Christmas Gift Etiquette 2025 for Christmas and Holidays 

I have created a list of some etiquette rules that I think work well for Christmas 2025. You can also use these for other holidays in 2026 as well as I think they can translate well into other holidays. Tell me what you think about all of these top tips. 

Only give gifts to people who give you a gift

With the exception of family and friends, I always say gift people who give you a gift. If someone who is not a family member never gives you presents regardless of price point, you should stop giving them gifts. I think it stops people from taking advantage of you and it stops you from being mistreated. Some people are happy to receive over and over again without returning the favour. Reciprocity is important. Only give presents to people who will give you a gift. 

Only people with a close relationship gets a gift from you

There has been a lot of discussion online about giving adults gifts. I only give adults who I am very close to a present and even then it is not uniform or often. I like giving my mother gifts for birthdays and Christmas. You can choose who means the most to you but as a general rule, I think parents and spouses absolutely but anyone else, they should have a close relationship to you. Otherwise adults getting gifts is not necessary. 

Buying expensive gifts

As a general rule, I only give an expensive gift if I have received one in return from the person. This helps to avoid pocket watching and awkward feelings if the receiver thinks the item is too expensive. Everyone has search engines now and they can look up how much something is. 

What do you think of some of these gift etiquette tips? Do you have any ideas that you think I should know? 

Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok on /hayaglamazonluxe 

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A new eyewear range is now available from Jimmy Choo. I would love to know what you think about this. Thoughts on it – worth it? I normally buy sunglasses from Versace and most recently Dior but I would be open to these designs as well.

How to get the VAT refund in Paris

I was just in Paris last weekend for a long weekend and I successfully did the VAT refund process at CDG airport! I was unsure on how it worked so I finally did it and I wanted to share the process step by step. The VAT refund is only for non-EU nationals travelling outside of the EU.

Here we go – here is the step by step guide:

1. Get to the airport on time as you need to factor in queuing at Detaxe: I was at Terminal 2 and there were many people trying to get the VAT refund in the morning. I got there 3 hours before my flight took off.
2. Have all of your products in their packaging and shopping bags: This is just in case the customs officer wants to inspect them. They should be unused or look unused.
3. Validate your forms of products purchased in France at the terminal at Detaxe: There are PABLO terminals at Detaxe in Terminal 2E and you self-validate with the barcode on your tax-free form. If it rings up as green, there is nothing more to do and it will be processed onto your card. If it rings up red, you need to queue at customs for them to check it which is literally next to the terminals as there are customs officers booths at Detaxe.
4. For purchases purchased in another Schengen port *BEFORE* leaving the Schengen area: If you shopped in other cities in the Schengen zone that are not France but you are leaving CDG, you need to go into the queue and have the customs officers check your items. They will ask you to see the bags – sometimes they may do a full inspection or not. Then the receipt. They will stamp it and tell you to put it in the envelope that came with the form and you put it in the drop off box at Detaxe (this is right at the exit of Detaxe).
5. You will receive email updates from Global Blue and after a few days, it will tell you if you have been successful getting your refund.

I just received my email saying it will be refunded on my card in 2-5 days. This is all you have to do in order to get the Paris VAT refund.

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(Image: /yuaxchanel)

I have some good news and bad news to share here! Chanel are releasing a 22S Caramel mini and it will also come in the medium classic flap. Now that is the good news. Sadly there is some BAD NEWS as well.