My Five Golden Rules Of Christmas Shopping!
Hello friends! I am back again and today I want to share a post about how to choose the perfect gift set for someone this Christmas. I consider myself a pretty great gift-giver and I want to share my best tips and tricks with you all to make the shopping trips easier, more enjoyable and more fruitful this Christmas! I want to help you take the stress and the strain out of Christmas shopping… even for those people who are impossible to shop for!
♥
‘I Don’t Need Anything, I Have Everything I Want’
Boots recently did a survey and it turns out, of the 11,000 people questioned, a third of people said that they don’t need anything for Christmas because they have everything they want. I think if we are really honest with ourselves, a lot of us feel this way, which is probably why everyday luxuries are such popular gifts. According to the survey, great staple gifts include socks, chocolate, perfume and pyjamas.I have to agree; in my family, we love exchanging these items! Personally, whenever I am shopping for someone who seemingly has everything, I always go for useful gifts which might be a little more luxurious than they might usually buy for themselves. In my family, we love products like Philosophy shower gel, Feather & Down scented candles, or luxury skincare products.If your budget is on the smaller size, just downsize the luxury a little; a beautifully wrapped set of Clarins hand cream, a Elizabeth Arden lip balm a small box of Green & Blacks chocolates. It’s not about giving the big flashy gifts, it’s about lovely gestures which the person can enjoy beyond Christmas Day!
Don’t Panic Buy!
Not only do thoughtful gifts mean the most, but they often take longer to think about and might even take little longer to order. For instance, if you are to get some photos printed and framed (FYI; Boots still print photos and you can upload them online and get them sent directly to your house!) you need to be thinking about ordering and printing your photos weeks ahead of Christmas. Also, if you leave all your shopping until the last minute, you might find the products you wanted have already sold out, which can be stressful as you will find yourself trying to find a substitute, hunt it down elsewhere or buying an alternative you don’t like as much.
Flashy Gifts Can Backfire
I’m not being a Scrooge when I say this, but honestly… super flashy gifts can backfire! What am I talking about?! I’m talking about that moment when your friend opens a bumper box of Estee Lauder skincare and realises that their box of Malteser’s doesn’t quite compare. As kind and generous it is to treat your friend to something truly magnificent at Christmas, just be mindful that if they have a much smaller budget to spend this Christmas, it might make them feel a little guilty if their gift is visibly much lower in value than yours. Of course, we all know it’s not about how much we spend on each other, but it is important to be mindful of how it could make our friends and loved ones feel.
People Love Their Pets
Did you know that 65% of the people surveyed buy their pets Christmas gifts? In case you are wondering, last year Gordon got more gifts than we did!!! If you are struggling to find a gift for someone, then why not buy them something for their pet? As a dog mama, I can confirm, a new dog lead, a chew toy, ball or treats can be really fun and thoughtful gifts. Or maybe something cosy to wear when they are dog walking, like a new scarf or gloves. My mum bought my boyfriend a mug with black Labradors on one year – he LOVED it and still uses it today!
…And When It Comes To Beauty!
Personally, when it comes to beauty I have a few golden rules…. Firstly, everyone LOVES getting fragrance for Christmas! It’s such a treat and a luxury and whether they buy one bottle of perfume a year or have a whole fragrance wardrobe, they are sure to love it! Plus, Christmas time is the best time to buy fragrance as it’s always presented in a beautiful gift box and often comes with a body lotion or similar. Take this classic Aromatics Elixir; it’s an iconic fragrance from Clinique and a real favourite of both mine and my mums. As you can see the box is dreamy and the body lotion is a lovely bonus. Obviously, fragrance is very personal so try and do some investigating ahead of Christmas. Personally, I find the best way to do this is by saying ‘Wow! You smell amazing, what’s your perfume?’ and strike up a conversation about fragrance that way, or you can ask a member of their family or partner for a little guidance if needed. Alternatively, if they love a fashion brand, like Chloe or Gucci, it’s very likely they will like their fragrance collection too, so have a sniff around their iconic perfumes and see which ones captures their spirit the most! You’ll know it when you smell it!
Skincare is also a wonderful gift, as it’s something we all need and love, but it’s also something which can be costly and confusing. There’s so many skin types and needs and brands, and some people just don’t know where to start. Personally, I always advise buying natural skin care brands which agree with never every skin type, deliver great results and generally smell divine because they are filled with natural ingredients and botanicals. One of my go-to faves for gift giving has to be Liz Earle, which is super natural, beautiful to use and gives great results. No matter what your skin type, you can’t go wrong with Liz Earle! I also think it’s best to avoid any skin care products whose packaging offer solutions for anti-aging, blemishes, acne, etc. as you want to raise spirits, rather than inadvertently cause offence… y’know?
Finally, try to match the brand with the person. If your buying for a young lady who loves wearing pink, loves cuteness and feeling like a vintage movie star, then head over to the Soap & Glory display or maybe Benefit Cosmetics. On the flip side, if you are buying for a dad who travels a lot and loves sports, then this men’s Liz Earle Set might be great, it’s luxurious, hard-working, feels and smells amazing and it comes in a travel-friendly pouch.
Finally… Treat Yourself!
This is my favourite one! Christmas is a fun and wonderful time of year, but it’s also busy and hectic.There is so much planning, travelling, shopping and decorating to do and it can be a lot. So, when you are shopping for others, treat yourself to something lovely. It doesn’t need to be much; just a bubble bath, maybe a hand cream or perhaps just a lovely luxury tea! There’s nothing selfish about self-care, so enjoy!
What I Choose & Who It’s For
Clinique Aromatics Elixir: My mum has been wearing this classic fragrance on-and-off for years and I couldn’t resist buying it for her. If you aren’t familiar with it, it’s deep, rich and elegant and a real classic with a cult following. It contains notes of rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and vetiver. It’s a truly beautiful perfume and the added bath and body products make it even more special! Shop all Christmas Gifts For Her here.
Liz Earle Mans Classic Collection: If truth be told, I could happily give this set to my dad, brother and boyfriend as it’s such a great gift set. I’m sure you all know already how amazing Liz Earle skincare is and I know all three of them would get a lot of pleasure out of using it. Plus, with the added travel bag, it’s great for taking on holiday. However, it’s ultimately my dad who will be unwrapping this on Christmas Day and I know he will LOVE it! Shop all Christmas Gifts For Him here.
Soap & Glory ‘Naughty But Spice’ Hand Wash Duo: This one is for me! Like I said, self-gifting is fun and there’s nothing wrong with slipping a few treats into your basket to enjoy yourself! I’m forever washing my hands (I have been cooking a lot lately and, having a dog, it’s important to keep my hands clean!) and I use hand cream constantly. With this in mind, I choose myself the Soap & Glory ‘Naughty But Spice’ hand wash duo. This set is only available at Christmas and the scent is also limited edition for the Christmas period.I’m honestly addicted to it, so I couldn’t resist! Obviously, I will be scooping up some Soap & Glory for some of my besties later this month too!
Win The Soap & Glory Advent Calendar
Finally, I’m SO excited to offer someone the chance to win The Soap & Glory Advent Calendar (worth £42)! All you need to do is tell me your favourite part of Christmas dinner… yep! It’s that simple! Just enter below and a winner will be chosen at random! Also, I unboxed the Soap & Glory Advent calendar on my YouTube Channel recently, so if you want to see what’s inside, just watch the video above!
♥
This post is an advertisement feature with Boots UK but all thoughts are my own
Christmas crackers!
I love when is time to eat pudding, lots offf sweets and turkeey♥️Thats amazingg❤️i hope that I’m going to win because I really want this advent calendar!! You are amazing and thank you for making this giveaway!
It’s got to be the toasties and gravy
My favorite part of Christmas dinner is sharing good food with family and friends.
Love all of it, it’s seeing my son enjoy his and the cracker pulling that’s the best bit thou. Oh and the cake?
My favourite part of Xmas dinner is pigs in blankets ?
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is the turkey-even our pets can enjoy some with us!!
I love the champagne but if we are only talking food then it would be the stuffing.
Fantastic Giveaway. One of my favourite Soap & Glory ??
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is the turkey & stuffing. I never have turkey through the year so it’s a nice change. ??
The very best part of Christmas dinner for me is bread sauce – lots & lots of it – made following my great grandmother’s recipe: layers and layers of bread, onion and many flakes of butter covered in creamy milk laced with nutmeg and cloves, which is baked until crispy on its outside and a perfect softness inside – absolute heaven!
I love making crackers for everyone – I’ve done it for the last few years and put in tasty chocolates, an individual mini gift (beauty samples are great) and a Christmas scratch card ???xx
pigs in blankets x
I’m all for the Brussels sprouts.
Pigs in blankets and Roasted Parsnips!
You always have the best gift guides. I also think fragrance is always a great gift! My favourite part of Christmas dinner is the stuffing:)
Roast potatoes and gravy – lashings of gravy.
The Christmas pudding, not just the eating of it, but the making of it in November in anticipation of Christmas day
Gravy, lots and lots of gravy! x
I love sausage meat stuffing.. my mums is my favourite ?
My favourite part of Christmas dinner are the crackers. This year I saw some that were £700 at Fortnum and Mason, and I thought, ohhh, imagine being rich enough to afford those! Thanks for the competition x
Pigs in blankets!
I can’t find my other comment, but those crackers were £5,000 not £700! In case my last message is lost, crackers are my favourite part of Christmas dinner. xx
Roast Potatoes for sure, not meat anymore as I don’t meat for 2 yrs now
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is when we all eat sweets and share?also I love pudding…I hope that I’m going to win because it would be the best Christmas present! Love u and keep it up!♥️
The best part of Christmas is when we eat turkey and play in the snow❤️This would be an amazing present ?
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is sitting down with all my family having fun times and building memories with my children……oh yes and of course the pigs in blankets and Yule log. Xxxx
my favorite part of Christmas is celebrating with my loves
All of it lol! I love my veg so roasted parsnips, steeped peas and everything smothered in gravy lol!x
The sprouts it’s the only time I have them as noone else likes them
The stuffing!
I just love Christmas pudding
I love the cracker pulling and also the yule log at the end of the feast 🙂
Love when everyones belly is full, looking merry and happy and having the foodmatose nap!
The roast potatoes!
My favourite part is my mums sausage meat stuffing!
Totally needed this article. Thank you.
All of it! It takes me long enough to cook it
I love making sandwiches with leftover stuffing! The best!
I love Mince pies & clotted cream – the perfect ending to a Christmas dinner!
Roast potatoes
My favourite part of Christmas Dinner, wow, it is hard to narrow down! Roast potatoes and cranberry sauce! 😀
My fave part of a christmas dinner has to be either the stuffing or pigs in blankets! Especially when you add in cranberry sauce ?
Best part of Christmas Dinner ? is not having Christmas Dinner! ? I don’t enjoy it instead stay home with the dog ? & eat what I want usually Ribs or Southern Fried Chicken ?
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is pigs in blankets
My Favourite part of Christmas dinner is Pigs in Blankets!
I’m all about the starches – love stuffing and mashed potatoes! With butter. And gravy.
I love everything about Christmas dinner. Mostly the fact that everyone is together!
Roast potatoes and bread sauce. I still make homemade bread sauce even though whole family now eat a vegetarian Christmas dinner.
I love pigs in blankets.
The crackers are always fun.
Apart from being with family it has to be the bread sauce on my dinner ?
my mum’s potato salad
Definitely pigs in blankets!!!
Definitely pigs in blankets x
I think it has to be Mr G’s pigs in blankets … lovingly made only on Christmas Day… it are absolutely delicious!! xx
I love waking up early and the copious bacon sarnies and bucks fizz we have ? all whilst watching an Xmas film
Definitely the desserts. My mom makes the best chocolate gateau.
I love everything about the Christmas dinner except the sprouts ? although I will eat one on the day. I think the most special part of the meal though is the magic of spending time with family. Makes the roast potatoes taste that much more delicious.
Turkey ????
Being with my family
The bread sauce with pigs in blankets
My favourite part is the copious amounts of roast potatoes!
The banoffee pie. I can eat the whole thing, and get annoyed with people when they want a slice ??
My favourite part of christmas dinner has to be eating pigs in blankets with a glass of champagne
Pigs in blankets
Roasties ?
My favourite part of Christmas Dinner is when I get out of ooking it, or getting out of the washing up, favourite main is the turkey with Cranberry sauce and mince pies with hot custard for the dessert, lot less heavy than the christmas pud after the mother of all roasts
Love my roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and gravy
My favourite part of Christmas dinner is the crackers especially the hats everyone wears whilst sat eating
Chestnut stuffing
I love all the veggies – especially the brussel sprouts ?
Foodwise it’s the roast potatoes, but guest wise it’s when we all pull the crackers and tell the jokes!
Pigs in blankets, yum 🙂
The Christmas pud (and having all the family there)
Pigs in blankets for me
Brussels sprouts , apple sauce and the gravy
My fav part is spending it with family . Oh and the roast potatoes lol
I love the pulling of crackers and laughing at the rubbish jokes! Wearing my paper party hat and tucking into the delicious feast…
Favourite part of the meal has to be the Crispy Roasties & Pigs in Blankets 😉
Lovely festive post, thank you x
@justinepinky
The turkey and stuffing as they are just a once a year treat (but I love all the rest too)
Has to be the pigs in blankets for me
Fantastic
Turkey and cranberry is my fave part
Parsnips roasted in honey
l love my dinner but l have to admit l love my desserts more! especially Christmas so we always have an amazing chocolate gateau or millionaires chocolate cheesecake and that is my absolute favourite!
My favourite part of christmas dinner has to be honey glazed parsnips