As a shopping editor, one of the things I get asked about most frequently is gifting: what do I get for my mum, brother, best friend etc – and where do I go to find it? Well, the answer is very simple: Bicester Village. As a long-time fan (I made my first foray there when I was 14) every year the Village just gets better and better, and it really is your one-stop-shop to find gifts for just about everyone this Christmas.

My three top tips for gifting:

1. Know the person, their personality and interests, and match gifts accordingly

2. Don’t panic buy – I buy gifts way in advance of when I need them

3. When in doubt, something for the home usually goes down well

Bicester Village has so many great boutiques that fall into every category, from cute kidswear and must-have designer fashion for men and women, to fab beauty buys, irresistible homeware and a superb jewellery selection. I spent the day there to see what I could find for a myriad of upcoming birthdays and also, of course, Christmas.

As a Bicester Village veteran I wanted to share a few tips on how to get the most out of your day there. Firstly, an early start is key: we started at 9am when the Village opens and had the pick of the goodies before the crowds arrived. Comfy shoes and easy layers are a must as, even when shopping for someone else you are bound to find things for yourself, so with all of the walking and trying on, comfort is key.

The homeware boutiques tend to get very busy, so if this is your priority go there first thing to avoid the queues. There are also some great eating options available such as Café Wolseley, Shan Shui and farmshop restaurant & cafe – refuelling never felt so stylish!

Bicester Village also has some amazing services like personal shopping, which is based in The Apartment. Here, you can shop in total privacy and comfort, as the expert personal shopping team can pull suggestions for you from the Village and view them in your private room in total peace.

Most of the boutiques in the Village are restocked daily (and sometimes multiple times throughout the day) meaning whenever you go there will always be many great pieces to choose from.

A day or even half a day here guarantees your Christmas gift quandaries will be obsolete! If you’re in need of a bit of inspiration, swipe through the slideshow to see my finds from some of my favourite boutiques in Bicester Village.

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  • LE CREUSET

    I inherited some Le Creuset pans from my family over 25 years ago and they are still going strong. Find all sorts of wonderful goodies like this heart-shaped enamel oven pot.

     

  • EMMA BRIDGEWATER

    I just love these dog mugs from Emma Bridgewater – and there’s so many different breeds to choose from. A must-have for any dog lover.

  • BONPOINT

    Why does everything look so adorable in mini? Like this orange velvet smocked dress from Bonpoint.

  • JIL SANDER

    There are just so many great fashion brands at Bicester Village. Jil Sander is one of them. This orange cashmere wrap coat will make the most luxurious gift. Impeccably tailored from beautiful fabric, it’s an investment piece for life.

  • SMYTHSON

    The iconic blue packaging is always sure to go down a treat. So many fantastic wallets, jewellery boxes and bags were on offer when I went, but I fell in love with this pink and black notebook.

  • LACOSTE

    The rainbow of polos are available here, it’s hard to choose just one colour.

  • ORLEBAR BROWN

    Super great swimwear alert – and such a great gift, too.

  • LULULEMON

    I can’t get enough of Lululemon, I wear its pieces every day and most weekends, from the school run to walking the dogs in the park. Find its award-winning leggings here as well as many other standout items.

From Tuesday 30 November, face masks must be worn inside the Bicester Village boutiques. It is recommended that you wear a face mask at all times when in the Village.