Hi everyone, sorry for the recent absence but I am back and kicking off my new series of blog posts all about the greatest time of the year- CHRISTMAS! I will be uploading a new festive post each Saturday up until the 19th December. I hope you enjoy this little series and let's get started with this week's which is...
Christmas Gift Ideas!
For some, Christmas shopping is a wonderful experience amongst the festive music and the atmosphere that Christmas brings with it. Some of you may prefer to stay inside away from the crowds and do your shopping on line. Personally, I do a bit of both, however I mostly go out and shop just because I like to make sure that what I am going to buy is absolutely perfect for the receiver and not have to worry about the hassle of returning things on line.
So to start with I thought it would be a good idea for me to recommend some of my favourite shops to visit during this festive season.
Paperchase is one of my favourite shops regardless of the month but at Christmas they just pull all the stops out to make each Christmas special and unique. I absolutely love their Christmas cards and whether you are looking for the one card for your partner or something special for your parents then they do it all. Furthermore, their multi-packs are great too and are brilliant if you are giving to multiple friends or colleagues. Some of their cards also support charities which makes Chritmas' message of giving even easier. Paperchase's range of wrapping and accessories is also ridiculously good. They have numerous rolls of wrap to choose from and gift tags to match as well as those which do not. In simpler terms, go give Paperchase a look as you will be amazed by their Christmas products!
Next up is Marks and Spencer's. Now this again is a lovely shop to visit all year round but at Christmas it's just... magical! Firstly, we have to talk about their food. Their ranges each year are amazing and every year that is where our turkey is from as well as all the trimmings. Marks and Spencer's are also great for party food to celebrate the new year in with a bang! They have numerous party snacks of which I have already tried a few and they are delicious! As well as food, Marks and Spencer's are also a great place to look for gifts throughout their homeware department. They have some really pretty decorations as well as novelty gifts and board games. All are reasonably priced and if the amount of gifts overwhelms you, there is always the option of a gift voucher which allows whoever you are buying for to do the choosing and they won't be stuck for choice. I have also bought my wrapping paper from Marks and Spencer's this year as I was taken back by how lovely some of their paper is. I chose to get the one where polar bears and sledging and riding bicycles. I know that you're probably finding that hard to imagine but I'll leave the link below. So cute!
Next up is Lush. Now we all know that they are an amazing shop regardless of Christmas hanging around but oh my, when they bring out their festive range, I am blown away every year. I commend the people who come up with these new and exciting ideas every year as they are always so cleverly thought of and of course smell lovely! Lush also brought out an advent calendar this year which would be a great gift for a Lush fan which keeps on giving throughout the whole month! Lush's products would also be great as a stocking filler or for a 'Secret Santa'. I have bought a lot from Lush this Christmas and am quite envious of the people who are going to receive the gifts I have bought!
Finally, is an online shop which is one of my favourite places during the festive season to buy and mainly to browse. This is 'NotOnTheHighStreet' and they specialise in providing gifts which are so unique, that the majority of their products can be personalised which just makes a gift more special, right? They have a vast range of products ranging in price from great stocking fillers to more expensive splurges. Last year, I bought my parents a 'Grow Your Own Coffee Plant"! I would never have found that anywhere else and they loved it! This year I am planning to make a few more purchases from them which can be personalised which makes it seem more special to the person you are giving it to.
If you are more into crafty projects around this time of year, here are a few things you could make for your loved ones instead of buying. The advantage of making something rather than buying is that it shows that you have spent a lot of time making their gift instead of just the time spent queueing at the till. Furthermore, you have freedom of what you want to make or include as you are not restricted by the shop's stock.
1. Christmas Stockings
These would make a lovely gift for someone who may be difficult to buy for or someone you just want to make this for. I made 2 of these stockings this year to give to 2 of my closest friends. I have filled the stockings with similar gifts which are all wrapped to give even more excitement. I made the stockings using a free pattern on line and some in-expensive fabric from Ikea.
2. 'Recipes in a Jar"
I made these last year and will be doing some more this year as they are so special and unique and people last year really enjoyed them. Basically the concept is that you fill a jar with all the dry ingredients that you need to make a sweet treat. The idea is that, that they can go home, add the wet ingredients, bake, and then they have some sweet treats to enjoy! Last year, I made 'Chocolate Brownies Jars' and included a little label with instructions and attached a wooden spoon tied on with festive ribbon. They looked so pretty and it was really fun to make them.
3. Hampers
This is another good idea to make the gift more personalised. You could make a hamper of any theme- film, pamper, baking- whatever you like! Furthermore, the hamper doesn't have to be huge so you can really adapt it to your budget. A few years ago I made my Dad a small movie hamper. It included a cinema voucher and some popcorn. It didn't cost me loads to produce but he really liked it because of the effort that went into thinking of the idea. Shops such as Marks and Spencer's provide ready made hampers which feature lovely products, again from lots of themes, and are decent prices.
My final point for this Christmas Gift Ideas post is to look at catalogues. I love gathering these early in order to decide or be inspired of what to buy. I always pick one up in most shops I visit, just because they're great for adding to your own Christmas list too! My favourites include the Boots Christmas catalogue and the Superdrug one too. I also really like the Cath Kidston one as well, but that is just because I like to extend my Christmas list with this one!
So that sums up this first edition of my series of posts. I hope you have enjoyed and perhaps have had some new ideas or have been inspired. This was chosen to go up first out of the posts as it's always good to think of the gifts you are going to buy rather than panicking and rushing on Christmas Eve. Let me know of any Christmas gifts you have already bought or even what's on your own list!
Thank you for reading!
If you are more into crafty projects around this time of year, here are a few things you could make for your loved ones instead of buying. The advantage of making something rather than buying is that it shows that you have spent a lot of time making their gift instead of just the time spent queueing at the till. Furthermore, you have freedom of what you want to make or include as you are not restricted by the shop's stock.
1. Christmas Stockings
These would make a lovely gift for someone who may be difficult to buy for or someone you just want to make this for. I made 2 of these stockings this year to give to 2 of my closest friends. I have filled the stockings with similar gifts which are all wrapped to give even more excitement. I made the stockings using a free pattern on line and some in-expensive fabric from Ikea.
2. 'Recipes in a Jar"
I made these last year and will be doing some more this year as they are so special and unique and people last year really enjoyed them. Basically the concept is that you fill a jar with all the dry ingredients that you need to make a sweet treat. The idea is that, that they can go home, add the wet ingredients, bake, and then they have some sweet treats to enjoy! Last year, I made 'Chocolate Brownies Jars' and included a little label with instructions and attached a wooden spoon tied on with festive ribbon. They looked so pretty and it was really fun to make them.
3. Hampers
This is another good idea to make the gift more personalised. You could make a hamper of any theme- film, pamper, baking- whatever you like! Furthermore, the hamper doesn't have to be huge so you can really adapt it to your budget. A few years ago I made my Dad a small movie hamper. It included a cinema voucher and some popcorn. It didn't cost me loads to produce but he really liked it because of the effort that went into thinking of the idea. Shops such as Marks and Spencer's provide ready made hampers which feature lovely products, again from lots of themes, and are decent prices.
My final point for this Christmas Gift Ideas post is to look at catalogues. I love gathering these early in order to decide or be inspired of what to buy. I always pick one up in most shops I visit, just because they're great for adding to your own Christmas list too! My favourites include the Boots Christmas catalogue and the Superdrug one too. I also really like the Cath Kidston one as well, but that is just because I like to extend my Christmas list with this one!
So that sums up this first edition of my series of posts. I hope you have enjoyed and perhaps have had some new ideas or have been inspired. This was chosen to go up first out of the posts as it's always good to think of the gifts you are going to buy rather than panicking and rushing on Christmas Eve. Let me know of any Christmas gifts you have already bought or even what's on your own list!
Thank you for reading!
: ) x
Websites Mentioned:
Paperchase
Marks and Spencer's
Marks and Spencer's Hampers
My Wrapping Paper
Lush
NotOnTheHighStreet
Paperchase
Marks and Spencer's
Marks and Spencer's Hampers
My Wrapping Paper
Lush
NotOnTheHighStreet
Disclaimer: Not all of the images used are my own
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