Who loves a holiday gift guide? Me me me! A quick search will produce endless ideas for the perfect gift … for the reckless cook, for the wandering world traveller, for the wannabe gardener, for the attention craving rock star, for the energetic pet lover and for the lovers lover. There are gift guides for just about everything under the sun. So while I was on the hunt for all my special gifts, I kept thinking of one of my favourite parts of Christmas Day … cracking into the stockings!
In our home, it’s always a balancing act of a champagne mimosa in one hand (cheers) & a mysterious treasure hunt with the other. What’s hiding down that endless sock of surprises & unexpected treats? Will I love it or hate it? Will I secretly steal one of my sister’s stuffers & claim it as my own? Will I eat all the sweet treats & forget to share? Will I laugh so hard that my mimosa will go everywhere? Yes, guilty.
So I thought I’d share with you an inspiration guide to stuffing those stockings with crush worthy items – items that others will lust & fight over and will make you the hero on Christmas morning. I tried my best to keep items under £20 too.
It always starts with SOMETHING FUNNY
Who said a smile is a great sign of success? For the stocking stuffers, it’s all about getting a laugh. We love playing games on Christmas Day & making right fools of ourselves. Especially when mum starts a heated political debate or family drama whirls into a frenzy over whose recipe is the cran relish or the bottle of expensive bubbles has gone missing … stuff the stockings with one of these & you are sure of an instant laughable distraction.
Shop the look clockwise: School of Life ‘Am I Normal‘ game £10 (why is the answer always no?); Ridley Games at Heals ‘Sing it back‘ game £9 (aka sign me up for The Voice); Oliver Bonas ‘Bad Santa Photo Booth Kit‘ £8 (Insta stories here we come); Rockett St George ‘Football Goal‘ £8.99 playing cards (yawn); Crafta La Vista ‘crappy nappy wrap‘ £4.75 (brilliant); Not on the High St ‘Man Flu‘ tea remedy £4.95 (its real).
Followed immediately by SOMETHING YUMMY
Treats. Treats. Treats. These goodies will keep everyone buzzing and happy too. The sweet. The savoury. The decadent. The indulgent. The energy boost. It’s all there and ready to be consumed & fought over immediately.
Shop the look clockwise: Coco Chocolatier ‘Isle of Skye Sea Salt Bar‘ £4.50 (always go luxe with chocolate); C&B at Heals ‘cheddar cheese crumbles‘ £3 (the savoury equivalent of chocolate); Edinburgh Gin ‘the gin liqueur sampler‘ £12 (just add prosecco); Oliver Bonas ‘spreadable whiskey marmalade‘ £10 (now we are talking); Daylesford Farm ‘fruit & nut brittle‘ £8.99 (something to share) ; Iam.Nomad ‘coconut & passionfruit tea by Nicolas Vahe’ £12 (elegant & classy).
Keep the Christmas AHHH when the everyday BLAHH sinks in.
Let’s face it, the weeks after Christmas can be a real downer. So here are a few ideas to add to a little spring into someone’s everyday routine.
Shop the look clockwise: Eleanor Bowmer ‘leopard tea towels‘ £10 (hello, meow); Hex and Ginger ‘2019 planner‘ £11.50 (jungalowstyle done right); Monday Market ‘abstract card holder‘ £13.36 (inner artist in a corporate job); Graham & Green ‘ben the beetle tray‘ £12 (for all those random coins & keys); Catalog ‘Doiy burrito socks‘ £11.95 (why not bring the fun, note there are sushi socks too); Bon Tot ‘bamboo & silicone eCoffee cup‘ £7.95 (go on elevate the morning brew).
Add a bit of GLITZ
It’s really self explanatory, yes? Every outfit needs that statement piece & every space needs a bit of bling bling too. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge. You could go big or you can keep it simple & some fun. It’s all about the wow.
Shop the look clockwise: KakaobyK ‘tortoise multi colour earrings‘ £19 (just say yes); Kate Sheridan ‘metallic earbud case‘ £6.50 (truly rock n roll); Rockett St George ‘drinks coasters‘ £18 (your cocktails deserve it); Graham & Green ‘gold peacock spoons‘ £21 (glam up the sugar); Bohemia Design ‘prism stacking rings‘ £21 (everyday bling); Men’s Society ‘gold flask‘ £30 (go on splurge, the whiskey will thank you).
Then the time sets in for the GREAT ESCAPE
Oh yes, we all know that feeling and the need for a mid day pampering or chill out. Maybe the mimosas & chocolates are starting to wear off? Maybe you’ve misplaced the Edinburgh Gin sampler (or someone else drank it)? Maybe you just want a fresh glow with your bling bling. Or maybe you want to upstage siblings in the family pics.
Shop the look clockwise: Caudalie at Space NK ‘vinosource sampler‘£10 (yes, pretty please); Skandinavisk at Lifestory ‘hygge scented candle‘ £16.95 (have a namaste moment); Banks Lyon Botanical ‘English rose & white geranium bath soak‘ £3.75 (take me away); Hylamide at Deciem ‘glow‘ £20 (skin goals); Men’s Society ‘damn handsome beard kit‘ £25 (enough said); Claus Porto at Catalog ‘musgo real citrus shaving cream‘ £18.95 (luxurious shave); Method online ‘evolve cacao & orange lip balm‘ £10 (keep those lips ready for the mistle toe); Oliver Bonas ‘jet setter kit‘ £8.95 (hint hint, ready for the tropics).
And just because it ROCKS
Some items don’t need a reason why, they just scream “I’m cool, you must own me or give me to your favourite person on the planet”.
Shop the look clockwise: Love Franki ‘leopard salt & pepper shakers‘ £15 (hear me roar); Bohemia Design ‘giant colourful tassel‘ £9.50 (life doesn’t exist without tassles); Tom Pigeon ‘play pocket notebook set‘ £12.50 (be super stylish while jotting notes); Graham & Green ‘cactus shot glasses‘ £18 (tequila never looked so good); Tate Modern ‘iconic architecture cards‘ £12 (just because).
So that’s a wrap of the things to crush over and turn your stocking stuffers into the most talked about pieces on the block. Eeeek. I’m off to get a few myself. Hope you are enjoying the lead up to the big day and are ready for ho ho ho Santa & his reindeer arriving.
Cheers,
Liz xx
liznylon designs 