#AD Gifted Items. Well, I am back with another instalment of my popular Christmas gift guide. Jam packed with inspiration to help you get a head start on your shopping this year. Just remember with postal strikes products can take a little longer to arrive so don’t leave your shopping too late. If you see anything you like among these best gifts for Christmas pop it into your shopping basket right away! I will start with the advent calendars as you need to purchase them first.

Advent Calendars

Tea Advent Calendar

I am quite partial to a cuppa so it has to feature highly in my best gifts for Christmas! So, I am thrilled to introduce you to the Adagio Teas advent calendar (RRP £24.00), what a perfect way to celebrate the season trying lots of different delicious tasting teas over the advent. You have the option to pick loose leaves or teabags and the flavours sound amazing, with gingerbread tea being one of them. I don’t want to give away too much because of the surprise element when you open each of the little doors.

Lindt Advent Calendar

If you want to stick with chocolate, then the Lindt Gold Teddy Sleigh Advent Calendar (RRP £15.00) looks fabulous. You get to enjoy a selection of these irresistible luxurious Swiss chocolates building up to the Gold Teddy itself! The design of the calendar is delightful, shaped like a sleigh and decorated with a cute festive theme. Check out the Lindt Shop to see all the different advent calendars and festive gifts they have.

Hammocks

Hammocks make a fantastic gift for anyone who appreciates relaxing. They can reduce feelings of stress so can help your recipients health and well being, so its a gift that keeps on giving! When they are swinging gently back and fourth in their new hammock they can forget their worries. What a great way to take away the edge after a bad day at the office.  Apparently you can also go off to sleep quicker in a hammock, so if your struggling with sleep why not move it indoors and see how you get on. They often say you will have a deeper sleep too. I think I should be asking my husband to gift me a hammock this Christmas.

Jewellery

Why not pick out a personalised necklace for a loved one. Jewellery is seen as a good choice of gift because it is long lasting and something you can wear everyday. Being able to personalise jewellery can make it more of a sentimental gift. They have some lovely choices over on the Engravers Guild Of London website to help you pick a gift your recipient will treasure.

Slippers

I am all for my comfort at this time of year, trying to stay warm and cosy. I was thrilled to be sent a pair of Moshulu slippers. These are the most gorgeous things and such a joy to wear. The designs are fun, slippers really can be exciting Christmas gifts I promise. I selected the classic spotty slippers called Peanut Brittle. The hard soles are a great idea as they feel nice and safe when your navigating stairs, some slippers are a bit of a trip risk as you flop around them.

But I would say size up, my size 6 felt a little on the small side. However my loss ended up being my mum’s gain so she was over the moon as they fitted her perfectly (she is a size 5). Oh well it gives me an excuse to go slipper shopping at Moshulu at some point. They have so many different designs and styles, from booties to ballerina slippers and the mule to the moccasin. If you have a type of slipper in mind you will most likely find it on their wonderful site.

Messy Play

Crafty Pods are pop up play pens for messy play! They are easy to wipe down and keep clean and can be folded away between uses. All the paint, glitter and play dough can be safely contained inside. Which means you don’t have to feel stressed when your children are enjoying being creative. I was sent the large Craft Pod which currently costs £34.99 (reduced from £43.99) and I think its a great idea. It’s good that children can explore different textures, be curious and get messy! But its also understandable you would want to limit the chaos in your house. These Crafty Pods are the perfect solution for keeping both parents and children happy. So if you have a toddler this might be the ideal Christmas gift for them.

Stationery

 

The Lionheart Tales have a good choice of colouring and crafts supplies. I was sent this Shimmer Frame Kit (RRP £9.99) which is such a lovely set. Your child gets the enjoyment of completing the activity and then can feel a sense of pride displaying it in the included frame. These types of activities help with mindfulness, creativity and hand-eye motor skills, so they have lots of benefits to offer as Christmas gifts. The shop also has air pens, super-washable pens, fine and broad markers and jumbo colouring pencils. Plus you can find activity packs and story books.

Computer Games

Outright Games have lots of new releases available now and in the run up to Christmas. I have included more details on a few of them below.

Paw Patrol: Grand Prix

This racing game from Outright Games will be a firm favourite with Paw Patrol fans as they get to play as the much-loved characters from the show. The racetrack features iconic locations they will be delighted to recognize, and the game is very accessible and easy to play for the intended age range. Your child will especially enjoy unlocking the stickers to customize their karts as they progress in the game.

There are also lots of exciting boosts and powerups like snowballs, water balloons and confetti blasts to try and keep your place in the lead! Plus, you can collect pup treats on the way around so you can unlock your signature attack. There really is plenty to keep your little ones thoroughly entertained this Christmas. It is available in the following formats Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.

My Little Pony

This game will appeal to fans of the show and parents because it has such a lovely message behind it. It is all about the magic of friendship, learning to accept everyone regardless of their differences. However, there is one pony who is running amuck in town trying to ruin the Maretime Bay Day celebrations. Luckily you are on hand to make sure everything goes as planned.

Gameplay is simple to master but lots of fun, nonetheless. Children will enjoy freely exploring Maretime Bay completing tasks for the residents. There is enough variety to hold their interest with the different mini games to play and all the stars to collect to unlock further items to customize your character (Sunny Starscout) such as sunglasses or hats.

The graphics are delightful, lots of cutesy characters, flowers and bunting. The game is available in the following formats Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Dreamworks Dragons Legends of The Nine Realms

This is an exciting adventure filled with dragons, fearsome bosses to fight and crystals to collect that covers very different realms. Navigate through ice, molten lava and darkness recruiting dragon friends to help you on your quest to save the underground kingdoms of dragons and restore peace. You can play as these characters (Plowhorn, Wu & Wei and Feathers) to utilize their special power to progress in the game.

As you explore you have the opportunity to level up your dragon. Increasing your speed, strength and available health to meet the challenges as the game continues and the opponents get much harder to defeat. You will need all your upgrades and attacks as you continue through the realms.

Available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and digitally on Steam.

Board Games

The Sock Game

If you want a game with a bit of a difference this Christmas, you cannot go wrong with The Sock Game (RRP £19.99).  You have a sock each filled with thirty random items, and you have to use your sense of touch to pick out the right object each time. It might sound like a simple concept however The Sock Game offers fast paced fun with a novel twist. You can pretty much guarantee the whole family will want to join in. Your adrenaline will soon be flowing, and the room filled with laughter as you try and improve your sock diving technique to beat the competition!

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Light Years From Home Game

This adventure game is a must for E.T. fans. It will make you feel quite nostalgic as you play cooperatively finding the pieces you need to put together the communication device that E.T. uses to contact his home planet. Elliott, Michael, Greg or Gertie all have their own special abilities and equipment which add to the fun and re-playability of the game.

Just like the film the game captures that timeless and memorable story of friendship and the frustration of the federal agents hot on your heels. In the game you use ramps and shortcuts to try and avoid them, but you do feel a real sense of urgency that adds to the game dynamics! I love the details with the figures, especially the little E.T. to transport around the board in the bike basket.

It’s great to see iconic films as board games thanks to Funko signature games collection. They have portrayed it beautifully with the E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Light Years From Home Game playing cards covering all the classic scenes from the film. I am quite excited they have a Goonies game too!

A Race in Time

If you are looking for an educational board game, then A Race in Time (RRP £29.95) is available from History Heroes. It’s a great way to brush up on your historical knowledge as you answer facts about 120 heroes from history and learn about events that have taken place over the ages.

You also have to think carefully about which heroes you want to keep in your hand as you make your way around the board. At the end of the game all the players will vote to decide who managed to procure the most amazing heroes, which can always lead to interesting debates!

The game has six difficulty levels for the questions. You can move more places with the trickiest questions so it’s a great way to motivate you to keep levelling up your knowledge! You will want to move the maximum number of spaces. The board itself is visually appealing with its marvellous illustrations.

Throw Throw Burrito

If you want to have a more active game, then Throw Throw Burrito (RRP £24.99) could be your go to gift this Christmas. Half card game, half dodgeball it’s certainly a concept you won’t forget! You have the challenge of trying to collect matching cards whilst avoiding airborne burritos.  You could end up in a burrito war, a head to head duel or a bit of a brawl! The guys behind Exploding Kittens always manage to make card games with a difference and I think they have excelled themselves here. You steal points when you hit a player with a burrito! What’s not to love. Very deserving of being another one of my best gifts for Christmas 2022.

Mantis

Pitched as a colour and cutthroat card game of rainbows and revenge it’s hard not to be intrigued by Mantis (RRP £19.99). The developers went with the mantis because it’s a sociopathic undersea party clown with weaponized baseball bats for arms. You have to love the team behind Exploding Kittens with their dark edgy humour. It’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster as you win cards then lose them to your opponents. But its easy to grasp and quick to play so sure to entertain everyone!

Zombie Kittens

We have the other variants of the original Exploding Kittens games and are big fans. I think it’s exciting that they have added a new addition to their line-up! This time with Zombie Kittens (RRP £19.99) you can actually come back from the dead and maybe just maybe go on to win the game even after exploding.  Yes, that’s certainly a way to up the ante of the game and keep you on your toes.

The Very Merry Christmas Game

The board game line up wouldn’t be complete without a Christmas themed game. The Very Merry Christmas Game (£20.00) from Amazon covers everything Christmas in one beautifully festive box. You go around the board collecting presents hoping they are all nice and not naff! But you won’t know until the end how you fared on your journey around the board. The game gets you singing festive songs so even Scourge himself would find this game bringing festive cheer! Just try and avoid the sprout cards!

Jigsaw

Exploding Kittens have expanded into puzzles too now. With them varying in price from £10.00 – £18.00. For added entertainment Cats Playing Chess (RRP £15.00) had thirteen Exploding Kittens characters hidden in the jigsaw which added to our fun. The other jigsaws have little details to spot, so it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

You can enjoy looking for these whilst appreciating the incredible illustrations with vibrant colour. I am sure you will want to build up your collection this Christmas whether you are a fan of jigsaws in general or all things Exploding Kittens. The jigsaws are made from recycled materials and have soy or vegetable based ink. So, they will tick all the boxes for anyone conscious about their impact on the environment.

Toys

Chicco Goal

If your little one is a budding footballer, you cannot go wrong with the Chicco Goal League Pro available at Pramworld for just £31.99 at the moment. It will help develop their skill and keep them active. It has lights and sounds with music and stadium chants so they can get into the spirit of things! Whilst helping keep their attention and improving their ability with the different levels of difficulty. Your toddler will definitely enjoy the excitement of their very own football match with a friend, or they can finetune their skills with the two game modes (penalty kicks and golden goal).

Scooter

A scooter makes a wonderful Christmas gift for your children. It might actually focus their attention away from their consoles and encourage them to be active and get outdoors. So why not have a look at some of the stunt scooters at Skates.co.uk if you need inspiration.

They really do have something for everyone on their website, from folding scooters to electric scooters and trampoline scooters! I did have to look at a picture to see how that would work. Basically, it is a flat base with no wheels situation!!! But children will love improving their skills and tricks on a trampoline, whether they have a trampoline already or you’re planning on buying them one this Christmas.

Being Active

Smart Ball Skills Training Football

Footballs always make popular Christmas gifts. But this is a football with a difference, which means it offers so much more! The Smart Ball (RRP £29.99) can actually help you refine your ability by helping you with your training. The set comes with four cones and the ball has a sensor to guide you as you refine your kick ups, dribbling, toe taps, inside feet, sprinting and passing! It really is a must buy gift for football fans aged 6+ who want to improve their ball control. It is available to buy from Smyths.

Badminton Set

Another gift that is perfect to get children exercising is a badminton set. Over at Badminton HQ they literally have everything badminton related you could possibly need. I was sent a badminton racket and net set (reduced to £39.99) which offered amazing value. It included four rackets, two shuttlecocks, a handy carry case, the net and posts. Badminton helps children build up their strength and co-ordination. It’s good to provide balance at Christmas with a few gifts that incorporate a healthy lifestyle like this set. Especially if you have been buying lots of sweets to pad up Christmas (I hope that’s not just me!).

Revision Guides

They might not be a traditional gift but given how stressful exams can be some Oaka Books revision guides and study resources can take the edge off those looming GCSE and entrance exams. Why not gift up some of these topic guides as a package with some dark chocolate as it contains antioxidants which supports brain function! Then add some fun pens and colourful post-it notes.

My eldest used one of the topic guides to revise for a recent Physics exam and got an A*, so I would say they work well! They have developed them to appeal to visual learners and can make it easier for memorizing and retaining information.

Calendars

Calendars make a great gift; they are practical and help keep your recipient organised! I would be lost without my calendar and diary. Danilo have got you covered with plenty of inspiration in terms of what calendars and diaries you could buy. They are the leading publisher of licensed calendars and use responsibly sourced paper. Also they have such lovely themes, from cute images to your favourite shows (like Stranger Things and House of the Dragon) or football teams.

They have calendars for gamers and music fans. The family organizer calendars help five members of the family keep track of all their appointments, so they can be a great idea for getting some kind of order to hectic family life!

They really do have something for everyone in the family with lots of different formats too, whether you want a slim or mini calendar or a desk easel calendar or a wall calendar. I think my favourite are the gift boxes which cost £19.99 or £24.99. They make such an attractive gift with a keepsake box and come complete with a pen, calendar and diary. The Pusheen set I was sent is adorable!

Drinks

Wine

You can’t beat a quality bottle of wine as a Christmas gift. I was sent this Ca’ di Rajo “Rosé Brut” Prosecco Treviso DOC Millesimato 2019 an elegant pink Prosecco with a touch of Pinot Noir bursting with flavours of ripe berries (strawberry, cranberry and raspberry). It was featured in Decanter as part of “Best Prosecco under £20: Top picks”. You can pick it up for £15.95. Independent Wine have plenty of other choices to inspire you this Christmas with their award winning vintages from Italy.

Spice Kitchen

They have amazing spice tins available from the Spice Kitchen which are so aromatic. I picked out the gin botanicals set for £30 and it smelt incredible when it arrived in the post. I have added them in the drinks section because this particular set will transform your gin making sure its bursting with flavour! Each of their tins has seven fragrant botanicals. This set included rose petals, citrus peel, pink peppercorns, cardamom pods, star anise, juniper berries and coriander seeds.

In the gin set you get a recipe booklet to learn to make the most professional looking drinks using vodka as a base. I would recommend paying the extra £5 to have it gift wrapped in a recycled silk sari, it looks beautiful. Plus the seamstresses who help sew the sari’s have been picked as part of a conscious effort to provide employment opportunities to those that might struggle to find work normally.

It’s also worth noting they have lots of other spice tins, International chili collection, Moroccan spice, Indian spice, Middle Eastern & African spice, World spice blends & rubs and flavoured sea salts. So also bear them in mind for any gifts for foodies you want to buy.

Experience Vouchers

Buyagift have plenty of choice in terms of experience vouchers which make the best gifts for Christmas. You can pick up vouchers to a certain value or a specific experience such as theatre tickets, a helicopter tour, supercar driving, afternoon tea or a weekend away. There are too many different experiences to list them all, its fun to browse the site and see what would take their fancy. We have used them in the past usually for afternoon tea but other things too like my eldest son’s superdriving experience. They have fantastic customer service support and quickly and efficiently handle any queries you have.

I love that the recipient can always exchange their voucher for a different experience if they decide something isn’t quite for them. Maybe they aren’t as much of a adrenaline junkie as you thought and would prefer a spa day or a chocolate making class! It’s wonderful being able to give a gift that will really appeal to the recipient.

Technology

The urbanista mobile gaming earphones would go down a treat with all the gamers out there. I live with three of them so I should know. What I love is their effortless style. The colours are gorgeous! I was sent the SEOUL vivid purple earphones (RRP £89.90) but they also come in midnight blue, midnight black and pearl white. They give you unrivaled immersion and are sleek and compact. They really do look great and deliver what they promise. Going wireless can transform your game play, wires just tie you down and get in the way. They have a playtime of eight hours so even seasoned gamers should be covered with that generous playtime.

Bath time

If your looking for Christmas stocking ideas then the Mini U award winning products are a great starting point. I always find Christmas stockings a bit tricky, but for younger children these will be an instant hit. They are even suitable from newborn.

Also I am a big fan of the fact the products are not tested on animals and do not contain microplastics so all the more reason to stock up. You can get a pack of three cloud bath bombs (£8.99) that will transform their bath time into something more truly magical with its rainbow colours! Or how about some strawberry bubble bath (£4.99), what a gorgeous fragrance! All the products have been designed for sensitive skin and are allergen free. I think my favourite product has to be the bath crayons (£5.75) so children have a chance to be creative in the bathtub.

Hopefully you will have plenty of ideas now, there really is something for everyone in this lovely lot!