Unique Christmas Presents

Despite London’s shops being crammed with hundreds of present ideas, we all want to go that extra mile and buy our loved ones something extra special. This year we have an abundance of unforgettable experiences that make excellent festive treats. Learn how to dine with a fine wine, scale the skies in a helicopter, or unwind in the serenity of a luxury spa. Whether it’s a spot of pampering, an impromptu adventure or an exclusive workshop, we have something for everyone’s stocking.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a spoonful of self-indulgence. Christmas is a frenetic time of year and leaves us all feeling a little weary; why not book yourself in for a full-body massage or escape for a manicure with a friend?

Check-out our festive gems below. Far from the average stocking filler, our delightful present ideas are set to give Christmas an extra sparkle.

Private Helicopter Lesson

Biggin Hill Airport, Building 159, Churchill Way, Kent, TN16
Fanatical about flying? This Christmas, treat your loved one to an awesome flying lesson aboard a small helicopter. Beginners are taken up into the London skies and very quickly taught the ropes. It’s pretty exciting stuff.

Soon into the flight the experienced instructors will hand over the helicopter and let their student take over. Novices are able to fully feel the effects of the controls and acquire a spot of experience in the air. The helicopters tend to potter about the local area before letting learners master the art of hovering. It does take a bit of pluck, but it’s best to sit back and enjoy the ride.

All the lessons take-off from Biggin Hill International Airport. The airport itself enjoys an illustrious history. In the 1940s it played an imperative role in the Battle of Britain, accommodating all the war-faring Spitfires and Hurricanes. Today, it still annually hosts the largest privately run air show in Europe. It’s also famous for the wealth of celebrities and VIPs who touch down on its runway. Student flyers will probably catch a glimpse of a very snazzy private jet or two.

Book Helicopter Lesson

Private Yoga Lesson

Christmas is a fantastically fun time of year but it can leave even the hardiest folk feeling a little fatigued. A private yoga experience in your own home or hotel room is an incredibly peaceful and rejuvenating experience.

The practice of yoga has long been proven to induce a delicious state of relaxation, while also helping individuals to discover balance, strength and flexibility of mind and body. Yoga comes from a family of spiritual practices that originated in present-day India. In recent years, yoga became the latest fad for the Western celebrity world and since then its popularity has snowballed.

This particular private yoga experience is wonderfully exclusive. Tailored to the needs of the individual, classes vary from a gentle introduction to more dynamic workouts thereby accommodating both the advanced yogi and the beginner. All classes end with a deep, intense relaxation. Within the intimacy of their own room, individuals really can wholly immerse themselves in an amazing serenity and enter the new year feeling utterly refreshed.

Ideal as a gift or a little treat for you, this lesson is a wonderfully novel idea.

Book Private Yoga Lesson

Two-Hour Evening Harmonising Wine and Food Class

The Crypt, St James Church, Clerkenwell Green, EC1R
A fantastic Christmas gift for wine enthusiasts, this class is a hugely civilized way to enjoy the odd vintage tipple. While many of us quaff back the good stuff with little thought for matching up our choice of wine with our food, there is, in fact, a refined art to getting it right.

This class is designed to enhance your understanding of wine and discover what wines complement different types of food. These classes are sure to be hugely popular during the festive season. Throughout the evening, diners will be able to sample 6-8 different fine wines from a particular region. Everyone is given an opportunity to share their views and make their own assessments. The tasting will be accompanied by a scrumptious intimate supper. All the food is explicitly selected to harmonise with the wine. You’ll go home feeling distinctly well dined; it really is a memorable and hugely entertaining evening.

Book Harmonising Wine and Food Course

Treatments at Shymala Ayurveda Spa

152 Holland Park Avenue, W11
Christmas is the perfect time for a spot of pampering. Located in classy Holland Park, this swanky Indian spa offers dozens of delicious treatments. A calming way to lightly attenuate the inevitable stresses and strains of the party season, frazzled festive revellers can unwind, detoxify and face the coming year with a new lease of life.

The spa’s soothing interiors are made up of delicate lighting, candles, soft pinks, wooden floors and uniquely understated designer facilities. Facials, oil massages, herbal remedies and foot and hand treatments are just some of the myriad of treatments on offer. Attentive and endlessly indulgent, the spa’s expert staff are immaculately trained and authentically dressed. Every customer is entitled to a free consultation with the in-house doctor. Whichever treatment you choose, you’ll find it will be precisely tailored to your individual needs.

Any of their wonderful treatments make the ideal present. Of course, you may just want to spoil yourself and, by all means, go ahead – we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Book a Treatment at the Shymala Ayurveda Spa

Personal Makeover

Christmas is the ultimate party season. Shops are overflowing with little black dresses and smart suits for London ladies and gents preparing for office parties. As a present, or simply a wonderful self-indulgent treat, a professional makeover is the perfect way to make the most of festive celebrations.

The make-up artists at Blush are professional specialists who come direct to your home or hotel room. They have heaps of experience and have worked with hundreds of different skin types and looks. All customers are given one-on-one attention and a look that is tailored to their needs. From the sparkly, seductive evening look to honeyed, subtle daytime eyes this company will get it right. At the end of the makeover you will receive a comprehensive information pack detailing all the products used on your face. You’ll also come away with a whole raft of ideas for future make-up tips.

There’s no question that makeovers leave everyone feeling confident, vibrant and absolutely stunning. It’s a fantastic way to give you or a loved one an extra sparkle for the festive season.

Book a Personal Makeover

Double Trouble Manicures

The Nail Lounge, 1 Kingly Court, W1
There is something so indulgently luxurious about having your nails done professionally. The recipient of this present can pick a friend and they can both go and get their manicures done together - much better than going solo. This particular nail bar is really swanky. Located in the trendy shopping area of Kingly Street, it boasts a funky, candle-lit interior, wonderfully adorned with plush furnishings.

Before the nail experts begin, customers are able to carefully choose from a myriad of colours to brighten up their fingers. Every nail is always finished to perfection. With the special chip-resistant polish, they look absolutely dazzling and last for days. In this particular package, customers are treated to a complimentary glass of wine on arrival.

Book Double Trouble Manicures

The Original Chocolate Workshop

Hatton Square Business Centre, 16-16a Baldwin Gardens, EC1N
Christmas is the only time of the year when we mortals can justify gorging on wickedly creamy, rich chocolate. Make the most of it this year and treat you or a loved one to a deliciously naughty day sampling and making some mouth-watering chocolate treats.

My Chocolate is the first company dedicated exclusively to chocolate-making lessons. As chocolate fanatics themselves, they have put together a series of really excellent workshops. This original chocolate workshop for one person promises to be no different.

It's set to be really fun and fascinating. Workshop participants will be able to learn how chocolate is processed from bean to bar, taste a variety of exotic homemade treats and try their hand at making Vanilla truffles, praline and fudge. After cutting, dipping and decorating their own handmade delights you can wrap them up in colourful boxes and take them home with you to share with your friends and family or, of course, they can steal them away and guzzle them alone.

Book Workshop

One Day Floristry Design Workshop

Out of the Bloom, 89/91 Bayham Street, Camden, NW1
Immerse someone special in a world of flowers with this wonderful present. There is actually a real science to making flowers look attractive in displays and bouquets and this fun course teaches you everything you need to know about flower-arranging.

The five-day course covers all the different sorts of arrangements and is a fairly intense week but reported to be both invaluable and really inspirational. Participants will be taught the latest in modern flower-design techniques and will take life-long skills away with them.

They start the week with an introduction and learn how to do simple, hand-tied bouquets and long, flat bouquets. Mid-week they switch to working on foam and table decorations, wedding arrangements and wedding bouquet designs. They end the week with a lovely day working with open flowers. The whole week participants are flooded with blooms of exquisite flowers to work with from roses to sweet-smelling lilies. Materials are included in the price and you can take home all of your flower designs at the end of the week.

Practical and fun, this workshop makes for a really original Christmas present.

Book a Floristry Design Workshop

Indian Cookery Class Half-Day

Ren's Kitchen
You can't beat authentic Indian food but, sometimes, however hard you try in the kitchen, homemade curries never taste quite like the real thing. That's why this half-day cookery class makes such a practical Christmas present. Not only will the recipient have heaps of fun on the day but they will also be able to bring home their newfound skills and cook up an Indian delight in the kitchen for everyone to enjoy.

During the class, students are given the opportunity to get in the kitchen with a consummate expert. The class lasts three hours during which they receive one-to-one coaching. The best thing is that Ren (company owner) imparts all those invaluable secrets in the art of cooking a proper Indian dish. The step-by-step guide on how and when to use spices is particularly useful while they also bombard their novices with helpful top tips on how to replicate restaurant dishes at home.

The classes are well organised and Ren's passion and enthusiasm for food is absolutely infectious. All the cooking ingredients are supplied and you can take home all the delicious food you've whipped up during the day to tuck into that evening.

Book an Indian Cookery Class

Tarot Readings with Graphology

Mystic Matters
It's time to put away your scepticism and get mystical. Whether you believe in all that mumbo-jumbo or not, tarot reading can be a lot of fun. It would actually make a really original present for someone special. The card-readers tend to focus on the positive aspects of the subject's personality and future and these sessions often just get you thinking about your life and the directions it's taking. It's all very innocent and light-hearted and you can walk away with what you want from the experience, whether that's a lot or a little

There will be 24 tarot cards read in total. 7 cards spread for the past, 10 for the past and present and 7 more for the future. Subjects are invited to ask their own questions only after the third spread. The experience tends to take about an hour but it tends to run-over for most, so customers must allow for this.

This particular package includes an optional handwriting analysis. This practice is called Graphology and is big in mystic circles. Apparently you can tell a lot about a person's personality from their handwriting.

For many, it's a very rewarding experience. It's best to go with an open-mind - you never know what will happen.

Tarot Readings with Graphology