Set yourself apart as the no.1 gift giver this year...don’t pretend it doesn’t feel amazing to be the best ;)
I’m not a particular lover of Christmas itself, but I enjoy the warm-up bit. The cold days, festive lights and smells of chocolate and mulled wine all around.
I’m also a notorious gift giver, often spending a few months beforehand collecting screenshots of unique out-of-the-box ideas for friends and family.
(I have also been known to dress up as a Christmas elf and go around dropping them off)
So I’m sharing some of my Best Christmas Finds of 2024 with you all!
Here are some physical and non-physical gift ideas, I’ve built up so far!
I brought some Bottle Baking & Co gift sets last year for friends at Christmas. Yes, they are just cake mixes in a bottle, but the novelty of the packaging is so fun and they have incredible flavours, not just the conventional viccy sponge! The gift sets are beautifully packaged and include fun extras such as chocolate lollies or even a pair of socks!
These are great gifts for friends and family who are avid bakers or have little ones, who they are sharing the baking experience with!
I have friends and family who are keen travellers and love collecting stamps in their passports, but magnets and shot glasses tend to take up a lot of room. So I found this amazing company that creates handmade bracelets that work just like charm bracelets but for travel locations. You can customise the bracelets with various charms and dividers. I especially like that they are unisex and you can carry your memories with you.
Bracelets from £32.99
If you want to give a gift that continues long into the new year, the Discovery Journal is the right choice.
A no-nonsense approach to managing mental health.
I’m not one for gratitude journals or activity books that look like they are designed for children, but this journal isn’t “in your face”!
It focuses on fighting anxiety with logic and strategy, perfect for anyone with a curious mind, designed for adults and adapted for neurodiversity there is a journal for anyone.
I recently brought one of these tests in hopes I could discover more about what was triggering my migraines and it didn't disappoint.
It was incredibly thorough and gave me an overview of all sorts of things that could be causing my body distress.
Do you have a friend who could do with some health clarity? This health test will find out all your sensitivities just from your hair!
A slightly more expensive option here, but I had to include it.
As a gym goer, I’m always looking for new ways to monitor my health and fitness. This is so cool and feels like it wouldn’t be much of a hassle as a bracelet.
It's trendy and non-invasive with multiple designs to choose from it tracks your sleep, nutrition and fitness effectively.
Do you know someone who has sensory triggers?
Loop earplugs are ideal for filtering out loud noises while still being able to keep up with a conversation.
There are several designs and sizes to choose from, not to mention a handy quiz which allows you to find the right model for your needs.
If you love a slogan tee like me, the Spark Company is a female-run, female-founded business, promoting inclusive feminism and equality.
To be honest their stuff both made me giggle and shout “Hell yeah!”
Their slogans are unapologetic and frankly brilliant!
This Christmas, give the gift of a voice. Honestly...I’d be chuffed!
Now I need to be clear these are Birthday Advent Calendars. I’m putting this in the list because I know the pain of trying to find both Christmas and Birthday gifts for November & December babies.
Since this is Birthday specific there is a clear separation between the two and it allows your person to feel special twice!
I like to personalise my gifts, so when I saw this I thought “How awesome!” You can pick a song which makes you think of that person and get a scannable code sewn into the jumper!
They do lean on the pricier side, but they are an effective way to tell someone you care through the magic of music.
A friend of mine was gifted one of these mugs and it just caught my attention.
They are thoughtfully designed, funny and chunky, the makings of a good sturdy mug!
Some are just plain beautiful and others a little quirky. They look properly homemade.
If you aren't a mug person, they have a full range of homewares, gifts and accessories to choose from!
I’m always looking for subtle ways to help my friends and family with their mental health.
Anxiety and panic can come out of nowhere sometimes so items such as these fidget rings can be really beneficial in those moments.
MAKING MOMENTS - THE NON-PHYSICAL STUFF, STUFF
If you are less about things and more about moments... here are some recommended visits from my excursions this year!
Also...a gift like this means you might get something too ;) (do I hear plus one?)
Now I love history! and I especially love being immersed in it!
This year I visited the Black Country Museum in Dudley, which did not disappoint!
Being able to walk through 1940s homes, see where The Peaky Blinders was filmed and walk right into the Victorian period was inspiring. Tickets for the museum are annual so you can visit as much as you like in one year and they put on a range of events such as “1940's weekend”, perfect for a history buff!
If you can make it to the big smoke this one is worth a visit.
I went earlier in the year and played a couple of rounds. It’s great fun and the food and drink were amazing as well.
A great way to spend an afternoon.
This one is on my to-do list!
While we are still waiting for a Greatest Showman musical...we have the circus! This looks fun and immersive, but I think it’s only on for a short while!
As a lover of escape rooms, this one seems too good to miss.
It’s brand new and involves 30 rooms, where you play competitive games to escape!
It is in London, with two locations, so a day trip might be required but hey, sign me up!
I’ve visited several national trust sites this year, and all of them have been wonderful. A gift card for the National Trust is a gift that keeps giving throughout the year!
In addition, there are hundreds of sites all across the UK, so location really shouldn't matter, you might find that they are doing free tours or seasonal events which are worth a visit!
Yes, please! I’m always up for a good concert or gig! and I’m sure you’re friends and family are too! There is nothing like the gift of a great night out!
We get so swept up in our busy lives that we often forget to check who is touring or whether our favourite bands are in town.
This can be a surprising gift for a loved one and I'm sure they won't have checked themselves!
Theatre always seems expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! You can book a mid-day performance and not have to worry about overnight stays, and trust me it’s worth it! I always walk out thinking...” why don’t I do this all the time?”
There are some great touring shows, you might find the west end comes to you! tickets to a staple in London (in advance) can always give your gift-ee time to plan.
Also, I saw The First Shadow this year and it's worth every penny!
This was one of my favourite visits! I can’t recommend it highly enough..although a little tip... get the headphones!
At times I was crying and laughing while exploring Chruchills underground bunker, where he along with his staff, lived and worked in secret during WWII.
Earlier in the year I was invited to a hen party at Readings Nirvana Spa, and usually, this wouldn’t be how I’d spend my time or my money, but actually, I loved it.
I was forced to have some “me time” and there was the freedom to move from pool to pool and just chill for 3 hours. I highly recommend the salt pool!
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