Instead of treating yourself to a little something whilst you're Christmas shopping, instead treat yourself to a little luxury experience. Taking the time to slow down, spend some time with yourself, and enjoy some quiet moments gives a very different energy to Christmas and it's no better time to do it than as we head into the madness of Christmas week.

A Spa Day at Home

The idea of a spa day often feels like something that needs booking, hours of time and some advance planning. This version requires none of that.

Start with cleaning your bathroom, because spa vibes aren't happening with laundry and mess. Put out all the fresh towels you need (for real spa vibes tumble dry them with essential oil or dryer sheets for plush and fragrant towels). Lower the lights, add some candles, play something relaxing Maribou State and Holly Walker is our vibe, close the door and create a boundary, even if it’s only for an hour.

Take a long shower or bath, letting the running water calm you. Use what you already own, just slowly and taking your time. Give yourself a scalp massage when you shampoo, comb through your conditioner, exfoliate, scrub, and body wash like you're in a Hammam. Towel dry with your fluffy towels in the steam and follow up with body skincare and a thick, delicious moisturiser. You’ll feel the difference immediately.

A Hotel Lobby Afternoon

There’s something quietly luxurious about hotel lobbies at Christmas. A chance to be anonymous or whoever you want to be. Sit in silence, read a book or just people watch.

Choose a good hotel, it's time to be a snob for this activity. We look for a lobby with both secluded seating and ones out in the open, lots of natural light and a good view from either the front or back windows, impeccable service and excellent coffee. Go mid-morning, when the morning rush has slowed but the lunchtime one hasn’t started yet.

Order your favourite or something a little more bougie, a flat white, cappuccino or affogato. Let the time stretch, this isn't a coffee to be hurried. It’s a small escape without going far.

Slow Down With a Book and Jazz

December days are usually rushed from the moment we wake to when we fall into bed at night. But we're claiming one of them back.

Wake up slightly earlier than usual, give yourself that mental freedom to take your time. Put on jazz quietly in the background and make your favourite coffee. Sit down with a book, not your phone.

Read leisurely. Don’t aim to finish a chapter or a set number of pages, this is a morning without goals. Even twenty minutes like this changes your mood for the rest of the day.

Solo Shopping Mornings

We order almost everything online (a life changing Christmas shopping experience) but for any of you who is braving the shops then here's how you can make it a more lux experience.

Change the timing. It's a seemingly small change but with big impact. Go as soon as the shops open, before the rush and the people creating chaos. Go alone, without anyone to distract you, ask when you'll be finished or have to find because they wandered off in the Bloomingdales.

Finish with a Christmas coffee somewhere quiet before the crowds arrive and then leave early with your shopping list complete. That’s luxury.

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