In the spirit of the season, we talk to four members of the Globe-Trotter family about their plans for this year’s festivities, the best – and worst – presents they’ve ever received and the Globe-Trotter gift that will score you serious brownie points this Christmas
Yutaka Oka, Director
Where will you be spending Christmas this year? Most likely at home in Wembley, London.
What are you hoping to find under the tree? I love the vibrant Toscana Siena 30-inch Suitcase – it’s one of my favourite colours.
What Globe-Trotter product would you recommend as a great gift for a loved one? The Safari 20-inch Trolley Case probably. It’s such a classic, anyone will enjoy receiving it as a gift.
If you could wake up anywhere in the world on Christmas Day, where would it be? Lapland!
If you could have Christmas dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be? Despite all the choice of restaurants in the world, I would rather cook my own Chistmas(ish) dinner and have it with my family.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? My favourite Amarone red wine from my daughter.
And the worst? I’ve never received a bad present.
What are your travel plans for 2019? I’m planning a trip to Spain on my motorcycle.
James Fisher, Business Development Director
Where will you be spending Christmas this year? At home with the family this year – a quiet one.
What are you hoping to find under the tree? As well as being available in lovely festive colours, the new Globe-Trotter England Polo range is hugely patriotic too, so a 20-inch in this range would be great – if there’s enough space that is.
What Globe-Trotter product would you recommend as a great gift for a loved one? Our passport covers are always a winner, made even better with in-store personalised initialling.
If you could wake up anywhere in the world on Christmas Day, where would it be? I was married on Christmas Eve 24 years ago and we spent our first night in a suite at The Savoy in London. The views across the Thames on Christmas morning were magical and it was the perfect start to a lovely Christmas (and marriage), so that could be an idea for next year.
If you could have Christmas dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be? Having grown up in South Africa, where Christmases are considerably warmer than here, I would have to say that the Beau Constantia Chef’s Warehouse restaurant in Cape Town would be the dream.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? Twenty-four years ago South Africa was readmitted into international cricket and beat England by a considerable margin at Lords during the first test. Richie Ryall, a former South Africa wicket keeper and also a prolific cricket painter, captured the moment we won the test in a beautiful painting and my wife managed to get a print of a very limited-edition run, which she had framed. This I would say is perhaps one of my favourite and most memorable Christmas presents ever.
And the worst? Without a doubt it would be the Christmas onesie my daughters bought for me a couple of years ago (but I must secretly admit that, ever since, I can’t wait for winter so that I can wear it).
What are your travel plans for 2019? Personally, we have a road trip in the USA planned for the early part of the year, which takes in Nashville, New Orleans and the Grand Canyon, and then have a more relaxing break planned in Turkey for late summer. In terms of business travel, I have trips planned to both New York and Mumbai in January and February and then have a few short trips to Italy for trade shows and tannery visits throughout the year.
Charlotte Seddon, Senior Designer
Where will you be spending Christmas this year? I will be in the north of England with my husband’s family.
What are you hoping to find under the tree? I would love to find a Centenary East/West Tote in Safari Ivory and Natural. I already own a couple of pieces of Safari luggage so this would be the most perfect addition.
What Globe-Trotter products would you recommend as a great gift for a loved one? Depends how big you want to go. You could go all-out and gift that special someone an Oxblood 20-inch Trolley Case, customised with their initials. Another lovely gift would be a passport cover beautifully initialled in gold or silver foil.
If you could wake up anywhere in the world on Christmas Day, where would it be? At home in London with my husband – sorry, I’m a traditionalist!
If you could have Christmas dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be? I’m not sure where exactly but Ottolenghi would cook it for me, I know he’d make an amazing veggie Christmas roast.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? A Gameboy. I absolutely loved it and was glued to it for months – probably my parents’ favourite gift as it kept me quiet for a long time.
And the worst? A potato peeler.
What are your travel plans for 2019? So far I have a group holiday to Valencia planned with my husband and close friends.
Rocky Matsuura, Repairs Specialist
Where will you be spending Christmas this year? In Japan, where I was brought up. It’s always such a treat visiting, particularly in the winter. I look forward to spending time with family, eating Japanese food and relaxing at an onsen (hot spring).
What are you hoping to find under the tree? I’ve got my eye on a Centenary 16-inch Slim Attache, but I haven’t quite decided on which colour – there are so many to choose from. I may have to let Father Christmas decide for me.
What Globe-Trotter product would you recommend as a great gift for a loved one? I would gift one of our lovely leather items and have their initials hot-stamped on as an extra touch.
If you could wake up anywhere in the world on Christmas Day, where would it be? I would love to spend Christmas in New York one day. Ideally in a grand apartment overlooking Central Park with friends and family.
If you could have Christmas dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be? In Norway, watching the northern lights would be pretty nice.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? So many, but one that stands out is a Canon camera my father bought me when I was 11 years old. It took me by such surprise and was the starting point of my interest in photography.
And the worst? Not getting any at all!
What are your travel plans for 2019? I’ll be going to Paris to visit friends and Croatia in the summer for some sun and sand. But honestly, I’m looking forward to visiting more parts of the UK I’ve never been to.
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