Allegedly it’s cuffing season, the time of year where single people start to pair up in relationships in order to share body heat during the colder months of the year. Cuffing season takes us through Christmas and new year and expires around Valentine’s Day, ensuring that not only do you have body heat to save on the gas bills, but also a ‘loved’ one to buy you Christmas presents, then to celebrate Valentine’s day with.
I, however, find the dating landscape this time of year to be more of an artic tundra. Give me a summer of love any day – the rain and darker nights of November-February are more conducive to early nights with my hot water bottle than a series of date nights with a series of men I’m not really interested in. Also, Hinge is BAD right now.
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If you’re remaining very much uncuffed this winter, why on earth should you lose out on great gifts? Christmas is my favourite time of year, something that in my family is a genetic trait. My family in the Caribbean have been known to put decorations up as early as August, and my parents (specifically my mother) turn their home into a grotto Father Christmas himself would be envious of. Christmas is IT for us, we love it, I love it – and yet I’ve never had a boyfriend at Christmas-time. No ‘special someone’ to put something under the tree for me.
But that’s not quite true, is it? I have many special someones putting things under the tree with pretty labels that have my name written on them. Friends, family, colleagues and ‘secret santas’ all taking their time to consider me and what they could possibly get to put a smile on my face, be it on Christmas Day or a Friendsmas celebration. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing the holidays as a time to wallow in your singleness but I’m lucky that they’ve always been a time of celebration and a reminder of how loved I am, with or without a significant other.
As you hit your 30s there is also that incomparable feeling of being able to buy (almost) whatever you want FOR YOURSELF! Gone are the days of aggressively marking up the Argos catalogue in highlighter pen and leaving it out for your parents to find – *hint hint* I want that Scooby Doo Nokia 3310 phone case pleeeeease! Now, I can treat myself year-round, but that still doesn’t stop me from supplying my parents with an itemised list (I’m a virgo, ok) – this year, it’s smaller items for my stocking which mostly includes skincare, a 2023 planner, trainers and some Ultra Mini Uggs.
So, what do you buy for the girl who almost has it all? This guide to Christmas gifts for single friends is absolutely suited to ALL women, but it is also a special shout out to all my single girls out there – these are things you can send to your parents or to any very generous friends, or even better, buy for yourself as a little reminder that you’ve worked really hard this year and you’re still sexy as hell. Now go put a bow on your head and lie under the tree to remind everyone that YOU are the gift.
Cheesier than a cheeseboard I know, but hey, it’s the holidays! Now let’s shop…
My favourite Christmas gifts for single friends
1. Smile Makers The Surfer, £13.96
Ahem, a ‘personal massager’ from one of my favourite brands ever, Smile Makers and boy do they put a smile on your face. An essential for everyone to be honest.
2. Sophie Louise Clark Intuitive Tarot Reader, £60
What does 2023 have in store for you? Find out with a tarot reading from my favourite tarot reader Sophie Clark.
3. Smythson 2023 Soho Diary, £180
Time to start planning and manifesting for 2023 and there is no one better to do it with than this gorgeous diary from Smythson.
4. Glossier Candle, £37
24/7 365 days of the year it’s all about you babe. Remind yourself and make your room smell sensational with the Glossier YOU candle. My fragrance of choice now in candle form.
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5. Pruzan Hourglass Sports Bra, £90
Get ahead of the ‘New Year, new me’ brigade and get yourself kitted out for your January resolutions with this Pruzan hourglass sports bra. One of my favourite new brands because everything is made from recycled and deadstock fabrics and they are incredibly chic.
6. Daphine Deol Ring, £75
Been holding out on that ‘it’ piece you’ve seen all over instagram? Now is the time to treat yourself or have someone treat you to a ring from Daphine, specifically their collab with Monikh Dale.
7. The Underdays The Every Day Cheeky, £18
Sexy pants but make them every day. That’s The Underdays and the new ‘cheeky’ style.
8. Slip Wildflower Queen Zippered Pillowcase, £85
One of the dreamiest christmas gifts for single friends, this silk pillowcase is for all the girlies who love their beauty sleep. Silk pillowcases reduce frizz, reduce tangles and are clinically proven to help with skin hydration and smoothness.
9. Asantii Boyfriend Shirt, £150
A boyfriend shirt for the boyfriend-less gals, or is that too tongue in cheek?
10. Nadine Merabi Darcie Leopard Pyjamas, £150
These PJs from Nadine Merabi are super cute, fluffy and perfect for swanning around on Christmas day with a glass of champagne pretending that you are dressed but actually it’s 3pm and you’re drunk in your pyjamas.
11. M&S Supersoft Faux Fur Hot Water Bottle, £19.50
Hot girls gotta stay hot during these cold winter nights.
12. NA-KD Bandeau Bodycon Dress, £46.95
Boob tube dresses are the hot girl item of the season, unwrap one this Christmas and maybe you’ll get unwrapped on New Years Eve…
13. Zara Shoulder Bag, £49.99
I’m including this because I already sent my Christmas list to my mum but forgot to include this, Mum if you see this I would very much like this thank you so much for all you do for me.
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