Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2019

I know a lot of people don't think much of Valentine's Day and see it as another way for brands to make money, but I personally love it! It's been an occasion I look forward to each year ever since George and I first celebrated it (this years is our 8th!) and I just think it's an extra way to show how much you care and an excuse to treat one another. We don't spend loads and the day is usually pretty normal but it's still nice to pick a few presents up so I thought a gift guide with some of the bits I have my eye on might be useful for you!

Vanilla Reindeer Personalised Gifts*

I love a personalised gift so I was thrilled to receive a few bits from Vanilla Reindeer to share with you! There are several items available for Valentine's Day including cards and gift bags but the bits I chose were - one of their bottle boxes and the 9 chocolates gift box and I personalised both items, which was incredibly easy to do. I loved how simple the process was of adding text and photos (the website is also mobile friendly so easy to do on the go!) and I was so impressed with the quality of them when they arrived. With the chocolates I went for the Favourite Husband design £11.99 and I added a photo of George and I. This contains 9 beautiful truffles - 3x smooth milk, 3x white lemon, 3x intense dark and I can confirm they all taste incredible! There were lots of options to choose from when it came to gift bags and boxes but the Game Of Thrones bottle box £6.99, stood out to me, anyone else incredibly excited for the new series?! This came already put together which I wasn't expecting so that was a nice surprise, and again the photos had turned out just as I was hoping. This is great if you want to treat someone to a fancy bottle of wine, or maybe something a bit different like a bottle of whiskey? A final thing to mention about Vanilla Reindeer is that direct delivery is possible so great if you're away but want to surprise someone. If you want to place an order, use the code LOVE30PR for a 30% discount!

Ross & Ross The Man Box*

Now this may be called The Man Box but really it's perfect for anybody! Ross & Ross have collaborated with some of the best artisan producers in the Cotswolds to bring you a hamper with the finest products so if you're not sure what to get your partner, this could be a great idea. The Man Box which is priced at £22, contains a refreshing Premium Cotswold Lager, the award winning British Charcuterie Original Salami which is based on the French 'Rosette' De Lyon, Mr Trotter's Great British Original Crackling and finally, a Smoked Apple Chutney. All of these items are ideal for snacking or for sharing with your partner, maybe as part of a cheese board or a starter on Valentine's Day? I love that it's different to the usual hampers you find in stores at this time of year, they also tend to be extremely expensive too so a smaller one like this could be perfect. It's full of high quality products that you're both sure to enjoy!

Prezzybox Movie Night In Set - £12

If you love a movie night, or if you're film fanatics like us, then this night in set from Prezzybox is such a fab idea! No need to go out to the cinema, create your own in the comfort of your own home. This set contains a popcorn bucket and 2 retro style cups which are perfect for all of your snacks! Something else I spotted on the Prezzybox website was the personalised Toblerone bar too. It's a little pricey at £12.99 but could be a great addition to the movie night!

Lush Bath Bombs - Starts at £3.50

I don't often buy from Lush anymore as I do think their prices have become a little bit ridiculous over the last year or so but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to resist their Valentine's range. These could be perfect for your partner if they love a pamper evening! I'm hoping I might get the Peach bath bomb for Valentine's which is £3.95.

Clintons Sausage Dog Keyrings £5

I love the idea of this. It's a two part keyring so you can both have one half and it's sausage dogs which are just one of the cutest things ever. I think little gifts like this are lovely!

Paperchase Lunch Box Notes £3.50

If you want to be extra cute, these lunch box notes are perfect. It contains 25 printed cards, each with a different message, perfect to sneak into your partners lunch, something to make their day.

Chocolate 🍫🍫🍫

You can't go wrong with a box of chocolates at Valentine's. Whether you just want to spend a little, or splash out, there is so much available at the moment. On the cheaper side, I love these Milk Chocolate Hearts from Hotel Chocolat. They're only £2.50. If you want to spend a bit more, I think the chocolate gift sets from M&S are brilliant. The one that stood out to me is the Taste Of Belgium set which is £30 and contains flaked truffles, a biscuit tin, chocolate classics and a smaller biscuit selection.

I hope this gift guide has given you some inspiration for Valentine's Day! There are so many lovely gifts out at the moment so it's definitely worth taking a look around.

*Products marked with a * are PR samples/gifted items

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Valentines Gift Guide For Her #2 featuring Treats Direct*

I put a general Valentines gift guide up last week and today I have another because I just keep finding so many wonderful gifts that I had to share! If you've not already seen I've also spoken about giving the gift of sleep this year with Feather and Down and creating something Unique with Printiki so if you're still stuck for inspiration, hopefully those might help too! I've called this a gift guide for her but really a lot of these are perfect for everyone, and also who says you even need a partner to buy any of these? If you're single this Valentines, why not treat yourself?!

The first thing I wanted to mention in this gift guide is Treats Direct, a sweet subscription box! Subscription boxes are so popular now from beauty, to self care, to healthy snacks and so much more so it makes sense that you can also get them for all of your favourite sweet treats. With Treats Direct you can choose to receive a box either every week or every other week and what you get inside is a total surprise. There are so many sweets available including Bonbons, Cherry Cola Bottles, Choc Nibbles, Flying Saucers, Foam Bears, Fizzy Peaches and so many more, the list is endless! With Valentines coming up in just a few days, Treats Direct are currently doing Valentines themed boxes and you can get one for just £3.99. If you're unsure of what to buy for a loved one, well one of these could be perfect! I was sent one of the themed boxes to try and I was so impressed with what was included. Cherries are one of my favourites so I was very happy to see those. I really like how everything was packaged as they all had their own little section making them very secure and the box itself was great as it can easily fit through the letterbox. If you want to get one of these boxes in time for Valentines, make sure you place your order before midnight on Saturday 10th!

Whilst the Valentine boxes are available to gift, I just wanted to show you another example of their usual boxes. The one I received had a nice variety of sweets and I honestly couldn't wait to tuck into it! When ordering one of these boxes, if it's your first you can get it for just £2.49!

Next I want to mention some great foodie bits that I've found online. If you don't want to spend too much then I think Love Hearts are always a winner. George got me a little pack our first Valentines so they always make me smile now whenever I have them, and I absolutely love the look of this huge tube of them from Wilkinsons. You don't have to spend loads to show someone you love them, so sticking with that, how cute is this Chupa Chups Bouquet! It contains 19 lollies for £3.50 and I think it's such a funny little gift that is so different to anything else. Now onto tea because who doesn't love a good cup of tea on a cold day? Twinings have some lovely gift sets for such reasonable prices. If caramel is your thing then how perfect is this Caramel Indulgence Set? It's £16 but it contains Apple Indulgence Green Tea, Monin Caramel Syrup, Monty Bojangles Truffles and a beautiful Tokyo Design Studio Geometric Mug. I think all of that for that price is really reasonable. Another set Twinings are currently selling is their Be My Valentine Set which is £14. This has a big tub of chocolate truffles and a limited edition English Breakfast Tea Caddy. One place I very rarely think to look at online is TK Maxx but I always spot great finds whenever I do. For people like me who love to bake then Cupcake Kits like this one are such a brilliant choice. I love the little toppers that are included with this! I'm always a fan of supermarkets for Valentines gifts and Sainsburys are completely winning it this year for me! I love this Lunch Box Set which is so handy for work or university and it's only £8.

Sticking with Sainsburys I'm also obsessed with this adorable pair of keyrings! Anything dog related is a winner for me so I know I would be extremely happy to see something like this on Valentines day. I really like gifts like this where both you and your partner have something to keep. The last thing I found on Sainsburys is the Professor Puzzle Perfect Match Game. I think if you don't want to spend loads on just one day of the year then little novelty gifts like this are a good option. It's £3.50 and I'm now totally regretting not getting it for George. Another budget friendly option is these quirky mugs from B&M and they are such a bargain at only £1.99 each! They have quite a few to choose from and all of them have a little saying on them. B&M have quite a few valentines gifts to choose from and they're all so cheap so definitely check them out if you don't want to spend too much. The final thing on this gift guide is these Big Spoon, Little Spoon Pillowcases from John Lewis and they actually have quite a few other couples options to choose from too!

I know Valentines is only one day out of the year but I always get excited about it. It's nice to treat your other half when you can and if you do buy presents, they don't have to be expensive at all. I hope if you've been stuck for ideas that this gift guide and my previous ones have helped a little bit, and don't forget to check out Treats Direct for a sweet surprise each month!

*This gift guide features products sent to me by Treats Direct. The rest I found myself online. I only work with brands relevant to me and my blog

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Valentines Gift Guide For Her #1

There have been two Valentines gift ideas up over the last few weeks, the first one being personalised prints from Printiki and the second being some lovely products from Feather and Down. Like most years though, I'm also doing a few general valentines gift guides because I've seen some really unique bits online that I had to share.

The first place I've seen some really cute gifts is actually the Card Factory. If you're on more of a budget or just don't want to spend loads because lets face it, valentines is only one day out of the year, then you should definitely have a little look. I've bought things from here most years because they are so cheap and they always do a wide variety of things. The first thing that caught my eye this year was the Valentines Rose Ornament which is £3.99. It's very Beauty and the Beast and it's something that can always be kept in your home. A little keepsake which might be a nice idea is the Message In A Bottle which is only £1.99. You can write your own message inside or just keep it as a cute ornament. If you're looking for something that can go in the home then these Ceramic Keepsake Plaques are perfect! These are £4.99 and you get three and they look really good quality with lovely sayings on each one. If regular date nights are your thing then this box of Date Cards might be a good choice. It's £3.99 and it gives you ideas of different things you and your partner can do for a romantic date night. It can be hard to come up with new ideas of places to go so things like this are a big help. Lastly if you're planning a romantic breakfast in bed, then Card Factory have a load of different balloons which I think would look so nice in the room. Just little things like this are such a good idea and aren't expensive at all.

For me it isn't valentines without chocolate but if you don't want to splash out loads then Hotel Chocolate have some ideal gifts. This year they have little boxes of Milk Chocolate Hearts for only £2.50 and you can choose from a variety of sayings on the front. If you want to get a bit more than that then Cadbury Direct have some amazing hampers available. I like the look of the Love Treasure Box which is £10 and contains a double layered milk tray box, a mini roses box and a selection of popular chocolate bars. Now onto personalised gifts which I think are always nice to receive. Not On The High Street are one of my favourites for quirky gifts and currently I love the Personalised Map Of The Stars Print. This is definitely on the more pricey side but if you want to go all out and pick something really special then this is perfect. You can pick a location, date and time and it will show the way the stars were at that exact moment. A gift that I think is perfect for a blogger is the Personalised Metallic Leaf Design Makeup Bag. It looks a really decent size and is so pretty. Now a few bits from Next, their Just Pink Perfume is one of my favourites and not only does it smell beautiful, it looks it too. Another thing I think is perfect for a blogger, because we all love our props for photos is this Eyelash Jewellery Dish.

If you're wanting to go all out with gift wrap this valentines then Pretty Gifted have got you covered! On their website you can create your own wrapping paper, choose whatever colour, font, and wording that you want and they'll create it for you. It's such a simple process and takes no time at all. I got the chance to personalise my own wrapping paper for Valentines this year so I went for red paper, arro font, rainbow foil and my message said Mr & Mrs with a ring icon. What's great about this process is that you can preview it every step of the way and can really see what you like the most before ordering. Like I said when I featured Pretty Gifted in one of my Christmas Gift Guides, you can instantly tell the paper is good quality and it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy at all. It arrives perfectly packaged so no damage can be done on it's way to you and it also comes with a gift tag and gel pen which is such a nice extra touch. If you want anymore information about Pretty Gifted or if you want to create your own, check out their website here and make sure you use my discount code - tiffany18val for 10% off your order!

It seems to have taken quite a while for most places to bring our their Valentines stock this year but now there are so many romantic and unique gifts available. From the cheaper keepsakes to more expensive personalised gifts, whatever you're after, hopefully you've found this useful and it's given you some inspiration! I'll have another Valentines gift guide up soon so keep an eye out for that!

*Affiliate links used in this post. Personalised wrapping paper gifted for the purpose of this post

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Christmas With Botanics - Gift Guide*

I've managed to do quite a few Christmas Gift Guides this year which I'm very happy about but today I have one more for you and then that's it for 2017! How is Christmas so close already?! Todays gift guide is all about Botanics skincare so might be worth reading if you know somebody who is really into their beauty products!

Botanics Skincare just seem to have grown and grown in popularity over this last year, and I've seen so many bloggers enjoying their products, so they clearly work for lots of people. If you've not heard of them though, hopefully this post will give you a little insight into what this natural skincare brand is all about and what brilliant products they do. There are a number of ranges available at Boots from Botanics and they are all targeted at specific skin types so I thought I'd go through them and tell you a few of my faves from each one.

All Bright 

This range is perfect for those who suffer with dull skin and need something to liven it up a little bit! Hibiscus is the main feature in this range so it smells absolutely beautiful which I always think is pretty important, and there are a variety of products you can choose from to try and make a little difference to your skin. Cleansing, Toning, Exfoliating and much more, this range has your whole skincare routine covered. Products like their 3-in-1 Micellar Solution are brilliant for removing every trace of makeup and the Night Cream is a great one for keeping your skin looking healthy and in tip top condition.

Radiant Youth 

The Radiant Youth range is brilliant for targeting the early signs of ageing. Infused with a cocktail of anti-oxidents from the Ginko plant, these products help keep your skin looking younger and healthier. Products like the Nourishing Eye Cream can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark circles and the Microdermabraison Polish helps to exfoliate away any dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to boost brightness and luminosity.

Organic 

Infused with Organic Rosehip extract, this range is rich in omegas and essential fatty acids, all nourishing skin foods which can help with a healthy complexion. The gentle formula leaves skin feeling so soft and smooth and like the other ranges, there are so many different products to choose from. The product that really intrigues me from this range is the Hot Cloth Cleanser. It's a little different to usual hot cloth cleansers from other brands as it's a balm rather than a cream and I personally think it's a great one to use during the week for a little skincare pamper. It just melts into the skin, removing any traces of makeup and really hydrates any dry areas. Other products in this range which are a little different but worth picking up are the Facial Oil which is non-greasy, fast absorbing and locks in moisture for hours, and the Rosewater Toning Spritz which leaves skin feeling refreshed and revitalized, I imagine this is even better to use during the warmer months!

Hydration Burst

 My favourite of the ranges, Hydration Burst is perfect for those wanting to nourish dry skin. The products in the range are infused with soothing Clary Sage extract, this was chosen because of its self activating ability to store water in dry conditions. The colder months can really dry skin out and leave it in a pretty horrible condition so this range especially is great for helping combat that. My absolute favourite product from the range is the Micellar Cleanser which removes makeup so quickly and effectively. It leaves skin feeling so refreshed and clean and it's a product I'll definitely be picking up in future. It's currently on offer for £4.66 instead of £6.99 so if you're in need of a new micellar water, I really recommend this one. Other products in the range worth considering are the Day Lotion which leaves skin feeling supple and smooth and also the Day Cream.

Botanics have really impressed me over the last few months and are definitely worth looking into if you're wanting some new skincare items to try or if you know someone who is into their beauty and skincare routines. With so many ranges available for all different skin types, there really is something for everyone and all at affordable prices that won't break the bank. If you're already sorted for Christmas then maybe few of these items could be good to pick up in the future for maybe a little self care package or a little birthday hamper? Botanics are perfect to use all year round so definitely keep them in mind!

Have you ever tried any skincare from Botanics before?

*Botanics products sent for the purpose of this post. I only work with brands relevant to me and my blog. Affiliate links used in this post

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Homeware Christmas Gift Guide - 2017

I personally love receiving homeware gifts at Christmas, there is just something so nice about unwrapping something that can take pride of place in one of the rooms, whether that's a candle, photo frame, ornaments, anything really, I just love adding new bits to our home. If you're know someone who isn't really into beauty or fashion or you're just a bit stuck for ideas, then hopefully some of these homeware items I've found will help you, there are so many nice bits out this year.

Phone & Tablet Stand* 

Do you ever have that dilemma where you're cooking and have to keep going back to your phone and looking at the recipe? or do you ever just want to sit your phone down in one room with some music on and get on with all the cleaning? Well if you do, then this phone and tablet stand from A Place For Everything could be a great choice for you, or any friends or family members you're currently shopping for. This stylish, solid oak stand fits any phone perfectly and would make a great addition to the living room for Christmas parties or in the kitchen on Christmas day, to just make life a little bit easier. Finished in solid oak and handmade in Wales by local designers, each piece is branded with the words 'myPad' and I personally think it looks much more expensive than it is. Currently priced at £20, this is an excellent choice for those prone to misplacing their tablet or phone.

Cancer Research UK Homeware 

This year I really wanted to feature some bits from different charities as so many do lovely things that would make perfect gifts, and are often overlooked! Starting with Cancer Research UK, you can find lots of homeware items on their website ranging from blankets to cushions and even candles, aswell as so much more. A few of my favourites are the Tartan Winter Blankets which are only £3.99, what a bargain, and how soft do they look! A blanket never goes amiss in winter, and also the Stag Cushion which is £5.99, makes the perfect addition to a room this Christmas. Lastly, I love this Robin Hot Water Bottle. A hot water bottle on a cold night is just heaven and how cute is this one? It's £3.99 which I think is a pretty brilliant price! Given that these are all under £10 they won't break the bank and will make wonderful stocking fillers.

Candles Are Always A Good Idea 

 A candle can never be a bad present can it? I truly believe you can never have too many, when one runs out I like to have another ready to go so the more the merrier. There are so many candles I could feature in this post but the one I finally decided on was the Prosecco one from Next which is currently £6. I featured it in my October favourites and I'm really considering picking a few more up as it's such a gorgeous scent and would make a fabulous gift for someone. Not only does it just look really sleek and chic but it has comes in a gorgeous box and just looks so much more expensive than it actually is. With candles it can be tricky sometimes if you're not sure exactly what someones taste is or what colours they like to go for in each room but I think this is just really classic and would look lovely in just about any room. Next have so many gifts and candles in at the moment, including a Bellini one and Gin Fizz one so definitely check them out this year!

Great Ormond Street Mugs 

 Another charity to shop at this year is Great Ormond Street. They have a lovely range of homeware to choose from including cups and travel mugs which feature designs done by the children who are cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 100% of the profits made from the range goes towards helping the hospital so it's really such a worthy cause and worth considering this year. My favourites this year are the Latte style mug and the Reusable drinks mug which are both £5. Whether you're out running errands or just relaxing at home, both of these are perfect and are sure to brighten up wherever you are. You can find so many festive gifts on the website here including notebooks, calendars and crafty kits, all really well priced!

Dogs Trust Gifts 

 The last charity I wanted to mention in this gift guide is Dogs Trust, one I personally donate to every month. I've had a look at their gifts in the past and considered them but this year they really do have loads to choose from, you are spoilt for choice! One of my favourites which I think could be perfect if know someone with a little four legged friend of your own is this Wooden Photo Frame which is £7.99. It's a rustic style frame with hanging heart detail and heart shaped inner frame, and I'm sure it would be a lovely gift to unwrap. I also love these two hanging Christmas decorations, the yellow labrador and the dachshund, both £7.95. I love that they're so different to other christmas decorations people might have and the little ribbon and silver bell on them is so cute. Lastly, more mugs because can you ever have too many? This golden retriever one is adorable and perfect for the cold months for lots of hot cups of tea and hot chocolates. It's only £5.99 and they also have loads of others to choose from.

Pretty Gifted Personalised Gift Wrap* 

So this isn't a homeware gift but I really wanted to include this personalised wrapping paper from Pretty Gifted in a gift guide. Pretty Gifted allow you to create your own luxury wrapping paper, in a matter of minutes and it's so easy to do. First of all you can choose from a collection of quality papers in an array of luxury colours, then pick from 5 fonts, select your favourite metallic foil, write your message and then you can add a little extra icon, but that's it! The colour I chose was peppermint and I went for copper foil as I just thought those two would go well together. I kept the text simple with 'Happy Christmas' and I chose a little Christmas tree icon and I just love how it looks. You can tell instantly the paper is good quality and it arrives packaged perfectly so no damage can be done during delivery and it even comes with a little gift tag and a gel pen which is a nice extra touch. I think this is such a good idea for wrapping those special Christmas presents this year and well worth considering, I personally can't wait to get started! If you want anymore information or want to create your own wrapping paper, check out their website here.

I hope if you love homeware as much as me this gift guide has given you a few ideas. I love everything I managed to include and I'm so glad there are a few bits from charities too as they all have some really wonderful gifts in for Christmas.

Have you made a start on your Christmas shopping yet?

This Weeks Gift Guides - Womens // Mens // Food #1 // Food #2

*Products marked with a * were sent for the purpose of this post. I only work with brands I feel are relevant to me and my blog. Affiliate links used in this post

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Mens Christmas Gift Guide - 2017*

I think something most of us can agree on, men are incredibly difficult to buy for. I genuinely struggle every year when it comes to buying presents for George and even though I think I do okay, I'm always a little worried on the day, that what I got could just look totally random! They just never give us much of an idea of what they want do they? So that's why I love doing these Christmas gift guides, to hopefully give other people a bit of inspiration when it comes to buying for the men in their life as it really can be a struggle!

Printsome Personalised T-shirts* 

I think personalised gifts are always nice, whether they are a special sentimental gift or if you're just looking for something that's a bit of a novelty present, you can always find some great things online which you can add your own touch to. The place I wanted to mention this year is Printsome who are a London T-shirt printing agency that offer their personalised service all over the UK. On their website you can personalise T-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, polo shirts, vest tops, aprons, workwear, sportswear, headwear, bags and accessories, just about everything, and you can add pretty much what you like. The process is so easy to do and takes very little time and delivery is within 5-10 days so good if you tend to leave Christmas presents until the last few weeks of December! If you're looking for something a little personal this year then definitely have a look at the website here.

AT Cross Stationery* 

I really don't think you can go wrong with stationery as a gift whether you're buying for men or women. Everyone needs notebooks, pens, diaries etc, they are always useful and a lot of the time you don't realise you need them until you've ran out, so getting them as a gift is always helpful I think. You can buy stationery from just about anywhere now, I got a lovely little set from Asos last year for George for a really great price, but if you're looking for something specific then AT Cross stationery could be the place for you. They do a wide range of stationery products but the one I really like is this Star Wars themed Sheaffer R2-D2 Rollerball Pen. It's got a unique design, looks very stylish and is comfortable to use. It's £16 which is definitely pricey for a pen but if you really want to splash out on someone and treat them to something you know they'll like, then this is definitely worth considering. They do a few different Star Wars products so lots more to choose from that would make great presents. Perfect if you know someone who is into the films and is a big fan.

Star Wars Travel Mug* 

 Sticking with the Star Wars theme, this travel mug from A Place For Everything is great for those on the go who have a love for the films. Now we're fully into Autumn and the cold has really started, travel mugs are just brilliant and really needed on frosty mornings on the way into work. Holding 475ml of your favourite hot drink, this travel mug is easy to fill, refill and clean and the lid clip gives easy access to your drink whilst preventing any spillage on your travels. You can choose from Yoda, Stormtrooper or Darth Vader and each travel mug is £8. I think practical gifts like this are always a good choice and one of these saves spending money each day at a local coffee shop!

Encona Hot Sauces* 

 If you know someone who is a bit of a foodie or likes experimenting with cooking then things like this Encona Carolina Reaper Chilli Sauce could be a quirky little stocking filler! You might think this is a bit of a random one but you can get so many different food gifts now from all sorts of places and I really do think they make great presents, and they are also great to add to hampers if that's the route you're going down. This hot and fruity sauce contains the hot Carolina Reaper Chilli blended with tomatoes, garlic, cumin and orange, so a whole range of flavours and you can add it to a load of different meals! It's a perfect little present for any spicy food fanatics you know and as it's limited edition, it's definitely worth picking up while you can. Instead of sticking to the usual brands, why not try something from Encona?

Badger Ales IPA Beer*

 Alcohol can be a great present to give at Christmas and this year Badger Ales have a brand new addition, 'An American Adventure'. Badgers Ales have been brewing in the heart of the Dorset countryside since 1777 and they are one of the leading independent brewers in the UK. They wanted to take inspiration from other countries with a rich brewing heritage and that's how this beer came about. Just awarded a UK silver in the World Beer Awards, IPA category, this combination of Amarillo, Mosaic and Cascade hops with a classic American ale yeast, results in a refreshing West Coast style beer.  A unique IPA beer like this could be an excellent present for anyone you know who is into their beer, whether that be your partner, dad, brother etc, it's a brilliant choice. It's available at Ocado and Waitrose for £2.19 a bottle or 2 for £4 so really reasonably priced!

Novelty Books 

Lastly, I think novely gifts are always fun. Little books available from places like Boots, Paperchase and even supermarkets are a funny little stocking filler and don't often cost much either. I've bought George little books like this a few times and this year one I've picked up (and given to him early because I'm just eager) is this Manfulness one from Boots which was £5. It's half series, half jokey and I just thought it was a bit of a different gift to everything else I've picked up already. This is a bit of a tongue in cheek book which features topics on mindful pint drinking to ways to cope with stressful life events like meeting the parents, and there are even a few activities in there. If you need a few final gifts for someone or don't want to spend loads then this is definitely worth considering.

I hope all of these things have given you some inspiration for gifts this Christmas. It really can be so hard coming up with new ideas each year but there are some great things out at the moment so really worth looking around!

*Products marked with a * were sent for the purpose of this post. I only work with brands relevant to me and my blog. Affiliate links used in this post

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Food & Drink Christmas Gift Guide - 2017 #2*

Yesterdays blog post was my first Food and Drink Christmas gift guide (you can find that here) and today I have the second one for you! There were just too many things I wanted to include this year so I had to split it into two posts, hopefully both will give you some ideas for gifts this year and some of the things included are brilliant for hampers if you're putting something like that together.

Meantime's Brewery Tour and Chocolate Porter Beer* 

Starting with alcohol because a lot of people like a little drink over the festive period. Meantime's Chocolate Porter and Brewery Tours could be the unique gift you're looking for. Meantime's Chocolate porter is a perfect beer to enjoy at Christmas. Brewed using four different roasted malts, there's a mocha taste that's aided by the addition of real chocolate during the maturation process. These are full of warm, complex and smooth flavours and make a very special gift for slightly more abstract beer lovers. If you're not looking for an actual present to hand over this Christmas, then why not give an experience unlike anything else? Tours are now available at the Meantime Brewery in Greenwich, London and it's known as the best brewery to visit in the city. During the tour you'll learn how Meantime beer is made, take part in a tasting of some of the beers and get to mingle with like minded beer fanatics. Find out more about their tour on the website here.

Healthy Snacks from Abakus* 

If you're going down the hamper route this year for someone then these healthy snacks from Abakus could be a great addition. You might think healthy snacks like dried fruit and nuts could be a bit of a boring thing to give but I really don't think so and they'd be perfect for any people you know who are currently trying to eat a bit better or are following a new eating plan. As much as a lot of us love to eat ALL the chocolate at Christmas, some people really don't and that's where tasty and nutritious snacks like this come in useful. Also many people like to start a new diet and exercise regime in the new year so receving some of these in a hamper that are definitely not as bad for you as crisps are chocolate, could be perfect and give them that motivation to get going! You can find more info about Abakus snacks and other gifts available on their website.

Bettys Chocolate*

  Now on the other scale of what I've just been talking about, for those who really do love their chocolate then Bettys is the place you need to go to! Bettys do just about everything, from chocolates to cakes to biscuits, even tea and coffee, and they also have their own tea rooms, you can find an array of wonderful gifts on their website. A few of my personal favourites that I think would be lovely as a stocking filler are the Moonlight Owls which are delicious milk chocolate and £4.95, the Chocolate Christmas Characters are adorable and are £6.95 and finally the Chocolate Christmas Pudding for those of us who don't like the real thing, and that's £4.95. You can tell so much time and effort has gone into these chocolates, there is so much attention to detail and they really are mouthwatering. Bettys is definitely one to consider this year for stocking fillers!

Crabtree & Evelyn* 

One brand I don't think you can go wrong with for presents is the lovely Crabtree and Evelyn. First of all, how beautiful is the packaging of both of these biscuits? I'd be pretty thrilled to unwrap something like this! Crabtree and Evelyn was founded over 40 years ago now and it's evolved from a small, family-run business which only sold fine soaps from around the world to an international company which is renowned for it's fragrances, fine foods and wonderful gifts. You can get something for just about everyone from Crabtree and Evelyn, bath and body products, mens grooming, handcare, perfume and even food. If you're looking for some foodie gifts then I highly recommend the All Butter Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Biscuits which are £7 and also the Mini Shortbread Biscuits Musical Tin which is £15. Both of these are beautiful and the biscuits just melt in the mouth! Who doesn't love a cup of tea and a few biscuits?

Opies* 

Something else which could be a good idea if you're making a hamper up for somebody this year, or if you just know someone who loves baking, are these jars from Opies. Opies are one of the oldest family owned food firms in the UK and I'm sure most people have heard of them. Opies do a range of products which are great for a number of occasions, from stem ginger to cocktail cherries to black cherries, and so many more. All of which are perfect for this time of year. Why not use the stem ginger to make some parkin to enjoy with custard on one of these cold nights? or how perfect would the cocktail cherries be for a new years party? Things like this are always handy to have in and as I mentioned, if you're putting together a foodie hamper for someone, then a few jars of these could be perfect! I'm looking forward to putting some recipes together with some of these so look out for those in future. You can find more about Opies on their website, and they are also available at most supermarkets.

M&S Food 

Ahhh M&S is just the best isn't it? I'm not going to lie it can be very expensive at times but around this time of year they put on a lot of offers and currently so many of their boxes of chocolates and biscuits are half price! They really are one of the best places for Christmas food I think and receiving a box of chocolates from there is always nice I think. I picked up this selection of biscuits a few weeks ago when it was on offer for £4.50 and I'm going to have to go back soon and stock up for the festive period. At the moment they have a bigger tubs than this reduced and so many wonderful boxes of chocolates for around £3 which would make lovely little presents.

So that's both of my Food and Drink gift guides done for 2017! I love getting people chocolate each year and little foodie gifts and there really are some brilliant things out for great prices at the moment!

Did you see my first food and drink gift guide yesterday? and my womens gift guide earlier this week?

*Products marked with a * were sent for the purpose of this post. I only work with brands relevant to me and my blog

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Food & Drink Christmas Gift Guide - 2017 #1*

It's time for my second Christmas gift guide of the week and this time it's all about FOOD! I love putting together my food and drink gift guides each year but this year is really exciting as their are some amazing brands that have got involved and I can't wait to tell you about them all. There were so many things I wanted to include in this post, so I've had to split it into two so come back tomorrow for another foodie gift guide. These are perfect for the people in your life who love cooking, baking and like me, just generally eating and drinking all the good stuff, so I hope it helps you find a few ideas!

English Tea Company* 

 Now we're well into Autumn and the cold weather has properly started, a hot cup of tea is heavenly isn't it? I've been getting through cups of the stuff over the last few weeks, normal English Breakfast tea that is perfect with a few biscuits (or if you're like me a packet) and I'm now even into green tea and flavoured teas, I just can't stop drinking them all at the moment! If you know someone who isn't without a cup of tea then the English Tea Company have got you covered. Since 2010 they have been sourcing the best tea from the best farms in the world, ensuring they have something for everyone. If you know they drink a variety of teas then maybe something like the Christmas Tea Collection would be a good idea? This contains 72 tea bags in a selection of flavours so perfect for someone who goes through a few cups a day. Or if someone you know is really into the festive season, the Gingerbread Man Christmas Tea is perfect! Brilliant for those of us who love the gingerbread flavour but aren't into the lattes available at this time of year! Lastly, and probably my favourite is the Christmas Pyramid Prisms which contain flavours that are sure to get you in the Christmas mood, including Candy Cane and Irish Holiday.

Creative Nature Baking Mixes* 

 If someone you know loves baking then mixes like this brownie one from Creative Nature could be perfect to add to a little hamper! Some people might think things like this are a bit of a random gift but if someone got me a few baking mixes, I know I'd be happy! What I love about this one in particular is that it's so easy to use and makes the most delicious brownies. Creative Nature do a range of products that are just as indulgent and tasty as others you might find, but healthier! Aswell as brownie mixes they also sell muffin mixes (YES PLEASE) and they even do healthy snack bars, superfood powders and breakfast toppings. They are definitely worth having a look into if you know someone who either loves baking and would like to give these a go or if they're currently trying to eat a bit healthier or lose weight.

Westminster Abbey Afternoon Tea* 

 If you live in London or you've got a day there planned soon, then I really recommend you try out the Afternoon Tea at Westminster Abbey! Starting on the 27th November and running until the 31st of December, it's the perfect treat for you and family member or friend, and a good excuse to take a break from Christmas shopping. The Cellarium Cafe & Terrace will be serving the festive themed menu which includes Norfolk turkey coronation sandwiches, Iced Christmas cake, Cranberry and sultana scones and more, everyday between 12pm and 4pm. Prices are £21.50 per person or £25 per person if you would like a glass of prosecco. Be sure to book in to avoid disappointment via westminsterabbey@benugo.com.

Cockburns Special Reserve Port* 

 It wouldn't be a food and drink gift guide without a little bit of alcohol and the product I wanted to mention in this one is the Cockburns Special Reserve Port. This huge bottle is a perfect gift for someone who loves a tipple on Christmas Day or in the evening and it's such a good thing to have in over the festive season. This has been the drink of choice for so many families over the years since it was originally introduced in 1969 and it's been hailed as one of the most iconic ports of all time! Matured in oak casks, giving it a full bodied dry finish, it also features notes of Strawberry and Plum, and is just a classic for enjoying on its own. If you're struggling for gifts for maybe someone like your dad, then this is definitely one to consider. Available from Waitrose, Tesco & Morrisons and 75cl bottles are £12.

All The Haribo* 

Who doesn't love Haribo? They are the go to sweet brand for me and I pretty much always have a pack or two in our flat! Every year Haribo bring out a range of Christmas products and this year is no exception. If you're looking for gifts for a younger sibling or family member, then Haribo have got it sorted for you, choose from either their Selection Box, Sweet Medley, Maoam Stripes Cracker and so much more. Gifts like this are really reasonably priced and include a selection of different sweets so really something for everyone. My personal favourite at the moment is the Giant Trees which are basically the Giant Strawbs you can get throughout the rest of the year. I always like to have sweets in around Christmas time so even if you don't have anyone to pick these up for, they are definitely worth having in to snack on over the festive period! Available at most supermarkets.

So that's my first gift foodie gift guide of the year! I've been looking forward to putting these together for so long so I hope it's given you a little bit of inspiration. You can't really go wrong with food and drink gifts I don't think, and I have lots more to share with you so make sure you come back tomorrow for another post full of wonderful tasty gifts.

*Products featured were sent for the purpose of this post. I only work with brands relevant to me and my blog

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