The City St George's Festive Gift Guide 2025

It’s that time of year again – and it can be hard to know what presents to get for the people who mean the most to you.

To avoid some last-minute panic shopping or your presents being re-gifted next year, take a look at the City St George’s, University of London gift guide for some festive inspiration.

From stylish loungewear to socks that make a difference and thought-provoking books, here are some unique gifts brought to you by the University's staff and alumni.

Leiho: Christmas sock crackers that give back to the homeless community 

Set up by City St George’s alumni Joey Li and Thuta Khin, Leiho is an everyday essentials business that gives back. The pair met while studying for their master’s at Bayes Business School before setting up their sock business supporting people who experience homelessness.  These Christmas sock crackers are an ethically conscious gift and 5% of each purchase will support vulnerable people.

Speltham: loungewear handmade in London

Bayes Business School alum Bart Hill-Reid (Investment & Financial Risk Management BSc, 2021) and his co-founder set up their British loungewear business to solve a simple problem, their girlfriends ‘stealing’ their comfy boxers. With styles for all genders, Speltham offers lounge pants, boxer shorts, jackets and corduroy trousers. These trousers look perfect for lazing around in during the festive break.

Andre Spicer: achieve more in 2026 with ‘The Art of Less’

Professor Andre Spicer (Executive Dean of Bayes Business School and Professor of Organisational Behaviour) has co-authored this new book with Mats Alvesson on efficient organisation and meaningful work. The book is described as an ‘essential guide to how overburdened managers and employees can break down barriers to more effective working and achieve more by doing less.’

Bishi Bhattacharya: sitar-infused electronic sounds

A gift for music lovers, the album ‘Let My Country Awake’ features electronic sitars and vocals from City St George’s visiting lecturer Bishi Bhattacharya. Bishi lectures on the ‘Global Popular Music’ module at the University and is an artist and producer. Born in London with Bengali heritage, Bishi has been trained in both Hindustani and Western Classical style.

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer: 'A Quick Ting On Black British Businesses'

A gift that will educate you on the history of Black British entrepreneurship, this insightful book was written by Pride of Britain winner, broadcaster and City St George’s alum Tskenya-Sarah Frazer (Human Resource Management, 2020).

Tskenya recently hosted an event at Better Space, an affordable coworking space and joint venture by City St George’s and Islington Council, to discuss the findings of her book and to speak to other founders about their careers so far. Find out more.

Sitopia Farm: Festive wreaths from a farm in south-east London

If you’re based in south-east London, visit Sitopia Farm, run by City St George’s alum Chloë Dunnett (Food and Policy, 2019) and her team. You can collect dried flowers, beautiful festive wreaths and tote bags from their range of pick-up points and delivery is available to some local areas. Chloë’s sustainable urban farm aims to help change how we understand and benefit from the food we eat and there are beautiful gifts on offer for your green-fingered friends and family.

Joe Thomas: Cosy up with crime novel 'Red Menace'

Cosy up with this crime novel by award-winning author Dr Joe Thomas, who teaches creative writing in the School of Communication & Creativity. Described as ‘a very early candidate for the crime novel of the year’ by Irish Times, the second book in the acclaimed United Kingdom Trilogy takes us from Live Aid to Broadwater Farm, exposing the seedy underbelly of Thatcher's Britain.

Ayala Panievsky: an Emily Maitlis approved book for news buffs

With a foreword from The News Agents’ Emily Maitlis, ‘The New Censorship: How the War on the Media is Taking Us Down.' tackles the new ways in which journalists are being censored. Dr Ayala Panievsky, Presidential Fellow in the Department of Journalism, has interviewed hundreds of journalists and her research specialises in the media under attack, right-wing populism and democratic backsliding.