Ultimate Luxury Christmas Gift Guide for the Discerning Shopper

Wondering who actually uses gift guides these days? You know your loved ones better than anyone else. Are you aiming to give a meaningful gift? Take a moment to reflect.

Instead of stressing over pointless suggestions, I decided to create a curated list just for you.

This season, let’s explore innovative tech that fulfills real wants and perhaps some whimsical desires, making you feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

Nike Alphafly 3 Eliud Kipchoge Edition


A fresh year brings fresh resolutions to stay fit. If I’m asking Santa for the ultimate running shoes, I want them to feel like a secret edge.

These “super trainers” are so advanced that they might even be disqualified at official races. When their namesake ran a sub-two-hour marathon wearing them, they didn’t qualify for record status!

They work like Go Go Gadget’s spring shoes, absorbing impact from your foot and adding a delightful rebound to your stride.

Nike, £289

Sportsshoes.com, £289

Bermuda, The Kettle


“How much should I spend on a kettle?” is not a question I thought I’d ponder in middle age. I’d rather be deciding between a Lambo or a Ferrari!

Sadly, that’s not the case. I find myself defending a nearly £120 investment on a kettle to my partner.

Bermuda focuses on everyday gadgets that strive for perfection. They describe their kettle as quiet, precise, and delivering a “refined experience from the first boil to the last pour.” That might sound like marketing jargon, but it seems essential for a pleasant morning routine.

Bermuda, $154 (£117)

Huckleberry, $154 (£117)

Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker


Each time I leave the doctor’s office without diabetes or high cholesterol, I feel like I’ve won a prize. But eating ice cream at home, whenever I want? That’s a risky treat!

Yet, if my jolly benefactor were to deliver it, I’d be eager to whip up some delicious bread-and-butter pudding-flavored ice cream.

The CREAMi transforms any liquid you pour into it into ice cream within 24 hours. It also makes milkshakes, sorbets, and Slurpees. How about a daiquiri?

Ninja Kitchen, £289.99

Currys, £289.99

Super73 R Series


The Super73 bike is visually striking; my only worry is looking silly riding it—like a gorilla on a tricycle!

This electric bike boasts suspension, durable tires, a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), and a range of 64 to 120 km (approximately 40 to 75 miles). Plus, it even has a cup holder!

Super73, from €4,799

Ride + Glide, from £4,099

NEO Home Robot


After adopting a fluffy dog, my home is a constant battle against her shedding!

Now, a $200 down payment and $500 monthly subscription don’t seem so unreasonable to keep it furry-free. This eerie humanoid robot will vacuum your home, making life easier.

However, having read my Asimov, I do worry about what happens next.

1x.tech, $20,000 (£15,258)

Gozney Tread


I thought camping was straightforward, just immersing in nature. Instead, in the UK, it seems like a test of how much gear you can carry.

A portable pizza oven shouldn’t be frowned upon, especially one that looks like this!

Equipped with a telescoping tripod, it resembles something from a sci-fi movie.

Gozney, £499.99

Appliance Center, £499.99

Spyra Three


If I unwrap this at home, I need a solid excuse for having a water blaster as an adult!

“The pinnacle of water blaster technology,” claims the manufacturer, which might resonate with parents engaged in a backyard battle.

Spyra, £144

B&Q, £149.99

Dyson Supersonic R


“Why do we need a hair dryer?” my partner asks. While my hair may be thinning, beauty remains essential.

Recently, I learned that drying hair improperly can cause damage. My hair needs all the help it can get!

Experts recommend drying hair on low heat from a distance, ideally with a diffuser attachment.

While many dryers can accomplish this, the Dyson stands out with its airflow sensors, temperature monitors, and RFID chip for attachment performance adjustment. Perfect for achieving various styles!

Dyson, from £449.99

Boots, from £399.00

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Eric Schmidt, ex-Google CEO, purchases a luxury London mansion for £42 million

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has purchased a mansion in Holland Park for nearly £42 million, joining a string of significant transactions in London’s prime real estate markets.

As reported by the Financial Times, Schmidt, who led Google from 2001 to 2011, acquired a two-level stucco apartment in west London last May.

The Grade II listed building, as per official Land Registry records, includes a MEWS house at the back and was last sold in 2022 for £36.2 million. This sale follows other notable deals in London’s real estate market, including the recent £139 million sale of a 40-bedroom mansion in Regent Park.

Schmidt, now planning to rent out the property, is part of a trend where wealthy Americans are investing in luxury London real estate. In 2020, Americans surpassed Chinese buyers in the capital, accounting for 9.3% of foreign buyers compared to 5.6% in 2019, according to Knight Frank.

The interest in British citizenship among Americans has also seen a sharp increase, with over 6,100 US citizens applying for UK citizenship – a 26% rise from 2023 and the highest number since data collection began in 2004.

While there have been large transactions at the top end of the London market, overall activity has slowed. In 2021, there were 443 London homes sold for over £5 million, up from 308 in 2019 pre-pandemic levels, as per Savilles.

London’s capital price growth has been modest, recording its lowest annual price growth in the UK at 1.9% compared to the national rate of 3.9% in February. Northern Ireland saw the highest growth at 13.5%, followed by Scotland at 3.9% and Wales at 3.6%. London remains the most expensive location to buy a home, with an average price of £529,369.

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A representative for Schmidt declined to comment. A spokesperson informed the FT: “Eric is making investments in luxury real estate properties worldwide.”

Source: www.theguardian.com