Christmas is a special time of year – even as adults, we get carried away by the countdown to Christmas Eve, often with an advent calendar in hand. These are the moments when family and friends come together and feelings take on a deeper, almost tangible meaning. Christmas is just around the corner!
Gifts are far more than mere tokens of appreciation. They tell stories about relationships, show appreciation and at the same time give an insight into the style and preferences of the recipient. A carefully selected gift shows: You have looked, listened and discovered something special in everyday life. Even a charming ‘I already have everything’ should not discourage you – a loving, personalised gift transforms this challenge into a meaningful gesture.
At the end of the day, it’s the intention that counts – we ask ourselves the same question every year: What makes a gift for Christmas really special?
Our answer: inspiration, love and a touch of surprise. Here are this year’s favourites – perhaps just the inspiration you’re looking for! Because like you, we at Riviera Buzz are always on the lookout for the best surprises for our loved ones… and therefore for ourselves too.
To make Christmas 2025 as bright as the season itself, here are some ideas and suggestions!
Giving the gift of time – small gestures, big impact
Sometimes the most precious things are not material, but the time we share with each other: A relaxed shopping trip through festively lit streets, a walk together with mulled wine in hand or an afternoon by candlelight and winter tea. Such experiences are not just gifts, they are small declarations of love that touch the heart and senses in equal measure – personal and unforgettable.
An afternoon of baking gingerbread and cinnamon stars with grandma, the children or close friends – and eating them afterwards, of course – will be a highlight! After all, what better way to lift your festive spirits and give free rein to your creativity? and if you’re thinking: we do this every year! – how about an exclusive baking course this time? An experience that combines culinary enjoyment and time together in a stylish setting.
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The good old Gift Voucher – time & luxury wrapped in style
There are gifts that shine through their value – and those that shine through their meaning. A voucher, carefully selected and elegantly presented, clearly belongs to the second category. After all, what could be more precious than time together – and experiences that last? Whether it’s a visit to a museum with your best friend, an evening at the opera, the ballet or a concert – the selection of experience vouchers transforms every little gift into an unforgettable highlight. One highlight could be next year: a ticket to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Between alpine elegance, top sporting performance and Italian lifestyle, this event will be an unforgettable experience – a gift that combines emotion, style and adventure. Perhaps this is exactly the idea that has been missing? After all, a visit to the Winter Olympics is something extraordinary.
Courtesy Etiquette & Decorum on Instagram
Especially stylish: the exquisite packaging by Maria Pia Luly Jones. Her artfully crafted gift cards/tags and paper are little masterpieces – so enchanting that you’ll want to put them on your shelf like a piece of jewellery. And the best thing: Thanks to you, the contents deliver what the cover promises.
I think it’s good!
Self-care in Winter Days
Even small breaks for body and soul can be given as a stylish gift: a spa day, a massage or a visit to the sauna – experiences that perfectly combine luxury, relaxation and time together. Self-care starts with the small, everyday moments.
Especially in the cold season, we long for warmth: a morning start with a soothing shower or a calming beauty routine can change the whole day. Even after skiing, cosy hours at home or a trip to the spa with your loved one invite you to let go – accompanied by luxurious towels that gently rub the skin or a bathrobe made of ultra-fine fibres.
The self-care experience can also be extended with pleasure: Care essentials in an elegant set – from shower oil and rich body lotion to face mask and lip care; Hair care ranges for a spa atmosphere at home; Feel-good teas and premium hot drink sets for relaxing moments of indulgence; microfibre or cotton accessories such as scarves, slippers or sleeping masks in sophisticated colours; personalised sets with initials or monograms on towels and bathrobes; home spa make-it-yourself sets consisting of a cosy blanket and scented candle! Every winter day becomes a moment of pure relaxation and stylish pampering.
I think that’s good!
Visit to the Christmas Market in Rome – Christmas Magic in Piazza Navona
Visiting Rome at Christmas feels like stepping into a Caravaggio painting: atmospheric skies, golden light, streets full of drama and beauty. The Eternal City is transformed into a stage of festive magic. From the glittering cityscape to the traditional festivities in the Vatican, Christmas is revealed here in all its everlasting splendour.
The Christmas market in Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and largest in the city. Between Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Church of St Agnese in Agone, fairground stalls, local traders, nativity scenes, street artists and a nostalgic carousel line the square. From arts and crafts to toys and culinary delights – this is where Roman tradition and festive atmosphere merge in an incomparable way, open from 2 December to 6 January, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. during the week and until 2 a.m. at weekends. A trip there is the perfect mix of culture, indulgence and Christmas experience. A must for anyone who wants to experience Rome at its most sparkling time of year.
Winter Escapes in Style – The Ski Season’s Most Sophisticated Look
Right after Christmas, it’s time for our annual alpine escape – and freezing simply isn’t an option. Enter High Society, the German – Monegasque brand redefining ski luxury: sustainable, high-performance pieces crafted for both elegance and endurance. Their designs embody that rare blend of functionality and fashion – effortlessly chic yet perfectly piste-ready.
This season, my must-have is a sleek ski suit that’s as glamorous as it is practical, paired with a lightweight technical knit that packs smaller than a scarf. The result? A winter wardrobe that’s warm, comfortable, and unapologetically fashionable.
Video courtesy High Society
With nearly four decades of expertise in ski apparel, High Society knows exactly what it takes to make a statement – on and off the slopes. It’s the ultimate fusion of sport and sophistication.
And with the Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo 2026 on the horizon, there’s no better time to embrace performance wear with couture-level polish.
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Truffle Brush – Stylish Luxury for Gourmets
The ‘diamond of the kitchen’ deserves attention – and a little ritual. Put away the toothbrush, welcome the truffle brush! The Gufram brush is a great piece of craftsmanship, specially designed for cleaning fresh truffles. It is known for its fine bristles, which are very well suited to removing dirt and soil from truffles without damaging the delicate surface. After the truffles have been cleaned with it, truffle shells or small splinters often remain.
Photos courtesy Gufram
What you can do with these truffle shells and splinters:
Flavoured oil or butter: You could fry the slivers or shells in a mild oil or good quality butter to release the flavour. This makes a great base for pasta, risotto or for spreading on fresh bread.
Truffle powder: Dried and then ground up peel is ideal for making truffle powder. This powder can be used as a garnish for various dishes, from salads to egg dishes.
Infusion for broths or stocks: Another option is to cook the shavings in a broth or stock. This produces the typical truffle flavour and this flavoured liquid is ideal as a base for sauces, risottos or soups. Yummi! The truffle brush is an elegant gift for the discerning gourmet, so always follow your nose! There are many secrets surrounding the truffle – we’ll reveal at least one, namely how to care for the ‘diamond of the kitchen’ in the proper manner.
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Toast Festive Occasions with Terre Bianche and Celebrate the Art of Togetherness
Christmas is the time to pause and celebrate the finer things in life: exquisite food, fine wine and the people we care about. A festive dinner with family and friends creates that special atmosphere where conversation flows effortlessly and time is of no importance. The wine from Terre Bianche rounds off the evening perfectly – fine, full of character and yet restrained enough to leave room for every dish. A noble accompaniment for a table full of pleasure, lightness and elegance, perhaps ending the evening with music and dancing – elegantly dressed, relaxed and completely happy. Christmas means joy and an awareness of the art of togetherness. Light white wines are often a good choice after dinner too, as they are refreshing and won’t weigh you down unnecessarily!
If you are curious and don’t want to wait until Christmas: a wine tasting at Terre Bianche is worthwhile. Filippo is looking forward to your visit to Dolceacqua and can give you much better advice – and the wine speaks for itself anyway.
I think it’s good!
Diamonds in Glass®: Natascha Schenk Stages Timeless Luxury
Diamonds have always been a symbol of glamour, style and timeless beauty. They not only sparkle on the neck and wrist, but also set the tone in fashion and lifestyle. Whether on high heels or pochettes, their sparkle remains a statement: subtle, sophisticated and desirable.
Natascha Schenk (pictured below) brings this elegance to the festive table. With her collection ‘ADAMAS’: Premium Design in Glass”, she transforms wine, champagne or ordinary glasses into sparkling pieces of jewellery. Each special glass plays with light in a fascinating way by making a real diamond appear to float. Together with her daughter Malaika, Schenk has created a design that perfectly combines innovation and beauty.
What makes it special: The patented process creates a magnifying glass effect that makes a 0.30 ct diamond in the glass look like a 1.75 ct diamond. A fivefold increase that seduces the eyes and is unrivalled. The glasses radiate glamour without being obtrusive – perfect for special moments such as intimate dinners or festive occasions.
To all godmothers and uncles with an appreciation for beauty: a gift with style, heart and lasting elegance – a present that immediately inspires – ready for use, style-conscious and sustainable, without compromising on quality. And the best thing about it? Year after year, the collection can be expanded with additional glasses – a ritual that makes memories grow, enriches celebrations and preserves glamour.
In addition to the sparkling glasses, Natascha Schenk also offers jewellery. Her Unique Diamond Illusion Jewellery collection showcases diamonds in a sophisticated way and combines classic luxury with modern design. Particularly suitable for style-conscious women who love elegance and sophistication and for anyone looking for a unique, lasting piece of jewellery to wear or give as a gift. Discover how diamonds come to life in glass – at Diamondsinglass.com
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Love, Handwritten – A Letter to Love with Pink Ribbon Monaco
Pink Ribbon Monaco, under the High Patronage of Princess Charlène, brings together fashion, philanthropy and awareness every year at the Pink Ribbon Gala and the Pink Ribbon Walk to promote women’s health, support breast cancer research and celebrate hope.
In an age of voice messages, chat and emojis, it seems almost nostalgic – and that’s precisely why it’s so precious: the handwritten love letter. On fine handmade paper, every word becomes a small staging of emotion, every thought put down on paper becomes a statement. Anyone who writes a letter today is consciously opting for deceleration – for genuine emotion instead of a fleeting reaction. A love letter is much more than romance: it shows attitude and personality and remains forever present as a gift! Such a letter is particularly powerful when it is addressed to a loved one who is going through an illness. Words full of affection, hope and strength can provide comfort, give courage and show that you are not alone: You are not alone. Every sentence becomes a small ray of light in difficult times, every lovingly placed dot becomes a hug on paper.
And what accompanies the love letter? A scarf that envelops love or a bracelet that symbolises solidarity. from the Pink Ribbon Monaco Collection – accessories that make love visible and do good at the same time.
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Soundtrack of a Legend – ‘Paul McCartney Up Close – My Years with the Legend’ by Christian Simon
For the music lovers amongst you! In the midst of the festive season, when we particularly value closeness and connection, we recommend a literary gift that will touch both hearts and minds: ‘Paul McCartney Up Close – My Years with the Legend’ by Christian Simon. This book provides an intimate insight into the friendship between the author and the legendary musician that lasted almost two decades. With authenticity and the necessary distance, Simon recounts encounters, conversations and shared experiences that reveal the person behind the world-famous musician. The story is more than a biography; it is a portrait of an extraordinary friendship characterised by respect, humour and mutual appreciation. For music lovers looking for something special, this work is a gift that both inspires and moves.
The publication of Christian Simon’s book coincides with the announcement of the film Man on the Run – a happy coincidence that intensifies the view of McCartney’s artistic legacy and the cultural radiance of his era once again. A cinematic highlight for music lovers and fashion aesthetes alike. The film follows the now 83-year-old musician on his journey after the legendary break-up of the Beatles – a time of new beginnings, in which he founded the band Wings together with his late wife Linda McCartney and opened a new creative chapter.
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Discovering the Truffle – a Culinary Adventure in a Class of its Own
For our gourmet friends, discover the secret of the world’s finest mushrooms. This book is not just a cookery book, but a fascinating voyage of discovery into the world of truffles – the luxury delicacy that has spoilt the most discerning palates for centuries. From the types of truffles and the art of recognising them to practical tips on buying, cleaning and using.
Learn more about the noblest variety, the Alba truffle, the conditions for its rare growth, the myths surrounding these precious mushrooms and the history of truffle hunting past and present. Whether you are looking for classic recipes or creative reinterpretations – the delicious creations and itineraries in the homeland of the Alba white truffle leave nothing to be desired.
A must for anyone who wants to understand and savour the fine art of the truffle world.
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My Personal Recommendation: The Wizard in the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli – Power, Myth and Manipulation
The Wizard in the Kremlin by Giuliano da Empoli is a fascinating look behind the scenes of power. Rarely has the Putin system been fictionalised in such a clever, complex and oppressive way. Da Empoli, himself a political scientist and former government adviser to Matteo Renzi (he previously served as an adviser to the Italian Minister of Culture and as deputy mayor of Florence under Renzi) paints a sharp portrait of contemporary Russia – an ‘empire of lies’, in which truth becomes staging and power becomes fiction.
The Wizard in the Kremlin could well be reimagined as The Wizard in the White House. Giuliano da Empoli’s novel is not a classic portrait of Putin, but an analysis of power as staging – of the transformation of politics into an unscrupulously choreographed spectacle, and it is precisely this principle that can now be observed almost everywhere, including in Western democracies. It is about the total mastery of the narrative: the art of manipulating the public, controlling emotions, distorting the truth – all with the means of modern media. The Wizard in the Kremlin is a brilliant reflection on the mechanisms of modern power and the seductiveness of the masses.
Video via Gaumont on YouTube
The book by Giuliano da Empoli with the working title The Wizard of the Kremlin has been made into a film with Jude Law in the role of Vladimir Putin. The film has been announced for release in France on 21 January 2026.
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The New Gatsby Glow – Tatiana Ashakova brings the spirit of the twenties into the now
As the year draws to a close, the season of sparkling nights begins. Between Christmas receptions and New Year’s Eve balls, the desire for glamour awakens: on silk, satin, sequins, it’s the time of candlelight and clinking champagne glasses!
Cold Wave – elegance and attitude – At the centre of Tatiana Ashakova’s collection is an accessory that speaks: the headdress! Ashakova rethinks the 1920s – quietly and precisely, with a look that is more than mere nostalgia. Her Cold Wave collection is not a look back, but a conversation with a decade in which rebellion shimmered like mother-of-pearl and glamour carried a dangerous promise.
Photos by Tatiana Kiaie, courtesy BeretkAh
Ashakova’s Cold Wave is a declaration of love to the sparkling world of the 1920s, to the world of de Lempicka and Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the novel in which elegance and excess are moulded into words and sound like jazz!
Whether at cocktails or at the New Year’s Eve ball – these looks are for nights when fashion does not conceal but reveals: who we are and who we want to be! For elegant women with attitude.
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From all of us at RIVIERA BUZZ, may your holidays be filled with love, light, and effortless glamour. Wishing you a radiant Christmas and a graceful start to 2026 – stay healthy, inspired, and endlessly chic.
Lead image courtesy Gerd Eichmann (edited); all other images as credited
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