Utterly Inessential Shopping List

The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Gifts to make him fall at your feet, a delightful decanter and all the Valentine's experiences a happy heart could hope for

The chill of February is ill-fated to be accompanied by a day dedicated to those lucky few among us who succeeded in surviving the stress of the festive season. It is for this group of people that we present a collection of utterly inessential products and experiences with which to say "I love you". For the rest of you, we recommend gin.

The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Scarves aplenty, whisky candles and some charitable cushions

In a world infested with 'must-have', 'don't miss' and 'buy now', one list stands alone as the voice of reason: this list, where everything is both entirely marvellous and completely unnecessary. Welcome, dear friends, to Utterly Inessential.

The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Step back in time with nightshirts, port and good old fashioned dice games

In a world plagued by 'must-have's and 'buy now's, one list and one list alone strives to bring you the 'must-never-have's and 'please lord never buy this's. Welcome, dear friends, to Utterly Inessential.

The utterly inessential shopping list: A toaster you'll want to drive, the world's smartest cardigan and a £2,700 bedside lamp

The utterly inessential shopping list: A pair of swim trunks with your name on them, the chair fit for a yeti and a very special sausage roll

A new year, a new you and a new list of utterly inessentials to purchase. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: 16 last-minute Christmas presents

What's that? You haven't done your Christmas shopping yet? Alexandra Fraser will help you put that right.

The utterly inessential shopping list: An iPad/Alexa hybrid, a wire reindeer and a £145 air freshener

At this time of year more than any other, rampant consumerism is an inescapable fact of life. So don't fight it: plunge in headfirst and enjoy our latest utterly inessential but entirely marvellous shopping list.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Christmas jumpers for two, and a rare chance to witness the £210 pencil sharpener

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Cheese, chocolate, champs and chutney…it’s Christmas hamper time

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Christmas sushi, Shakespearean hand sanitiser and a lighter which will light any candle, any candle at all

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly royal shopping list, from beautiful winter flowers to hand-made suits that defy disposable culture

For one week only we've transformed our regular utterly inessential shopping list into an utterly royal shopping list, to coincide with the Prince of Wales guest editing Country Life.

The utterly inessential shopping list: The illustrious party sporran, a penny farthing for your thoughts and two liquors for the price of fun

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Gin, beauty, beer and even Lego...the advent calendars have arrived

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. In the first Christmas edition of her new series, Country Life's Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Spooky shoes, the art of the tarte and a royally good sweatshirt

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. In a new series, Country Life's Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: Serenity for the stressed in the city, terrific tweed and a loafer to take you full speed ahead

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The utterly inessential shopping list: A gold Ferrari, your very own private island and a stunning timepiece to watch

Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.

The absolutely inessential, utterly indulgent and entirely marvellous weekend shopping list

Check in weekly to see the latest additions to our list – to look at, laugh at and to (occasionally) treat yourself to!