Friday, 21 December 2012

The Me, The Man & The Baby Gift Guide 2012

I am shockingly late with putting something together on what we as a family recommend as ideal Christmas presents for people of similar ages/tastes. Now today is probably the last day that most online websites are letting you shop online with delivery in time for Christmas. Though you could be like me and are willing to brave the high street this weekend in the hope of finding some inspiration for those last minute gifts. We as a family and a blog get sent various products over the year to review, I've been a little behind with getting some of these reviews out the last few weeks but then I have just moved house and it is a crazy time of the year. At least I've moved on from the whole new baby excuse, cant quite use that now seeing as he's 7months.

Here's some ideas which I hope might inspire you with some last minute Christmas shopping or even with spending that Christmas money in the New Year.


Stocking Filler For Everyone

Something we got the boys for the stocking this year was something that wouldn't benefit them but would benefit others who were in much more need. They each donated £5 over on JustGiving towards the African Children's Choir who travels the world, acting as the ambassador for Africa's most in need children - raising much needed awareness and funds for the education of the continent’s most vulnerable children, as well as their own education, as they go. In return they got a print out Christmas card saying thank you which we'll be popping into the boy's stocking to let them know what they have done this Christmas.


The Man

So I beat my man to it with the whole giving household products as a gift malarkey and as we've just moved house I gifted him his Christmas Presents early - A Accents Plum 4 Slice Toaster from Morphy Richards. Ok, so it might of secretly been for me and the colour just happened to match my kitchen but I think it pleased him as it meant no more waiting for me to do my toast or the toddlers as we can now toast 4 at a time. Bonus.

Who can resist a superhero film? We've been sent from Warner Brothers to watch this Christmas, we've not yet got round to watching the first Dark Knight film so it's a great excuse for us to have a Batman film marathon one evening. Why not purchase the set along with some foodie goodies and put together a film stocking for your loved one? Great way of winding down after the busyness of Christmas.


The Woman

As soon as I read that was the American version of Love Actually, it immediately went to the top of my want list. I'm gifting my Ultra Violet code on to Transalantic Blonde, that's a easy way of giving to both yourself and someone else at the same time.

Is she in to crafts or trying to find her inner crafter like me? Hobbycraft have so much in the form of crating supplies and ideas. Maybe again like me if she's been suggesting take up a new hobby buying a few pieces from them may help on her way to becoming a crafting Goddess? They're not just about crafts, they sell baking bits and pieces too.


The Grandparents

What Grandparent doesn't love tea? I know it's what I always find myself brewing when the Grandparents come to visit. Now I'm not really a Tea expert but I think you'll find that teapigs are. Why not treat them to something different to the usual tea they drink. They might just find a new favourite with you to thank.

If Tea isn't their thing then why not coffee and why not treat them to the luxury of a Coffee Machine? Morphy Richards have a wide range of Coffee Machines to suit all ages and kitchens. We've been trying out the Elipta Espresso Automatic Coffee Machine and it got a huge thumbs up from the Nana on her last visit. You can use both ground coffee and pods with it.

The Child

From Vtech is the MobiGo where they've just released MobiGo 2 Touch Learn System which comes with cars 2. Reading about it, it sounds like a sneaky way of getting your children to learn at the same time as fun. Could be a possible alternative of a tablet.


Blog Review - Playmobil For Christmas

One DVD that we've already watched that Warner Bros sent us was , the toddler practically ripped this from my hand upon seeing a train on the front cover. You just cant beat Christmas films in the lead up to Christmas. We have a few wrapped up ready to go in his stocking to be watched on Christmas Day.

Blog Review - Mini Micro White Union Jack Scooter.

If your child is like mine and into bugs, vibrating moving toys or should I just say pretty much anything? Then they will love Hexbugs! I've had a Hexbug fan now for the last year and a half and he's not got bored. Pretty much most of his Christmas stocking consists of more bugs and his main present being a few of the Habitat sets. We've been sent one of the new Hexbug warriors to play with, I think it's started a whole new addiction of its own.

The Toddler

Do you have a Cbeebies fan in your household? Why not look at getting them tickets for the Justin & Friends Easter Tour. I'm taking it as a sign that our nearest venue has a show on the toddler's birthday, that's his Birthday all sorted.

Blog Review - John Crane Tildo Blue Balance Bike

Gadget The Robot is the new friend from Vtech who will have your child learning all about numbers, letters, music and much more. I love the fact it reacts to clapping, I have two rather keen clappers in my house.

Blog Review - My 1st JCB On Site Charlie Crane Set

I think my last minute Christmas shopping will be spent searching bookshops for . I'm horrified with myself that I've only just discovered this book. I know just the word 'poop' has my toddler in giggles. He'll would love this as his nighttime book on Christmas Eve.




Blog Review - Fisher Price Wheelies Loops 'N' Swoops Amusement Park



 

The Baby


Ok so not quite a presents but a solution to having to cook for the baby is buying some Ella's Kitchen products. I'm going to be blending some Christmas dinner for him to enjoy but for breakfast he'll most likely be enjoying his usual favourite of mango baby brekkie and for when we visit the grandparents, I'll be popping a sachet in the changing bag. I especially find Ella's Kitchen products handy for when out and about. 


Blog Review - Uggs


Blog Review - Galt Playnest
 

Blog Review - Fisher Price Tracking Lights Gym


 

The Expectant/New Mum 

If she's expecting twins then why not help her out with the double costs and treat her to the B-AGILE double from Britax. I've been using it the last 4 weeks with a 7month old & a 3year old and it's such a smooth ride for both them and me. It could quite possibly be the Queen of double prams. Britax also do a wide range of child seats for birth onwards, I wonder how the baby will feel about receiving the new VERSAFIX as his Christmas present.

If you're a reader of my blog then you'll know I'm a huge fan of all things Stokke. Many of the products would make great gifts for a expecting or a new mother. I know if my husband produced a Xplory for me or a nursery all ready with a Sleepi on display then it would help make Christmas magical for me. I remember stroking my bump last Christmas and now he's going to be having his first Christmas. If you're looking for a gift for someone with a bump, ask them if they plan on using a carrier. I can personally recommend the Stokke MyCarrier, we have the festive colour of red used by our own little one.

For Anyone & Everyone

Picking up gifts in the supermarket may be the key to beating queues and the stress of having to go into town. ASDA sell gifts, toys, clothes and pretty much anything else you may need this Christmas wine, lots of wine.

Shoes! Who doesn't need shoes? Oh pretty shoes. We got our Nephew some trainers from Barratts and for me a early Christmas presents in the form of some boots from Schuh. Both have some great sales going on at the moment. 



And who doesn't need clothes? We've been fans of MandMDirect ever since they've sent us the baby's first outfit to go swimming in. They also sent the toddler a Helly Hansen coat to keep him warm this winter. They sell clothes for everyone as well as shoes and they always have generous offers going on, so go grab a bargain for the new year.

PlayMerrily has gifts for all the children no matter what age they are. You can pick up something for that new baby at the same time as some arts and crafts for the teenager. I've blogged about how we've bought some Christmas Presents from PlayMerrily toys as we like the products/service so much.


Biscuits are welcomed into our house with arms open wide, I already spy a few biscuit shaped boxes in our present pile. Fox's biscuits by far are our favourites! This time of the year our table always bares a box of the fabulously fox's for us to enjoy with our tea/coffee. The husband is a huge fan of rocky so he has the rocky stocking filler in his stocking. 

ShareThis