‘I worked at Boots perfume counter and these are the best Christmas perfumes’

If you’re looking to get a special gift for any loved ones this Christmas, then perfume and aftershave is usually a popular choice.

Of course, with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know what to get, especially as everyone’s personal tastes are different. Which is why a former Boots colleague has provided her top picks that will make the perfect gift.

The Mirror’s Bethan Shufflebotham, who previously worked at the retailer’s perfume counter, has helped compile a list of top choices based on Boots bestseller list for 2023 and her own personal experience.

She said: “I’ve sold hundreds of bottles of the stuff during my four-year stint in retail when I worked at Boots.

“I served four Christmases with the health and beauty retailer, and each year I would help shoppers work out the best way to get their three for two gifts (before Boots begun making every third item free, rather than the cheapest), as well as helping them find the perfect present for that hard-to-buy-for family member.

“I’ve taken a look at the Boots bestseller list for 2023, and combined it with my personal experience to help you find the ultimate fragrance picks to give to every family member this Christmas.”

If you need any recommendations for your parents, partners or siblings, then here are a few of her top choices that you might want to check out.

Mum

For your mum, Bethan says that it is best to go with something that is “timeless and classy”. Her go-to choice would be Marc Jacobs Daisy, which continues to be a bestseller for the cosmetics chain.

She said: “Now, I’ll start off with a little disclaimer in that everyone is totally different and fragrance is a very subjective taste. While some people may love one perfume, someone may hate it – plus they smell different on different people, too. So this list is very much a loose guide and what I’ve found to be great gifting options over the years.”

Usually priced at £70, this 50ml perfume is currently included in retailer’s Star Gifts for £42, saving £28 on the RRP.

It has over 1,100 five star reviews from shoppers, with one writing: “Bought this for my mum, her favourite fragrance . Delighted it had £10 off too.”

Another said: “My mum is in her 50s and also likes this shoppers so it is suitable for people of all ages, not a specific “young” or “old” smell.”

Other fragrances Bethan recommends for your mum include:

Dad

For your dad, it is best recommended to pick up a fragrance that is more “masculine and woody” – although, you don’t want to get something as sultry as you would your own partner.

“My dad loves anything containing cedarwood and specifically asks for beard oils and the likes to contain this scent”, explains Bethan, which is why she recommends the Burberry Hero for Men Eau De Parfum 50ml (was £74 now £55.50).

This Burberry aftershave features a trio of warm cedarwood oils as its signature base, with sweet pine needle and incense, resulting in a woody, ambery finish.

The aftershave has been loved by shoppers, with over 1,217 five star reviews. One said: “My dad likes this perfume a lot, A perfect combination of wood and sweet.”

Meanwhile, another said: “I love this! I let my Dad share the sample and my mom went and tried to get it the next day!”

If you’re looking for another choice, then here are a few of Bethan’s favourite fragrances for your dad:

Girlfriend/Wife

For those who are in newer relationships, the former employee has recommended something “sweet and playful”, such as the Ghost Sweetheart, which works out at £10.66 if you buy this gift set on Amazon.

The Amazon Black Friday deal, which is sold through the Ghost store, has racked up a near-perfect rating of 4.8 stars based on more than 6,600 reviews . One said: “I can’t believe what value for money this set is!! I wear the deep night which is about £25 for a 30ml but I also wanted to replace my sweetheart and original one as they had gone off, so I couldn’t believe I found this whole set for £32 – wow!

“The velvety vanity case is cute too. They are all individually wrapped so you could buy this set and give as gifts separately.”

Bethan also claims that both Boss Woman (£38.50) or Vera Wang Princess, which is under £18, are “ideal for newer partnerships.”

If you’re in a more established relationship, then you’ll want to opt for something rich and elegant. Bethan’s personal favourite fragrance at the moment is YSL Libre Eau de Parfum 50ml. Usually priced at £92 it has currently been slashed to £73.60 ahead of Black Friday.

Here are some alternatives that Bethan also recommends:

Boyfriend/Husband

When it comes to buying for your partners, your decision can be based on how long you have been together for.

“Much like with the above, if you’re buying for a relatively new boyfriend, some of my favourite recommendations include the likes of Calvin Klein Eternity for Men or, what my partner wore in the year I met him, Davidoff Coolwater”, explained the former colleague.

For the more established relationships, she recommends Dior Sauvage, which she hails as an “all time favourite.” Coming in at £59 for a 60ml bottle, this classic fragrance for men has glowing five-star reviews from shoppers who have purchased it for their partners.

One wrote: “Sauvage is sexy and luxurious, love it on my boyfriend.”

A second added: “I get this for my boyfriend for every special occasion.”

Other gorgeous masculine picks include:

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For siblings and in-laws

For your sisters and sisters-in law, the former employee recommends taking note on if they have ever commented on your own perfume, then you can try something similar.

Speaking of her own choice, Bethan said: “My sister’s go-to (and I think I’ve bought her a bottle 10 years in a row now) is Ghost Deep Night. And at £16.50 a bottle on Amazon, you can usually consider it a ‘mid price’ gift and get it to go alongside another gift too. And because of the affordable price point, it’s great for your sister-in-law too.”

Some other choices she mentions include:

Meanwhile, for your brother or brother in-law, she mentions the popular pick that is Paco Rabanne 1 Million. Usually £81 for 100ml, it’s down to £50 and has more than 3,300 five star reviews.

Cheaper options Bethan recommends include:

Grandparents

For grandparents, you may want to go for something “relatively light, classic and traditional.”

Speaking of buying for your grandmum, Bethan says: “Gucci Flora Gorgeous Magnolia for Her Eau de Parfum is a Boots bestseller and said to be a really lovely ‘mature’ scent. Now £54.50 down from £68, it has a 4.7 star rating based on more than 800 reviews.”

Other scents your nan may like include:

For your Grandad, Bethan says “something strong and distinguished with ‘weathered’ scents like tobacco often go down well.” This includes the classic Old Spice, which you can get for £5.99 from Savers.

However, if you’re looking for something more modern:

Younger Family Members (Nieces, Nephews, Younger Siblings)

For the little ones in the family, there are quite a few choices that Bethan has recommended.

She says: “For younger lads, there’s the Tommy Cologne from Tommy Hifiger , coming in at £21.33 instead of £33. Cheaper still is Versace Blue Jeans for £14.20 on Amazon , or if you did want to spend a little more, Diesel’s Only The Brave 50ml is currently £30 instead of £57.

Some options for younger girls include the likes of Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl, which is £20 for 100ml at Superdrug. Another popular one is Ariana Grande’s Cloud, which is £33 and while it may have been released in 2005, Britney Spears’ Fantasy continues to be a bestseller on Amazon.”

If you’re still feeling a little stumped for choices, then you can try out Boots’ handy fragrance finder where you can input brands and fragrances that someone likes, and it will recommend you alternatives.

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