If you’re looking for Christmas presents that are a little different this year, the V&A’s Christmas collection has plenty of inspiration for children, families and anyone who loves beautiful design.
From imaginative toys and Christmas books to colourful decorations, advent calendars and thoughtful stocking fillers, the V&A’s 2026 Christmas gift guide brings together a mix of artistic, practical and playful presents.
Christmas Gifts for Children
There are some particularly lovely finds in the V&A’s children’s collection this year.
For younger children, Rockahula’s Kitten Fluffy Cape and Bear Fluffy Cape (£32 each) are designed for dressing up and imaginative play.
For Christmas story time, there are several festive books to choose from, including A Christmas Carol (£9.99), Jim’s Spectacular Christmas (£8.99) and The Twelve Days of Christmas (£7.99).
For children who enjoy hands-on and imaginative play, Threadbare Design’s Sensory Shape Toy (£27) is made from 100% reclaimed rubber wood.
One of the standout gifts is the Threadbare Design Dolls House (£82). Made from reclaimed rubber wood, the open-style wooden dolls house measures 38.7 x 19.5 x 38cm and comes with a 17-piece starter set including a cooker, table, teapot and cups, sofa, lamp, TV, bath, sink and wardrobe. It could provide plenty of opportunity for imaginative play long after Christmas morning.
For a smaller present, the Mimi and Lula Rainbow Stripe Bag (£17) adds a colourful touch to a child’s outfit.
A V&A Christmas Advent Calendar
For something to open throughout December, the V&A’s exclusive Polly Fern 25-day Christmas Advent Calendar costs £18.
Created as part of an exclusive Christmas collection by Suffolk illustrator and ceramicist Polly Fern, the paper advent calendar features her whimsical illustrations inspired by the V&A South Kensington’s Cromwell Road entrance and marble foyer.
There is also a 500-piece Polly Fern Christmas jigsaw puzzle (£20), making this a lovely choice for a family activity over the festive period.
Christmas Decorations with a Difference
The Polly Fern collection also includes a selection of wooden Christmas decorations, including a Building wooden decoration (£10), Bird & Fruit Bowl (£8), Dove (£8) and Christmas Tree (£8).
For families who like to add something unusual to the Christmas tree, there are also handmade felt decorations from Felt So Good, including a Mouse King, Fairy Queen, Fashionista Mouse, Mistletoe Goose, Skiing Fox and Jumper Reindeer, all priced at £16.
The V&A also has some fun food and drink-inspired decorations, including a Christmas Pudding (£11), Christmas Turkey (£13), Pear (£12), Peach (£12), Lemon (£12) and Cheese Board (£11).
Christmas Party Fun
If you’re hosting family and friends over Christmas, the V&A’s party collection includes a pack of six festive paper crowns (£17.50). The colourful reusable crowns are screen printed by hand on 100% recycled paper.
There are also paper decorations including a Reindeer Garland (£16), Christmas Foliage Paper Wreath (£16) and a selection of bird and house decorations from £9.50.
Small Christmas Gifts and Stocking Fillers
The V&A has plenty of smaller gifts for children and adults too.
The Parrot-shaped magnet is £3.50, while a recycled leather bookmark costs £5. For craft lovers, there are William Morris-inspired mouse and tomato pincushions priced at £8 and £10.
For those who enjoy sewing, the Arts & Crafts Sewing Kit (£25) is a particularly pretty present. The Victorian-style hexagon-shaped kit features a William Morris Compton design and contains a seam ripper, scissors, needles, pins, thread, a needle threader and tape measure.
V&A Christmas Gifts for Grown-Ups
There are also plenty of gifts for parents, grandparents and other hard-to-buy-for grown-ups.
For cosy winter evenings, Aura Que cable knit slipper socks cost £28 and are made from 100% sheep wool, while a McNutt scarf is £40 and made from 100% Merino wool.
The Tweedmill hot water bottle (£37) comes with a 100% wool cover and hot water bottle, while the V&A’s block-printed cotton pyjamas cost £55.
For someone who enjoys games, the Marquetry Wooden Backgammon Set costs £50 and is made from hazelnut and oak. The travel-sized set measures 20 x 12cm.
And for the book lover, the V&A’s selection includes titles covering art, fashion, textiles and design, with prices starting at £20.
Christmas Gifts from £10
The V&A is also offering new exclusive pre-selected gift boxes online this Christmas, with options starting at £35. The sets bring together V&A products including toiletries, food and home gifts.
For those who prefer to put together their own present, gift boxes are also available in store from mid-October, starting at £10 for a small box, £12 for a medium box and £14 for a large box.
With everything from imaginative children’s toys and festive books to handmade decorations and beautiful design-led gifts, the V&A’s Christmas collection offers plenty of ideas for Christmas shopping — whether you’re looking for one special present or a few smaller gifts to put under the tree.
