The luxury gift guide: opulent gifts to impress this Christmas

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

After a Christmas present with a true 'wow' factor? We've scoured the market to find the most luxurious Christmas gifts available.

These gift ideas certainly aren't cheap. But hey, if you win the lottery, or feel like throwing financial caution to the wind to spoil a loved one, these presents are the best example of their kind that money can buy. (For the rest of us, we've provided a more realistic option underneath).

Christmas Gift Guide 2020: 30 great presents for under £30

The Ultimate Fitness Watch: The Garmin Marq, from £1,399

There's a compelling argument for Garmin being the finest manufacturers of fitness watches on the market (we've been using new iterations for the past decade, and they've been consistently excellent).

So their decision to enter the realm of luxury watches aroused our curiosity. Can Garmin compete with Tag Heuers and Breitlings, while still maintaining those brilliant fitness tracking specs?

In short: yes. The Garmin Marq utilises high-grade watch materials (titanium casings, a dome sapphire crystal lens), has a far more stylish appearance than any standard fitness watch, and maintains the ever-evolving set of fitness tracking spec Garmin has mastered (GPS, heart rate monitor, built-in music storage, Garmin Pay, and much, much more).

There are five Garmin MARQs on the market: The Athlete, the Aviator, the Captain, the Driver, and the Expedition. Each is designed to fit the needs of a specific wearer. We recommend the Athlete as the ultimate fitness watch for runners.

Buy now: the Garmin Marq, from £1,399, Jura Watches

And the realistic option: Comfortable, funky, and great at tracking running stats, the Garmin Forerunner is a great buy at £99.

The Ultimate Whisky: The Macallan 30 Sherry oak Whisky, £4,999.99

The most expensive whisky in the world is a 1926 Macallan, auctioned last year for a record-breaking £1.5 million. While we're hunting luxury here, we want to remain in the realm of the plausible.

By comparison, then, the Macallan 30 year old Sherry oak whisky is a bargain for £4,999.99.

Established in 1824, the Macallan distillery has earned a reputation for excellence by combining the best of raw Scottish resources with Spanish produce. This single malt has been matured in Olorose sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain undisturbed for 30 years. It's a delectably mature, dark dram, redolent of orange clove, nutmeg and wood smoke. It's all too easy to drink: smoother than Cary Grant wearing a tuxedo.

Buy now, Macallan 30 Sherry oak whiskey, £4,999.99, The Bottle Club.

And the realistic option: Consider the 30 year old's younger, zingier cousin. The Macallan Gold Double Cask Malt has cheeky hints of citrus and boiled sweets and costs less than a small vehicle at £46.99

The Ultimate Hot Chocolate Maker: Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser, £99.95

They'll never want a regular powder-made hot chocolate again. The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser makes rich, thick, barista-quality hot chocolate at home in under 3 minutes. Just plug in the Velvetiser, insert chocolate flakes and the milk of your choice, and switch it on. You'll be supping a delectable drink in no time.

Buy now, £99.95, Hotel Chocolat

And the realistic option: nothing compares, we're afraid.

The Ultimate Handbag: Alexander McQueen The Tall Story black leather tote, £1,890

Certain fashionistas will insist that Chanel or Louis Vuitton make the most enduring luxury handbags, but the aesthetic of both is decidedly stuffy. That's fine if you want to look twenty years older, but if you want to look stylish across the seasons, Alexander McQueen is a much more interesting and chic choice.

It may be the legendary Scots' designers' label, but this bag is utterly Parisian in feel. Black leather with gold detailing, red leather interior, capacious in size, and guaranteed to look as effortlessly sexy today as it will in thirty years time.

Buy now, Alexander McQueen The Tall Story Black Leather Tote, £1,890, Harvey Nichols

And the realistic option: Black leather with gold trim, the Osprey Heidi Leather Shoulder Workbag is built to last, very good-looking, and a pleasing £79.

The Ultimate Skincare Gift: La Mer The Soothing Hydration Collection, £340

In the 1950s, physicist Max Huber sought to create a product to heal burns he had endured in a lab accident. After 12 years, he created the 'miracle broth' - a form of fermented sea kelp that is now the basis ingredient in all skincare within the range he subsequently invented, La Mer.

These days, La Mer is credited with launching the notion of luxury skincare and is beloved by celebrities. The Soothing Hydration Collection is a four-piece set featuring a selection of La Mer's best-loved treatments.

If you're wondering - yes, they are really good. They cosset and sooth the skin wonderfully. If you know anyone unfortunate enough to be enduring chemotherapy, La Mer moisturiser is fantastic at providing hydration and succour to dry, inflamed, agitated skin.

Buy now, The Soothing Hydration Collection, £340, Selfridges

And the realistic option: It is a truth universally acknowledged that French beauty brands offer the most effective products at a reasonable price. Clarins Refresh and Hydrate Collection will plump and calm your skin beautifully, all for £47.