Glassy gifts

At this time of year I start getting e-mails from friends asking for Christmas present suggestions. When you shop for a living, nothing is more pleasurable than to offer advice and to share the names of people who deserve it.

The stores are all brimming with ideas, but I like to veer off the beaten track and suggest gifts that have been successful in the past. Right now what appeals to me most are things that are bright, personal and even patriotic.

My favourite gifts to myself (OK, so it happens occasionally) that work for women and teenagers are the cushions from Maison de Vacances. I went to see them recently in Paris (the former fashion designer/ art director duo of Emmanuelle Fouks and Nicolas Mauriac are the coolest concern going). This year they have produced the highly collectable, painstakingly sheared and dyed Pop Art Cowhair Stars and Stripes (£675), and Union Jack cushions (£198), as well as a large range of Love cushions (from £115). They are available at Bobo Kids on Elystan Street, SW3 (020 7838 1020; www.bobokids.net).

The gift I most often recommend (and give) is glass: it's beautiful, it's unisex and it often goes up in value. Elton John and just about everyone else in town collect the work of Lena Bergström, presently exhibiting at Vessel in W11. Her Squeeze vases look like sculpture (from £62, they look good with or without flowers), but it's her glass Planets that I covet most on my mantelpiece. They're really works of art (from £1,100; apparently Elton John has five of them). For more modern tastes, the Fast vase by Cedric Ragot for Rosenthal (from £40) makes a very funky gift, and I've never been into Vessel (020 7727 8001; www.vesselgallery.com) without walking out with a glass heart-shaped bowl by Kath Roberts (£60).

My best-kept secret is urban artist A Dee. Whenever I want to make an original Christmas or birthday card, I e-mail him something funky. In 24 hours, I get a graffiti-style graphic back. I used to take the credit. Oh well. Bespoke Christmas artwork from £40 (www.skil-urbanarts.com).

E-mail Neil Spicer, the charming owner at Neil@businessprintservices.co.uk.

CREDIT
Pick a bird house that will look pretty in the garden. Metal Bird House Love Nest, £10.99 (02392 469 400; www.thecontemporary home.co.uk).

CHEQUE
Baileys Home and Garden makes these 100 per cent Recycled Bird Houses in its workshops from reused timber. £18 (01989 561 931; www.baileyshomeandgarden.com).