Just For Her.
How To Choose The Perfect Christmas Gift

For some well-prepared, organised and discerning partners, shopping for their significant other’s Christmas gift is fa-la-la-la-la-fun. For the other 99.9% it’s a stressful, rushed, last-minute panic attack that mostly results in a multi-store gift voucher. And while there’s nothing wrong with saying I love you, let’s celebrate our year like a non-specific, cashed-up card from the supermarket, something a little more thoughtful (and a lot more spectacular) will knock her festive socks off.

Now, I could sit here and tell you what I like, and what I would wear, but we’re all different. One woman’s yellow gold is another’s white gold. One woman’s emerald baguette is another’s confit of diamonds. So, to help divide the partner melting pot, we have concocted a library of nuanced personalities. Think of it as The 12 Traits Of Christmas. A curated pool of Yuletide idiosyncrasies and Christmas personas that might just sprinkle enough crumbs to lead you to the perfect gift. Consider this your blindfold removed…

One.

The Romantic

Sometime in mid-November, this starry-eyed Christmas lover turns her life into a Nancy Meyers movie. Her home is suddenly full of puffed cushions, decorated mantels, hydrangeas and soft lamp light. She makes gingerbread, begins craft projects and watches The Holiday on rotation. She starts to wear a lot of white dresses and linen aprons.

Her perfect gift: Something sophisticated and classic to complement her nostalgia.

Two.

The Ostrich

Let’s not call her “grinchy”, let’s call her “Christmas-adverse”. This particular partner has generally had it up to here with the queues and the school things and all the shopping, not to mention everyone wanting to “catch up before Christmas”. She’s got a lot to do but generally prefers to stick her head in the sand until December 26.

Her perfect gift: A timepiece to remind her that holidays are just around the corner, perhaps?

Three.

The Organiser

If you’re partnered with her, we suggest reading carefully because it’s likely she bought your very thoughtful, probably-personalised, likely-ordered-from-overseas gift months ago. She listened when you mentioned something back in April and acted accordingly. So, get cracking, there’s no time to waste.

Her perfect gift: A sentimental piece unique to her – a birthstone, perhaps?

Four.

The Baubler

This partner drinks the festive kool-aid and considers putting her tree up in October and it’s likely she spends more on decorations than she does on gifts. Every tree in her radius is wrapped in nocturnal lights and her own sartorial prowess turns themed and decorated. Her limit on Santa hats does not exist.

Her perfect gift: Colour! Pizazz! Ornamental wonder! She needs to sparkle like faux snow on mistletoe.

Five.

The Escapee

This year, she is hot-tailing it out of here. She’s packed her bags, with a few gifts in tow. She’s all about poolside this festive season with absolutely no gravy-stirring on her horizon. Christmas lunch will come in the form of room service and Christmas morning means a snorkel and a mountain hike. 

Her perfect gift: An intrepid piece that will make her eyes light up more than a boarding pass.

Six.

The Exhausted

By the 24th December, she has wrapped everyone’s gifts, made the pavlova, prepped tomorrow’s lunch, set the table and re-decorated the tree. She can barely keep her eyes open but yet she still needs to scatter carrots for the reindeer and fill the stockings. And while she loves these tiring traditions she, more than anyone, deserves to be spoilt herself. 

Her perfect gift: Something to remind her of the queen she truly is. 

Seven.

The Escapee

For her, Christmas is a stepping stone to the New Year extravaganza. Disco balls, sequin dresses, dancing shoes, this year she’s channelling Studio 54 circa 2023. Think big views, big fireworks and celebrating until the sun comes up. Only the most glam need apply.

Her perfect gift: A piece that will complement her exuberant spirit and take her into the new year.

Eight.

The Hostess

On Pinterest, she has reams of references dedicated to table settings, charcuterie styling and centrepiece building. She dresses to the nines and always has a festive-themed cocktail ready for her guests. People talk about her annual soiree all year.

Her perfect gift: An appropriately elegant and dashing sparkler.

Nine.

The Big Spender

She’s the partner feared most. With gifts that know no price tag, she’s so generous that a Ferrari wrapped in a red bow wouldn’t be a surprise. She relishes in giving, turning it into something of a sport – but how does one match such extravagance?

Her perfect gift: Meet her on her level and present her with a jaw-dropping investment piece.

Ten.

The Practical

She relishes the minimal and this year she only wants a gift that can be kept and used forever. She’s not in the market for knick-knacks or jokes, and she certainly doesn’t want anything with a seasonal trend. She’s all about a waste-free future, where less is more.

Her perfect gift: A chic, understated piece she can wear with t-shirts and ball gowns.

Eleven.

The Breath-Holder

While you think she might have forgotten, this partner still reels when thinking about your gift-giving disaster of last year. This year, she’s expecting little more than a Panettone-in-a-box from the local deli. However, she is quietly hopeful you might just pull out all the stops this year.

Her perfect gift: Time to go for gold…quite literally.

Twelve.

The Returner

She might smile on Christmas morning, but come Christmas night she will subtly ask you if you kept the receipt. So, this year, ask her mum/sister/bestie, sneak a look at her favourites on Insta, show her a celeb pic and ask her opinion. Suss her out before launching in! 

Her perfect gift: And if you can’t go covert, keep it classic and decadent and you (surely) can’t go wrong.

Still not sure? Why not chat with one of our helpful jewellery experts to help you make your decision. Finding a perfect piece for her is worth a little homework – you know she deserves it.

Article written by our content contributor Alissa Thomas.

Sign up to Kennedy news and discover our extraordinary holiday season curation