivity pendant
Gold-plated mixed-stone pendant, Theodora Warre, £320
We could all do with a dose of positivity in 2021 and sending it as a gold-plated silver pendant necklace with sapphires, amethyst, emerald, ruby and citrine can only go down well. Jeweller Theodora Warre, herself an avid traveller, seeks both aesthetic and spiritual inspiration from her adventures, in particular from India. Each stone has a special meaning (yellow sapphire stands for joy, ruby for health) and together they make a positively sparkly set for someone special. RW
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The travel backgammon
Roll-up backgammon set, Pickett, £206.50
One of the oldest games in the world. This leather backgammon set by British leather-goods maker Pickett rolls up to slot into luggage nicely — and can make even the scruffiest gap-year backpacker feel like Sir Richard Burton (the brainy explorer, not the Welsh actor, who preferred other types of games).
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