Remember when you were little and you had been VERY good? Father Christmas might bring you anything your heart desired - you thought.

And then you grew up!

But dreams go on, and maybe, someone might see these truly astonishing gifts and think of you.........

Six of the best

Here's the Ultimate Christmas Gift List covering the most remarkable never-done-before festive offerings from jewellery and art through to travel and culinary creations. No one could possible say “I have one already”. (shared by VeryFirstTo)

The world’s first Diamond Christmas Snow Globe, featuring genuine diamond ‘snow’ and a hand-sculpted family in the likeness of your own. Leah Andrews, snow globe maker to the stars, and ‘Queen of Snow Globes’, will craft this never done before artwork.

Adding some sparkle, or ‘ice’, are ten diamonds that add to the festive magic of this stunning piece. Five .07 carat diamonds are affixed to the inner setting and an additional five diamonds remain loose within the sealed globe. Priced at a very cool £3,270 (US$5,000/ €4,490).

If you are looking for a sparkling culinary Christmas treat, that will have never previously been witnessed, the investment is £475 (US$715/ €676) per tart. Georgia Green, baker to the stars has created the remarkable Rudolph The Ruby-Nosed Reindeer Tarts, each adorned with a ruby. Each ruby not only represents an investment (they are offered at wholesale cost), but VeryFirstTo can organise for it to be set into a bespoke piece of jewellery.

Each ruby sits proudly upon a delicious macaron atop a chocolate ganache sweet pastry tart laden with a hidden filling of salted caramel. The antlers are made with caramel that has been piped by Georgia into sculpted form.

This unprecedented piece has been created by 77 Diamonds, the leading European online diamond jeweller, who offer the world’s largest selection of loose diamonds. 

The solid Sterling Silver creation stands at 20cm high and 13cm wide and weighs 130 grams. There are over 280 diamonds studded throughout, totalling in excess of 13 carats. The central section is yellow gold plated.

Without a doubt, the star of the magnificent tree topper is the rare and dazzling GIA certified 5 carat D flawless diamond which, between Christmases, canbe easily removed and transforms into a stunning necklace. Priced at £615,000 (US$947,705/ €863,864) 

The world’s most sparkling and stunning Christmas crackers ever created are now available through the luxury launches website VeryFirstTo.com. Six magnificent white diamonds selected by award winning jeweller Tresor Paris, each in a distinctively different cut, feature in a set of beautifully hand-crafted crackers, created by House Of Crackers. For these it's a mere £995,000 (US$1,514,000/ €1,422,000)

Not many people get to take one private jet tour in a lifetime. This Christmas, for the very first time, the world’s four finest private jet tours are being offered to relish in one exceptional year.

An expert panel consisting of representatives from Private Jet Tours and luxury launches website VeryFirstTo.com, has selected the four most impressive tours available from highly regarded operators around the globe.  ‘The Four Jet Tour’, each with a remarkable and distinctive theme, incorporates: ‘Timeless Discoveries’ the signature Around the World trip featuring some of the world’s most iconic destinations, by Four Seasons; ‘Following Caravaggio’ a jet tour that has never previously been available, and is a must for art lovers, designed by Private Jet Tours; ‘Equatorial Explorer’ the perennial guests favourite by Captain’s Choice and ‘Islands, Savannahs & The Amazon’ by Abercrombie & Kent is actually designed by the founder of A&K Geoffery Kent and is a globe spanning journey that includes some of the least visited places on earth. £219,404 ($338,415/ €298,730). 

Armaggan, the premier luxury design brand of Ä°stanbul is offering couples who purchase from its ‘Anniversary Collection’ a luxurious stay in one of the city’s most exclusive residences. This exceptionally romantic opportunity is available for Christmas onwards exclusively from VeryFirstTo.

The couple will spend an unforgettable night in a 54 square metre Armaggan Bosphorus Suite set inside one of three immaculately restored yalis (waterfront mansions) located on the European side of the Bosphorus in Ortaköy, a popular cosmopolitan neighbourhood in Istanbul’s thriving BeÅŸiktaÅŸ district. The Suites occupies a commanding waterfront location, directly adjacent to the Bosphorus Bridge, facing Istanbul’s Beylerbeyi Palace. The romantic stay includes dinner, full use of the suite’s array of luxury amenities, Armaggan House Breakfast and traditional Hamam treatments for two.

Inspired by the cultural heritage of Anatolian civilisation Armaggan combines original design with outstanding craftsmanship and exquisite precious materials to produce magnificent pieces. These timeless items are crafted by Armaggan’s ateliers and are designed to be handed-down from generation to generation whilst appreciating in value and distinction.

Highlights of the collection include a beautifully crafted Hittite necklace featuring geometrical, hexagram shapes in 18k gold (£6,962); amethyst and topaz earrings featuring black and white diamond accents (£12,584); and a show stopping 18k white and yellow gold ring featuring cognac diamonds (£5,720).

A different gift? Just add water

Christmas in the Caribbean! SeaDream Yacht Club has a tempting alternative for Christmas this year with 8-days in the Southern Caribbean, including Christmas Day at Grenada’s capital St George’s that snuggles within the crater of a long-extinct volcano.

Beginning and ending in Bridgetown, Barbados, a maximum of just 112 guests will enjoy some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque islands, and without the crowds as many of these islands are simply too small for regular cruise ships.

Need more encouragement? Think almost-Hollywood white sand beaches and secluded bays, filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean…. or shopping the boutiques and markets.

Step into historic luxury

Raffles Singapore has long been the jewel in the crown of Singapore which celebrated a special milestone in 2015. For an occasion as momentous as Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, all stops have been pulled out with the Celebratory Suite Package (S$19,650++) (AUD19,259++)*. Reside in Raffle’s luxurious Presidential Suite for a night and toast this magical city's anniversary with Private Label Billecart-Salmon Champagne, exclusively bottled to mark the hotel’s 125th anniversary. 

Stay on for the Raffles time-honoured tradition, the New Year’s Eve Gala Ball in the magnificent lobby, the city's only black-tie countdown event (S$698++ (AUD684++)* per adult, S$388++ (AUD380++)* per child) is a glittering and well-loved tradition that has remained on the Hotel’s social calendar since the early 1900s and is the only Black Tie countdown event in the city.  The celebratory evening commences with guests enjoying delicate canapés served by the hotel's legendary butlers whilst sipping a glass of Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve in the colonial surrounding of the hotel lobby. 

A superb six-course dinner, created by French Executive Chef Pierre Burgade and his culinary team follows and thereafter, party and dance the night away to the rousing tunes of a live band and DJ.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is luxury hotel brand with an illustrious history dating back to 1887 when the world-renowned Raffles opened its doors in Singapore. For more information....

Something for next year's travels

Frequent travellers, or even those who only sometimes travel by air, all need a way of keep the most important things close at hand.

The founder and creator of AIRPOCKET, Trish Smith, realised this some years ago when her dream began. Since then she has been designing and altering, fund-raising and promoting one of the most useful items you will ever take away on a trip with you.

Already available to preorder before its predicted February 2016 release, AIRPOCKET is going to change the way you enjoy your flight, rather than scrounging in the seat pocket and under your seat as you fly.

OK, AIRPOCKET may look like just another bag to juggle, but it is so much more than this.

SEE HOW IT WORKS ON THIS VIDEO.........

Read more...

Add craic to your Christmas 

The Irish word craic means 'fun' and it is as mighty as ever this Christmas. Here are five ways to spend the festive season in Ireland.

Rock around the Christmas markets

There’s no better time than December for mixing mulled wine (and cocoa for the kids), mince pies, fairy lights and shopping. Ireland’s Christmas markets promise a magic atmosphere, with carol singing and general merriness.

One of the prettiest is Belfast’s Christmas Market, perfectly placed in front of a festive and perennially handsome City Hall. In Kerry, Killarney hosts an open-air affair while Waterford’s Winterval hosts a traditional Christmas market in the city.

Dublin has a floating market, no less: the Docklands 12 days of Christmas festival is moored over George’s Dock in the city centre. Come for the gifts, stay for mulled wine, hot chocolate and live music. In Galway, Eyre Square turns winter wonderland for the Galway Continental Christmas Market. Bring comfy shoes for the dancing, and an appetite for food chalets.

Meet Santa – and his reindeer

Did you know the Mourne Mountains is Santa’s official residence in Ireland? You can meet him in this secluded cottage and even see the elves working away in the workshop. In Mount Stewart, Santa (or Santy, as we sometimes call him) has kindly put together a woodland trail for excited children to burn off some energy.

What of Santa’s helpers? Dublin’s Phoenix Park is a playground of deer, and each Christmas the park offers the chance to meet some members of Bambi’s herd and hear a talk given by the park’s keepers. The spirit of Christkindl will take over Downpatrick, as St Patrick’s Square is overrun with characters from Christmas Past, Present and Future

Try something traditionally Irish

There are some things that Ireland just does REALLY well at Christmas. Families in Dublin make sure to get a peek at the Christmas windows of Dublin’s prestigious Brown Thomas department store. 

On the evening of Christmas Eve, the pub is pretty much the centre of small villages, towns and even cities, and is usually bursting with reuniting friends and families wrapping hands around hot whiskeys and cosying up beside the fire. It’s off the charts for Christmas spirit. 

The 26th is known as Stephen’s Day in the Republic (Boxing Day in the north), and it’s traditionally the time to get outside. If it’s not a lengthy walk, people are jumping into the Atlantic or the Irish Sea for a shivering but refreshing swim (also a big tradition on Christmas Day). 

In Dingle, it’s the time of year for the Wren Boys who mark the day as Day of the Wren (Lá an Dreoilín). Expect live music, straw costumes and a sense of a tradition defying the hands of time.

So what are you waiting for? Find out more and have a very craic-y Christmas....

A year-long gift

Theideal gift for someone who travels a lot - for business and leisure. â€¨â€¨With Priority Pass you have access to over 850 airport lounges worldwide and a choice of three membership plans to suit your particular traveling needs.

With a true global spread of lounges, there are lounges in over 400 cities and more lounges being added every month, allowing travellers to sit down, stretch out, enjoy a pre-flight bite and a drink from the selection available including free alcohol at most lounges. With free Wi-Fi in most lounges you'll never be out of touch with friends, family and colleagues. And you can ensure your devices are all powered up before boarding by charging them in the lounge.

More details....

For a food-lover's stocking

Most food-lovers factor in a visit to London's prestigious Fortnum & Mason whenever they are in town. 

The good news for their fans is that if you live in the UK or Europe, you can have one of their magnificent, perennially popular Classic Christmas Hampers delivered to your home or as a gift to someone else.

Expect fanfares as the lid is lifted as it really does present everything one wants and needs for the big day: fruity, boozy, spicy St James Christmas Pudding and Cognac Butter, Sparkling Christmas Shortbread and Blackcurrant Preserve. 

The surprises continue with fondant Icy Mints, Cognac & Cranberry Fruit Cake, Piccadilly Biscuit Selection tin, and decadent Monarch Full Bodied Vintage Marmalade and a drum of Marc e Champagne Truffles. Refreshments include a Christmas Tea Caddy, a selection of wines & spirits such as, Brut Reserve Champagne, Cotes du Rhone, and Touraine Sauvignon Blanc to provide extra thrills.

Please note that this hamper (£165.00) does not contain china. Its dimensions: 56(L) x 38(W) x 38(H)cm.

More details....

A better gift than a calendar

What's better than a box of cheese arriving on your doorstep? How about a box arriving every month for a year?

Murray's Cheese delivers to you or your lucky recipient once per month for 4, 6 or 12 months. Choose from the Cheese of the Month, Pair of the Month or Meat of the Month clubs and rest assured that you'll be eating well for months! Membership includes a monthly newsletter with detailed tasting notes, cheese profiles, histories, and suggestions!

A frequently asked question is ''What should I serve with this cheese?'' With this monthly club, you'll get full exposure to Murray's idea of what makes a Perfect Pairing. On the 3rd Thursday of each month, you will receive a half pound or individual piece of one of their favorite cheeses, along with an accompaniment guaranteed to make it sing.

If you're giving a club membership as a gift, the company will email you a welcome letter so you can give the gift of cheese directly, at your convenience. Then, the packages will begin the following month, i.e., orders placed in December start shipping in January. All prices for Pair of the Month include shipping! Find out more...

Pickles Every Month

(mouth.com)

The team behind Mouth, a purveyor of “indie food” subscriptions, hunts down the best small-batch pickles out there. A typical shipment contains four jars of pickles along with a tote and a copy of Edible magazine. Members may get something like this (above) pickled ginger carrots, spicy pickles, and sliced pickles in a brine made from Dogfish ale. More details ...

Want to know about others monthly 'food clubs'? Here are 17 more....

Note: All editorial on this site is included only because of its interest and value to readers. None of the places or products mentioned above has paid to be included.