How do you pick the perfect Christmas present?
Buy a Christmas gift in line with a person’s personality and style. I always say that I would prefer one or two presents that I really want or need rather than lots of gimmicky items that will be put in the back of the cupboard. As a child, I hated it when I was given a bubble bath and chocolate. These are now the best gifts I can be given as I rarely treat myself. A body scrub from Rabot 1745, heaven.
Whether it’s your brother, husband, or a friend, men can be notoriously hard to buy for at Christmas. There are only so many bottles of aftershaves you can purchase and not all men have a beard. Beard trimmer, beard oil, beard beads. It’s all about the beard on Google marketplace right now. With that in mind we have done things a little differently this year and merged our outdated ‘His/Her’ guides to cover all gender and all ages, inclusively. All of the gorgeous choices below are perfect gift for your loved one, whether they are foodies, looking to try out new skincare products, or are fancying a tipple! We have got you covered this year with our most comprehensive gift guide EVER.
Enesco Sweet Pea Copa Gin Glass.
With the boom of craft gins sweeping the nation, sit down and enjoy your favourite new flavour in a glass that is as uniquely crafted as your gin. Enesco sent over their beautiful Copa Gin Glass. The Ginology glassware stands at 20cm tall, with a long thick stem and large bowl. The heritage Sweet Pea design is so delicate and priced at £9.95. The collection includes a variety of beautiful different botanical illustrations including a festive Mistletoe. Ginology glasses come in a full recyclable windowed craft box with new paper pulp inserts with a hessian string tag. Recommended hand was only.
Transformulas® LOVE THE SKIN YOUR IN DUO.
UK based skincare brand Transformulas®, created by beauty entrepreneur, Rosi Chapman, specialise in beauty without surgery. With over 30 years’ experience in the beauty industry and as one of the top cosmeceutical experts in the UK, Rosi creates products that provide safe, quick, visible, and effective results. For the beauty lover, the LOVE THE SKIN YOUR IN DUO multi-tasking, radiance boosters are the ultimate complexion transformers. Retailing for £60.00 – chicly boxed and packaged the gift set contains the Flawless PhotoGlow Daily Skin Radiance (50ml) with SPF30 which works daily to give you a glow increase. Presented in a peach and gold bottle this lovely product is full of antioxidants, powerful anti-ageing peptides and intensive skin hydrators. Apply in the morning onto clean, dry skin. You just need a small amount to smooth over the face, neck and decollate and it can be used alongside a serum. Pair with the Flawless EyeRetouch Instant Skin Perfecter, this clickable illuminating pen can be used under or over foundation to provide instant highlight. It also fits perfectly in your handbag!
Our Remedy Vegan Hot Chocolate and CBD Oil gift.
Our Remedy is a female run CBD brand. Their Vegan Hot Chocolate and CBD Gift Box is the perfect and much needed Christmas treat. Think chilly Winter mornings or evenings a filled with delicious mountains of whipped cream and marshmallows. The set comes in a pink gift box that is compostable and recyclable with cruelty free Vegan hot chocolate flakes, Vegan fluffy marshmallows and CBD oil remedy. You can customise two strengths 500/1000mg, if it comes with a plastic free pipette or aluminium lidded jar and different mixes – one with Lavender for relaxation or a more hormone focused mix with Clary Sage. It is a planet friendly, thoughtful gift with prices starting from £32.49. Check out their website from questions and How CBD oil works.
Bedroom Athletics Ursula Sherpa Slipper Boot.
British brand Bedroom Athletics have been making luxury slippers, slipper boots and beautiful bedtime wear for men and women since 2007. Their mission is to ‘ban boring bedwear’ by selling style and substance, for lounging, relaxing, working or simply just being at home. With an RRP of £20 these super comfortable slipper boots are an ideal Winter buy as they are so warm! Available in sizes 3-10 there are three colours available Navy, Grey and Black. Easy to pull off and on the snow-tipped Sherpa fleece upper has a washed look and comes with a contrast faux fur lining. The footbed is cushioned with high density memory foam and the sole is non-slip so they are a comfortable choice. For practicality they are machine washable up to 30 degrees. They are well made with lovely decorative stitching and are a great all-rounder gift.
Artisan Olive Oil Company Balsamic Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar.
Mediterranean artisan natural and organic ingredients and fine foods online retailer the Artisan Olive Oil Company has a variety of tasty products for foodie fans. Check out their boxed gifts or why not mix and match to create a Christmas hamper of household favourites? We chose the Due Vittorie Oro Balsamic Vinegar of Modena that comes in a 250ml corked glass bottle. Italy’s best-selling premium balsamic vinegar at £12.95 it has a distinctive bitter-sweet flavourful taste. It is produced in Modena with 80% cooked grape must and 20% wine vinegar without any artificial ingredients. It offers a very high density of 1.33 and is thick. The ideal companion is the Due Vittorie Apple Cider Vinegar 250ml at £5.30 produced in Modena from Italian apples only. It is aged for one year in barriques and has won 3 Great Taste Stars in 2020 from the Guild of Fine Foods.
Artistry Skin Nutrition Hydrating Solution Mini Set.
Take a dive into Artistry skincare. This beautifully packaged mini-set is just what you need for moisturised and radiant skin. The set consists of Hydrating Mousse Cleanser (50ml), Hydrating Smoothing Toner(50ml) and Hydrating Gel Cream (15ml) in useful pump action bottle. The new clean, traceable, and vegan skincare line is powered by cutting-edge skin science and plant-based phytonutrients with clean ingredients and processes for healthy beauty. Every product includes ingredients from Nutrilite™, a world leader in vitamins and plant-based dietary supplements, that are traceable from seed to skin to ensure they’re pure, safe and effective. I love that the scents are all very gentle and all products mild so your skin does not feel stripped of moisture. These conveniently sized products are perfect travel companions that help you to keep your skin looking radiant and fresh, wherever life takes you. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
The Slumberdown adults weighted blanket.
The Slumberdown Wellbeing Range has been specifically designed to promote a better night’s sleep and boost health and wellbeing. The Weighted Adults blanket cleverly stimulates the production of mood-boosting hormone (serotonin), reduce the stress hormone (cortisol), and increase levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. Slumberdown’s Wellbeing Weighted Adults Blanket is filled with glass microbeads and weighs 7kg, with a lovely grey soft touch cover which makes it not suitable for under 18’s (Slumberdown offer an alternative version for children). The blanket retails for £50 which is a very reasonable price for such a large weighted blanket compared to other brands for a blanket of this size (Size L 200, W 150cm approximately the same size as Kingsize bed).
Lunar Azure Floral Ankle Wellington.
TOG24 is a clothing brand founded by Donald Ward in West Yorkshire in 1958 and has a reputation for supplying quality, value for money goods. TOG24’s Christmas collection offers a unique blend of stylish gifts for those who love exploring the great outdoors and for those who prefer to stay in and get cosy. The Lunar Azure Floral Ankle Wellington’s are the perfect gift for wet weather walks. Retailing for £33 these attractive blue floral rubber wellies are available in size 3-8. Cleverly designed they have a soft cotton lining, deep rubber sole, padded insole and elasticated gussets. Ankle height wellies are perfect for casual wearers and are a more comfortable for for those with wide calf’s. They are super handy to just slip on to put the bins out, to potter in the garden or to do the school run. Why go for a plain colour when you can choose bright bold patterns!
T&G Deco Rectangular Serving Board and Deco Long Serving Board.
T&G is a family run business in Bristol that sells exclusive design kitchenware, gift and catering products. Woodware is their bread and butter, we fell in love with the dark Acacia wood 1920’s inspired collection Deco. The Deco Rectangular Serving Board is perfect for serving steaks, burgers & pizza to presenting cheese and pastries. L: 425mm. W: 210mm. H: 15mm. Hand wash only it sells for £24.99. Partner with the Deco Long Serving Board (25.99) L: 535mm. W: 150mm. H: 15mm. Both will be popular gifts as sophisticated serving, sharing and dining pieces with sharply defined lines and geometric art deco style. I love the extra gold detailing to add the look of luxury.
Dairy Diary 2022 and More Taste & Less Waste Cookbook.
January, the perfect time to start planning for the year ahead. The Dairy Diary has been Britain’s favourite home diary since 1982. The bestselling Recipe Diary features delicious weekly, triple-tested recipes which are easy to prepare and that everyone will love. They take advantage of seasonal produce! Basically, you get a cookbook and 12-month diary all in one. I love the sizing, and week-to-view diary which offers lots of space to write plus notes pages. This Lavender Hardback 40th anniversary edition is the best yet and retails for a very reasonable £8.99. They have also created a NEW cookbook More Taste & Less Waste (£9.99) with 80 easy-to-follow recipes and stunning colour photos of bakes, mains, desserts and snacks. I love the batch cooking section which shows you how to create delicious food whilst minimising food waste.
Progloss Hollywood Wave, Curl & Advanced Shine Automatic Rotating Curler.
Looking for flawless curls and waves without the use of box curlers? The Revamp Progloss Hollywood Wave, Curl & Advanced Shine Automatic Rotating Curler CL-2250 makes styling simple.This innovative hair curler features a 28mm automatic rotating ceramic barrel for tangle free results at the touch of a button. Whether you want defined curls or loose waves, the adjustable settings allow for a variety of styles. It is suitable for use on all hair types, with variable ultra-fast digital temperature settings ranging from 170ºC to 210ºC. My hair is very thick, and the style held well. The curler has been cleverly designed with features such as a multi-direction rotation button which helps you style both sides of your head effortlessly. The powerful Ionic jet means Silky, Shiny and Frizz-free hair results and less damage (pair with a heat product spray for that extra protection). Additionally, they are infused with Progloss Super Smoothing Oils, to add shine. Practicality wise, although the barrel is quite large the wand is not overly heavy, so it is not uncomfortable to use and the 3m cable means plenty of room for manoeuvre from plug to head! The curlers have an auto-shut off after 60 minutes and silicone heat-resistant mat. The curlers come with a 2 Year Guarantee. Available from Boots, Argos, Very and Amazon the curler has an RRP of £119.99 but is currently selling for £79.99. BARGIN.
EdifierTWS1 Pro earbuds.
These small but mighty Edifier TWS1 Wireless Stereo Earbuds are packed full of features. Made of high-quality PU + titanium diaphragm a single charge provides 12 hours of playback time, increasing uninterrupted listening time by 50% compared to the previous generation. The charging case provides an additional 30 hours of charge, offering a total playback time of 42 hours. The 40-minute quick charge is a fab feature. Rainy commutes and a sweaty workout won’t damage TWS1 Pro, thanks to the top IP65 dust- and water-proof test rating. cVc8.0 Noise Cancellation Technology integrates with TWS1 Pro’s dual mics to ensure clear sound, even in crowded spaces. They are a comfortable lightweight and secure fit, volume control supported and easy to use with simple taps to navigate through music. The stable Bluetooth connection means you are never let down and Qualcomm® TrueWireless TM Mirroring technology means you can use one or both headphones depending on need. Personalize what you hear by Mono or Stereo mode. It has a wide stage sound separation. Almost like 3D.RRP is £45.99. Choose the appropriate size silicone cap to achieve the best listening and wear results (S, M, L).
Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen Lasagne Dish
Part of the Innovative kitchen range, this awesome brand have been producing world renowned classic Innovative kitchenware since 1800. The Innovative Kitchen Mason Cash Kitchen Lasagne Dish (£20) is made from stylish grey and cream glazed stoneware that heats up gradually to give an even distribution when baking. At 31.5cm long x 20.5cm wide x 7.3cm high the lasagne dish has been precision made to fit lasagne sheets perfectly, featuring right angled corners so that lasagne sheets don’t have to be broken in order to fit them in snugly. The base features raised areas that act as air vents to allow for better heat circulation when placed on a baking tray in the oven. I like that it has high sides and is suitable for cooking a range of different foods. The clever design means that the dish is Microwave Safe, Dishwasher Safe, Freezer Safe and Conventional Oven Safe! It is extremely well made and impressively non-stick.
Core Balance’s Weighted Hula Hoop.
January will bring renewed focus on healthy eating and exercise so get a head start with Core Balance’s Weighted Hula Hoop. It is available in a variety of colours in both Smooth and Wavy styles for £16.99. Weighted hoops are designed to help you spin for longer, burn more calories, and build a stronger core. Choose from a wavy hoop to target your core or a smooth hoop for a comfortable workout. The 1kg weight makes the Core Balance Hoop ideal for beginners and advanced users alike. Hoops have a diameter of 98cm, but you can decrease their size by building them with fewer sections. Use 6 sections to build a 75cm hoop or 7 sections to build an 87cm hoop. Covered in soft foam, non-absorbent padding the material is resistant to bacteria for easy cleaning and hygienic use. The Core Balance’s Weighted Hula Hoop is a perfect home exercise tool to help you to burn calories, slim your waistline, and sculpt your stomach muscles.
Bird & Blend Fairytale of NY tea caddy.
Looking for a gift for a tea lover? Bird & Blend Tea Co. is an eco-conscious, independent, people-focused, award winning Tea Mixology Company on a mission to spread happiness and reimagine tea! Set up by Tea blend experts Krisi and Mike, Bird & Blend Tea Co. is an independent company, run by a small team with a family ethos. From leaf to cup, every part of your tea’s journey is carefully designed to minimise the impact on our planet. Rather than creating pure blends like green tea or chamomile tea, they create exciting flavours of versatile, award-winning loose-leaf tea with eco-friendly tea bags. The Fairytale of New York tea (£18.95) caddy is a Christmas limited edition tin with 150g of festive loose leaf. The mixed blend is low caffeine, vegan friendly & hand blended in the UK. With sweet vanilla rooibos & chocolate-y notes, this creamy Irish coffee inspired blend is warming and super tasty.
Cranes award-winning Cranberry Gin.
The Cranes company was started by identical twin brothers Ben and Dan Ritsema and the 100% natural ingredient filled drinks are handcrafted in Cambridge where they are also bottled and dispatched in 100% natural packaging. At 37.5% Vol Cranes award-winning Cranberry Gin is fruity with a sharp edge. The 70cl bottle (or mini) Cranberry Gin is made from premium cranberries sourced from Wisconsin, USA and handcrafted in small batches. The cranberries compliment the junipers perfectly, staying true to the origins of a London Dry Gin. A must-try for any Gin enthusiast! Like all Cranes products, the Cranberry Gin is made from all natural ingredients. Using no added sugars or artificial flavours. Resulting in it being gluten free and vegan friendly. You can pick it up for £32 off Amazon.
Cranes have kindly created a 10% off code for our readers off the whole online store: https://drinkcranes.shop/. The code is: parentingjungle.
The Mood Club Mood Cards.
The Mood Club was set up to inspire people to get into a positive mindset, a way of living by focusing on the good things. With the inevitable slump that is January coming, the Mood Club Mood cards are the perfect stocking filler. Each of the 20 cards has an easy activity for you to try that encourages self-reflection, growth and a positive mindset. The Mood Cards come in a branded reusable tin box and cards are printed on FSC certified paper and have a matt finish, with a special compostable bio lamination that makes them 100% plastic-free, like the rest of their packaging. They are on sale for £12.50 I like the simple suggestions and easy to apply with uplifting messages and ideas.
NIVEA MEN® The Full Works Sensitive Gift Set.
Selling for a very reasonable £20 take a peek at the NIVEA MEN® Full Works Sensitive Gift Set, the ultimate pampering treat to help him wave goodbye to 2021, groomed to perfection. Suitable for all skin types the set includes: Nivea Men Sensitive Shower Gel 250ml, Nivea Men Sensitive Face Wash 100ml, Nivea Men Sensitive Shaving Foam 200ml. Nivea Men Sensitive Protect Anti-Perspirant Roll-On 50ml and Nivea Men Sensitive Moisturiser 75ml. The pack has everything he could need. Also, they have 0% alcohol in them so is non-drying to the skin. Nicely packaged and presented the set is ideal all year round and for many occasions.
The Hedgerow Apothecary, How to Fall in Love With Yourself: A Self-Acceptance Journal and The Art of Simple Living all published by Summersdale.
The Hedgerow Apothecary: Recipes, Remedies and Rituals (£14.99) is a beautifully bound, bestselling beginners guide to foraging in hedgerows. Published in 2019 by Christine Iverson this hardback looks wonderful on the shelf and is not oversized so fits snuggly into your bag. The 209 pages are filled with photographs to help you safely identify edible plants, advice on what is available in each season, guidance on how best to prepare and preserve your finds and the fascinating folklore and history of foraging. I love the sustainable element. The paperback How to Fall in Love With Yourself: A Self-Acceptance Journal by Anna Barnes is very on trend and offers dual purpose in that it acts as a journal and offers a plethora of tips and activities encouraging you to take some time to be kind to yourself. Selling for £10.99, it is bold, bright and beautifully inclusively illustrated. Each of the 160 pages is a work of art. I really like all the quotes. What I like best is that the positivity and this book would make it a perfect gift for anyone, of any age. From your teenager to your nan. The Art of Simple Living: Practical Steps to Slowing Down, Finding Peace and Enjoying a Wholesome Life. This Tiny hardback book (£6.95) is jam packed with help on how to declutter your home, practise mindfulness and make your mealtimes, free time and relationships more fulfilling. The tips are all achievable and uncomplicated which I like. Small steps. Written by Sam Lacey it is a really stylish little book that focuses on inspiring a sense of calm.
BOWFLEX® SELECTTECH® 840 ADJUSTABLE KETTLEBELL.
Kettlebells are a great piece of all-round equipment as they combine cardio and strength in one effective workout. This ultimate home workout powerhouse will transform your home fitness routine and as it combines six different kettlebells in one which means less kit to store. Perfect for all fitness levels, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 Adjustable Kettlebell is suitable for beginner to expert with six incremental weights, ranging from 8 to 40 lbs (3.5kg to 18kg). It’s space saving versatility makes it a good fit for the living rooms to home gyms of resistance training enthusiasts! I have found it fab to partner squats. In simple terms this Adjustable Kettlebell is made up of a stack of weight plates housed in an outer hard plastic bell with a handle. The mechanical selector dial at the top quickly and easily changes between the weights. I.e., if you choose a lighter weight the additional weights are left, securely held on the open bottom construction. The build quality is fantastic. Between exercises, the Bowflex SelectTech 840 kettlebell should be kept on the plastic tray that comes in the box. The weight retails for £222.79. In addition, 24 trainer-led videos with foundational kettlebell techniques and workouts for both advanced and new users are available on the Bowflex YouTube channel.
Little Butterfly scent of seas toning body serum.
Discover a new brand. Little Butterfly London bring the purest, kindest skincare for mothers and babies. This company ticks so many amazing boxes, is cruelty free, vegan, pregnancy safe, natural and organic cosmetic certified. Specifically formulated and dermatologist-approved for sensitive, reactive, dry or acne-prone skin is the Little Butterfly scent of seas toning body serum. Retailing for £35.00 it arrives in a sweetly decorated 150m pump bottle. Packed with powerful botanical extracts and detoxifying marine actives their organic-certified serum assists in restoring elasticity and bounce to skin. It is a fantastic serum which absorbs quickly, and my skin feels amazingly soft afterwards. Anti-ageing arganyl and vitamin-rich sea algae help to prevent collagen breakdown and promote incredible smoothness. Scented with a natural fragrance from Grasse, the French capital of perfume, evoking the fresh and invigorating essence of the British coast. Overall is it a product full of luxury.
Conker Minis gift box.
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). Conker Minis include 5cl miniature bottles are all packaged up in a beautiful plastic-free box. Perfect for trying out the range or as the perfect gift for the gin lover in your life (the price is £22). Each gift box contains Dorset Dry Gin – 40%, RNLI Navy Strength Gin – 57%, Port Barrel Gin – 43% and Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur – 25%.
Serious Pig Serious Pub in the Post box.
Serious Pig, is the British brand that’s passionate about premium savoury snacks. Started by George Rice and Johnny Bradshaw in the Junction Tavern beer garden in NW5 “the concept of a ‘Posh Peperami’ was hatched. ‘Serious Pig’ was born the very next day! Now they offer some truly unique gift options for those who love deliciously different savoury pub snacks that are satisfying and full of flavour, alongside their favourite beverage. The Serious Pub in the Post (£39) box offers a top-notch selection of snacks which I love – meats, cheesy biscuits, pickles, salted nuts. Everything that your taste buds want. Because I was so impressed with the variety the full list of contents: 2 x BrewDog Pale 330ml, 4% Heavy on hops with aromas of pine and citrus, 1 x Hawkes Urban Orchard Cider, 4.5%, 2 x Most Wanted Malbec 187ml, 13.5% A medium-bodied, smooth and fruity Malbec sourced from South Africa, 2 x Most Wanted Sauvignon Blanc 187ml, 13%. From New Zealand, 2 x Snackalami ‘Classic’, 30g, 2 x Snackalami ‘Spicy’ 30g, 2 x Snackalami ‘Wild Fennel’ 30g, 1 x Crunchy Snacking Cheese ‘Classic’, 24g, 1 x Crunchy Snacking Cheese ‘With Rosemary’, 24g, 1 x Crunchy Snacking Cheese ‘With Truffle’, 24g, 1 x Crunchy Snacking Cheese ‘Caramelised Onion’, 24g, 2 x Snacking Croutons ‘Chorizo & Crème Fraiche’ 35g, 2 x Snacking Croutons ‘Hoisin’ 35g, 1 x Snacking Pickles 40g, 1 x Almonds ‘Cornish Sea Salted’, 35g and 1 x Peanuts ‘Cornish Sea Salted’, 40g. The meat is high-quality pork from the very best British farms, snacking cheese 100 crumbled cheese with no additives, I love a pickle and am now addicted to salted Almonds. The BrewDog cans, cider and white whine cover all bases. Basically, it is a very cleverly considered value for money gift. If your not hungry after reading that, you should be!
Arran After The Rain Reed Diffuser and Candle.
ARRAN Sense of Scotland are a luxury home, body and fragrance brand based up in Scotland. Now is the perfect time to introduce new fresh, vibrant fragrances into your home to complement the change of season. The after the Rain Reed Diffuser and Candle products are rich with Arran’s signature scent. A fresh floral blend of rose petals, musk and floral citrus combined with the notes of Arran’s precious woods The essential oils are known for their soothing and stress-relieving properties so why not update your lounge or bathroom with this timeless home fragrance. The After the Rain 35cl Candle retails for £33 and comes in an Arran tin with an even burn time of up to 35 hours. Their products pair beautifully together. Proudly made in Scotland since 1989 the 200ml best seller Reed Diffuser also retails for £33. The Arran Home Reed Diffusers are formulated using the highest quality ingredients and are sourced from UK suppliers (10 reeds) so both products last and last.
Bloom & Nora reusable sanitary pads.
Bloom & Nora is one of the leading brands for reusable period products, with beautifully made (and printed) liners and pads. TotsBots disposable nappy director Fiona Smyth evolved her design know-how to create another environmentally friendly product to help combat single use plastic waste. Have a positively eco-friendly period with award-winning reusable sanitary wear, made in the UK. The new watercolour design looks amazing and if you are new to reusable pads try the Bloomers Trial Kit Watercolour (£30.00). We have a whole post on reusables if you are looking for more info. The Trial Pack includes a reusable Bloom: Mini, Midi, Maxi, as well as a handy Out & About bag to find the perfect size to suit you and your needs. It contains towels of different absorbencies, to use at different stages of your cycle. A soft, natural bamboo fibre interior and unique stay-dry binding makes our Bloomer pads super comfy to wear. The towel has a contoured shape which fits naturally and complements the body, helping to avoid bunching and rubbing. A popper fastening keeps the pad firmly in place, giving you the confidence to carry-on with your everyday routine.
The Funky Kettle from the Funky Appliance Company.
The Funky Appliance Company is a brand for style conscious consumers who value not just great looks, but great functionality too. They sell household appliances with a modern yet retro aesthetic. The funky kettle is a superb stainless-steel kettle which retails for £79.99 and is sold in different colours – Rose gold and Chrome. The kettle has a 3kW fast and quiet boil, 1.7L capacity, 360 degrees swivel base and is perfect for right and left handers. I love the useful cup measurements on the water gauge. As a bonus it has a safety auto shut-off and removable washable limescale filter. If you want to coordinate the company also have a matching iron and toaster. It is a kettle that is stylish but also high quality and built to last.
Love Yourself Meal Delivery Service.
Post-Christmas everyone goes on a health kick, they have over indulged and want to focus on health, exercise and eating better. Love Yourself is a high-quality meal delivery service that create menus using locally sourced, fresh ingredients, which are prepared with you and your dietary requirements in mind to take the hassles out of dieting. Choose your controlled meal plans, from healthy, fresh ingredients that are prepared by a nutritionist and cooked daily by gourmet chefs, before Love Yourself seal and pack them. The meals have no additives, preservatives, or processed foods. Meals are delivered daily, to your home or office; Sunday – Thursday between 5:30 and 10pm. Enjoy warm or cold. Every meal is scannable via MyFitnessPal app to help you keep track of calories and macro-nutrients. You can customise the number of days, calorie intake, duration etc. I tried out a couple of days of the Balance diet plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (2 snacks). Day cost £30. I have to say the foods were fab and introduced me to some new tastes including coconut and beetroot mousse! Foods were flavourful, with good portion sizes and I love that the meats were plentiful as with some food delivery services its all slow-release carbs and minimal proteins.
Burt’s Bees naturally nourishing gifts.
Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby created Burt’s Bees in the early 1980s and it grew into a popular beauty brand. They avoid over-packaging, limit mixed materials and use innovative recycled materials. Burt’s Bees formulations support your skin with the nutrients it needs – and none of the chemicals it does not. From stocking fillers to ultimate pampering presents, there is something for even the most impossible to buy for. A Bit of Burt’s Bees Crackers, RRP £8.99 offer the duo of hand salve and natural origin lip balm wrapped in festive cracker ornament. Or, how about Burt’s Bees Mistletoe Kiss Gift Set, RRP £11.99 which includes three stunning lip products – Peony Lip Shimmer is a beige mauve, Hibiscus Tinted Lip Balm has a neutral hue and Pomegranate Lip Balm is a tint free matte finish infused with fruit extracts. Formulated with shea butter, vitamin E and fruit oils, each balm keeps lifts super soft and hydrated. You cannot go wrong with one of these lovely treats.
LoveLox London Heart Personalised Gold Locket.
We love including jewellery in our guides and fell in love with LoveLox beautiful lockets. Their mission? To create treasured keepsakes to celebrate meaningful moments in your life. Lockets are special in the sense they offer more customisable features than any other piece of jewellery. Assembled in the Uk, Gold or Sterling Silver you can easily personalise their selection of high-quality lockets by inserting two photos and engraving a personal message. You can preview your jewellery and the steps are so simple. We chose the classic Heart Gold Locket that sells for £79 (the heart is solid 925 sterling silver plated in 18 carat gold). Size wise the locket sits 18mm at the widest part, you can choose an adjustable solid silver chain length either 16/18 inches; or 20/22/24 inches. Arriving in a chicly branded gift box you can finish the locked with expert engraving but we chose to keep it simple with two delicately placed photos for a very special gift experience.
Echor end of day pillow spray.
Echor launched during the first lockdown in 2020 with a line of science-backed products designed to help people wind down and create a relaxing evening routine. We all need some calm. They offer the perfect wellness gift sets for anybody who you feel truly deserves a restful sleep every night. Having trouble settling to sleep? Each bottle of (50ml) Echor Sleep Pillow Spray retails for £14.99. It is a long-lasting room mist/ pillow mist made of 100% pure essential oil blend with Lavender, Geranium, Eucalyptus and Sweet Orange. The scent is gentle and really calming. I love that the bottle is reusable glass instead of plastic. As an added bonus the spray is cruelty Free & Vegan.
Secret Garden Distillery Gin.
In 2012, co-founder and Herbologist Hamish Martin and his wife Liberty (a trained beekeeper) bought a derelict 7.5-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Edinburgh, it was there they laid the roots of The Secret Herb Garden. In 2017, they released their range of 100% natural Secret Garden Gins using home grown hand harvested botanicals. Rooted in nature why not gift the miniature gin gift set (£20.00) featuring three 50ml apothecary-style bottles of Apothecary Rose Gin, Lavender and Echinacea Gin and Pink Elderflower and Jasmine. The traditional gin gift set (£29.95) has is made with organic spirit and lemon verbena 20cl 39% vol. Discover the Christmas gin distilled with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom which gives the undeniably familiar smell of Christmas and provides a festive spicy flavour. What I love (as well as the gin) is the stunning recyclable packaging – also the labels created with 30% grass and 70% FSC-certified virgin pulp. They also use viscose shrink bands to seal bottles because they are biodegradable.
Code Beautiful Make Up Collection.
Code Beautiful – fall in love with two sisters helping women everywhere embrace their most vibrant, authentic selves. Code Beautiful’s purpose is to enhance the way you naturally look and feel, they are proud to have accreditation as a ‘cruelty free and vegan brand’ from PETA. 3-IN-1 Lid Concealer, Primer and Eyeshadow the Lid Lift Enhance concealer (Fairer Soul is the perfect shade for my fair skin tone) is a revelation for brightening my eye area, the antidote for tired parent eyes. At £22 the combination of moisturising (Vitamin E) and lifting active ingredients work together to smooth and soften for a radiant silky finish. It does not clump! The CODE Hydrate Tint Glow (£24) in African ruby offers an on the go vibrant option for a flush of colour for cheeks and lips tint. A creamy alternative to powder I love this product multiuse and it is packed full of antioxidants to create a satin finish. CODE VLM Volumising Lengthening Mascara (12ml) has amazing reviews and is perfect for every day. Selling for £19.95 the full bristle brush volumizes, lengthens, thickens, curls, for a no-smudge water-resistant finish. Finally, one of my make up box favourites CODE SSL Soft Smooth Lip Liner (£18) 3 in one liner offers the perfect universal shade, applies smoothly, blends well and if you close and twist the lid clockwise until it clicks you get the perfect tip every time. Pair with the CODE LIP Lip Intense Plumper which I already own that has a cooling plumping effect that is smooth, not sticky at all and for a gloss and it lasts well on the lips. What else do you need?
Kocktail Espresso Martini & Cocktail Shaker Gift Pack.
Kocktail bring world-class cocktails out of the finest bars and into your hands! Their cocktail curator was the senior bartender at the Savoy Hotel’s Beaufort Bar when it won “Best Hotel Bar In The World”. They pride themselves on using the best ingredients and premium spirits to bring the experience of a truly exceptional cocktail bar into your home. They have created a fantastic new gift with their Award-Winning Espresso Martini voted “Best Bottled Cocktail” by Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. Buy their Espresso Martini & Cocktail Shaker Gift Pack (£16) including a travel sized bottle of premium Espresso Martini containing small batch Wheatley Vodka, Cold Brew Coffee, Borghetti Coffee Liqueur and Vegan Foamer. Also included is a fab shaker!
Tracklements Festive Four Gift Pack.
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, with biodegradable bubble bags, packed with vegetable starch curls that dissolve in water. I really love the illustrations and attention to detail of the packaging. The Festive Four Gift Pack sells for £13.20. No Christmas Day feast or Boxing Day spread is complete without these merry condiments, including Christmas Spice Chutney, which contains a host of festive spices, and Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce, which cuts through rich meats like turkey and goose with its tingling tartness.
Better You Oral Vitamin Sprays.
BetterYou.com is your online concierge for fitness, beauty and wellness. We handpick the highest quality, independent providers and connect them directly with paying customers. Health-conscious consumers love BetterYou.com because of their knowledge of massage therapy, nutrition, yoga, beauty care, and more. I am a fan of supplements but really dislike taking tablets so really love Better Yous range of Oral Spray vitamins. The innovative vitamin oral sprays are an effective method of delivering essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream. Our favourites are B12 which retails at £11.95, Vitamin D is currently on sale for £6.75 and Multivitamins sells for £9.95. They are optimum strength supplements; packaging is made from Ocean Waste Plastic, have pleasant natural flavours and offer a three month supply.
Zerowater 7 cup water filter.
ZeroWater’s 7-cup water filtration jug is ergonomically designed specifically to fit in standard UK fridge doors (26cm handle to spout, 12.5cm width, 24cm height) and is the first in its class to have a sealed lid and reservoir, so you don’t spill water that’s still filtering. This means the reservoir can now be kept full. It was recently featured on ITV’s How to Spend It Well At Christmas and retails for £24.99. ZeroWater reduces 99.6% of all total dissolved solids in your drinking water, delivering the purest tasting water within minutes. Metals, salts, pesticides and organic compounds are all reduced with the patented 5 stage dual ion-exchange filter that’s certified by the NSF to reduce both lead and chromium. The filter also comes with a water quality meter that provides a digital measurement of dissolved solids in your water. The FDA requires the TDS level in PURIFIED bottled water to reach 000-010ppm. ZeroWater is the only filter in its class to achieve this level.
SEAMS Silk Touch Hand & Nail Oil.
Because hands should be treated as lovingly your face. Selling for £22.00 this is the perfect gift for sore and dry lockdown hands. The oil absorbs instantly, is non greasy and leaves skin silky soft and conditions brittle nails. Made in the UK SEAMS oil is paraben free, not tested on animals and is packed full of Macadamia, Pomegranate and Coconut Oil, with Peony Root Extract & Monnier’s Snow Parsley. The dropper bottle makes application simple and all you need is a couple of drops as often as desired. Use alone or as a treatment underneath SEAMS Hand Cream.
Vegan bunny.
Vegan bunny was born with a Vegan mindset evolving into a Plastic Free, Carbon Neutral & reduced marketing concept. A family-owned small business making candles in a garden studio their candles are made with natural ingredients, natural Waxes & Pure essential oils free from toxic artificial fragrances, Zinc & pesticides. In 2020 Vegan bunny started planting one Tree per candle sold on the website. Handcrafted using Green & Vegan energy soy wax I love the special edition Vegan bunny Rainbow cake candle. The colours are beautiful. With trademark bunny label it smells like sweets and sells for £15. The 120ml candle burns for 25hours. The glass jars are ethically made in Britain, and you can get a free gift message type written and items are beautifully echo friendly packaged in recycled carboard, with linen ribbon, motivational paper tape and dried flowers. Also featured is the dried Lavender & preserved Eucalyptus Letterbox Bouquet (£18.90). A sustainable alternative to fresh flowers Vegan bunny bouquets are made with flowers and foliage sourced in the EU.
Opinel Le Petit Chef Box Set.
Based in Chambéry, in the French department of Savoie, the Opinel company has produced long-lasting, robust and efficient knives for over 130 years: pocket knives, small foldable garden tools, high-end table knives and professional quality kitchen knife sets. Knife collectors will love the limited edition luxury models. The brand, with its famous “crowned hand” logo, has also brought out a kids’ knife collection, so little ones can safely prepare meals. Opinel Le Petit Chef Box Set sells for £38.95 And is the perfect way to teach children how to cook. The training ring helps position their fingers, while the finger protector protects the hand holding the food in place. It is included in the adults guide rather than our Children’s Gift Guide given that it includes sharp objects. Le Petit Chef box set contains a Le Petit Chef Kitchen Knife, Le Petit Chef Peeler and Le Petit Chef Finger Guard.
Organic Works Facial care bundle.
Organic Works Cleansing Face Wash 300ml (£15) has a clever formulation, including plant extracts and essential oils, restoring skin’s natural balance. It cleanses away impurities and daily grime without stripping your skin of its protective moisture. I love the large, pump action bottle and simplistic but chic labelling. Made using Organic ingredients follow the cleanser with Organic Works Super Intensive Moisturiser 50ml (£23). It is a silky cream formulated with a rich blend of nut butters, Jojoba and Grapeseed oils which brings welcome moisture to dry and uncomfortably tight feeling skin. With added Chamomile and Green Tea Extracts, this will be a joy to use, and is a nice calming combination. Finally, the Organic Works Renewal Night Cream 50ml (£21) Organic Works Renewal Night Cream restores, revitalises and rehydrates all skin types, working whilst you sleep to help reveal your natural beauty. It is formulated with nourishing Cocoa and Shea Butters and Lavender essential oil to both calm the skin and relax your mind.
House of Marley Positive Vibration XL ANC Over-Ear Headphones.
House of Marley UK offers a range of top quality, Earth-Friendly Headphones, Earphones, Earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, Turntables and Audio Systems. House of Marley’s eco-conscious identity was created in collaboration with the Marley family, built on the principles of superior quality, sustainability, and a commitment to charitable causes. The House of Marley Positive Vibration XL ANC Over-Ear Headphones has an RRP of £149.99 – and is currently on sale at £129. The new Bluetooth® 5.0 Positive Vibration XL has Active Noise Cancellation. The headphones offer 32 hours of playback and USB-C Quick-charge technology means a 15-minute charge results in 2-hours of playtime. The headphones also feature 40mm Hi-Definition Drivers for signature Marley sound and are crafted using FSC certified wood, recyclable aluminium, and iconic Marley REWIND™ fabric. The Ultra Comfort foam ear cushions are super comfortable, and I prefer over ear headphones for exercise with the additional advantage of Mic & Remote Functionality. The warranty offered is 2 Years.
A closing sustainable suggestion would be to pick a couple of new gifts from this guide, find one charity shop gift, make cards from the kids where you can, choose and experience day as time is precious, wrap in brown recyclable paper, have a clear out prior to Christmas and donate where you can.
All our love this festive season.
#AD These items were gifted for inclusion in the guide. All thoughts and opinions are our own.