If you’re currently making a list and checking it twice, you may need a steer on what to buy the film fanatic in your life for Christmas. But where is the best place to buy the latest in tech and luxury gifts? Heathrow Airport is not just the UK’s window to the world – it’s also a world class shopping destination. Whether you’re flying home for the holidays, or just heading somewhere a bit warmer, here’s a few things worth picking while you’re waiting for your gate to be announced.
You can also reserve gifts online and collect at the airport. Plus collect points with everything you do at Heathrow with Heathrow Rewards, where you could receive up to 15,000 extra points (worth £150) for treating your loved ones to jewellery, watches or tech gifts.
Bose QC35 Wireless Headphones II
£289.96, Dixons Travel, Available at all Terminals
When you’re watching movies on your phone or tablet, the standard-issue noise-polluting earphones just aren’t going to cut it anymore. You need headphones with fidelity, quality, comfort, and active noise cancellation – and Bose are the best in the business. These high-end wireless beasts come equipped with Google Assistant, meaning you can control everything with your voice. Finally, the tyranny of hands is coming to an end!
Oculus Rift
£379.00, Dixons Travel, Available at Terminals 3 & 5
Ever since Tron promised us a virtual reality future, we’ve been waiting with baited breath for technology to catch up. You may not ever get to chase Jeff Bridges on a Light Cycle, but the Oculus Rift is arguably the most advanced VR headset ever produced, allowing for immersive experiences in video games, VR films, or even virtual social worlds. Why would you ever need to leave the house?
Sonos One Wireless Smart Sound Speaker
£189, Dixons Travel, Available at all Terminals
Wired speakers already seem archaic and dodo-like. The future is Bluetooth, and Sonos’ latest speaker offers an elegant solution for wireless sound in a gleaming, Stanley Kubrick-esque package. Available in crisp black or white, these speakers include Amazon’s loyal voice-activated robot helper Alexa built in, so you can ask for cinema listings or settle a dispute that only the internet can solve.
Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Kids Activity Tracker
£69.99, Dixons Travel, Available at Terminals 2, 3 & 5
With the distractions of television, the internet, and the well-recognised sport of Staring At Phones, it’s hard to encourage kids to lead an active lifestyle. That’s all set to change with this special range of fitness trackers from Garmin, who have partnered with Disney to encourage small people into fitness. Everyone from Mickey Mouse to BB-8 and Captain America get their own specially-designed wearable, which each comes with step-tracking character icons, daily challenges, and even the opportunity for friendly competition with other users.
Star Wars BB-8 App-Enabled Droid
£99.99, Dixons Travel, Available at all Terminals
The breakout star of Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn’t one of impossibly good-looking young humans – it was the impossibly adorable droid BB-8, the inheritor of R2-D2’s crown and instant hero to a generation. Set to return in this December’s follow-up The Last Jedi, reacquaint yourself with this startlingly realistic miniaturised toy version, which is controlled by an app on your smartphone, and fall in love with him all over again.
HP Sprocket Photo Printer
£119, Dixons Travel, Available at all Terminals
There will be more digital photographs taken this year than in the entire history of photographic film. But what will you do when – as Blade Runner 2049 predicts – the world suffers a catastrophic digital blackout and all computer archives are lost? Reignite your love of physical media with this natty little device that prints 2x3” stickable snapshots, sent directly from your smartphone. You can even edit the photos ahead of time on the HP Sprocket app. Take that, future apocalypse!
Fitbit Alta HR
£109.99, Dixons Travel, Available at all Terminals
If you’re anything like us, you’ll spend 80% of your time in a seated position watching films, 10% of your time going to the fridge to get snacks while watching films, and the other 10% sleeping (while dreaming about films). Fitbit is ideal for the inert movie nerd, or anyone looking to improve their fitness: tracking the number of steps walked and climbed, it can also monitor heart rate and even the quality of your sleep. Soon those dreams about being in a Michael Bay film can be rated for quality, too!
Microsoft Surface Laptop
£1189, Dixons Travel, Available at Terminals 2, 3 & 5
Since Hollywood is insistent on producing new films on a weekly basis, we’re forced to find other ways to catch up with movies on the go. The slim new Microsoft Surface laptop is a pretty swish solution, offering a gorgeous 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display to watch films anywhere. Plus, should you feel the need, it’s also great for work and productivity.
Fortnum & Mason Teatime Biscuits
£12.50, World Duty Free, Available at all Terminals
When you’re stuck for a Christmas present, there’s nothing safer than biscuits: the universally loved snack, the perfect accompaniment to tea, the ideal post-dinner treat, the evergreen comfort food, the movie snack of kings. And when it comes to biscuits, it’s hard to beat the luxury and quality of Fortnum & Mason, who have been at this game since 1707 and have got pretty darned good at it.
Arrow Limited Edition Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne
£43.99, World Duty Free, Available at all Terminals
Madame Clicquot’s motto was “only one quality, the finest” – and whether you need a glass of bubbly to toast to Christmas, see in the New Year, or keep you fizzing during your through-the-night Oscar party, a bottle of the finest bubbly is an essential part of any celebration. Champagne is always better bought at Heathrow’s World Duty Free, where you find your favourite fizz presented in exclusive and exquisite packaging.
Shop more Christmas gifts at Heathrow Boutique and watch Heathrow’s Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Flight" for the chance to win gifts or £2000. Find out more here.
Prices correct at time of publish. Products subject to availability.