Weesse's Giving Guide....Part One

I LOVE Christmas!

Like, ADORE it! I love everything about it. The build up, the music, the films, decorating the tree, the scrummy food, quality time with family and friends & all that jazz. I also love giving gifts so it's just an ideal time of year for me. Howevs, I'm the biggest procrastinator when it comes to selecting gifts for peeps. I trawl the Internet for weeks in advance, hit the high street & lose countless hours to Pinterest as I feverishly try to locate the perfect pressie for each of my recipients. And it's blooming knackering! 

My plans to be super duper organised this year have been scuppered due to crappy back pain (Boooooooo!) so in my house arrest-cabin fevered state I'm thinking that online purchases will be the way to go for me this year, to ensure I don't end up in a tizzy the week of Christmas, running around grabbing gifts that I'm not really happy with. Hate Hate HATE that! 

Of course, like most I'm on a budget (always!) so I gotta be clever with my choices. The present has got to fulfill some criteria before it even becomes a contender. 

These are as follows (in no particular order): 

Be within budget
Be pretty, quirky, fun or practical 
Be personal 

I've made a start & thus far, I'm quite happy with my selections, although I do have HEAPS still to get. In my online travels I've discovered some lovely ideas for gifts & thought I'd share them with you. Just in the off-chance it may help someone out there who's feeling lost, uninspired or is in blatant denial that they need to start thinking about it pronto. Please note if you're likely to receive a gift from me....don't worry there's no spoilers here! Just nice ideas that may work for other. 

For Everyone

Photo from www.matalan.co.uk

A few weeks back I saw a billboard add for these alphabet scarves from Matalan in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital  & thought they were such a cute, personal gift that are for a good cause, are great quality & don't cost the Earth (Only a tenner for the adult ones and a fiver for the kids' versions). They've ran out of some of the letters already but apparently more are due in and if you sign up to their email alert they'll get in touch when they become available.   Everyone needs a new scarf at Christmas (it's like the law) & with a range of cool colours & your initial on there, it makes for a super gift that gives back to those less fortunate. Result! 

Photo from www.guitarguitar.co.uk

This a bit of wild card pressie but I really think it could be for anyone. It's a ukulele (or a uke to the pros out there)! It's small, easy to learn and fun to play. Over the last few years it has over took the recorder as primary school teachers' go-to instrument for teaching music to pupils and with so many YouTube tutorials to hand (Check out 'Ukulele Mike'), you could be playing your favourite Crimbo tune by the time the brussels are ready.  They come in various colours, are relatively cheap and it's something a bit different for someone who like a fun surprise on Christmas morning. 

Check out Guitar Guitar Glasgow for their range or go in store. They're are loads of online sites offering deal too.  

For Her

Photo courtesy of www.burtsbees.co.uk

I actually got given this as a birthday gift in September from our lovely friend Jules and instantly fell in love with this range. One sniff was all it took. Burt's Bees originated in Maine in 1984 when the founders Roxanne Quimby and Burt Shavitz had a chance encounter, hit it off and and started a business creating candles from unused wax from Burt's beehives. The rest is history as they say (which is most interesting and worth a read) and they've created a uniquely packaged, gorgeously nature-based products that smell so yummy and feel great on your skin. Granted

I've only tested the products in this particular set so far but I definitely intend to try more of their range.  As I type this I have my tootsies slathered in the coconut foot cream under a pair of fluffy bed socks!

Best Buys

The Burt's Bees site has this in sale at the moment for £12.99 including other products and gift sets. However Boots also stock a lot of the range and if you're planning on taking advantage of their 3 For 2 offer, this particular set is currently the same price and you'll bag 1,299 Advantage Points too. A wee gift for you too!

Photo from www.selfystick.com

If your best friend, sister or mum loves taking selfies but hasn't quite got the knack of ensuring her full face is the pic, this is the pressie for her. A novelty gift that she'll love and that all the family can enjoy all year round. My hubby recently bought our dance troupe, The Kennedy Cupcakes a Selfy Stick and I tell you, we had sooooo much fun with it. A rather long wait at a gig was no longer a drag as we kept ourselves occupied creating fun groups selfy pics and videos. 

It comes with a Bluetooth remote and is relatively compact for taking on a night out. Holiday pics will never be the same again with this. 

For Him

My hubby is very difficult to buy for as he buys everything for himself. Throughout the year, if he sees something he likes, he buys it , hence making birthdays and Christmases a bloomin' nightmare to be honest. I like to buy surprise gifts for folks so sit doesn't sit well with me to have to purchase a gift that's been requested (unless there's  been a wish list for me to select from, leaving the element of surprise intact). I therefore rrrrrreeeeally dislike just giving vouchers or money. Im in no way criticising those who choose this option and in fact, I personally very much like and appreciate receiving cash to splurge in the January sales but when it comes to gifting I'd much prefer to pick out a gift that I feel is just right, wrap it up and see their reaction on Christmas morning as they tear off the paper to reveal the surprise. Selfish as it may seem....I want to get something out of giving a gift! 

The above quandary continues with hubby as we speak and with mu dad's birthday being 23rd December, he's not much easier to buy for either, especially when you're competing with mum and Mimi to purchase his favourites first.  

Photo from www.dermalogica.co.uk

When it comes to skincare, some men do and some don't...care that is but if they've got the tools to hand, they'll be more than likely to start. I've always been a fan of Dermalogica products and although of course I've never tried this kit (no jokes about having stubble!), you can bet you bottom dollar that this will be worth the money for your man. There's lots of sites offering their Shave Kit but two of the best prices I've come across are on UK Beauty Club  and John and Ginger. 

Check out www.dermalogica.co.uk for their full range of products available. 

Photo from www.beardo.co.uk

If he aint into grooming and he loves a novelty gift with a purpose, I recommend a Beardo UK hat. They were quite popular last year but if your man or mate hasn't already asked Santa for this, I think it's a winner for the guy who likes a laugh (and doesn't mind others laughing at him!). There's an option to remove the beard on some of the range too for those clean shaven days. Prices start at £20 and there's even a kid's version!! 

Stocking Filler Alert!

Photo from www.beardo.co.uk

They also sell this novelty set of beer tashes. Not as practical as the hat but think of the Christmas Day photos!

So, will that do you for now? Bear in mind it still is only November so there's plenty time for me to wrack up another list of potential pressie ideas for you. 

Happy shopping. Off you pop to buy a Selfy Stick, a Beardo hat and a ukulele.....can't WAIT to see the pics! 

Weesse x