Gosh, it comes round quick, the time for the annual blog post gift guide. It came round so fast this year it took me by surprise, hence why it’s late, so sorry about that. As ever, if you’re buying any of the things on it, or if you have any other suggestions for fab gifts, especially from indie retailers, please share them in the comments or on Twitter. Merry Christmas!
A definite candidate for my book of the year, this flew under the radar a bit, but is a proper gem.
2. Hit List, £7
I will never tire of buying organisers and to do list pads with the intention of harnessing my inner chaos. What I particularly like about this one is it allows you to tick the tasks that are urgent (assuming that’s not all of them…)
3. The Essential Candle Collection, £50
Space NK’s Christmas Candle, Shimmering Spice, was in the gift guide a few years back. Here it is again with a few other equally lovely scents. Like a (pricey) selection box for grown ups (although you can easily get 15% off).
1000 brightly coloured pieces – perfect for those dark winter days between Christmas and New Year.
Things that always appear in the gift guide – bath stuff and notebooks – no longer count as part of the main 30 items. Perhaps next year, stuffed toys will need to join that category…
‘You love a garland, don’t you?’ a friend said recently at a craft fair, and it’s true, I really do. This one is particularly beautiful – I bought one for myself last year and have bought another for a friend this Christmas.
Made entirely from recycled plastic, but more importantly: super fun.
8. Barbara Throws a Wobbler, £6.99
Because it’s been the kind of year where we’ve all wanted to throw a wobbler…
9. Fight for Every Inch Body Lotion, £20
I’m very confused about why anyone would call a body lotion this. My suggestion is to buy it for someone you’re fucking, then, when they’ve used all the lotion, refill it with lube…
Frankly, I think yellow is an underrated colour option.
11. Garnier Self-Care Collection, £10
Garnier masks are incredibly cheap considering how well they work and this set is even better value. Pair it with chocolate and/or some of the beautifully-packaged Ophir pre-mixed G&Ts and you have a great gift for a friend.
12. Egg On Toast Activity Toy, £21
If you have a baby to buy for this Christmas, you are beyond lucky, because babies are the best people to buy for. And who doesn’t want a happy little egg on toast to welcome them to the world?
If you have a friend who’s more about the savoury snacks than the sweet ones, what better gift than a big tin of gourmet crisps?
A wonderful Twitter friend pointed me in the direction of these lovely leather keyrings last year. I bought the ravioli as a gift, and the recipient was delighted. I highly recommend you do the same.
Because lobsters will never go out of fashion*.
*hopefully
16. Hot Buns are Ready Tea Towel, £10.89
Look at his little butt cheeks.
There’s always at least one thing on this list that I would want in my own stocking. This year, this book of abandoned places is the one.
18. Aubade Blue Saphir Bra, £89
I know the model gives no indication of this, but some Aubade styles, including this one, now go up to a G cup. Which has delighted this blogger who last bought an Aubade bra on sale at the end of 2003 when she was still a D cup.
Anthro is always a solid bet for good value but pretty mugs, and this one is no exception.
On the one hand (ha!), £125 is a lot for costume jewellery. On the other, if you wear a piece of jewellery every day, which I think you easily could with this, it works out very cheap per wear. Honest.
21. COCO x Talisker Sea Salted Caramel Gift Set, £20
This year, don’t get him whiskey stones. Get him this beautiful whiskey and chocolate gift set instead.
22. Giant Wooden Xmas Bauble, £24
Immensely cheering Christmas decorations are always a good gift for anyone who loves this time of year.
23. Floral Personalised Liberty Hot Water Bottle, £19.75
If you have a group of girlfriends, you could buy them each one of these in a slightly different print. In fact, I may be planning to do that for some of my friends next year (shhhh).
This kids’ audio player with story cards also allows you to record cards of you reading their favourite stories, which I think is pretty cool.
25. Bacon Butty Box for 2, £14
I’ve made no secret of how good I think the Dishoom bacon naan kits are, but frustratingly, you have to choose a specific day for delivery, which makes them less good as gifts. A friend of mine recommended this as a solid alternative.
26. Too Horny Risograph Print, $30
If I had any space left on my walls, I would be getting me one of these for sure.
Dinosaur buttons!
I’m a big fan of Shop Cuvée, which opened during lockdown and sells bottled cocktails, interesting wines and mulled wine with a cool label that would make a great gift for your colleague/neighbours/sister’s new boyfriend.
29. Unsolicited Dick Pick-Me-Up Print, £10
For the friend who’s had a shitty year. How can his little face not make you smile?
Bookily is something I wish had existed long before now. A kind of gift subscription from National Book Tokens, the recipient will receive a book token for the average cost of one or more paperback novels every month until you say stop. My dream gift, tbh.
Remember bath pearls from when you were, like, eleven? Allow someone to relive the joys.
32. Pantone Notebook Set, £17.95
If you have a friend who wouldn’t appreciate this, well, you need new friends.
The RNLI do great work in many ways, but the main reason they deserve your donation this Christmas is because they’re committed to saving migrants trying to cross the Channel, all in the face of bullshit from hate groups like Britain First.
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