The 2022 Christmas Gift Guide guides are looking a little different this year. Gone are our lengthy intros and posed imagery. Feedback is that readers want candid snaps of what they get from the retailer – what is in boxes and pots! This year budgets are tighter, so we have focused on products that are under £100 and those that tick the ‘treat’ and ‘practical use’ boxes. Buy one or two gifts he will love rather than a bundle of gimmicky ones that will live in the back of a cupboard. Radical suggestion? Ask what people need or would like. Also, we went with His/Her guides this year because they are the most widely searched but please interchange the guides for all genders ?
We have made it easy to see the retailer, price, postage info etc, followed by our own review as a customer in our product descriptions. (Always check websites’ last postage before Christmas dates.)
P.s Check if websites have discounts to sign up to mailing lists before you buy – every little helps and most offer between 10-20% off on first purchase.
So, let’s jump right in and get shopping!
THE OCLEAN X10 ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH. RRP 89.99.
Oclean is a company that’s devoted to improving oral health through technology and innovation, and introduces quality, smart, and stylish oral care products to encourage efficient oral care routine. The new Oclean X10 available HERE (in 3 colours) is a smart display toothbrush capable of mapping your technique and offering a self-generated brushing plan that helps you improve your oral health. It offers an easy-to-understand interactive Emoji Feedback so is great for teens to grandparents. The toothbrush comes with a 2-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee. The X10 also comes with a maglev motor up to 80,000 movements/min capable of delivering strong cleaning power. The 2-minute smart timer and 30-second reminder also safeguards the teeth and gums from over brushing. Award-winning Dupont Diamond Bristles and sonic tech ensure efficiency. The three and a half -hour charge means a 60-day battery life which you can’t argue with. The toothbrush has 5 high-performance, easily adjustable modes – clean, massage, sensitive, polish, and white. It has a slim, chic design with IPX7 whole-body waterproofing. It comes with a magnetic wall mount and head refills come in multi-packs – you can buy 2 for £8 off Amazon.
UK Postage: Amazon Prime – free.
Why am I recommending it? Once I switched to electric toothbrushes I have never looked back. Some brands can be really loud but this is <45dB and has a really good pressure sensor.
BOXBOLLEN. RRP £19.99.
Boxbollen is a simple and fun piece of workout kit. Trending on social media the set includes a Velcro adjustable headband, elastic string with softball, a water-resistant carrying pouch, QR-code license to The Boxball App (IOS and Android). The aim is to hit the ball as many times as possible for a light cardio workout or high-intensity interval training. Players ‘box’ the Boxbollen, available HERE, while the Boxball App – connected to a smart TV, phone, or tablet – provides performance-tracking, charity-linked challenges, and nationwide and worldwide social competitions with cash prizes. Use the built-in hit counter to challenge your friends and family in different game modes. I like that it is simple to set up. Now, how much turkey can you burn off? It is also available in pink.
Uk Postage: £1.99.
Why am I recommending it? The perfect size for a stocking filler and will suit all ages to get active at home. You do need a smartphone for the counter but otherwise, there are no extras you need to buy.
BUILT DOUBLE WALLED STAINLESS STEEL TRAVEL MUG MIDNIGHT BLUE RRP £16.99 & BUILT MIDNIGHT BLUE FOOD FLASK RRP £19.99.
Cook Serve Enjoy is a hub of more than 20 innovative kitchenware and culinary brands. Introducing the Built Double Walled Travel Mug, available HERE. The stainless-steel travel mug is double-walled and holds 590ml (one pint) of refreshments which it keeps cool for up to 24 hours, and hot beverages warm for up to six hours. It also keeps the outside from getting too hot, so you don’t burn your hands. Topped with a threadless Tritan plastic lid, it can be slid open and closed with one hand. Perfect for at the office, or watching your kid’s sports games etc. It’s a robust buy, and the midnight blue mug fits any regular car cup holder (8.5 x 8 x 19.5). Pair this with the Midnight Blue Food Flask (490ml) available HERE. This also has a double wall of vacuum insulation so you can safely transport soup in winter and ice cream in summer. Its secure silicone seal prevents it from leaking in your bag. The black silicone grip means it is easy to hold
Uk postage. £3.95 or Free when you spend over £20.00.
Why are we recommending it? Both items are reusable and BPA free , so you can cut out the single use plastics.
TRENDHIM FREDDI NAVY URBAN SCARF & KAI BLUE KANE BEANIE. RRP £69.
Online men’s retailer Trendhim was founded in late 2007 offering quality men’s accessories that are fashionable and affordable. Designed in Denmark, they currently have multiple brands in their portfolio and a range of products from watches to shaving sets to ties. The Freddi Navy urban scarf & Kai blue Kane beanie (available HERE) makes a wonderful gift and is perfect for cold winter days. The scarf is a chunky cable knit made of high-quality merino mix yarn. It is heavy but soft and being 230cm it wraps comfortably around the neck. The unique Danish design goes well with the cotton blend beanie hat. The dark blue shades look great and will not mark easily.
Uk Postage: Free shipping option for all orders over £39. £5 for orders under and it takes 4-6 working days.
Why am I recommending it? The Freddi Navy urban scarf & Kai blue Kane beanie will fit teens to grandads. They are thick items that are not made of cheap scratchy fabrics. A practical gift option whilst still being stylish.
HENRY BELL & CO HERITAGE SEED FEEDER AND ELEGANCE OPEN FRONT NEST BOX. RRP £14.99.
Henry Bell & Co is a fourth-generation family-owned British business that produces quality animal feeds. Their Wild Bird Care collection (available HERE) includes a range of high-quality products that are specially designed to improve the health and well-being of the wild birds in your garden. If you are looking for a green gift for a garden or nature enthusiast, then the Henry Bell Heritage Feeder and Elegance Open Front Nest Box are the perfect choices. Each feeder in the collection has a colour coded label for easy feed selection. The Heritage Seed Feeder offers a premium metal feeder that is approx 32cm high with a logoed easy opening lid and a removable base. I particularly like the different levels of perch it offers. The feeder is easy to use, clean and refill. The Elegance Open Front Nest Box retails for £14.99. The box includes drainage holes, the required thickness of wood for insulation and predator plates. All fixings are finished in silver and the wood is FCS-sourced. The colours are neutral, and it is both an attractive and practical nesting box. Grab a bag of Superior seed mix and your loved one is all set to keep their feathered friends happy this winter. I especially like that on the packaging of each item the birds are pictured and named that will enjoy those specific products!
Uk Postage: £3.95 delivery charge on all orders under £25.00, free over £25.
Why am I recommending it? This thoughtful gift helps out wildlife!
RELIEVE WARMING CBD BALM. RRP £38.00.
Walker & Morland offer a holistic range of premium, lab-tested wellness products which harness the natural power of CBD and offer soothing relief and recovery to support an active lifestyle. The Relieve Warming CBD balm is available HERE and is perfect for exercise enthusiasts or those with aches and pains that want drug-free pain relief. It comes boxed in an easy-application roll-on tube (50g). The balm contains synthetic CBD oil, shea butter, and dried eucalyptus leaves. It gets very warm so don’t put on sensitive or broken skin. See the website for the exact ingredients list.
Uk Postage: Free.
Why am I recommending it? I am not a fan of painkillers, also my grandad tried this out on his back and found the heat really soothing. I am also reassured by buying a CBD product from a reputable company.
A3 FAMILY WALL APPOINTMENT CALENDAR ON CLASSIC PAPER. RRP FROM £ 24.99.
CEWE is Europe’s leading photo printing company. They offer an extensive range of high-quality photo finishing products such as the CEWE photobook, Wall Art, Calendars, Photo Prints and a variety of Photo Gifts. A personalised photo calendar is the perfect Christmas gift ready for the coming New Year. Every month remind grandparents, or parents of a happy memory and keep their home life organised. Choose from a large range of sizes, styles, and layouts from kitchen and appointment calendars to desktop calendars and year planners. Personally, I prefer the A3 Photo Calendar (available HERE) as they are not too big but are large enough to show off photographs and write appointments on each day. You can choose between landscape and portrait, your start month and there are 12 customisable pages, plus a cover page. What impressed me was the spiral binding (including handy hanger) so pages flip easily and the quality of the paper. We whipped one up for in grandads shed so he can note down when planting should take place etc!
UK postage: Free delivery when you subscribe and when you spend over £25.
OPIES FRUITS WITH ALCOHOL COLLECTION. RRP £6.50.
Opies have been making and supplying quality food for your families since 1880. If you are looking for an affordable stocking filler gift, then the Opies Fruits with Alcohol collection is the perfect choice, or as a welcome addition to a home-made hamper. A delicious alternative to the usual box of chocolate the Opies are suitable for vegetarian/vegans and jam-packed with fruits and alcohol. As well as seasonal favourites like Black Cherries with Luxardo® Kirsch, Peaches with Courvoisier and Apricots with Luxardo® Dark Rum, new for 2022 is a delicious mix of Forest Fruits with Cassis. There is a flavour for all tastes. Eat with ice cream, add to puddings or even cocktails. Why not make boozy ice cubes by mixing the syrup with a little water and freezing into a cube tray. For culinary inspiration, Opies have also incorporated recipes on the inside of the packs. I really like that they look like globes, with snow-scape jar designs. Wash out after eating and place a tea light into the bottom to make a pretty candle jar that can be used for future festive seasons.
Available in most Supermarkets from Sainsburys, Waitrose and selected independent stores from October.
Why am I recommending it? For what you get for the price this is one of those great all-rounder gifts, festive packaging and you are buying a pudding, alcohol gift hybrid! Cherries and Kirsch is our favourite.
GILLETTE LABS EXFOLIATING RAZOR. RRP £22.49.
Gillette is likely the most well-known and largest American safety razor brand. Released earlier this year the Gillette Labs Exfoliating Razor is available HERE. With the first-ever built-in exfoliation bar, the razor has glowing reviews. The innovative design helps to maintain a close shave – 2D FlexDisc technology moves with the contours of the face combined with the signature 5-blade (compatible with the Gillette Heated Razor) mounted on highly responsive springs. Once you’re done grooming, simply dock the razor in a premium magnetic stand that keeps it clean, dry and ready to use. The metal handle comes with a 5-year guarantee or Gillette will replace it, and useful rubberised areas ensure good handling and slip resistance. Another perfect-sized stocking filler, pair with some shaving foam and face wash and voila, an ideal useful gift.
UK postage. £3.95 or free when you spend £14.99: 2-3 working days.
Why am I recommending it? I am not a fan of cheap one-use razors but also know that most people are not quite at the switchblade level. This has so many good reviews, does not need batteries or electricity and the stand is a nice design feature.
MAINLINE ADIDAS ORIGINALS ESSENTIAL JOGGING BOTTOMS. RRP £35.
Mainline Menswear is a leading online menswear retailer who stock over 100 designer brands and around 10,000 products. Now clothing is a category that I usually avoid as a gift as unless you know perfect sizing and styles. Always keep receipts! That said, products I do feel safe to buy, and always have use – are underwear, pyjamas and loungewear – where comfort is key! The adidas Originals Essential Jogging Bottoms in Grey, available HERE are a great choice as they are a reputable brand. Grey is an all-round accepted colour, are stocked in a range of sizes from X small to XX large with a ribbed elasticated waistband with an interior drawstring fastening. Made from 70% Cotton, and 30% Recycled Polyester the joggers have two useful concealed zip pockets and a really soft fleecy interior.
UK postage: Free.
Why am I recommending it? They are so SO comfy. Loungewear are thick fabrics that I think are better than pyjamas for sleepwear. A good brand and simple colour and style means many will be happy to have these as a gift.
THE BITTER TRUTH COCKTAIL BITTERS TRAVELER’S SET. RRP £14.95.
Munich bartenders Stephan Berg and Alexander Hauck started German company The Bitter Truth in 2006. Stocked by Masters Of Malt The Bitter Truth Cocktail Bitters Traveller’s Set is available HERE (10cl, 38.2%). The tin is designed to be carried in your hand luggage and has a vintage design, as do the bottles! They are perfectly sized to slip in your jacket pocket. The Bitter Truth has come up with these charming little miniature bottles of 5 of their best cocktail bitters. These include Celery, Old Time Aromatic Bitters, Orange, Creole and Gerry’s Own Decanters Bitters. What a great way to try new flavours, the Celery is perfect for in a Bloody Mary. For a fan of bitters, TBT bitters are strong, and he will have a great time testing out what flavours boost his favourite cocktails! The perfect sized and priced stocking filler!
Uk Postage. £4.95 Express delivery.
Why am I recommending it? The decorative aesthetic and high-quality taste make this the ideal gift for bitter aficionados.
Oriental Club Dine At Home Eastern Party Box – Silver. RRP £55.00.
For nearly two hundred years, the Oriental Club, founded by the Duke of Wellington, has been an iconic Central London focal point, the historic members-only Stratford Place offering renowned cuisine. The Club launched the Oriental Club Dine at Home as a way of bringing a taste of the Club to their homes in unconventional times. This service has now been extended to a premium meal delivery service that is available on the UK Mainland. Offering both Western and Eastern foods – my favourite concept is the three-tier package party food box (Silver, Gold, and Platinum).
I sampled the Silver package which included a selection of Indian Street Food Starters for Two which included 2 x Lamb Samosa, Vegetable Samosa and Onion Bhaji (with condiments). All foods are labelled clearly on the site as Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy Free and Gluten Free. You also get your choice of two signature dishes – from Prawn Moilee, Lamb Rogan Josh, Palak Matar Paneer, Chicken Chettinad and Aloo Baingan (plus Basmati Rice, Dal and Naan Bread for two). The portions are plentiful and beautifully flavoured with different textures and tastes. You also get the choice of a bottle of Oriental Club Wine – Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine A. Morin, France 2020 or Merlot, Reserve La Vigneau, Vine de Pays, France 2020. It is a really good deal for freshly prepared restaurant-quality food made with high-quality produce. It is a service we will definitely use again!
The delivery section on the website gives a clear indication of potential delivery times by location. The Oriental Club delivers Tue-Sat and it is possible to select your desired delivery day. I like that you are updated throughout the delivery process, and the delivery company will send a one-hour time slot as soon as your order leaves the local depot. The package is designed to keep the contents below 8°C for more than 48 hours. When it arrives, the different meals are individually packaged (in attractive white logoed bags) with clearly listed ingredients and cooking instructions. You can also purchase gifts off the site including the 1861 Indian Cookery Book (inc 60 recipes) by Richard Terry RRP £10.00 and selections of handmade preserves which are 100% natural and bursting with locally grown or UK sourced fruit and made using the traditional open pot method. RRP £9.50.
Available HERE.
UK Postage: £3.50 for delivery.
HIRST FOOTWEAR SKECHERS SELMEN TELAGO BROWN WATERPROOF MEMORY FOAM WALKING BOOTS. RRP £76.95.
Hirst Footwear is a family-run footwear business established in 1983 that sell established brands that deliver on price, style, comfort and technology. If he is a fan of hiking or even just wants a sturdy pair of shoes to walk through the rain this winter, then then check out the SKECHERS Relaxed Fit®: Selmen – Telago shoe, available HERE. Sketchers are a brand well known for comfort and these do not disappoint. The ankle boot is made of durable leather, synthetic and mesh fabric in a lace up (with riveted metal top eyelet) casual hiking boot style with stitching and overlay accents. The brown and black look really aesthetically good together. The Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole, padded collar and tongue with the soft fabric shoe lining means your feet will be happy to walk and walk. With a 1 ½-inch heel this helps with stability and the rubber toe bumper front keeps the shoe from getting scuffed easily. Overall, the shoes are stylish, lightweight, waterproof and ideal for everyday wear. The site has footwear for all ages so why not kit out the whole family. Obviously, they come in a branded box but we wanted to show them off!
UK postage: Free delivery and returns. Can’t argue that.
Why am I recommending it? I love that you can buy a highly reputed brand but also support a family business. The look of these are stylish and more importantly they are a really comfy fit.
THE SPICE KITCHEN INDIAN SPICE TIN WITH 9 SPICES. RRP £30.
The Indian Spice Tin (or Masala Dabba as it is traditionally known) is available HERE. The Spice Kitchen is a family-owned artisanal spice and tea company run by mother and son team Sanjay & Shashi Aggarwal. Sanjay and Shashi share a common goal: to honour their Indian heritage and make their ancestors proud. Winner of Gift of the Year 2022 the Indian Spice Tin contains nine artisan Indian spices carefully selected for flavour giving you everything you need to make fragrant, tasty Indian dishes. Need to save money but love getting Indian takeout – why not whip up some delicious dishes in your own home with the help of this present? The spices come in a sturdy stainless-steel tin with a Perspex lid which is 19cm round and 8cm high. As soon as you unbox, even with the lid closed you can smell the wonderful aromas. Inside are seven removable smaller tins (and a small metal spoon) containing: Garam Masala (20g), Chilli Powder (20g), Cumin Seeds (20g), Ground Coriander (20g), Turmeric Powder (20g), Mustard Seeds (20g), Cassia (5g), Cardamom (2g) and Cloves (1g). Each of the spices will come in individual plastic packets in order to retain their freshness and to stop spilling in transit. This present also comes with a free recipe guide, the spice blends are made fresh in small batches in the UK and every time you buy a spice tin, you are helping to ensure a schoolchild receives a nutritious meal in the UK and India.
UK postage: Free shipping on orders over £10 by Royal Mail 2nd Class. 3 – 5 working days.
Why am I recommending it? The spices are fab quality and so fragrant, and you can add on to this gift it being wrapped in silk, a repurposed saree. A simple gift but a wonderful one.
AMONAX HOME WORKOUT SET AND FOAM ROLLER. RRP £21.99.
Amonax is a specialized home fitness equipment store. Amonax AB Roller Home workout set, available HERE is ideal for a core workout at home, both in and outdoors. Many people like to focus on their health in January and buying home equipment is much more cost effective than expensive gym memberships. Light and portable inside is a professional looking convertible (double and single wheel) ab roller for ab trimming, ergonomically designed, adjustable skipping rope for calorie burn (or weight loss), and steel frame/memory foam push-up bars are for an upper body workout. The products are easy to put together yet feel sturdy to use. It even comes with a small kneeling pad and instructions for some exercises you can do with the equipment. Overall, it is a great quality set for the price. Why not pair with the Hybrid foam roller on sale HERE (RRP £13) which can be used as a warm-up (i.e., before a run) as well as to reduce muscle soreness after a workout. Made of high density, biodegradable foam it has a smoother side for a gentler massage and textured for more intense. At 14 inches/6-inch diameter it is designed to be robust and hold heavy weights.
UK postage: Below £20 the cost is £2.95, over is free. Delivery is 1-3 working days.
Why am I recommending it? For the price, you get well-designed, positively reviewed items that people of any fitness level can use.
PANTHERELLA SPORTS LUXE SOCKS. RRP £15.
Pantherella sell the world’s finest socks made in England since 1937 behind the blue door at their family-owned factory in Leicester. Every Pantherella sock is crafted by a skilled team of sock makers and are hand finished. The Sports Luxe socks available HERE have a nostalgic streetwear aesthetic. Made with Egyptian cotton the socks have many comfort-enhancing design features with their two-stripe detailing – the ventilated top, reinforced heels and fine-linked toe seams, arch support and cushioned sole to ensure day-long comfort. They are ribbed and long in length. The Spirit socks come in three sizes and three different colours. I cannot express how soft these socks are!
Uk postage. Standard delivery is 1-3 working days and is £5.00 Free with purchases over £100.
Why am I recommending it? We can all buy cheap socks for 1/3 of the price but they are likely made in sweatshops, with cheap uncomfortable materials where buying better quality products mean they will last longer, and your purchase supports a UK business. Did I also mention they are the comfiest socks I have ever felt?!
CONKER COLD BREW DECAF COFFEE LIQUEUR RRP £32
Conker is run by a team of friends, sharing a passion to build a world-class distillery, on a shoestring budget in Southbourne in Bournemouth, Dorset. Launched in 2014 the recipe of their founding product, the Dorset Dry, was developed in Rupert’s kitchen on a 1.5-litre alembic pot still. Luckily, Rupert’s landlord was fine with the HMRC registering his kitchen for this purpose! (You’ll find this kitchen’s coordinates on every bottle of the Dorset Dry). One of my favourite drinks is an Expresso Martini but having a dubious ticker I can’t drink caffeine so hadn’t been able to drink it until I happened upon Conker’s Decaf Conker Cold Brew, available HERE. For all those who love coffee but not the buzz, the decaf Brazilian and Colombian Speciality coffee beans are dark and fruity. With Spirits distilled from British Wheat and New Forest Spring Water, the large 70cl bottle is 25 percent bottle and packs a kick. I love the bottling and labelling of Conker drinks. Delicious over ice, and also added to cheesecake mix or if you are whipping up a festive tiramisu.
Uk Postage. £4.95 Express delivery.
Why am I recommending it? The taste of Conkers drinks are always top notch and people often, even though they love coffee alcoholic drinks, avoid them in the evening – with a decaf version you can happily sip your favourite tipple all night long and still sleep like a baby.
THE EDIFIER GX GAMING HEADSET. RRP £69.99.
Founded in 1996 Chinese company Edifier specializes in the design and manufacture of premium audio solutions that showcase technological innovation and design excellence. Overall, the Edifier GX High-Fidelity Gaming Headset, available HERE is the perfect accessory for any gamer. Offering a truly immersive audio the 50mm titanium diaphragm drivers, designed by Edifier’s renowned team of audio engineers, have a frequency response of 20Hz-40KHz and a 24-bit decoder. Sound is crystal clear and Hi-Res. The GX is a quite a large headset but not too heavy, RGB logos on the side and a futuristic, metallic look. The High-quality headband with soft leatherette ear cups makes it a comfortable wear. The GX lets you connect via 3.5mm cable, USB-C or a USB connection making it compatible with compatible with PC, Laptop, Smart Phone, Pad, PS4 and other gaming devices. For a budget headset under £100 is has some great features like rolling volume control, a retractable microphone and a noise-cancelling chip with dual mics for clarity ideal for gaming.
UK Postage: Amazon Prime – free.
Why am I recommending it? The sound quality, fit and comfort from the Edifier GX Headset makes it an excellent set of gaming headphones that will make a perfect Christmas gift for any gamer this year.
I hope these ideas have helped give you some ideas for Christmas! Remember if you can pick wrapping paper that can be recycled!
#AD. We were gifted the products for the purpose of inclusion, our thoughts and views are our own.
