Latest Christmas shopping tips, gift guides and travel inspiration

Christmas really is a very merry time of year. Whether your favourite part of the festive period is enjoying all of the delicious food and drink (M&S’s Christmas menu looks stellar this year), relishing in the act of gift-giving, or simply curling up in front of your favourite movie, there’s plenty to get excited about. Embrace the joy of it all with the help of our gift guides, take inspiration on the best Christmas market to visit and invest in a beauty advent calendar that will make the countdown that bit more special.

Christmas shopping can be an arduous task, but starting early will undoubtedly make it easier. With Black Friday preceding the festive gifting season, we’d recommend making use of the many deals on offer, be that on beauty, tech and more.

Christmas is the best time to shower your loved ones in appreciation and of course presents. But finding the perfect thing is easier said than done. So whether you’re looking for the best gifts for your mum that are just as wonderful as she is or you’re desperately on the hunt for stocking fillers, our team of elves have done the hard work for you, reviewing all of the best gifts for you.

One of the most exciting elements of Christmas is of course all of the festive decorations. Whether you put your Christmas tree up on 1 December or prefer to wait until closer to the big day, decking your halls with cheer is one of the best ways to get in the spirit.

Christmas is one of our favourite times to get stuck in with all things extravagant make-up, excessive bath and body products and all things curly blowouts and festive facials. For gifting, there are oodles to choose from and some of our favourite brands – think: Olaplex, Sol de Janeiro and Laneige – have got sets and bundles to bring smiles to even the grumpiest of family relatives. So scroll on for the very best in Beauty this December, be it the ultimate red lip or that skincare set for someone special.

From cosy winter coats to Christmas jumpers and NYE party dresses, our shopping experts have hunted down the best fashion and accessories to shop this winter season for gifts and festive outfits.

From cosy cottage retreats and snowy Lapland breaks to ski trips around the world, our travel experts have reviewed the best winter hotels and rounded up the most wonderful holiday experiences for a magical Christmas escape.

Whether your looking for Gluhwein in Germany or delicious food in France, our travel experts have rounded up the best Christmas markets in the UK, Europe and around the world for a festive shopping holiday.

It’s no secret that one of the best things about Christmas is the food and drink you can indulge in. Whether it’s the lowdown on the best supermarket food to order, the most decadent mince pies or prosecco to celebrate with, our team has you covered.

There’s nothing quite like a glass of wine to really get you in the spirit – and when it comes to what to drink, our wine and spirit experts are on hand. To make sure your parties go off with a bang, we’ve reviewed the best champagne and prosecco. As for what to serve with the main event, turn to our guides to the best red, white and rosé.

Whether you’re after a stocking-filler gadget, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for the commute, a shiny new smartphone or the 4K OLED TV of your dreams, our team of IndyBest tech experts is here to help you navigate the best tech deals this Christmas. We spend all year testing out the latest headphones, laptops, tablets, smartphones, wearable tech and more to bring you our expert guides and in-depth reviews of the very best tech to buy now.

Give the gift of good health this Christmas. From high-tech fitness trackers to covetable self-care accessories, you’ll find something for everyone in our wellbeing shopping guides. Find healthy gifts, from the best activewear and supplements to at-home workout gear and explore expert-recommended products to elevate your wellness routine. Our testers have the lowdown on every wellbeing tool, from smartwatches to air purifiers, mindfulness apps to menopause support. So whether you’re a cyclist, yogi, runner or just want a more restful night’s sleep, we’ve got you covered with the best deals this winter.

The world really is your oyster when it comes to advent calendars. You can now count down to the big day with a beauty advent calendar, one packed with toys, and even a daily dose of jewellery. If you want your December to be very merry, we’d recommend you get your hands on a gin-filled countdown or a beer advent calendar.