Christmas Gifts

Looking for festive inspiration? We've scoured our destinations for an A-Z of present ideas

Featured November 11 Words by Anna Smith And Caroline Mclaren
Christmas Gifts

A is for amber pendant, around �108

From Tallinn Amber washes up on the shores of the Baltic Sea, which is why you'll find so much of it in the jewellery that's for sale at the stalls and shops in Tallinn. Head to the Town Hall Square market or, for handmade, unique pieces, visit the website below. Merevaik ja H�besuveniirid, 10 Raekoja plats, Tallinn, Estonia; corazonlatino.com/amber.asp

B is for Bakel cool eyes, �95

From Catania Trendy Italian cosmetics brand Bakel makes luxurious treats that busy mums will appreciate. This regenerating eye cream is a favourite for its instant cooling and tightening effects, with ingredients that target dark circles and under-eye bags. As an added bonus, there are no perfumes or alcohol. Farmacia Croceverde, 43 Via D'Annunzio, Catania, Sicily, Italy; bakel.it

C is for cardboard stool, �16.90

From D�sseldorf This funky stool was created by Keppler & Fremer at the Remember design company. These seats, which are designed to look like everyday objects, pack away easily, making them a great present for those in need of space- saving seating solutions.

D is for Duvel beer glasses, �8 each

From Brussels Belgium is well known for its beers, including those brewed since 1871 by pale-ale specialists Duvel. Now the company has produced these limited-edition glasses by artists across the country. A great present for anyone who loves a swift thirst-quencher. Duvel, 66 Breendonkdorp, Puurs, Belgium; duvel.be

E is for extra virgin olive oil, �46

From Milan Armando Manni's organic Per Me olive oil is made from a rare Tuscan olive and the flavour will delight foodies. Drizzle over fish or pasta, or muddle with balsamic vinegar for a delicious dip. It's only made in small quantities, so there are limited outlets. Eats, 3 Galleria del Corso, Milan, Italy; manni.biz

F is for fig bombons, �6.45

From Murcia Filled with a truffle liquor cream mousse and dipped in dark chocolate, Rabitos Royale are no ordinary figs. Creators Raquel and Se�ador Valero transform the fruit grown in the orchards of Murcia, southern Spain, into a pure taste indulgence.

G is for Greek bouzouki instrument, from �190

From Athens Live music in Greece would be nothing without the sound of the bouzouki. Its pear-shaped body produces a sweet sound similar to a mandolin. These handmade instruments are the real thing and make a decorative, melodic gift for music lovers.

H is for Hamper Celebration hamper, �80 (APPROX �91)

From Isle of Man Packed full of the finest produce from local, family-run businesses, this is a true Isle of Man experience. Treat someone special to special cheese, honey, tea, handmade truffles, the famous local kippers and the (infamous!) Manx Knobs boiled sweets. Available online only, isleofmanhampers.com

I is for Innis & Gunn Highland cask beer, �2.50

From Edinburgh This award-winning Scottish brewer, launched in 2003, has taken the real-ale world by storm. This particular limited edition is matured in oak barrels previously used to mature 18-year-old single malt Scotch whisky, which produces a smooth, complex beer.

J is for Jumper traditional knit, �280

From Copenhagen Make like The Killing's Sarah Lund with this hand-knitted sweater from the Faroe Islands. The colour range of the organic alpaca wool is limited to the natural shades of the animals. Each one is made to order and comes with the name of the knitter. Sabine Poupimel & Co, 34 Pilestr�de; gudrungudrun.com

K is for Kastenhelmi serving plate, �36 (approx �41)

From Leeds-Bradford Designer Oiva Toikka, whose timeless designs are informed by everyday life, took inspiration from water droplets for his Kastenhelmi collection - the name means "dewdrops" in Finnish. David Mellor Country Shop, The Round Building, Hathersage, Sheffield, England; davidmellordesign.com

L is for leather tan iPad case, �195 (�225)

From Birmingham Surely the ultimate iPad accessory for discerning travellers, this smart case is designed and made in England from premium-quality bridle leather. The smart buckle-and- strap detail is pretty as well as protective. Daines & Hathaway, Daines House, Bridgeman Street, Walsall; dainesandhathaway.com

M is for Marseille soap by Compagnie de Provence, �5.90

From Marseille Founded 20 years ago, Compagnie de Provence captures the joie de vivre of France's oldest city, where the first French soap was produced. Its versions are made in the traditional block shape and scents include fig, grapefruit and wild cherry. Boutique Marseille, 18 rue Francis Davso; compagniedeprovence.com

N is for natural gift set by Tous, �67

From Barcelona Make a change from the usual smellies with this thought-provoking gift. The Tous H2O gift set contains fragrance inspired by jewellery, while the soap contains leaf juices and aloe vera to help moisturise skin, and lavender to aid relaxation. A portion of the proceeds goes to Oxfam. Tous, 18 Passeig de Gr�cia, Barcelona, Spain; tous.com

O is for optik binoculars by Swarovski, �1,780

From Innsbruck The world's largest Swarovski shop, in the heart of Innsbruck's Old Town, has the best selection of jewellery, figurines and optics by the leading cut-crystal producer. These sleek binoculars make a special present for keen walkers or bird watchers. Swarovski Innsbruck, 39 Herzog-Friedrich- Stra�e; innsbruck.swarovski.com

P is for play rug, from TL 309.97 (from �110)

From Istanbul Turkey is famous for carpets, but these multi-level play rugs are like no other. Made in Istanbul by local craftsmen, the clever designs brighten bedrooms and provide the base for imaginative small-world play. Joker Maxi Toys, 65 Cayir Caddesi, Istinye, Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey; ganderkids.co.uk

Q is for Queen diamond Jubilee chess set, �200 (approx �230)

From London This handcrafted chess set has been designed by Anne Carlton to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Ma'am and her family are immortalised alongside choirboy pawns. Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge; sac-games.com

R is for retro classic car, �159

From Corsica Three to five year olds can pretend to be the star of the famous Corsica classic-car rally with their own 1933-inspired model car. Crafted from metalwork by French company Baghera, each vintage car takes many hours to make and is built to last. Jou� Club Ajaccio, 25 Rue Fresch, Ajaccio, Corsica; baghera.fr

S is for Sergeant Pepper mill, �12.99 (approx �15)

FROM LIVERPOOL A little military help for the daily grind! The Beatles put Liverpool on the map, so why not take away a souvenir that will give the recipient a smile and is also a handy utensil? Plus, it doubles as a microphone for Beatles sing-alongs. Paperchase, The Met Quarter, 43 Whitechapel, Liverpool, England; lakeland.co.uk

T is for tagine cookware, �55

From Agadir Spread the taste of Morocco by giving a terracotta serving pot, which is most commonly used for the national dish of the same name. The beautiful market square in Agadir is a great opportunity to buy an authentic one from a stall - or try this designer version. Le Medina d'Agadir Coco Polizzi, BP 230 Bensergao, Agadir, Morocco; blisshome.co.uk

U is for underwear half cup bra, �75 (�87)

From Paris In 1948, corset maker Simone P�r�le began plying her trade from a dimly lit workshop near the Paris Opera House. Now her seductive underwear is world famous, totally stunning and worn by discerning women everywhere. La Pince a Linge, 13 Avenue Saint Jean, Le Touquet, Paris Plage, France; simone-perele.com

V is for vodka Miodula Presidential Liqueur, PLN 160 (�23.95)

From Krakow This vodka-based liqueur uses an age-old recipe flavoured with honey from southern Poland. Just 4,000 bottles are made each year, with 500 going to the Polish president to use as diplomatic gifts. Restauracja Wierzynek Delikatesy, 15 Rynek Głowny; thewhiskyexchange.com

W is for wallet document holder, �250

From Rome Francesco Pineider opened his first shop in 1774 and for centuries was the stationer of choice for authors, artists and the aristocracy. Made from the finest leather, this document wallet continues the tradition. Francesco Pineider, 8 Via dei Due Macelli, Rome, Italy; luxuryartisan.com

X is for XXS leather mobile hard drive, �109.95

From Berlin Created in the heart of Berlin's business district by German innovators Freecom, this discreet and compact XXS 500GB hard drive uses the latest USB 3.0 technology to back up faster than ever. Ideal for any tech geek. Conrad Electronic, 14-15 Hasenheide, Berlin; shop.freecom.com

Y is for Yava vase, from �50 (approx �58)

From Venice Italy is renowned for chic furniture design and Natuzzi has been setting standards for more than 50 years. This Yava vase in smoky grey has been hand blown in the famous forges of Venice - perfect for a design afficianado. Natuzzi, 1 Via Salomonio, Centro Commerciale, Le Panorama, Marghera; natuzzi.co.uk

Z is for Z�rich clock-tower replica, �250

From Z�rich For the past 60 years, visitors to Z�rich's railway station have been fortunate to check the time on a bona fide design classic. Now replicated for the home, the Mondaine clock is as distinctive a slice of Swiss timekeeping as you'll find on any kitchen wall. Schweizer Heimatwerk, 1 Uraniastrasse, Z�rich, Switzerland; mondaine.com