Choosing the perfect Christmas gift is a challenge for us common folk, but when it comes to impressing the royal family, the level of holiday stress is different. Contrary to expectations, the royal family prefers silly gag gifts (such as singing fish toys) and handmade items, but Princess Diana did not get along with her in-laws on that philosophy.

Paul Burrell, Princess Diana's former royal butler, spoke to Marie Claire on behalf of Spin Jenny about Princess Diana's favorite designer gifts and Christmas traditions.

After her divorce from Prince Charles, the late Princess Diana would get together with Princes William and Harry “the weekend before” Christmas. Burrell said, “The Princess and I would make stockings for William and Harry, and William would whisper in my ear and ask what Mom wanted in her Christmas stocking.”

The former butler added that he “spent a year” shopping for Diana's Christmas presents, “hoarding them while [William and Harry] were at school.” Burrell then spent time “wrapping them and putting them in her Christmas stocking.”

Regarding Diana's version of “Oprah's Favorite,” the reality TV personality told Marie Claire that his former boss “loved aromatherapy for baths and her favorite perfume (Hermes 24 Faubourg) that Harry and William would pay for. She always bought it. She always had it in her stocking”. This classic 90s fragrance, featuring notes of orange blossom, jasmine, and vanilla, is still available for fragrance lovers to purchase today.

Another scent gift the late princess enjoyed, “She loved Diptyque candles,” Burrell says. She did not elaborate on her favorite scents, but somehow it is clear that Diana loved baize.

As for what Burrell put in her boss's stocking, Diana said, “She enjoyed chocolate mint.

As for family gifts, a former royal staffer says she loved getting reactions from her sons. Says Burrell, “Of course, Diana was very joking and would include rude things to annoy them.” William had a calendar one year with naked women on it to make him blush, and it worked.”

If you're looking to shop like a royal while on vacation, here are some Princess Diana-inspired items.