I know it is a real cliché, but I much prefer to give gifts than receive them! I remember when I was very young, around 6 or 7 and I found all my Christmas presents under my parent’s duvet cover when we were playing hide and seek one wet Saturday afternoon. Instead of investigating more, I quickly threw the duvet cover back over the barbie dolls and Care Bears and found somewhere else to hide.

Thankfully there were no Cabbage Patch Kids in sight, I hated those dolls. Do you remember those Garbage Pail Kids cards we used to collect? I think they put me off Cabbage Patch Kid Dolls for life! 🙂

I really like surprises you see. No, not the kind of surprise where my Son leaps out of a wardrobe unexpectedly or where the next-door neighbour’s cat has left a “gift” on my front door step. I love gift surprises and, unlike my Mum, you will not find me shaking and prodding all the presents under the tree trying to guess what they are.

I’ve always been a bit rubbish at buying gifts however. I absolutely love giving presents, but unfortunately my lastminute.com nature often finds me running around Tesco on Christmas Eve trying to find presents for my husband and stocking fillers for the kids. My husband assures me he loves his Star Wars socks and Terry’s Chocolate Orange every year

So, this year, surprisingly, I have managed to buy most presents already. Maybe it’s because I’ve had more time on my hands than usual, I’ve even managed to bang out a couple of Christmas crafts this year too!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed searching the internet for gifts and thought I’d share a few of my favourites with you.

This Christmas Gift Guide is full of fun, colour and quirky presents to bring a bit of joy into someone’s life, because goodness me, we all need it this year! I also appreciate that a lot of people will not have the money to splash out this year so kept all my gifts under £30.

Create your own hampers

When I asked on Instagram what gifts people were looking for and what they would like to receive, a lot of people came back with hamper ideas. I have done this for my Mum on many occasions, for birthdays and Christmas and she always loves them. Here are a few hamper ideas, I have split these into Hampers for Him and Hampers for Her.

Gift Hampers for Him

From spreadable Whisky to the best cheddar cheese I have ever tasted, it would be hard not to share this hamper box with your partner!

Gift Hamper for Her

Whether they’re a tea lover or prosecco swigger, this hamper will have everyone covered.

For Foodies

Food glorious food, lemon squeezer and sushi. While we’re in the mood, bright aprons and carafes. If this person is mostly found in the kitchens at parties, here are some lovely food related gifts anyone would be happy with.

For Her

I might have been a bit selfish with this gift list as these are all things that I would love to receive. If anyone would like to send this list to my husband, I would be very grateful!

For Him

I think the “For Him” section of the gift guide is probably one of the hardest. What do you buy someone who has very little hobbies, doesn’t like sport, has used the same body wash for about 32 years and is still wearing a t-shirt he bought himself in 1996?

Yes, I am describing my husband here, hence the reason he gets socks and a Terry’s chocolate orange every year! Oh, and a book about 52 Times Britain was a Bellend, which amusingly, he also bought me for Christmas. We obviously share the same sense of humour!

Home Decor Obsessed

I had to add this gift list as I’m sure most of the people reading this blog are probably home décor obsessed, just like me! I would be more than happy to receive any of these gifts. From colourful vases, to lovely independent artists, add a bit of exuberance and colour to your recipients’ home. 

Home Spa

I think we all need a bit of pampering this year and seeing as we can’t visit an actual Spa at the moment to get a half hour beauty treatment and then spend the rest of the time eating and drinking (oh, is that just me and my friends? Lol), why not treat your loved ones to a little pamper kit they can do in their bathroom. Just tell them to stick on some whale music, light a candle that smells of papyrus and burnt cedar and it will be like the real thing!

Secret Santa

I think possibly one of the trickiest things to buy for Christmas is the Secret Santa present. Often you are buying for someone who you only know in a work setting and could tell you what they like in their sandwiches or how they take their tea. But you have no clue as to what they really get up to at the weekend, whether that be necking copious bottles of wine on a Saturday night or going for a winter dip in the sea.

I think anyone would be pleased to receive these gifts and they all come in under £10.

Stocking Fillers

When I asked on Instagram what present ideas people were looking for, a lot of people came back with stocking fillers for the kids. This has to be one of my favourite gifts to find for Christmas, I love filling my kids stocking with little gadgets and novelty items that they will actually use and play with.

So that’s it, my Christmas Gift Guide for everyone in your lives. I hope I’ve covered everything, if you have any other fab ideas, let me know in the comments!

Mel x