Mrs. O’s Top 10 Christmas gifts for luxury lovers is brought to you in partnership with Simon Shopping Destinations
I have one thing to confess: I am 100% ready for Christmas. I am an early shopper and by August, 90% of my Christmas shopping is usually done. And where I do it? In the USA, and this year, again, we went back to California for an epic 22-day trip.
I got things started in Florida when I visited Sawgrass Mills, and I was delighted then Simon Shopping Destinations asked me to partner with them and share my Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Luxury Lovers – why? Because 90% of my shopping was done at their centres in the USA. In the last 18 months alone we have been to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets near New York, Sawgrass Mills near Miami, Fashion Valley in San Diego, Copley Place in Boston, Desert Hills Premium Outlets near Palm Springs, Camarillo Premium Outlets just outside LA, The Outlets at Orange by Newport Beach, and The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas. A trip to the USA without a trip to a Simon shopping centre doesn’t count – and I hope you get to visit their centres on upcoming trips.
And don’t forget, join their VIP Shopper Club for extra discounts at outlets and make sure you get a Destination Passport before you arrive to your shopping centre of choice.
Top 10 Christmas gifts for luxury lovers – something for the ladies
Chanel metallic grained lambskin leather flats in Silver
Costs £500 / $750 from Chanel at Fashion Valley in San Diego, Nordstrom at The Galleria in Houston.
Probably the most classical pair of ballet flats – and in my opinion, the most perfect and comfortable pair of designer shoes. I have quite the collection (and they do last) and I love this grained type of leather which does not scratch as easily. They are the perfect travel companion and you will not go wrong if you decide to gift this to a special lady in your life. I have
Bottega Veneta Veneta handbag in new light grey
Costs around £1775 / $2300 in the USA. You can find various Bottega Veneta boutiques at select Simon Shopping Destinations such as Fashion Valley in San Diego, The Galleria in Houston and The Shops at Crystals in Las Vegas. The brand also has a handful of outlet stores in places such as Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, Sawgrass Mills and Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
It is one of my favourite handbags and the medium size is perfect for travelling. I have the black and the navy version and I think that this season’s grey would be just perfect. I am hoping someone can send this link to Mr. O as all I want to do is help.
The perfect cashmere travel cardigan
Costs $239 (£200) (but has a discount code for a further 50% off) from Saks Off Fifth Avenue, located at Sawgrass Mills, Desert Hills and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and The Outlets at Orange
I bought this cardigan in the Summer (in Palm Springs of all places) and it is my current favourite cashmere travel cardigan. It is beautifully soft and washes well – and really makes for the perfect travel companion. I have the light grey option and will soon purchase in black as it has been tried and tested and I would absolutely recommend to my best friend.
A La Mer discovery set
Costs from $60 at select Nordstrom department stores in the USA and at “The Cosmetic Company Outlet’ which is the outlet brand of all Estee Lauder brands, which you can find at many Simon Shopping Destinations
Like everything in life, you need to be lucky, but I have only seen La Mer gift sets on sale in the USA, which they don’t really do in Europe. I have recently purchased a great travel set at Sawgrass Mills in Miami with the hand cream, lip balm and the body cream, all 100ml for $70. For reference, the hand cream, same size, costs exactly that.
Tiffany City Hardwear Ball Pendant
Costs £240/$250 from Tiffany and you can find their shops at most Simon Shopping Destinations such as Fashion Valley, The Shops at Crystals and others.
I always get a little Tiffany box each Christmas (zero complaints) – with a little token item, which is usually a silver necklace. I do get gold ones every now and then (my birthday, for example), but having a Tiffany stocking filler is a tradition we started 14 years ago. The fun bit, is that whilst I usually know what my main Christmas gift is each year, I never know what my Tiffany box will bring. I particularly like this one (ironically I bought the Gold Mappin & Webb version earlier this year) and I think this would be perfect.
Top 10 Christmas gifts for luxury lovers – something for the gentlemen
(Montblanc M) RED Rollerball
Costs £365 and is a limited edition by Marc Newson for Montblanc and can be bought direct from Montblanc at The Shops at Crystals in Vegas, The Galleria in Houston and Fashion Valley in San Diego. Montblanc has also opened outlet locations at Woodbury Common, Sawgrass Mills and Desert Hills.
I have bought this as a gift for who know who (and he will probably know now!) and I also ordered red ink – so this becomes a red pen. And as I am confessing, I hid this so well, I cannot find it, but I have time.
Tumi International 4 Wheeled Office Carry-On
Costs £700 (in the UK), but a tad less in the USA (equivalent of £475). You can buy directly from Tumi at a select number of Simon Shopping Destinations in the USA – such as Fashion Valley in San Diego, The Shops at Crystals in Vegas and, of course, The Galleria in Houston, as well as select department stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and more. Tumi also has a handful of outlet stores in places such as Woodbury Common, Sawgrass Mills and Desert Hills.
We are Tumi customers left and right and we stick to the tried and tested and classic Alpha 2 range in ballistic nylon and black. The downside is that it never goes on sale, but the upside, is that it lasts forever. We replaced two of our XL suitcases this year (which were 10 years old) and almost only because ‘we fancied a new one’. Tumi cases are an investment and one we truly believe in. And we have them all in the same colour: black.
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver Eau de Toilette & After shave Balm set
Costs £75 ($95) from Tom Ford and you can get it at Sephora (USA), Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and one of the few Tom Ford shops in the world, at both The Galleria in Houston and The Shops at Crystals. Tom Ford also has its two only outlet locations at Woodbury Common and Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
I love love love this scent on Mr. O and Tom Ford is one of the few brands that still do after shave balm (which is something my husband likes, or so he tells me). This is a clean scent and I wear it sometimes too (not the after shave!)
Top 10 Christmas gifts for luxury lovers – something for the home
It wouldn’t fair to not treat your home to something – and in all honesty, ‘homeware’ is something we buy a lot of when we are in the USA. Why? Because there is quite a big price difference and also variety.
Frette hotel classic sheet set
Costs from $200 from Frette at select locations in Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, Sawgrass Mills and Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
Considered by many ‘the best’ bed linen brand, Frette is a recent addition to the outlet scene, and one we particularly like. Whilst there are collections made specifically for these stores, you will also find items from previous seasons. This is why we need so many suitcases when we travel stateside!
Buy a size smaller if you have a European bed. For example, if you have a European Super-King, buy just King in Frette USA sizes.
Le Creuset Signature Cast Iron Matte Round Casserole
Costs from £175 / $200 each, but depending on seasonal discounts. You can find Le Creuset Outlet Stores at Sawgrass Mills, Woodbury Common and Desert Hills, among others.
There were times when the worst thing one could suggest would be any kitchen items, but not since we started our Le Creuset ‘collection’ 10 years ago. Le Creuset has come a long way recently – continuing to do what they do very well (the cast iron casseroles, for example), but have become a real staple in our lives with the non-stick range, wine accessories (they do amazing wine openers) and cooking utensils. Despite being a European brand, I have to say that the range available in the USA (I have only seen a store at Woodbury Common and Sawgrass Mills) is much much wider than in Europe. SO yes, I have brought countless items to this side of the pond.
So there are my Top 10 Christmas Gifts for luxury lovers and I hope you found some inspiration, if you are still working on your shopping list. From this list, which is your favourite? And more importantly, from your own list, what are you hoping for this Christmas?
xo
Mrs. O
