The Sunday Times - UK (2021-11-28)

For the next few weeks I’m going to write about nice

things that you could stick in people’s stockings in

case it’s useful. My advice is not to overthink these

sorts of presents. It is of course extremely pleasing to

receive a stonkingly luxe lipstick or an insanely expen-

sive pot of face cream, but the lipstick needs to be the

right shade and the face cream has to work with the

giftee’s skin type, so if you’re doing that type of thing,

then do your homework. It is particularly annoying to

be given face cream for teenagers if you are middle-aged or face cream for, basically,

old women — if you do not consider yourself an old woman. (If you do consider your-

self an old woman and are able to dictate stocking contents to someone with a fat

wallet, ask for Crème de la Mer. I say this every year for a reason — you cannot go

wrong. I wish it wasn’t so perfumed, but in terms of making a difference to the ole

kisser, it’s your guy.)

What I like at this time of year are stalwarts such as bath salts and really expensive

socks to wear with my Birkenstocks. I’ll leave you to find your own socks but I can steer

you to divine bath salts, which are Soapsmith Bath Soaks (£25; soapsmith.com).

First, these come in really weighty, handsome, generously sized brown glass jars (fully

recyclable). They feel like an occasion and have lovely labels. Two, they’re made in

someone’s home in Walthamstow, which I call charming. Three, the ingredients

include things like Dead Sea salts and coconut milk powder. Four, they all smell

amazing. My favourite is the one called Lavender Hill, which contains — let’s see if we

can guess — lavender. Soapsmith says this is lovely for spring or summer, but I say it is

also extremely lovely for winter, because who doesn’t love lavender? Also, lavender

helps you sleep. But if that’s not your thing, then these excellent soaks also come in

Bloomsbury (rose) and Camden (bergamot, absolutely gorgeous).

These bath salts would make a really nice present for anyone at all, including you.

They’re not a mad price for a giant tub and they are lovely to soak in, leaving your skin

feeling very soft. If £25 is too much, Soapsmith does wonderful handmade slab

soaps, body washes, hand washes and hand and body lotions. These come in more

flavours, including Brick Lane, a warming and seasonally appropriate amber/pepper/

sandalwood blend. ■ @indiaknight

India Knight

INDIA LOVES

BUY I have Wirecutter from The New York Times to thank for directing me to the best

Christmas tree holder I’ve ever used (yes, it has teams of people whose actual job it is

to try everything from mattresses to lunchboxes to headphones, and anything else

you can think of — knives! Ukuleles! Apps!), which will keep your tree rock solid and

well watered even if it’s really big. It’s by Krinner and it tightens with a foot pedal —

no faffing about underneath trying to tighten bolts and get the thing straight. It’s

brilliant. I’ve been sitting on this information for a whole year! Krinner Tree Genie XXL

Christmas tree stand, £89; amazon.co.uk

Searching for a stocking filler that will be gratefully received?

Look no further than these heavenly bath salts

These bath

salts come in

really weighty,

handsome,

generously sized

brown glass jars

Victoria Adamson with lovely labels

The Sunday Times Style • 49