Gift for someone in London

January 21, 2024 8:15 AM

London friend's birthday is this coming weekend. I want to order something delivered. No idea what's good across the pond.

I'm in New York. She's in London. She's originally from the UK, but after living abroad for a very long time (including New York for 10 years where we bacame friends) she moved back to London in 2022. I want to get something delivered to her this weekend at her flat in the Battersea area. I'd love to get a nice gift basket or a gift card or tasty goodies to her. If I don't come up with something gifty, looking for good florist recommendations.

I'm seeking suggestions from local people for local businesses that deliver or where I could get her a gift card via email.

She's early 40s single, child-free woman so can basically do whatever whenever :) I'd like to keep the budget under £100.

She likes:
Baked goods and chocolate
Spa days/massages
Nice dinners
Cheese

She dislikes:
Spicy food and meat/seafood (she's an unadventurous vegetarian)
Not really into home-bath things much, like I don't just want to send her bathbombs and a candle or whatever.

Really would love any ideas that are unique and have been a hit for your friends but that will deliver by end of the week.

Thanks!

posted by greta simone to Shopping (11 answers total)

I like Crosstown Doughnuts.
posted by spielzebub at 8:41 AM on January 21

Response by poster: I just learned she's going to be in Marrakesh from Friday to Monday, so need something that is non-perishable and delivered by Thursday!

She's also really into experiences or interesting tours that appeal to locals.
posted by greta simone at 8:49 AM on January 21

Brownies? They can be posted through the door and will last over the weekend while she's away if they're in the fridge/an airtight box.

You could also get her a gift card for Ottolenghi which she could use at any of their (amazing and largely vegetarian) restaurants.
posted by fight or flight at 9:41 AM on January 21 [2 favorites]

Pretty Shiny Shop is local to me and has a hand-picked selection of jewellery, cards (which they’ll write for you and ship with your gift!), and quirky/daft things.

For cheese Paxton and Whitfield.

For spa I like Ironmonger Row Baths.
posted by Erinaceus europaeus at 11:53 AM on January 21

Would a walking tour from Living London History be of interest? I see Jack’s videos on TikTok from time to time and think it’d be fun to go on one of his tours, even for a local.
posted by kittydelsol at 12:37 PM on January 21 [1 favorite]

Can't recommend Funk hampers enough. Cheeses from the British Isles only (ie from Ireland and Britain) make these very special indeed.
posted by einekleine at 1:39 PM on January 21

For chocolate, Thorntons and Hotel Chocolat are the standard options. Maybe Cadbury Gifts if you want to get her something she could buy in her local shop, only more of it.

Chocolate pizzas sound bizarre but make a great unusual chocolate-themed gift.
posted by kyten at 5:26 PM on January 21

You cannot go wrong with Fortnum & Mason; not inexpensive but high quality and reliable. I love all their biscuits.

Neil’s Yard Dairy for cheese, or Paxton and Whitfield. I am fairly sure the latter delivers.

I’m a huge fan of London Walks, anything they offer, especially some of their more eclectic tours. I’m not certain they offer vouchers, but they have always been very responsive via email.

I have yet to take this tour, but it’s been recommended by someone I know and trust: Unseen Tours.

Many landmarks in London offer tours; the Royal Opera House tour was exceptional as was a behind the scenes tour at St Paul’s Cathedral. Despite multiple tries, I have yet to manage a tour of the National Theatre but hear they are excellent.

For all information on London, the TripAdvisor London travel forum is quite active and has long term regulars who are keen to help.

A gift card/voucher for afternoon tea is both food and an experience; my favorite is Claridge’s but I suspect that is over budget. Fortune and Mason might be a better price.

In Battersea, if she has not been, a voucher for Lift 109 at the eponymous Power Station?
posted by kyraU2 at 5:47 PM on January 21 [1 favorite]

I ordered several months of cheese subscription from The Fine Cheese Co. and it was a hit for my gourmet friends. That's slightly above your budget but they have a bunch of one-off gift boxes that are in it.
posted by grouse at 6:59 PM on January 21

I can't speak on it personally (yet) but Pick & Cheese offers a cheese dining experience that involves a conveyor belt, like one would have at sushi places.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:25 AM on January 22

Fortnum & Mason hampers have a wide range, and the delivery mechanism always makes even the least expensive ones feel special. My mother used to order one of the Christmas hampers to our home every year, and I still use them as extremely posh looking bicycle baskets.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 6:07 AM on January 23