Secret santa: celebrities' festive shopping secrets

1/5
Libby Caudwell10 April 2012

What treats will be delivered to designer stockings across London? Libby Caudwell reveals celebrities' festive shopping secrets

Sarah, Duchess of York

My Christmas shopping secret: Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1

Why it has the festive factor: I love going to see Father Christmas and the amazing Grotto. I have always gone to Harrods at Christmas. It brings back so many memories from my childhood - of treats with Mum and Dad, the smell of the food halls, the aromas from the juice bar, and pine needles of the Grotto. The Harrods doormen, in their green, have always reminded me of a day trip to London.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: The treat at the end of the day was to see the Christmas department of Harrods. Then upstairs for a delicious tea. With Mum and Dad not here any more, it is good to know consistent memories remain steadfastly guarded.

Kelly Hoppen, interior designer

My Christmas shopping secret: Old Spitalfields Market, E1

Why it has the festive factor: I like looking around for old black and white photos to put in massive frames to give to people.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: Definitely anything by Diane Kordas. There is a very understated, tiny upside-down diamond ring that I like.
(£1,308, matchesfashion.com)

Tamara Mellon, co-founder, Jimmy Choo

My Christmas shopping secret: Burlington Arcade, W1

Why it has the festive factor: It is a cosy little haven just off Bond Street which transports you back to an era gone by. A treasure trove of secret little jewellery, shoe and accessories shops.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: A vintage Rolex.

Daisy de Villeneuve, writer and illustrator

My Christmas shopping secret: Liberty's Christmas floor, Regent Street, W1

Why it has the festive factor: Because it feels as if the essence of Christmas has been bottled in a shop.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: A John Derian Proud Peacock Crystal Dome Paperweight.
(£55, liberty.co.uk)

Katie Melua, singer

My Christmas shopping secret: Summerhill & Bishop, 100 Portland Road, W11

Why it has the festive factor: Every time I walk in, they have a table laid out with the most beautiful seasonal decorations and my little secret is stealing their ideas for table decoration.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: Set of six mint tea glasses - they're gorgeous tulip-shaped glasses that are so dainty and cute and they'll add a really lovely touch to any Christmas table.
(£29.50, summerillandbishop.com)

Santa Sebag-Montefiore, romantic novelist

My Christmas shopping secret: Serena Linley, 156 Walton Street, SW3

Why it has the festive factor: If you step into that shop, there's no way you'll come out without a bag full of goodies.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: I'd like to receive the Orchid eau de Cologne (£65), body lotion (£35) and bath oil (£33), the mandarin and clove candle (£95) and the handmade lacquer box of five small scents (£130). (020 7052 0000,
serenalinley.com)

Rosamund Lupton, author of Afterwards

My Christmas shopping secret: The Cancer Research Shop, 392 Chiswick High Road, W4

Why it has the festive factor: It is a brilliant place for Christmas shopping, especially for my sister and godchildren. I love the eclectic mix and lively atmosphere with great staff. In Christmases past I've bought jewellery, a hat and an evening wrap.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: The last time I went there I spotted a Russian coat (£75), and I'm hoping it's still there.

Jemma Kidd, make-up artist

My Christmas shopping secret: Anthropologie, 158 Regent Street, London, W1

Why it has the festive factor: Anthropologie stores are always beautifully decorated and merchandised and at Christmas they really get it spot on. This shop also reminds me of my early trips to New York, when I first visited their store. That always puts me in a really festive mood.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: The quilt sets are amazing - so cosy and beautiful and perfect for those cold Christmas mornings.(£458, anthropologie.eu)

Olivia Grant, actress

My Christmas shopping secret: Le Labo, 28A Devonshire Street, W1

Why it has the festive factor: This porcelain-tiled "lab" mixes the oil concentrates in their perfume with the alcohol on site which is the olfactory equivalent of not eating pre-packaged food. It also prints bespoke perfume labels so you can include Christmas messages on the bottles.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: I am currently lusting after "Rose 31" which comes in at a rather pricey but completely worth it £90 for a 50ml bottle.
(lelabofragrances.com)

AD Miller, author of Snowdrops, shortlisted for this year's Man Booker prize

My Christmas shopping secret: Salvino's Italian deli, 47 Brecknock Road, N7

Why it has the festive factor: Because everything they sell is dangerously delicious (for both your waistline and your wallet).

What I'm coveting this Christmas: Salvino chocolate sfogliatelle. If I got it for Christmas, I might actually manage to eat it before my daughter pinches it. (85p, 020 7267 5305, salvino.co.uk)

Francesca Versace, fashion designer

My Christmas shopping secret: Dover Street Market, 17-18 Dover Street, W1

Why it has the festive factor: It is full of surprises and has the best selection of gifts to suit everyone's budget whether it be Alaïa's laser cut heels, Labour and Wait's Welsh wool hand- knitted socks or Katie Hillier's fabulous jewels.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: A set of small leather goods from Comme Des Garçons, in blue leather with green stitching - a coin holder (£55) and a mini wallet (£75). (doverstreetmarket.com)

Rebecca Hunt, novelist

My Christmas shopping secret: The problem I have is that I want to buy beautiful, unusual presents, but without trudging around searching for them. Luckily, amongmysouvenirs.com does the hard work for me.

Why it has the festive factor: It sells the sort of vintage furniture and homeware I love - perfect prezzie material.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: I've got my eye on a set of six Fifties tumblers which are so stylish they'd even make eggnog look attractive. (£24)

Tallulah Harlech, actress and model

My Christmas shopping secret: Virginia's, 98 Portland Road, W11

Why it has the festive factor: Virginia's is magical all year round but somehow those beautiful vintage dresses are even more appealing at Christmas.

What I'm coveting this Christmas: I'd love any dress from Virginia's. Maybe an Edwardian floor-length lace dress or maybe a Thirties Gosford Park-style evening dress. Prices on request.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in