Hiya Everyone! Firstly, I was going to put together a Christmas Gifts Guide here but changed my mind last-minute. Lately we’ve all been encouraged to buy less ‘stuff’ to help save the environment. Therefore, I have included some useful everyday items in amongst the Xmas gifts. My Mum used to do this with us when she filled our stockings as children. In our case, stocking presents always included handy bits and bobs as well as the usual sort of presents.
Because of this, this year I’m trying to buy ‘nice’ things that people can use every day instead of just buying gifts for the sake of it. As far as the grandchildren are concerned, they all have so many toys already, so I’m going for books and clothes. I’ve also ‘adopted an elephant’ for one of my grandsons and supported The WWF. Moreover, we’re fairly sure Santa’ll be bringing them plenty of toys and other Christmas gifts, so they won’t be missing out. By buying the stunning Snowflake Pendant above for one of my daughters, I’ve even managed to support the very worthy Make-A-Wish UK charity! Merry Christmas Everyone!
Where Are You?
Our oldest grandson Dylan is a real bookworm. Seriously, he’s preferred books to absolutely everything since he was a tiny baby. He loves a good story and lately the longer and more detailed the better. Hard work when you promise to read him three stories at bed-time! Anyway he discovered the Where’s Wally books in the library recently and loved them. So as a change from fiction, this year I’ve bought him his own version called ‘Where Are You Dylan?’ from the fantastic Wonderbly. The book is fun, detailed and comes with a heartwarming message. He’s going to love exploring the pages and spotting different versions of himself. I’m not showing you a pic of the actual book I made through Wonderbly as I want it to be a surprise for his Mum and Dad too.
Get Fussy
My new favourite deodorant by far! And what’s more, the compostable refills are plastic-free! The stylish, contemporary case should last a lifetime it says on the Get Fussy website and why not. Mine is a neutral minty colour but I have my eye on the gorgeous blush colour, perfect for my new bathroom. I know all my daughters will love to have one of these in their Xmas stockings this year! The scents, by the way, are just to die-for. Wide Eyed Citrus and Wavy Days are just up my street but there’s an unscented one too if that’s your bag. Best thing though is that it’s all natural, free from aluminium & parabens.
nuud
nuud is a vegan anti-odorant which lasts for days! nuud is most definitely not deodorant as you know it. It’s revolutionary in many ways. The first question I was asked when I told my daughters I was trying it out, was ‘Does it work?’. Well yes it does and rather well too. It contains no aluminium, parabens or petrochemicals amongst other things too. On the nuud website they say it’s ‘highly effective and totally innocent’. Says it all really!
nuddy
Mr and Mrs 50 Plus are complete nuddy converts. ‘This soap is amazing’ has been said so many times in our bathroom recently. I genuinely had no idea that soap could be so incredible. Nuddy soaps last ‘forever or so it seems. They are made from rich, raw African Shea Butter and feel unbelievably creamy on the skin. The soaps clean and moisturise at the same time and the scents are just divine. I can’t stop sniffing the lavender one we’ve got on the go now! I’ve been using one of their Shampoo Bars too and I can smell each one of the mint, lime and grapefruit scents on my hair all day! It’s a top-quality ‘no nasties’ shampoo without the plastic bottle! What’s not to love!
thebeautyworX
So lots of us are trying our hardest to swap out our beauty products for ones that are better for us and our environment. I’m trying to do this gradually as it would cost an arm and a leg to do it all in one go. I splashed out on a few fab skincare products from thebeautyworX the other day. The Facial Cleanser suits my skin really well and I’m already a fan of their Collagen boost Moisturizing Day Cream. All the ladies on my list will be getting a little something from this site. Everything, incidentally, is free from sulfates, parabens, dyes, phthalates & petrochemicals.
Living Nature
Super-cute. 100% eco-friendly. What’s not to love!
Scottish Bee Company
This set of two honeys from The Scottish Bee Company is a lovely little gift in gorgeous packaging. The founders of the company felt so strongly about the declining bee population, that they adopted some bees and brought in some expert bee farmers to produce some uniquely flavourful Scottish honeys. (The Scottish Blossom honey is great in porridge!) If you buy anything from this wonderful company, whether it’s a Christmas gift, birthday gift or ‘just because’, you’ll know that you too are supporting the super-important bee farming industry! You could also go one step further and sponsor a bee!
Go To The Scottish Bee Company
Fei Liu Fine Jewelery -Snowflake Pendant
Ok so Fei Liu Fine Jewellery are already an award-winning jewellery brand. But they’ve surpassed themselves this time by releasing this beautiful pendant to support Make-A-Wish UK . You can buy a gorgeous piece of jewellery for someone special this Christmas and at the same time give something back to those who need support and help. It costs £150 and 10% of every sale of the special edition Snowflake Pendant (SNF-925R-308-CECZ) will be donated to Make-A-Wish UK via Work for Good. Merry Christmas!
The Longest Cuddle
All my grandchildren love books and I couldn’t resist buying The Longest Cuddle for little Harris for Christmas. It’s a personalised hardback so a really special book to keep. I know he and his brother Dylan will adore it. It’s a really good price too and is available from the fab Tickled Moon! once again, I can’t show a pic of the actual book I’ve bought as I want our daughter to have a surprise on Xmas Day too!
Tickled Moon have a smashing blog and I loved reading “The Glorious Gifts of Being a Grandparent” ? It’s a heartwarming read as you can see
The Hair Boss Detangling Mist
Lisa Shepherd, The Hair Boss, has come up with a smashing range of hair products which happen to suit my hair down to the ground! The Detangling Mist is super-lightweight and detangles my hair without any of the after-effects of most conditioners on the market. My hair is quite fine and to be honest, most conditioners are too heavy for me and make my hair lank. This detangler not only moisturises my hair but it strengthens, smoothes and protects it too. I may just buy a few of these for each of my three daughters’ Xmas stockings! (Yes I know they’re adults with their own houses but they’re still my children and Mums ‘do’ stockings!!)
Around The Table
This is not just another cook book. Around The Table – Great British Chefs is a pretty special cookery book. It’s full of recipes designed by some of the top culinary talent in The UK. Next time we have some people around for dinner, I’m going to choose some of the recipes in this book. The Sharing Platters look particularly good. It’s a great hardbook and is pretty much a perfect Christmas present (or birthday gift) for almost anyone. I’ve bought two copies and I know they’ll be well-used over the years by both recipients.
Roccabox ‘Not Another Beauty Advent Calendar Box’
This one really made me look twice. Then it made me laugh! It’s brilliant, different, cheaper and so much better than all the ‘others’! I won’t give anything away. You really do need to see for yourself.
SheSpot Winter Glow Box
Wow! What an interesting, pampering and very different box of fun, the SheSpot Winter Glow Box is. Dubbed as ‘the must-have sexual wellness pox for women this party season’, SheSpot really have hit the spot this time! Inside there’s a decadent selection of wonderful and luxurious brands including LELO, Fine Bone and Lola’s Apothecary and you can have something similar every month if you take up a subscription. It’s also a perfect gift for someone special (and open-minded). Moreover, SheSpot certainly throws something unique into the mix and are a great addition to the many subscription boxes out there.
If You Care
If You Care is one of the leading eco-friendly household brands. They have everything you need for sustainable cooking, baking and cleaning at home. I am a fully-fledged convert to their reusable kitchen towel! It’s brilliant!
Their products are carefully crafted to have the least environmental impact and the lightest carbon footprint. If You Care is perfect for the eco conscious who want to make some changes around the house.
These If You Care products are produced with a view to reducing the amount of waste in our daily lives. Even their packaging is made from unbleached recycled cardboard or paper which should be recycled again.
Anyway, Christmas gifts don’t have to say ‘Christmas Gifts’ on the packet by the way and buying useful but different is good !
Buy from Ocado, Waitrose & indie health stores, Abel & Cole, and Planet Organic.
You can take a look at some of my other 2020 Loves, Likes & Must Haves here.
