• Homegrown yoga brand Budzy offers environmentally friendly mats made of high-quality natural rubber that contains no lead, phthalates or cadmium. Larger than the standard size, the mats are also biodegradable and come in nine distinctive patterns. Dh396, www.budzyshop.com/shop
    Homegrown yoga brand Budzy offers environmentally friendly mats made of high-quality natural rubber that contains no lead, phthalates or cadmium. Larger than the standard size, the mats are also biodegradable and come in nine distinctive patterns. Dh396, www.budzyshop.com/shop
  • Othertopias is a collection of three unexpected fragrances from Aesop. Miraceti, Karst and Eremia are designed to offer “a window into nature”, according to their creator Barnabe Fillion. Dh700, Aesop
    Othertopias is a collection of three unexpected fragrances from Aesop. Miraceti, Karst and Eremia are designed to offer “a window into nature”, according to their creator Barnabe Fillion. Dh700, Aesop
  • To mark the opening of its new Dubai store, Les Benjamins has launched a capsule collection of tracksuits in 10 striking colourways. Your streetwear-loving pal will be forever grateful. Tracksuit top, Dh840, Les Benjamins
    To mark the opening of its new Dubai store, Les Benjamins has launched a capsule collection of tracksuits in 10 striking colourways. Your streetwear-loving pal will be forever grateful. Tracksuit top, Dh840, Les Benjamins
  • Newly available at the Urban Nest concept store in Dubai are beautifully illustrated books by international publishing house Gestalten. There are stunning coffee table books for your houseproud friends, as well as books from the Little Gestalten collection for literary-minded youngsters. 'I Am Life', Dh100, Urban Nest
    Newly available at the Urban Nest concept store in Dubai are beautifully illustrated books by international publishing house Gestalten. There are stunning coffee table books for your houseproud friends, as well as books from the Little Gestalten collection for literary-minded youngsters. 'I Am Life', Dh100, Urban Nest
  • Show someone you really care with this Hermes fragrance set, featuring the brand’s Twilly d’Hermes scent, a striking combination of ginger, sandalwood and tuberose notes. Dh622, Bloomingdale's
    Show someone you really care with this Hermes fragrance set, featuring the brand’s Twilly d’Hermes scent, a striking combination of ginger, sandalwood and tuberose notes. Dh622, Bloomingdale's
  • We know they are controversial, but Birkenstocks are having a moment and you can't really offer a more thoughtful gift than comfort. Dh799, Birkenstock
    We know they are controversial, but Birkenstocks are having a moment and you can't really offer a more thoughtful gift than comfort. Dh799, Birkenstock
  • Get the kids in festive spirit with this cute Christmas jumper. Dh149, Mango
    Get the kids in festive spirit with this cute Christmas jumper. Dh149, Mango
  • Kurt Geiger's Duke Drench is a solid party shoe – particularly well suited to those for whom Birkenstocks are anathema. Dh775, Kurt Geiger
    Kurt Geiger's Duke Drench is a solid party shoe – particularly well suited to those for whom Birkenstocks are anathema. Dh775, Kurt Geiger
  • This double-breasted wool blazer is the perfect gift for the well-dressed man in your life. Dh899, Massimo Dutti
    This double-breasted wool blazer is the perfect gift for the well-dressed man in your life. Dh899, Massimo Dutti
  • These earrings have a faintly festive feel, but will spruce up an outfit at any point in the year. Dh99, Mango
    These earrings have a faintly festive feel, but will spruce up an outfit at any point in the year. Dh99, Mango
  • This classic Tommy Hilfiger duffle bag will act as a lifelong travel companion. Price on request, Tommy Hilfiger
    This classic Tommy Hilfiger duffle bag will act as a lifelong travel companion. Price on request, Tommy Hilfiger
  • Home-grown beauty and wellness platform Project bYouty is offering a range of curated gifting kits, including Hey, Hot Stuff, an introductory skincare kit for men that is vegan, clean and cruelty-free. Dh315, www.projectbyouty.com
    Home-grown beauty and wellness platform Project bYouty is offering a range of curated gifting kits, including Hey, Hot Stuff, an introductory skincare kit for men that is vegan, clean and cruelty-free. Dh315, www.projectbyouty.com
  • Augustinus Bader has famous fans across the globe. We promise the ladies in your life will thank you for this face oil. Dh845, Augustinus Bader
    Augustinus Bader has famous fans across the globe. We promise the ladies in your life will thank you for this face oil. Dh845, Augustinus Bader
  • Shaped like the infinity symbol, Nescafe's Infinissima coffee machine will made a strong design statement in any interior. Dh549, Nescafe
    Shaped like the infinity symbol, Nescafe's Infinissima coffee machine will made a strong design statement in any interior. Dh549, Nescafe
  • For those who truly want to go hands-free, this Kurt Geiger drink holder could be a handy little purchase. Dh432, Kurt Geiger
    For those who truly want to go hands-free, this Kurt Geiger drink holder could be a handy little purchase. Dh432, Kurt Geiger
  • Give the gift of wellness with the Fitbit Luxe, which monitors sleep patterns, exercise sessions, heart rate trends and other health metrics, but also provides mindfulness and stress management tools. Dh699, Virgin Megastore
    Give the gift of wellness with the Fitbit Luxe, which monitors sleep patterns, exercise sessions, heart rate trends and other health metrics, but also provides mindfulness and stress management tools. Dh699, Virgin Megastore
  • This Makore Scritto leather wallet is just the thing for the man who needs a bit of colour in his life. Dh2,600, Berluti
    This Makore Scritto leather wallet is just the thing for the man who needs a bit of colour in his life. Dh2,600, Berluti
  • Your foodie friends will appreciate this Christmas gift box, featuring a selection of festive Italian favourites by Farmbox, which specialises in fresh, organic food and beverage produce. Dh399, Farmbox
    Your foodie friends will appreciate this Christmas gift box, featuring a selection of festive Italian favourites by Farmbox, which specialises in fresh, organic food and beverage produce. Dh399, Farmbox
  • Swatch is ramping up the festive cheer with its new Peanuts Holiday Special watch, Chomp. Black-and-white Peanuts strips run along the bracelet and depict Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and the gang. The dial is dedicated to Snoopy and his dog house. Best of all, the watch comes with a free dog bowl in Christmas red, so pet pooches benefit, too. Dh570, Swatch
    Swatch is ramping up the festive cheer with its new Peanuts Holiday Special watch, Chomp. Black-and-white Peanuts strips run along the bracelet and depict Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and the gang. The dial is dedicated to Snoopy and his dog house. Best of all, the watch comes with a free dog bowl in Christmas red, so pet pooches benefit, too. Dh570, Swatch
  • Sony’s new WH-XB910N overhead wireless headphones promise club-like bass, as well as improved noise cancelling and comfort – music to the ears of any audiophile. Dh920, www.sony.com
    Sony’s new WH-XB910N overhead wireless headphones promise club-like bass, as well as improved noise cancelling and comfort – music to the ears of any audiophile. Dh920, www.sony.com

Last-minute holiday gift ideas: from biodegradable yoga mats to next-generation headphones


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

We can’t deny that you’ve left it a bit late. With Christmas Day less than a week away and that festive to-do list looking ever-more menacing, the spectre of all those gifts you have yet to buy may be looming large.

So here are some ideas to get you on your way, whether you are buying for a house-proud partner, a fitness-mad friend, fashion-forward sister-in-law or your colleague’s children.

There are next-generation headphones for those audiophiles in your life and handcrafted party shoes for any style mavens. New fragrance sets from Hermes are sure to be a crowd-pleaser, while limited-edition tracksuits from Les Benjamins are the perfect find for any streetwear aficionados.

And if you want to pick up something small for yourself as a reward, we won’t judge.

Click through our gallery above to see our gift ideas.

Updated: December 19, 2021, 1:23 PM