The 2023 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!
Edifier TWS1 Pro 2, RRP £49.99.
Founded in 1996 Chinese company Edifier specializes in the design and manufacture of premium audio solutions that showcase technological innovation and design excellence. The Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds offer exceptional sound quality – these true wireless earbuds are perfect for travelling, working out or just relaxing at home. They have several impressive features including a built-in microphone to ensure high-quality calls. A useful attribute is ‘Wear Detection’. Music will pause automatically when taken out of your ear and will start playing once you place them back in. You can customise control settings via the Edifier Connect App including EQ selection (Classic/POP/Classical/Rock). They offer a 4 hours music playtime with ANC ON with 12 hours charging case. A total of 16 hours playtime. As well as this impressive battery life is active noise cancellation, with 2 levels of ANC selection and multiple ANC modes designed to reduce unwanted background noise in various environments. With their sleek and durable design, the pods are IP54 certified, dust proof and splash proof for active wear. We like white as a colour as then when you put a bud down it is much easier to find. Considering that they are a fraction of the price of more prestigious brands, they represent excellent value for money. With Prime Amazon delivery is FREE.
Qwickhose Starter Set, RRP £39.99.
Rivendale is a family-run business in the UK with a mission to make quality hose fittings available to everyone. The innovative Qwickhose is a garden hose connector manufactured in the UK with a patent-pending wing-lock design for a quick connection resulting in less leakage and no pop-offs. The Qwickhose connectors are made from extra-robust, UV-stabilised, premium-grade plastics. They fit 12.5 to 13mm hosepipe and are universally compatible with any accessories (e.g spray guns & Sprinklers). The Qwickhose Starter Set contains a Wing-Lock Connector, Nozzle Spray End, Tap Connector and No-Flow Wing-Lock Connector to assist with cleaning and gardening. The No-Flow Connector stops water flow if an attachment is removed without having to turn the water off at the tap. Qwickhose Starter Set also includes a space-saving wall mount, providing storage for up to four fittings and hanging space for your hose. I like how the website shows how to install the Qwickhose in 4 easy steps. Packaging is fully recyclable packaging box printed with water-based ink. Delivery costs £3.50.
City Survivor Night Support Formula RRP, £22.95.
City Survivor’s creates high-quality nutrition capsules, offering targeted support for modern life’s challenges. The stresses of busy life can come with a negative impact on your sleep. A unique gift idea is their Night Support formula popular with parents as it helps you to get to sleep naturally but is sedative-free. This means no morning grogginess. The supplements are made in the UK and are vegan and vegetarian. You get 60 capsules, and the directions are to take two half an hour before bed, so the jar contains approximately a month’s supply. There are no additives or bulking agents, the essential mineral magnesium glycinate with amino acids L-Theanine and L-Taurine promote calming neurotransmitters to help you wind down. I like the recyclable bespoke metal packaging and that City Survivors supplements are ‘stackable’ so you can combine them to meet your supplementation needs. Night Support doesn’t need to be refrigerated. My partner tried them and he finds it much easier to get back to sleep when woken by the children in the night since taking them. A unique and practical gift. Sign up to the website to get 10% off your first order. Orders below £25 cost £2.95 – Royal Mail 2nd Class. Over £25 is FREE.
Artificial Wisdom by Thomas Weaver, RRP £12.79.
Books always make great gifts. Artificial Wisdom is a recent release (October 23) and debut Hardcover novel by Thomas Weaver. It encompasses multiple genres – I would consider it a fast faced, future-esk murder mystery. An innovative technothriller. So, if he is a fan of Science Fiction and dystopian reads Artificial Wisdom is a great choice. A both, imaginative and realistic book focusing on the poignant topics of AI and climate change. The read is strenuous, suspenseful and thoughtful with strong characters. Blurb below.
It’s 2050, a decade after a heatwave that killed four hundred million across the Persian Gulf, including journalist Marcus Tully’s wife. Now he must uncover the truth: was the disaster natural? Or is the weather now a weapon of genocide? A whistleblower pulls Tully into a murder investigation at the centre of an election battle for a global dictator, with a mandate to prevent a climate apocalypse. While a former US President campaigns against the first AI politician, is someone trying to tip the balance? Tully must convince the world to face the truth and make hard choices about the fate of the species. But will humanity choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?
Available at Waterstones and Amazon with FREE Prime delivery.
Oral-B iO 3 Electric Toothbrush Designed By Braun (Black, Blue & Pink base), RRP £160 SALE £75.
Oral B electric toothbrushes remove up to 100% more plaque versus a regular manual toothbrush and is the number 1 recommended brand by dentists. The iO3 electric toothbrush is on sale at better than half price, and features Oral-B’s best technology, combining a dentist-inspired round brush head with micro-vibrating bristles for a professional purifying clean feel at home. The iO3 offers a great cleaning performance and 3 brushing modes, daily clean, sensitive and whiten. The smart pressure sensor helps prevent you from brushing either too hard or too soft to better protect your gums and alerts you to time spent brushing with too much pressure. It signals red to alert you if you’re brushing too hard. The battery will last approx. 2 weeks and it comes with a UK shaver plug charger. When the brush needs to charge, the on/off switch will blink red. You operate the brush simply by two buttons on a rubber panel on the base – the first switches the brush on and off and the second lets you cycle between cleaning modes. The iO3 will also time brushing – every 30 seconds, there’s a stutter in the vibration, to let you know to move on to brushing the next quadrant of your mouth. After the dentist-approved two-minute brushing time has elapsed, a longer interruption will let you know that you’ve brushed enough. This set also comes with a super handy solid plastic travel case for storage. Sign up for 10% off your first order. Next Day Delivery is £4.99 on the website.
Wave Roll Top Backpack, RRP £35.
Wave is a Northeast based business providing products that make a minor change to your everyday but make a major change to your plastic consumption. Wave offer a range of eco-friendly, phone and airpod cases as well as backpacks and bottles. Their iPhone 14 and 14 pro cases are best sellers amongst teens. Selling in two colours the Roll Top Waterproof backpack is the perfect practical gift for him where functionality meets performance. This stylish and sustainable backpack is made from recycled plastic material (RPET) – with up to 40 plastic bottles used to make each one. The fabric is hardy. Military-grade drop tested to (MIL-STD 810) – that’s 26 continuous drops onto a hard surface. It features a roll-top closing system with zip closure. The main compartment has an inside padded laptop pocket (up to 17’) with a secure Velcro strap and organiser pockets – ideal for getting your gadgets. The bag offers a generous 18L storage without being bulky (W 35cm x H 43cm x D 12cm) so ideal for hikes, trips to the office or gym. What I like is the padded adjustable straps for comfort. With every product purchased, customers directly contribute to charities working to protect the planet. Wavecase support Surfers Against Sewage. Sign up and get 10% off your first order. Free UK delivery. Carbon neutral shipping.
NEW Tracklements Festive Goodies Box, RRP £23.05.
Based in the heart of Wiltshire and founded in the 1970’s, Tracklements lovingly make an award-winning range of over 60 artisan condiments, from the UK’s first Wholegrain Mustard to Fresh Chilli Jam. Handmade in small batches the simple planet-friendly ingredients make for clean, classic, delicious tastes. It is not only the ingredients they source with care, but Tracklements also work with ethical energy provider Good Energy to ensure that 100% of the electricity they use is renewable and sustainable. The packaging is also green, FSC certified cardboard. The NEW Tracklements Festive Goodies Box, RRP £23.05 includes:
- Christmas Spiced Chutney, (new embossed jar, 370g)
- Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce, 210g
- Apple & Cider Brandy Chutney, 320g
- Spiced Plum Chutney, 310g
- Strong Horseradish Cream, 140g
What I like is even the smaller jars are generously sized perfect for full tables this Christmas! The website clearly lists all ingredients and handily lists recipes for each of the condiments. I like that the flavour combinations are classic – I am not a fan of a set that you will only really eat one pot of! I will mention the attractiveness of the labels – colourful logo and packaging – they really make the purchases feel special.
Bedsure Oversized Wearable Blanket Hoodie, RRP £37.99 SALE £15.99.
Bedsure offers an affordable variety of bedding products, such as blankets, sheets, comforters, duvet covers, and more. They have recently launched a new range of wearable blankets, the perfect Christmas gift to keep warm – slip on and snuggle up on the sofa. The Oversize Blanket Hoodie is so soft and plush, made with warm sherpa fabric. It is available in multiple sizes and colours. We are showing the Grey colour. With added deep side pockets for keeping hands warm and ribbed cuffs around the wrists that ensure a snug fit, Bedsure’s blanket hoodie range is 10% plusher than most competitors. This standard 100 by OEKO-TEX certified blanket hoodie uses neat stitching for stronger seams, ensuring enhanced durability. It is machine washable and features a unique dyeing technique that prevents fading after washes. It arrives vac packed in a sturdy blue box. With Prime Amazon delivery is FREE.
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. 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, check out the new Forest Fruits with Spiced Mulled Gin festive flavour. The perfect stocking fillers for under £10. Available in most Supermarkets from Sainsburys, Waitrose and selected independent stores from October.
Rectangle 3D Crystal Photo Gift, RRP £159.99 SALE £69.99.
Forever- Always creates beautiful and bespoke keepsake and memory photo gifts that are made in the UK’s Largest 3D Crystal Laser Factory. The Rectangle 3D Crystal Photo Gift is a sizable 9cmx6cmx6cm, it arrives in a chic embossed black box with foam lining and special cleaning shammy. You simply upload your photo of choice onto the website, crop it if needed and voila. Every 3D Crystal is checked for quality before we send them out. You can even ask for a digital preview. Choose from a range of different shapes and sizes, like rectangular blocks and hearts, cute keyrings or even Christmas tree ornaments. You can also add an optional personal message. When it arrived, I was amazed at the clarity of the photo and also the weight of the crystal rectangle. It is such a high-quality gift and the perfect mantle decoration. Why don’t you also consider a 3D Photo Crystal Rectangle Keyring (RRP £79.99 SALE £39.99). You can also have images inserted into the LIGHT UP rectangular keyring which again arrives quality-packaged in a black box and comes with a leather thong. Custom engraved and fade-resistant, it’s perfect for special images of children, family or pets that you can take with you anywhere. Forever -Always offers free delivery in mainland UK and a 10% off member discount.
Peugeot BBQ Pepper Mill, RRP £ 84.99 & Line Carbon Bottle Stopper For Sparkling Wines, RRP £24.99.
Peugeot is one of the most iconic French brands with a strong tradition of exceptional quality and innovation. No, I am not including this brand for their cars…but for their ingeniously made cookware. With a brand ethos to manufacture products that enhance taste, it is no wonder that the products are loved globally and used by top chefs including Raymond Blanc and Rick Stein. They produced their first coffee mill back in 1840 so are well known for their excellence in engineering and timeless product design. The Manual All-Terrain Wooden Pepper Mill in graphite is the first manual pepper mill from Peugeot with a built-in light, meaning that it is just as innovative as it is practical. The LED light automatically switches on when the pepper mill is tilted to 25° and ensures long-lasting battery life to offer at least 20,000 on/off cycles before needing to be changed. After use, the light gradually switches off when the pepper mill is returned to a vertical position. Added to this is a handle which enables the pepper mill to be conveniently carried around and hung from the barbecue for easy storage and accessibility at all times. At 30cm tall it is a really sturdy bit of cooking kit, made for outdoor use with its rubber protection and stainless steel base. Premium quality the wood body is sourced from French PEFC-certified forests. The u’Select grind adjustment system offers six predefined grind settings which is perfect for grinding black, white, green, red and pink peppercorns (up to 15% in a blend) as well as coriander seeds. As always the standard is so high the mill comes with a five year warranty and the mechanism comes with a lifetime warranty. If you are looking for the ideal stocking filler then check out the Line Carbon Bottle Stopper For Sparkling Wines. Pair with a bottle of Champagne the stylish, yet simple accessory provides a airtight locking system to preserve your drinks for longer. It is compatible with all types of sparkling wine bottles including magnums. At 5.5cm I love its contemporary striated carbon casing and again it comes with a five year warranty. (FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER £75 AND FREE RETURNS).
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.
