Hello and welcome to my ultimate Christmas gift guide for 2016. Whether it is gifts for children, him, her, cat lovers or foodies, here is a selection of items that have made my ultimate Christmas gift guide list.
Colouring in books are extremely popular, however, if you are on the lookout for something new and different, then consider one of these Ladybird colouring in books. I adore the Cinderella book which retails for £6.99. It has the classic Ladybird hardcover and would make a great gift for any princesses you know.
This My Little Pony make-a-bar chocolate factory is great for any My Little Pony fans! This creative kit includes everything children (ahem…and adults) need to design and create their own chocolate bars. It includes three types of delicious Belgian chocolate, molds and templates. There is enough in this pack to create two large sharing bars and you don’t need anything else other than some warm water to melt the chocolate packs and a fridge to chill the finished creations. Even better, you can personalise the bars however you like! This is great fun!
Do you know someone who loves lifehacks? Then they will love the new Rebel Tech Kit from Sugru. It is the perfect gift for any big kid who loves a good idea, as it is packed full with small DIY projects to help with everything from improving the sound on your speakers and fixing fraying cables to securing your iPad anywhere and giving smart technology a whole new meaning. The kit comes with a booklet that includes 14 of the most popular tech projects using Sugru mouldable glue along with four mini packs of Sugru and a dinky storage tin. Each project features a step by step guide – making it easy for everybody to get involved.
Trail blazing Brazilian fashion brand Irals has launched a unique product range of evening wear accessories in the UK and Europe and are set to capitalise on the customisation trend sweeping the globe. Each piece is handmade, and can be attached to shoe straps, dresses, tank tops and even placed in your hair. Irals products are designed and made in Brazil and are already extremely popular in South America. The designs are inspired by the “jeitinho brasileiro” (Brazilian way of life) and are designed to bring extra glamour and bling to outfits and footwear. They can also be used to embellish an evening outfit by fitting an Irals gem onto the strap of an evening dress or bag to create a truly original look. Pictured is the stunning Pearl Flower Silver, which retails for £15.50. It can be used as hair accessory, formal wear, swimwear or on flip flops.
We have recently moved home so we are on the lookout for products that fit in well with our new kitchen. These Electronic Illuminated Salt & Pepper Mill Grinders in Red from Savisto are lovely, and budget-friendly gifts for anyone who has just moved home or is a foodie at heart. I can't believe these are just £16.99 for the pair – a true bargain!
Every blogger needs a lightbox, it is a blogger law! This lightbox from Liberty Trading makes a great gift for the blogger or Instagrammer in your life. It comes with 69 black letters and 6 blank tiles so that you can create your own characters and symbols as needed. I love this lightbox so much, it looks great in my office. If black and white isn't your thing then you can also get coloured letters.
Owning cats means that I am often aware of the smells they leave behind. Having a nice smelling home is important to me, and I love these Landon Tyler reed diffusers. I have two winter scents, Golden Amber which is a sophisticated fine fragrance combining musk, patchouli, nutmeg, rose and sandalwood. Winter Woods is a a luxurious evergreen scent, combing pine, fir, spruce, moss and cardamom.
Finding budget friendly Christmas bubbly that tastes great can be a mission, but this Piccini 1882 is a light Christmas bubbly made from a blend of 75% prosecco (glera) grapes and 25% Chardonnay grapes resulting in a delicate sparkling wine. The perfect bottle of bubbles to be enjoyed on Christmas day with canapés, or with a splash of orange juice to make your own bucks fizz! It’s also a lovely inclusion in a Christmas hamper with cheese, chutneys and
For those who like nothing more than to relax and unwind after a busy day, Nelsons arnicare arnica Bath & Massage Balm, is a dual purpose balm enriched with Evening Primrose and rich Sweet Almond oil to naturally hydrate the skin. Designed for massaging into tired muscles or for use in a relaxing bath following a hectic day, the natural properties of Arnica Montana extract and sweet scents of Lavender and Grapefruit essential oils help calm senses and relax the mind. It’s the perfect present for ladies in your life.
A great way to have fun and break the ice at parties, this set of double sided Face Mats are a cheeky, laugh-out-loud addition to your drinking fun. Protecting your tables and surfaces from drink stains, these drinks mats are an awful lot more fun than your average coaster! With 20 mats in the set, each one features two fun pictures with which to strike the perfect pose. With a variety of different faces and expressions, they can be clipped onto your nose to create some hilarious appearance altering mayhem, perfect for party photos and selfies. So whether you fancy a goatee, a moustache or bright red lipstick, or perhaps prefer a scowl, a frown or a kiss, these brilliant Face Mats offer something for everyone, and are a great quirky gift for Secret Santa, stocking fillers, or just a cheeky gift for someone you know.
Danger Mouse is very well loved, so it is great to see such a selection of new Danger Mouse products on offer this festive season. This Danger Mouse Shrinkatizer is a must have for any Danger Mouse fans. Squeeze the rapid fire trigger and the Shrinkatizer will project images on your wall of famous SM characters. Also, listen out for sounds straight from the smash-hit show. Fight alongside your trusty sidekick Penfold and save the world once more!
When you’re tired or stressed, the under eye skin can be swollen and dark as a symptom of your physical or mental fatigue. Looking tired can have a negative effect on your confidence and self-esteem. Ramescar have recently launched a new eye & dark circle cream. The cream uses Eyesyl, a technology developed by Sylphar (the company behind Remescar) that works on 3 key actions;
- Skin tightening
- Decrease water accumulation
- Micromuscular-pause
This in turn effectively and immediately erases eye bags and dark circles in just two minutes.
Copper homewares are featuring highly on my Christmas wishlist, and I love these copper kitchen gadgets from Stellar. With prices starting from £4.50, these make great gifts for any foodies you know, or someone who has just moved home. Stellar have created a collection of kitchen tools that combine the attraction of copper with the unsurpassed functionality needed in the contemporary home. Constructed from a food safe finish each item in the Stellar copper collection has been designed to perform peerlessly (even with wet hands). The copper will not tarnish or lose its sheen. The collection includes a Corkscrew, Y-Peeler, Garlic Crusher, Nut Cracker, Ice-cream Scoop and Pizza Knife; each finished with absolute attention to detail and sold with a lifetime guarantee.
Imagine a whole book on a single sheet. A bold art print on which, up close, you can read the full and complete text of your favourite classic work. Every paragraph, chapter heading and italic is kept and carefully arranged into a design which fits a standard frame with no words missing. This is exactly what you get with a Spineless classic. Whether you are a romantist, or you'd like a design for a child's bedroom, there's something for everyone.
These Bowflex Super Heavy Dumbbells deliver the ultimate workout challenge. Replace 17 sets of dumbbells with just one pair! Simply turn the dial to adjust your weights between 4-41kg. The Bowflex dumbbells will work wonders for anyone looking to get in shape – before Christmas and in the New Year fitness resolution period – in their own home, as they are very space saving, so the ideal all-in-one fitness gadget in our opinion. Usually retailing for £699, they are available before Christmas for £499. These are a Fitness Superstore Exclusive.
Count & Crawl Kitty is the perfect gift to help develop kids mathematics knowledge from a young age. Count & Crawl Kitty makes simple counting fun and easy for little ones. Pressing the keys on Kitty’s back teaches children numbers one – 20 and creates fun music. This is so much fun, and I love making meow songs!
Create the own fairytale ending with this Disney Cinderella Aqua Beads set which lets you make Cinderella, the infamous glass slipper and horse drawn, getaway cart. Make this design quickly before you turn into a pumpkin with this arts and crafts set!
Guylian’s hero Sea Shells are always a welcome Christmas present. The luxury chocolates now come in a generous box, which is 50% bigger than the classic 250g. Perfect for those who want a little more! Made using only the finest, hand-selected Mediterranean hazelnuts, which are roasted and caramelised to perfection before being blended with premium Belgian chocolate.
For the men in your life, consider the Braun Multigroomer or the Gilette Proshield for a cheaper alternative. Create the ideal goatee, stubble or sleek clean shave with the Braun Multi Groomer. Enhanced 3-in-1 system allows you to trim, style and shave all with one product. This versatile trimmer and shaver is the ideal tool to complement any grooming regime.
This Christmas, get creative and give the gift of indulgence with some Swiss Spa inspired pamper hampers with fenjal. Perfect as a gift for a loved one, or an affordable indulgence for yourself, fenjal provides all the pampering you need to feel like you just walked out of your own spa at home – relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the Christmas celebrations. Pictured is the fenjal Classic Crème Oil Body Wash – Cleanse and Nourish – your skin will thank you for this one! Containing natural jojoba oil, fenjal’s Crème Oil Body Wash leaves skin feeling velvety smooth, nourished and gently cleansed, and fenjal Classic Crème Bath Oil – Nourish and Relax – cold winter nights and long, warm baths go hand in hand. Indulge yourself even more with a splash of fenjal Classic Crème Bath oil in your bath. It contains natural plant extracts and soothing soy oil to really nourish the skin, so whether getting ready for bed or a party you’ll love it!
Monin syrups are lovely, and this Christmas they have launched a new popcorn flavoured syrup. Popcorn is a famous snack enjoyed and eaten in the movie theaters and is usually served salted, sweetened, buttered or caramelised. When the corn is heated, pressure builds within the kernel and popcorn is ready to be enjoyed once you hear a small explosion that sounds like a “pop”! Perfectly balanced and full bodied, MONIN Popcorn syrup will add a roasted popcorn flavour with a hint of nuttiness in any coffee beverages and help craft unexpected classic cocktails such as colada or martinis.
Posh marshmallows – whatever next? Quirky, contemporary Belgian confectionery from Baru. These luxury marshmallows are available in Vanilla Bean, Toasted Coconut, Sea Salt Caramel, Blueberry & Basil, Raspberry & Mint and Strawberry & Cacao which has a retro feel, inspired by childhood memories of layered ‘Neapolitan’ ice-cream. Available from independent stores and selected lines from Waitrose.
It wouldn't be Christmas in the Drew household without Opies cocktail cherries (one goes into a cocktail…one in my mouth!) but have you seen some of their other offerings? These would be great in a Christmas food hamper.
Perhaps one of the most remote bakeries in the UK, based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis on the Scottish Outer Hebrides, Stag Bakeries have some amazing products this festive season. The Heritage Range includes products with island provenance including the award-winning Stornoway Water Biscuit with Hebridean seaweed (awarded Best Scottish Speciality Product 2013) and Seaweed Oatcake. Available from independent retail stores and selected lines from Lakeland
Christmas wouldn't be complete without some Haribo, and this festive season there are some Christmas themed sweets on offer. The Mega Stars gift set is my favourite, and it would make a lovely stocking filler.
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Thank you so much to the brands who have provided items to include in this gift guide.
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