Christmas is coming… are you ready?

Written on 19th November 2018

Christmas is fast approaching & we are here to help with your present shopping thanks to our gift generator and helpful lists for every member of the family.

It may be mid-November, but the advent calendars started being stocked in the shops on the 1st of the month, and the television adverts have already started (not so sure on the John Lewis one this year…). This means it is time to get out the standard Christmas to-do list of everything you need to prepare - sending out Christmas cards, sorting out who will sleep where when the family come visit, and of course, Christmas presents. Personally, I am always shopping for Christmas presents. This means as soon as I see the perfect gift for someone on my list, I just buy it and stash it away. However, this can be hit and miss - some years it means I am virtually finished by Halloween, but other years I actually haven’t found anything at all apart from a nice gift set for one distant Aunt. As a result, I try to get started a full month before Christmas, filling in the gaps for whoever is on my list. The benefits of starting the shopping in November are that you give yourself plenty of time without getting stressed out and the deals are now starting earlier and earlier. Black Friday has essentially become Black November, with many retailers trying to get customers before they spend their money elsewhere. On our main gift finder list we have plenty of ideas for different ages and a lot of the suggestions are based on different interests, but we have pulled together below a more niche list that also brings in some of the deals currently on. This may or may not be based on our own family (fingers crossed they don’t read this before December 25)... but gives some additional, and slightly quirky ideas. Just to note - our gift generator only has ideas that are £20 or under, but below we may have a few that go a bit over this. Not many and not by a lot, but we thought this might be helpful just in case you are looking to spend a little more! Mum: was still sending you kitty calendars when you went off to university and tells you every year ‘I have everything I need - just get me some socks’

Merry Berry Gift Bag - £13
M&S Cashmilon™ Star Print Round Neck Jumper - £17.50
Biscuiteers book of iced biscuits - £12.99
Graham Cashmere - Womens Cashmere Rib Socks - £30
The Crown - Season 1 & 2 - £27.99

Dad: has an extensive library and collection of model (not toy - don’t touch) cars

Tamiya 300020053 Model Car 1:20 Tyrell P34 Six Wheeler Monaco GP '77 - £25.46
Quilted Slip-on Mule Slippers - £9.50
How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer - £14.53
A Wee Whisky Letterbox Gift - £15
Adnams Jack Brand Dry Hopped Lager 12 x 330ml bottles - £19.99

Brother Neil: lives abroad, is learning a new language and turned vegan much to the horror of your parents (but what will you eat on Christmas day that goes with gravy??)

Fluent Forever - £12.99
Vegan Chocolate and Snack Treat Hamper Gift Box - £24.95
Vegan Gift. Vegan Bag. "Vegan From My Head Tomatoes" Eco Tote Bag - £6.99
World Map Colour In Mug - £19.95
M&S Pure Cotton Wax Flat Cap with Stormwear - £19.50

Sister Sarah: has a weakness for anything beautiful and has a number of collections including perfume, lip balms and cat-themed items.

Benefit Go Go Tint Lip & Cheek Stain Mini, Cherry - £8.92
Cat Print Mug - £9
Vanillary perfume - £19
How to Draw Cats and Kittens: A Complete Guide for Beginners - £17.99
Libby Catch-All - £18

Brother in law Sam: Ultimate pub quiz champion - you really need to persuade him to do a gameshow with you. Into craft beer and music you have never heard of.

Adnams 6-bottle Brew Box - £10
UO Grey Ribbed Beanie - £16
The Ultimate Pub Quiz Book: More Than 10,000 Questions! - £9.99
Classic Check Scarf - £16
Big Potato Weird Things Humans Search For: A Party Game About The Strange Side Of Google - £19.99

Niece Molly: loves books, dressing up and Sylvanian families.

Tangle Teezer Original Detangling Hairbrush, Purple Glitter - £9.35
Dream Big Little Leader - £6.99
Melissa & Doug Construction Worker Role Play Costume Dress-Up Set - £16.25
Sylvanian Families Tea and Treats Playset - £6.39
Ada Twist, Scientist - £8.55

Nephew Lewis: Still at nursery but finally old enough to be trusted with lego.

Thomas & Friends™ Pyjamas - £10
Truck Carry Case by Thunder Wheels - £16.48
Playmobil The Explorers 9431 Motorbike with Raptor - £6.39
Oi Dog! (Oi Frog and Friends) - £5.24
Lightning McQueen Speed Launcher - £6.39

Dog Crumpet: loves balls.

Doggy treats gift set - £22
Dog Rubber Ball Chew Toy - £6.99
Petface Tennis Balls for Dogs, 12-Piece - £7.40
Doggy Things Elf Hat, Small/Medium - £5.12
Chuckit! Ultra Grip Ball Launcher, Medium - £11.99

Granny: can’t pronounce most mainstream food items we eat every day and describes everything as nice or interesting

Huggable Alpaca Cooling & Heating Pad - £18
The Connoisseur Gin Tasting Experience - £15
Heathcote & Ivory Vintage Pattern & Petals Soap Flowers - £8.50
The Classic Cheese Tasting Box - £20
Tiptree Jams & Marmalade Tasting Selection (Gift box of 12) - £15.06

Grandad: falls asleep during family meals and conversations but loves tv - is always amazed at how much you can watch ‘nowadays compared to when I was a lad’

Christmas Tin Trio - £10
Clint Eastwood - The Blu-ray Collection - £22
Fire TV Stick with 1st Gen Alexa Voice Remote - £24.99
John Lewis & Partners Taste of Christmas Hamper - £27
Fairisle Slipper Boots with Freshfeet - £19.50

Great Aunt Mary: loves music, family and gardening and is one of the loveliest people you know

RHS Gardening Through the Year: Month-by-month Planning Instructions and Inspiration - £7.99
Andrea Bocelli - Sì (Deluxe) - £12.99
M&S Colour Block Roll Neck Jumper - £19.50
Winter and apple spice diffuser - £15
Photo Bauble Christmas Tree Ornament - £5

Uncle Steve (doesn’t everyone seem to have an Uncle Steve?): into sporting books, jokes and is the most fun family member

Cards Against Humanity: Red Box - £19
Tree Rex Dinosaur Christmas Jumper - £20.95
Cycling's Strangest Tales: Extraordinary but True Stories - £17.74
Adnams Jack Brand Mosaic Pale Ale 12 x 330ml bottles - £16.99
Fox Tossing, Octopus Wrestling and Other Forgotten Sports - £7.19

Auntie Julie: one of the quieter members of the family and is happy with that, but loves a good chat about what’s on trend

Colloquial Animal Socks Gift Set - £18
The Collection Pink Sparkling Wine & Chocolates Gift Set - £20
Monogram Keychain - £16
M&S Heart Print Round Neck Jumper - £17.50
The Curated Closet: Discover Your Personal Style and Build Your Dream Wardrobe - £11.39

Cousin Alex: despite seeing each other around once every couple of years, the ice is always broken within two minutes talking about travel and exploration

Cousin Sophie: loves music and craft and you remember following her around as a child because she was three years older and could do handstands

Folk Song in England - £14.49
Lucky Charms Sticker Patches + Card - £16
UO Cable Knit String Mittens - £16
Mayan mini pots crochet kit - £22.75
Kirstie Allsopp Metal Press Kit - £25

Obviously all of these ideas won’t necessarily cover your full gift list but hopefully, it has covered a lot of what you need or given you some present ideas! We’re going to keep an eye on all of the latest deals and will be pulling together more posts to help you maintain a low blood pressure during the holiday period by making the shopping less stressful. This means you can focus on other important questions. Like just how many desserts you are going to need for Christmas day.

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