*Bodhi & Birch Allure Gift Set (£15)I've tried a couple of products from the natural brand Bodhi and Birch and I couldn't recommend their products, I tried the ylang-ylang shower gel and lotion which are both heavenly. So when this set arrived in the post I had to rip it open and smell everything immediately. The set contains: ylang-ylang body therapy bath and shower gel, ylang-ylang lotion and the camomile sky bath and shower therapy. All three for large minis, so they'd be great for travelling and they all smell divine. Bodhi and Birch products are a treat for the senses and the mind as they all make me feel so relaxed and pampered! I couldn't recommend this set enough and it comes beautifully packaged too.
Candles are a really safe gift for me personally and also for me to give to friends, cousins and my sister - I am gifting quite a few candles this year. I've tried a few brands of candles including the famous Yankee Candle but I'm loving the Gift Company/Flame Homeware candles just as much. I was kindly sent a couple of their Christmas candles.
*Gift Company Cinnamon Spice Candle (£6.99, sale)
The packaging of mine is slightly different to the one online but I'm glad as I do prefer this packaging. I love the large jar size, it makes a really substantial and heavy gift and I know so many friends that would love this! It smells so nice, I love cinnamon scents at this time of the year and it's lovely. To me the scent is a bit more of a musky cinnamon rather than a generic sweet/strong cinnamon scent.
*Gift Company Christmas Candle (£6.99)
This candle is one of their best sellers and I can see why as it looks festive and it smells like the essence of Christmas to me as it has a cinnamon/clove scent mixed with Christmas potpourri which is really nostalgic to me as my auntie always had potpourri that had a similar scent every Christmas. It's quite sweet but I really like it and the scent throw is pretty good. I'd definitely recommend both candles and for the low price, you really can't go wrong!
*Gift Company Gingerbread House Diffuser (£6, sale)
My mum is quite paranoid about candles so they are a no no for her but that means I can pick up some cute diffusers! I was kindly sent two and this 'gingerbread house' one is my favourite of the two. The diffuser looks so nice, unlike most which can be quite ugly! It has a subtle gingerbread/cinnamon scent so it's not overpowering but if I'm complete honest, I wish it was a little stronger.
*Gift Company Mince Pies & Brandy Butter Diffuser (£6)
I haven't opened this one yet and I also don't have photos of it or the Christmas candle as my SD card became corrupted so I've lost over 500 photos and I haven't had time to re-take - this past week or so has been really stressful with driving lessons and my test (I passed!). However, it has the same lovely and festive packaging design as the other and it smells just as nice! The candles and diffusers should should have been £15 each but they are all reduced!
*The London Sock Exchange (£15 - £60)
Next up a gift for the men in your life and as for the previous gifts, it's a lovely presented practical gift (my favourite kind of gifts!). The London Sock Exchange is a new men's sock subscription service in which for £15 per quarter you or your gift recipient will receive three pairs of socks or you can choose the yearly subscription which is £60. They come really nicely packaged and the box can easily fit through the letterbox so you don't have to worry about being home for the delivery.
The socks in the box I have come in really modern and unique designs, I personally love the centre zebra head design the most but from the website their is a large range of designs that you could receive. I think it's a great idea for a gift as they're obviously useful and really well made but the designs are quite unique - also no more boring sock shopping! You can use the code OBANYEAR for 10% off a yearly subscription or OBANSUB for 10% off a quarterly subscription!
Beauty gifts are always safe options as most people use beauty products daily anyway and I think these four offerings would be great for makeup lovers or anyone really! I haven't tried any of these brands until I received these products and I'm really happy with everything especially the lip balm!
*Dr Paw Paw Lip Balm (Original + Red Sparkle, £6.95)I have seen this brand on twitter so many times but I haven't until now tried their famous lip balms. The balms are multi-use so you can use them as lip balms, cuticle balms or a general skin balm; I've been using them as a cuticle balm and lip balm. The original is really useful and I have been keeping it in my bag for on the go. The limited edition 'red sparkle' version has a very slight red tint as well as glitter for a festive touch (due to the glitter I'd only use it as a lip balm). They're really inexpensive and great as stocking fillers!
*Look Good Feel Better Makeup Sponge (£7.49)I use my Beauty Blender so much for foundation and concealer application but I'm always happy to try new ones especially as the Beauty Blender is really expensive for what it is. This sponge is made by LGFB which is a worldwide cancer charity and between 8-12% of the price of the sponge will be donated. The sponge is fantastic for applying and blending my foundation.
*Magi Bobble (£2.95, pack of five)I love giving practical presents and these would make a great stocking filler or as part of a beauty hamper! The bobbles are designed to tie your hair up in a ponytail or bun easily without snapping. I have the white ones from the new pastel collection but they have a range of hair colour or fun colour options to choose from.
Sticking with the theme of super cute but practical presents, these next few items are favourites of mine. The cute compact umbrellas are from Susino and I love the floral design of both as well as the small size. Umbrellas are a necessity in the UK as it is constantly raining, as I'm writing this it is currently raining (it's that fine rain that soaks you through, ten points to you if you know which British comedian said that!).
*Susino Floral Filk Super Mini Umbrella (£14.99 each, white/black)
Both of these cute, floral umbrellas are perfect gifts for anyone and I know my mum would love the design and as she works in the primary school I went to, she'll use it so much! They're both made of lightweight fibreglass and aluminium with a wooden handle so they are light, portable and easy to travel with. Both look very colourful, fun and bright when opened to add some colour to the typical grey, dull and gloomy English weather! I can't recommend them enough and they'd make great practical gifts this Christmas. They offer next working day delivery on all orders made before 2pm - the last day for Christmas delivery is the 22nd.
*Roger & Gallet Bois d'Orange Set (£6)
This adorable set contains a sample of the Bois d'Orange fragrance as well as the hand and nail cream which is amazing - I've tried a couple of their hand creams and I love them as they absorb quickly and have a gorgeous scent. The hand cream also don't irritate the eczema on my hands. I love the design of this little set and I think it would be perfect for beauty lovers, as a secret santa gift or as a stocking filler.
*Inspired Colouring Christmas Book
I was very kindly set this colouring book which came as a cute Christmas present via the Parragon 'blind date with a book' blogger programme. I love the packaging and it was so nice to receive a festive surprise package! I received a really cute coloring book as well as some wooden colouring pencils. The colouring book has so many fantastic festive themed pages and designs to colour in - it would make a great christmas gift!
*Essence Cosmetics
Essence is one of my favourite makeup brands! I love their lipsticks, polishes, mascaras, liquid liner and cuticle oil. All of their products are extremely inexpensive so you could make a personalised makeup hamper or set of products for friends or family. I'd love Essence makeup and I think so many other would too; the products may be cheap but they're very effective! You can buy from the Wilkinsons website or in-store.
What do you think of these affordable gift options? Have you finished your Christmas shopping?
those umbrellas are SO tiny and cute! love them!
ReplyDeletePam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥
They're so cute x
DeleteSocks and candles are always a good idea! I actually need an umbrella haha -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
ReplyDeleteThey are! x
DeleteGreat post, loving it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melodyjacob.com/
Thanks x
DeleteSome lovely gifts in this and I love that you've kept them all under £15! x
ReplyDeleteitskaterose.blogspot.com
Thanks x
DeleteAbsolutely love this. Candles are always a good idea!
ReplyDeleteLove, Kerstin
http://www.missgetaway.com/
Candles are definitely a great idea x
DeleteThat gingerbread diffuser looks adorable! I have the DrPAWPAW Red Sparkle - it's so sparkly! X
ReplyDelete♡ itsjessiejane ♡
It is - perfect for christmas x
DeleteThere are some real gems in this gift guide and everything is so affordable too! I really want to try the Dr Paw Paw lip balms
ReplyDeleteDalal
monochromedaisies.blogspot.com
The original balm is fantastic x
DeleteCandles are always a great gift, who doesn't want their house smelling all lovely and nice!!
ReplyDeleteKathy x
Alongcamekathy
Definitely x
DeleteI would want the diffuser under my tree, for sure! I can smell it from here :D
ReplyDeleteAngie
www.chocolateandlipstick.com
It smells amazing x
DeleteThis is a great post! Everything is so cute and fucntional - the perfect combo! I especially love the umbrellas!
ReplyDeleteXX - Alyssa @ Living in Full Bloom
Thanks :) xx
DeleteSo many fabulous stocking fillers to choose from. Love the sound of the gift company christmas candle x
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
Their candles are fantastic x
Delete