The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide
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| Image courtesy of feelart/freedigitalphotos.net |
Over the past year I have been lucky enough to have been sent some fabulous products to review. I have worked with a number of different companies whose products I adore. In this Christmas Gift Guide you will find gifts for the whole family. Some of the products featured are items I have previously reviewed whilst others are simply items that I think are fantastic!
This is our Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2013!
For the Chef/Food Lover
When I was growing up everyone would come to our house and my mum would cook Christmas dinner for everyone. There would be a deliciously, tender turkey with the tastiest cranberry sauce you can imagine. My mum would make a Christmas cake a number of weeks in advance and it always tasted amazing!
For starter we would have a choice of pate, soup, prawn cocktail or salmon and the day was filled with joy and happiness!
In the last 8 years or so Twin Daddy and I have always gone to Twin Daddy’s Mums house for Christmas dinner, but this year will be different.
This year is the first year that I am in charge of cooking Christmas dinner and I am feeling nervous!
I’ve cooked Sunday dinner in the past, but it’s not quite the same as cooking a Christmas dinner. There’s more preparation and thought needed and I want everything to be perfect.
I’ll be cooking for three. Myself, Twin Daddy and his mum and I’m sure our girls will have some also. When I was asked to review an item by Parragon I chose this cookbook as I need all the help I can get!
I love cooking and aside from the usual turkey dinner I’m also planning on making my own cranberry sauce and I can’t wait to try my hand at a Christmas cake!
This cookbook contains all the favourite Christmas recipes you would expect from a Christmas cookbook. As well as the more traditional recipes, it also features some more contemporary ones. If you’re planning on cooking Christmas dinner yourself and would like a helping hand I can highly recommend this book.
Not only do the recipes look tasty and delicious, they’re also simple and easy to follow. There are over 100 recipes from succulent roasts to Dark Chocolate Yule Log and Rum Punch.
Keep an eye out for our ‘Perfect Christmas’ post series coming soon which will feature some of the recipes from this book.
For Daughters/Nieces/
Heritage Stable – Rocking Horses from Little Bird Told Me
Little Bird Told Me is one of my favourite online retailers. I have worked with them previously when I reviewed their Curious Caterpillar Activity Pull Along Toy. They sell a range of children’s items from rocking animals, baby play mats and mobiles to nursing cushions and soft toys.
Their most recent addition are rocking horses from Heritage Stable. Little Bird Told Me stocks the following four rocking horses which are all available to order from the site in time for Christmas.
Rufus & Ted Rocking Horse (Suitable from 9 months). £120.00.
Rufus & Ted is my favourite! I love the design and cute little teddy! This rocking horse stands on a walnut stained bow rocking base and is dressed in a textured chocolate & cream woven check fabric, a softly padded brown leatherette saddle and matching leatherette bridle.
He comes complete with a scrunchy faux suede mane & tail, wooden handles and removable footplates.
Inside his pocket is his friend Ted, an adorable huggable bear that can be removed and played with separately.
Chester & Fred Rocking Horse (Suitable from 12 months). £160.00.
Chester is a traditional horse who stands proudly on a walnut stained bow rocking base, with a contrasting pale end grain.
He is dressed in a classic coffee & gold woven houndstooth fabric, a softly padded brown leatherette saddle and matching leatherette bridle.
He comes complete with a scrunchy faux suede mane & tail and wooden handles.
Inside his pocket is Fred, a lovable bear that can be removed and played with separately.
Jasper Rocking Horse (Suitable from 18 months). £200.00.
Jasper is an irresistibly charming rocking horse, who offers the ultimate in rocking horse style.
He has a woven check fabric body, stylised leatherette saddle and a super soft scrunchy faux suede mane and tail.
He comes with supportive stirrups and stands proudly on a beautiful walnut stained bow rocking base with contrasting pale end grain.
Tennyson Rocking Horse (Suitable from 3 years). £300.00.
A truly stunning rocking horse on a walnut stained swinging stand, Tennyson is dressed in a textured chocolate & cream woven check fabric, a softly padded brown leatherette saddle and matching leatherette bridle.
He comes complete with a scrunchy faux suede mane & tail and adjustable stirrups.
These rocking horses would make the perfect Christmas gift for any little boy or girl and as you can see there is one to suit any age range.
For the Expectant/New Mum
Beebies Baby Store
I first worked with Beebies Baby Store back in August 2012 when I reviewed a Nappy Cake and Bunting for them. The owner, Ami, has worked really hard to make Beebies what it is today. They sell everything an expectant or new mum could want.
From feeding products to cots to toys and rainwear, you’re bound find the perfect gift from Beebies this year.
First up and if you’re planning on spending Christmas away from home this year with your baby then the Koo-di Pop Up Tent is just what you’ll need.
Available in 3 colours, this pop up travel bubble cot is just £56.99 and is most suitable for use from 6 months to approximately 18 months and when outgrown it makes an ideal playhouse for little ones. It is a comfortable cot which is ideal for use at home while baby rests during the day, out and about, on holidays or weekends away. It weighs less than 2.2kgs and is quick and easy to use. It measures L100 x W60 x H69cm when assembled. It folds easily into a compact carry bag measuring L60 x W30 x H18cm and it’s made from polycotton and comes complete with padded mattress and integrated zip-up mosquito net.
Next up and another item from Beebies is this beautifully crafted mini dolls pram from Moover which retails at £29.99 including p&p.
This pram would make the perfect gift for any girl. It’s stylish and simple design will appeal and engage every child in long-lasting play. The Moover Mini Doll’s pram is suitable from 12 months and it has safe rounded corners and it’s finished with child-safe paint. Available in Cherry Red and Natural. A bigger version is available for £69.47,
For Something a Little Different
The Cutlery Commission
If you’re looking for something a little different this year then look no further than The Cutlery Commissions Unique Christmas Gifts. They’re perfect for stocking fillers, secret Santa gifts or unique personalised Christmas gifts for friends and family.
One of my favourite items from The Cutlery Commission is this Christmas Spoon Tree Decoration. £14.00.
This teaspoon is silver plated with ‘Merry Christmas’ hand stamped onto the spoon face making it a fabulous little tree decoration.
Another favourite of mine is the Naughty & Nice Spoon Set. £24.00.
These spoons are both silver plated with the words “naughty” and “nice” hand stamped onto them.
We also love this Christmas Desert Spoon. £16.00.
Silver plated and hand stamped with either “Wishing you the veriest and merriest Christmas” or “tis the season to be jolly” onto the spoon face.
The “tis the season to be jolly” spoon has ‘falalalala’ down the handle and cannot be personalised, but the “Wishing you the veriest and merriest Christmas” has space on the handle for personalisation, up to 18 characters, for an extra £2.00.
For the Personal Touch
Bethemed Designs
Bethemed Designs was started by Beth who designs and creates a range of gorgeous children’s gifts. Beth adds the personal touch to her pieces and we were lucky enough to have been sent a set of blocks and a personalised cushion from Beth back in 2012. Click here to read the review. We loved the blocks and cushion so much that we actually ordered another set each!
Bethemed Designs have a range of Christmas items available and we love the personalised stockings. £18.00.
They’re hand painted with a design of your choice.
We also love the Heart Personalised Christmas Decoration. £6.50.
Another favourite is the personalised Santa Sack. £25.00.
You can choose from natural or red colour and the sack will be hand painted with a design of your choice and personalised. The sack has a drawstring top and is approximately 50cm x 70cm.
For the Stationary Lover
Ink Thistle
We are loving Ink Thistle’s range of Kirstie Allsopp’s first collection. Items include tote shoppers which are perfect for everyday use, tablet cases, notebooks, home, office storage solutions, recipe journals and photo albums which also make the perfect scrapbook.
Here are a few of our favourites.
A4 Storage Box. £14.95.
This vintage garden inspired design is lined inside and out and tied with a pink ribbon. Features a patchwork sampler design to the edge.
Recipe Journal. £16.95.
Another vintage garden inspired design. This ringbound journal is divided into sections; General, Starters, Fish & Meat, Vegetables, Puddings and Wines. It has 8 clear sleeves for storing extra recipes and has a cooks conversion chart and reference pages. Also features seasonal calendar for fruit and vegetables.
Photo Album. £19.95.
For Gran
We love this Greatest Granny Mug from Presents for Men. £9.99
Made from bone china, your gran is sure to treasure this mug.
For Grandad
I love this quirky little 101 Things To Do With A Retired Man book!
Filled with inspirational ideas and amusingly written. Ideas include investing in fine wines and taking up a virtual sport. This book is filled with practical advice which is both functional and funny.
For Treasured Memories
Creative Photomontage Canvas Print. From £58.00.
The lovely people over at Contemporary Cool have the perfect gift for photo lovers. This canvas print lets you tell a special, personal story and helps you piece all your happy memories and favourite photographs together in a way unlike other simpler montages.
Why not put together your favourite photos from the previous year and display them proudly on your wall!
What will you be buying your loved ones this year?
2 Comments
Kim Carberry
November 13, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Ohh wow! Some lovely ideas! x
Emily
November 13, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Thanks Kim! Wish I had enough money to buy them all!