Christmas shopping is easier said than done, or at least when you're shopping for other people, it is. You want to be generous and thoughtful, but when faced with a million and one options to filter through, or a family member that's impossible to buy for, you just need a little bit of inspiration to grease the retail wheels. Cue our Staff Picks. We like to think we're a pretty eclectic bunch at Oliver Spencer, so what you see here is a diverse spectrum of tastes that should be the catalyst you need to put a smile on someone's face this Christmas, and add a little something to your own pile of presents.
Oli Spencer
Gift For me: Despite popular opinion, I'm actually very easy to buy for at Christmas. I love being in the outdoors, whether it's on my motorbike, or on a hike, or just on a yomp around the city, so this year I'm dropping hints for Paraboot's Yosemite hiker in Green Suede. It's a stylish city stomper that is super functional and exceptionally well-made.
Paraboot Yosemite Hiking |
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Blenheim JumperGift For Someone Else: Well, two people in my family, who shall not be named for risk of ruining the surprise, are getting the fleece gilet which is one of my favourite pieces of this winter collection, and the Blenheim Jumper in Repton Charcoal, a beautifully soft wool crew neck jumper with an alpine-inspired pattern. Good behaviour pending of course, otherwise I'll have them.
Rhys Briaris, Store Manager
Gift For Me: As its my birthday just before Christmas, I thought I’d treat myself to a joint present of a Bleue Burnham Garden Signet ring. I love Bleue’s jewellery and wanted to add another piece to my collection.
Bleue Burnham Rose |
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Gift For Someone Else: I’ll be buying for Dad as he hasn’t changed his fragrance since the '80s! I’ll be buying him Maya Njie Tobak this year, which has a woody, comforting scent of sweet smoky notes and warm hints of cinnamon.
James Martin, Ecommerce Manager
Gift For Me: It would have to be the Solovair x Oliver Spencer Penny Loafer in Black. I've been eyeing them up all season as a smarter alternative to my everyday run-arounds (size 9 if your wondering!). An alternative would be a few pairs of Old School Ro To To Socks to keep me warm over the winter months!
Solovair x Oliver Spencer |
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Gift For Someone Else: The Craig Hill Tycho Puzzle is a good one for the whole family to tackle over Christmas. It has certainly had a few members of the team stumped this season in-store.
Ursula Middelboe, Sales and Marketing Assistant
Gift For Me: The Paraboot Michael Smooth Leather in Black, to shake me out of wearing trainers everyday. I think they would go great with a pair of pleated trousers and my Grandpa coat in Combe Green.
Paraboot Michael Smooth |
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Gift For Someone Else: I think my brother would love the Elmer Woolpile Khaki Gloves for when he walks his beautiful dog Reggie in the countryside this winter.
Kate Mitchell, Customer Service Manager
Gift For Me: Christmas Day in our house is very casual, we don’t tend to change out of our PJ’s until late afternoon. For me I can’t think of a better treat than the Pyjama Shirt Bracknell Navy and matching trousers. They’re super soft and cosy and I love the check print. Who knows, with pyjamas that stylish I might just get away with wearing them all of Christmas Day!
Pyjama Shirt |
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Gift For Someone Else: My Step-Dad is somewhat of a coffee aficionado these days (don’t tell him I said that!). I would love to gift him the Snow Peak Field Coffee Master so he can take his love for all things coffee on the move.
Steven Quinn, Retail Operations Manager
Gift For Me: Christmas is a time for feeling cosy, inside and out of the house and there’s no better way to do that than making sure you’re wearing a super-soft sweatshirt. The Deane Black Arisaig Sweatshirt is the perfect example: way softer on the inside than you’d realise to look at it, and it features a pocket so I can stash all the wrappers from the Roses tin without anyone seeing.
Arisaig Sweatshirt |
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Gift For Someone Else: My Dad is so hard to buy for, super stoic, and says he doesn’t need any more socks. But I think I’ve found something this year, one of the Craig Hill puzzles, probably the ‘Jack’ one will help keep his mind busy for a few hours. I should know, it took me about 20 attempts following a YouTube tutorial to try and put it back together when I unfurled one in the store.
Charlotte Robson, Designer
Gift For Me: I’m after one of our Swanfield Henley’s in Elms Ecru. Perfect for layering under knits on colder days, or worn on its own in warmer months, it’s great all year round. Super soft jersey fabric with a rib texture makes it feel like the perfect elevated basic.
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Gift For Someone Else: I’ve bought my sister a pair of Ro To To Double Face Crew Socks. She’s back in the UK visiting from Africa for Christmas so will feel the chill here when she arrives! These socks are perfect to wear around the house – soft and thick they feel like a sweatshirt for your feet. The most cosy and stylish socks around!
Steve Tree, Soho Assistant Manager
Gift For Me: I’ve always loved all forms of cardigans, and for me the Orkney Cardigan in Keswick Donegal Beige is a perfect present for myself. The shawl collar and cosy flecked knit are like a portable hug and the as the mercury drops, it’s definitely an essential layer. The Orkney Cardigan also allows me to pretend I’m as cool as Steve McQueen over the festive season.
Orkney Cardigan |
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Gift For Someone Else: As I’m already an owner of the Ro To To Comfy Room Socks in Nordic Red, I know how lovely they are. Thick and warm with an anti-slip print on the soles, as well as being the softest thing to ever toast my toes, they also double as slippers. As my sister Lucy is always cold, they’d be a great gift for her. They’re also cheaper than putting the central heating on too!
Ethan Buttress, Marketing Manager
Gift For Me: In 2023 I want to start travelling more with my partner and exploring different parts of the UK, so I’d love a lightweight, packable bag that I can use to throw all my essentials in for the two of us. That’s why I choose the Porter Yoshida 2-way flex duffle bag as it is both packable and durable because of the ripstop fabric it's made from. It also helps that it looks great as well!
Porter-Yoshida & Co Navy |
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Gift For Someone Else: The Arbury Scarf in Dawlish Beige is something I want to buy my Mum for Christmas this year. She has already been hinting at it since she saw it in our campaign at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, and I think she will look great wearing it too.
Tom Bodaly, General Manager
Gift For Me: I'll admit, I have a penchant for awkward-looking functional footwear, so the Paraboot Montana shoe is definitely something I can indulge in. I can see myself mixing it with our soft tailoring and chunky knitwear - it’s my version of a hybrid setup.
Paraboot Montana |
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Gift For Someone Else: Certain virtues mature with age, and for me, the dressing gown is the gift that keeps on giving. Our Dressing Gown in Bracknell Navy is a super-soft brushed cotton gown that layers well with loungewear staples or indeed nothing at all!