Love it: Jo Malone London Christmas 2016

With a yearly advent calendar that comes with quite the price tag yet sells out before it’s even hit the shelves and a plethora of goodies to obsess about, it’s safe to say that the Jo Malone London brand owns Christmas. No Christmas countdown would be complete without a shout out to the wonderful brand, whose stores and fragrances fill me with utter delight every time!

As well as being purveyors of simply beautiful, luxurious fragrances, Jo Malone is also the place to go for a very special experiential treat – one I first experienced last year at their Britomart, Auckland store. They offer complimentary personalised Fragrance Combining consultations all year round at their in-store Tasting Bar, which include a luxurious hand and arm massage and fragrance samples. It’s the perfect introduction to the brand for those who haven’t experienced its unabashed gorgeousness, as well as a treat for their customers and a chance to explore the possibilities of fragrance combination. The combos I discovered in just under an hour were inspired and totally original - it was like walking out with a wardrobe of new scents, just by playing with my existing favourites! The store can host up to three customers at a time at the Tasting Bar (bookings essential) – making it the perfect outing when celebrating a birthday or special occasion – and also offer parties of up to 15 a private evening in the store complete with canapés and champagne upon arrangement. To say the whole process would be a true treat would definitely be an understatement – these need to be experienced to be believed!

But back to the seasonal tip - their Christmas gift options are always coveted, and this year is no different. Back in October I attended a lunch event was held in celebration of their Christmas 2016 product launch, known as 'The Theatre of Christmas'. The setting was flawless and definitely Instagrammable, and it was a beautiful introduction to their seasonal line up consisting of new products along with the return of some old favourites.

First and foremost, there’s a delicious new limited edition cologne in store for Christmas called Orange Bitters (RRP 228), which you’ll love if you’re drawn to grown up citrus scents with a bit of a sultry edge.  It’s a brand new scent and the first ever Christmas cologne from Jo Malone London a far as I know, and comes presented in a harlequin-style, checked print bottle which follows the same design as the whole collection. It’s limited edition, very sophisticated and apparently great combined with Pomegranate Noir, one of the brand’s most popular scents ever. To accompany it is the beautiful Orange Bitters candle (RRP $365), which comes in a ceramic-lidded vessel and is destined to be loved long after the tinsel has been packed away.

Other picks of mine from the vast Jo Malone London Christmas 2016 collection include the always-giftable Cologne Intense Collection of five 9ml minis (RRP $235), the Christmas Cracker (RRP $90), the terribly Christmassy but sophisticated Pine & Eucalyptus Home Candle (RRP $115) and the Mimosa & Cardamom and Pomegranate Noir Collections (RRP $205) of travel-sized favourites in the popular scent.

But really, you have to experience it all to believe it – so head to your nearest Jo Malone London counter now… and Merry Christmas!