Desirables

When stocking up your spirit shelf, not only are you looking for something with great taste, but also something that looks great and stands out. This finest quality rum is turbo charged with their own unique recipe of spices and vanilla and contained in their largest and arguable most distinctive bottle ever. We had to add it to our ‘must have’ list!

Fallen Angel spiced rum 1.5 litre magnum, £100. Taste of Britain, Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3AR. 0121 709 3101.

#3 Many of us need our morning coffee before we start the day. Leave the instant Rich and creamy coffee on the shelf and invest in a great coffee machine, it will transform your mornings. Nespresso introduces Vertuo, offering freshly brewed coffee with a rich crema, centrifusion technology brews the perfect cup each and every time and you can select from 5 cup sizes.

Vertuo Black, £199. Nespresso, Crescent Arcade, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3GZ. 0800 442 442.

#4 There has never been a better time to get dressed up and go all out and this Party season YSL clutch eyeshadow is the must-have accessory. It features a collection of shades for every eye colour, rich mattes, soft satins and eye-catching shimmers, you can create a look for any occasion.

Yves Saint Laurent couture colour clutch eyeshadow palette, £100. John Lewis & Partners, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3RA. 0121 704 1121.

These gorgeous 18ct white gold diamond ruby halo earrings are classic, elegant and will take your breath away. Make this Christmas the one to remember and gift these beautiful, unique, diamond earrings.

18ct White Gold Diamond Ruby Halo Earrings, £1,500. Beaverbrooks, Jubilee Walk, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3HT. 0121 711 2737.

With the environment on our minds, L’Occitane have collaborated with British designer Kitty McCall, to create a recycled cotton, reusable beauty advent calendar, inspired by nature bringing colour, pattern and joy into your home. It contains a range of items, from skincare favourites to body care heroes and can be reused for years to come.

#8 Spark your little mechanics imagination Educational role play with this ultimate Motor Mechanic’s set. It’s perfect for role play with realistic features and great for eco-conscious parents. It’s solidly built from Plan plywood and Planwood and is instantly recognisable as a stylish vintage car, which is sure to become a much-loved family heirloom of the future.

Plan Toys Motor Mechanic, £300. MiniMini, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3AT. 0121 758 5121.

#7 Inspired by fishermen raincoats, made from beautiful waterproof fabric, this coat is perfect Woof Proof for our fair-weather pooches. It’s designed to protect the front legs and body and allowing freedom of movement, whilst keeping them dry, it also dries quickly. It’s made using recycled polyester, from plastic waste collected in oceans, fishing nets and textile fibre water, a big step to helping tackle the waste issue.

Sarah eco-friendly raincoat, £70. Joules, High Street, Solihull, B91 3SX. 0121 711 3657.

We were overjoyed to have HMV re-join us in Solihull, where else better to go shopping for Christmas presents. If you have a David Bowie lover in the family, look no further… HMV have the ultimate Brilliant Adventure (1992 – 2001) eighteenpiece vinyl set available. The collection is named after the Koto led instrumental penultimate track from the ‘hours...’ album. It includes newly remastered versions, with the input from the original producers and collaborators of some of Bowie’s most underrated and experimental material.

David Bowie, Brilliant Adventure (1992 - 2001) Vinyl 12” Box Set, £349.99. HMV, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3BG. 0843 221 0316.

#6 Rustic Luxe Need to make room for everyone? This gorgeous Boston extending dining table is not only a stylish, but functional addition to any home. Available in 2 sizes and with benches to match, you will need to get your cards ready for an evening of games after dinner.

Boston Extending Dining Table (180-240cm), £770. (Benches sold separately) Liv’s, Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3BA. 0121 709 4636

Picture it now… a Christmas film is on TV, you are tucked up with your loved ones in front of the fire with a drink of your choice in hand and you have on your new incredibly soft silk pyjamas ready for a night of relaxation ahead of the busy antics to come. Perfection.

Piped silk pyjama set, £189. The White Company, Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3AX. 0121 711 8412.