Holiday Gift

Four in eight weeks. St Andrew's Day on the thirtieth of November, Christmas, Hogmanay on the thirty first of December, and Burns Night on the twenty fifth of January. Highland dress is expected at the first, third and fourth, and optional at Christmas.

Yes. A kilt with a jacket, sporran, hose and brogues, or a tartan skirt with a sash, covers every occasion in the winter run without any change. That is why buying for the season rather than for one date makes far more sense.

Table linen, throws and clothing all carry through several occasions. Decorations do not. If you are choosing between them, the pieces that repeat give considerably better value across the eight week stretch.

Your family tartan if you have one, since three of the four occasions are about heritage rather than the season's colours. Red and green setts suit Christmas specifically. A universal sett covers everything if no family tartan applies.

A kilt or a tartan skirt with a sash. Both are correct at St Andrew's Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night without any change, and acceptable at Christmas. Nothing else in the seasonal range repeats that often.

No. Red and green setts get called Christmas tartans because the colours suit the season, but they are ordinary registered tartans. Royal Stewart is the most used and is universal, so anyone may wear it.