The Ho Ho Hotlist: 23 gifts for beach bods

When you’re not planning last-minute city breaks to round off the year, you’re probably focused on how to gift the people you love in a way that actually reflects who they are this holiday season. 

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve shared a series of refined gift guides for our different members. First up was city swisher (a lesson on how to gift the pickiest person you know), then came the countryside enthusiast, whose wish list is a balance between lovely wholesome things and adrenaline-fuelled adventures. 

This week, we’re turning our attention to the beach bod: the one friend who spends more time at Soho Beach House Miami than they do their own home, and will go to war to secure the perfect sun lounger. Around 80% of their wardrobe consists of swimwear, and when it comes to the holidays, their idea of a festive lunch is more beach barbecue than roast turkey and mulled wine. In fact, the closest thing they’ve had to a traditional white Christmas is their annual re-run of Elf.

So, consider this your official reminder to keep sun, sea and sand at the front of your mind when buying gifts for this member. Bringing festive vibes into their home takes a little thinking outside of the box, and while they may already have hundreds of bikinis, nothing beats the feeling of a new one. Nor does the idea of a designer table tennis set or a hypebeast skateboard, for that matter. 

Here are 23 gift ideas to help you get started on the beach bod’s ultimate Christmas wish list. 

1. Because they live in bikinis
Coco bikini in sage, £160, Hunza G 

2. Because they’re all about unconventional decorations
Milk float novelty bauble, from £64, Soho Home 

3. Because they love bringing the spa into their home 
Ultimate Winter Home Hamper, £95, Cowshed 

4. Because the bigger the beach hat, the better 
Jeanette oversized textured satin sunhat, £510, Gigi Burris at NET-A-PORTER

5. Because everything they do is done in style 
Set of two beach rackets and ball, £770, Dior 

6. Because they’re always travelling to the next beach 
Winter Shelfie Travel Set, £25, Cowshed 

7. Because their poker skills need some work 
X Haas Brothers pink poker set, £1,035, L’Objet at Browns 

8. Because skate culture is part of their identity 
The Skateroom X Andy Warhol White Dollar Sign (9) Solo A skateboard, £190, Browns 

9. Because they’re a poolside essential 
Prada logo-embossed slides, £390, Farfetch 

10. Because a cool overshirt is always a win  
Bode Houdy embroidered overshirt, £409, End

11. Because an elegant tote bag is a yes 
Marni panelled logo print tote, £291, Farfetch 

12. Because it’s always Champagne o’clock where they are 
Barwell cut crystal Champagne coupe (set of four), from £157, Soho Home

13. Because they make the beach look chic 
0711 interwoven-design beach bag, £451, Farfetch

14. Because they can’t live without a pair of flip flops 
More Joy x Havaianas flip flops, £40, Christopher Kane 

15. Because no beach walk is complete without music 
Px8 over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, £599, Bowers & Wilkins

16. Because are you even a member if you don’t have a Soho House beach towel?
House Beach Towel Miami, from £55, Soho Home

17. Because they know how to rock a pair of shades 
Inflated mask sunglasses in acetate, £310, Loewe

18. Because it’s a swimwear staple 
Open-back swimsuit, £49, COS

19. Because beachside yoga is a ritual 
The Mat 3mm yoga mat, £78, lululemon

20. Because they’re always after a new beachside read
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, £15, Amazon

21. Because they stay true to a skincare routine
Discovery Set, £60, Soho Skin

22. Because they enjoy a good beach barbecue
Taste by Stanley Tucci, £8.49, Waterstones

23. Because they love a beach-ready print 
Bulldog night iris gyre mid-length swim shorts, £225, Orlebar Brown