Tag: Gifts for Him

Frankzart Horse Artwork Mug

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Talented artist Frank Porthouse is more than just an artist. A 55 year career in architecture has spawned a love of drawing which includes not just architectural design and drawing on a commercial basis, but watercolours and ink sketches on topics ranging from buildings to portraits and even movement in sport. This array of subjects has led to Franzart’s website.  Gifts galore are based on Frank’s artwork including greetings cards and postcards, tote bags and ceramic mugs.  The horse-themed ‘Freedom’ mug is one of a range of 20 different varying designs of mugs on Frank’s website which includes other animals such as dogs of different breeds, more horses, a cow and a particularly cute rabbit!

The ceramic Freedom Mug is sturdy for coffee or hot beverages, with the Freedom horse design on both sides so you can’t miss it. The blue ink line drawing of the face of a horse on a particularly windy day is striking in its detail and sure to be a favourite of any horse lover.  Each mug is dishwasher safe and each design is made especially for you the buyer, so it can take a bit longer for delivery.

Freedom is available as a design of tote bag, also on the Frankzart website, as are a host of other designs with no doubt more to come!

Freedom Mug retails for £10.00 at: https://frankzart.co.uk/product/freedom-mug-2/

The Sweet Bouquet Emporium and Chocolate Bouquet Shop

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Buying Christmas gifts for teenagers can be a real challenge, but I’ve found something that’s guaranteed to go down a treat, these incredible sweet and chocolate bouquets from The Sweet Bouquet Emporium. They’re the ultimate treat for anyone with a sweet tooth and make a fantastic Christmas gift for all those hard to buy for people that we all know and love.

Now whilst I love a bouquet of flowers, a chocolate bouquet is a real game-changer! Perfect for any occasion, but especially magical at Christmas, these beauties tick all the boxes. They’re not just delicious (and who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate?), but they’re also put together so beautifully, you almost don’t want to eat them… almost!

What’s brilliant about these gifts is the range of options you can choose from. Whether you’re a fan of Haribo, Ferrero Rocher, Dairy Milk, Galaxy, or retro sweets like Rainbow Drops and Love Hearts, there’s a bouquet for everyone. Each one is carefully arranged in a colour-coordinated box with matching tissue paper and ribbon, giving it a sophisticated yet fun look. The chocolates and sweets are displayed like a floral arrangement, which adds that all-important wow factor.

The Galaxy Chocolate Bouquet costs £28.95 and is a chocolate lovers dream It includes:

  • 2 large 114g bars of Galaxy Cookie Crumble,
  • 6 smaller 42g bars (3 each of Smooth Milk and Smooth Caramel),
  • 3 Ripple bars, and
  • 3 bags of Galaxy Minstrels.

For those who love a nostalgic treat, the Classic British Sweet Bouquet is packed with retro sweets like Refreshers, Haribo, Double Dips, Giant Fizzers, and Love Hearts. It’s a delightful trip down memory lane and a perfect gift for sweet lovers of any age, priced at £32.95.

Just like with a traditional bouquet of flowers, you can add a personalised message to your chocolate or sweet bouquet, making it an extra special gift. Plus, with delivery available across the UK, it’s so easy to send a thoughtful surprise to friends and family, no matter how far away they are. It’s a fabulous alternative to flowers, who wouldn’t love a bundle of sweet treats arriving at their doorstep?!

Whether you’re shopping for teenagers, friends, or that one person who’s impossible to buy for, a chocolate or sweet bouquet isn’t just a gift—it’s a centre piece, a conversation starter, and a guaranteed way to brighten someone’s day.

So if you want to bring some sparkle to someone’s Christmas, these bouquets are a no-brainer. Trust me, you’ll want to order one for yourself too!

Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Gin – everybody loves it, young, old, and everyone in between. And why wouldn’t they? It’s versatile, sophisticated, and downright delicious. Whether you’re indulging yourself or trying to please that hard to buy for friend or relative, you simply can’t go wrong with a bottle of gin.

As Christmas draws near, there’s no better time to embrace the magic of a fine Scottish gin and Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin from Dunnet Bay Distillers is a great choice for both drinking and gifting this festive season. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill, slap-a-fancy-label-on-it gin – far from it. This gin has been lovingly crafted with incredible precision. Founders Martin and Claire put their hearts (and a whopping 55 attempts!) into perfecting the recipe before landing on the final version in 2014. What they’ve bottled is a true taste of Caithness, the rugged, windswept corner of Scotland where the air is wild, the sea roars, and the local botanicals seem destined to be turned into something extraordinary.

And speaking of the bottle, what a stunner. A beautiful stoneware masterpiece that screams, “I’m worth every penny.” It’s the sort of thing you’d happily display on a shelf for all your guests to admire even when empty!

Now let’s get onto the important stuff – the taste. When I taste a gin for the first time, I always go back to basics, no fancy mixers, just a light, unflavoured tonic to let the gin do the talking. And let me tell you, Rock Rose does not disappoint. The juniper hits you first, bold and unapologetic, but it’s quickly followed by this floral-fruity warmth that’s just what you need on these cold winter evenings.  And once I’d finished my classic G&T it was time for cocktails! Whether you’re whipping up a posh martini or something festive with berries, Rock Rose adds that perfect touch of warmth and flavour to keep you glowing all night long.

At 41.5% ABV and around £36 a bottle, it’s a luxury worth every penny. So, if you want to be the queen (or king) of Christmas gifting this year give a bottle Rock Rose Gin. I’d be thrilled to find one under the tree and so will your lucky recipient. Cheers!

Vibrating Massage Seat Cushion with Heat

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home, Tech

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

This is the gift you didn’t know you wanted! Carmen’s Vibrating Massage Seat Cushion (with heat) is a classic gift that will charm your loved ones at first, but then you don’t know what you did without it.

The Carmen Vibrating Massage Seat Cushion can be used on any seat, although I found it easier to put on my armchair. It just needs an electrical socket nearby to power it.  There’s an attachment that comes with it to be able to use it in the car. More about that later though!

All you have to do is fix up the power socket to the connector and then find the control which is kept in a Velcro pocket.  Turn on the Power (PWR button at the top; blue in colour) and the cushion is set to Auto.  If you look at the control, you can see that the Intensity light (INT) is lit already and it will probably start on the first function which is Pulsate.  This is where I started to play with all the buttons! There are 5 modes in all; pulsate, tapping, rolling auto and kneading.  To change modes, you just press the Mode button and go through the list until you find the one you like, or need!  The diagram shows the areas of the body which are being worked on, and the buttons to the right allow you to switch on or off each area. You can have all areas working together (upper back, lower back, hips and thighs) or isolate one area on its own.  Finding the combinations and which mode is right for you is part of the fun!

The Carmen Vibrating Massage Seat Cushion has other functions too. The INT button (for intensity) gives four different levels of vibration so that you can adjust it if you are particularly sensitive or have high inflammation. There’s also a HEAT button which as it suggests, adds heat with the vibration. This is great if you need the cushion for certain types of pan management.  At the bottom of the controls, there’s also a timer. You can set the cushion to 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour and it will switch itself off after each time, allowing you to go to sleep, or to relax and not have to worry about how long you’ve been there!

The attachment for the car is genius if you get backache in the car, have to travel a long way or have a relative who isn’t great with sitting for long amounts of time especially in the cold. The cushion can be amended to a very low level of vibration in just one area and you just turn the heat on, or you can have any of the vibrating functions and include heat as well. Perfect if you have an injury and find it difficult to drive long distances, or if you just need to have your circulation improved as you drive, especially in winter.  It attaches to the cigarette lighter in the car, or if you don’t have a cigarette lighter, you’d have to find an adapter.

I tried it at home and was pleasantly surprised with how powerful it can be, and the versatility of it. It can be used for injuries, inflammation or relaxing and in winter, as an added way to keep warm too!

With a 1 year guarantee and an option for another 2 years.

Available from £29.99 at: 

https://carmen-products.co.uk/massagers/massage-vibration-seat-cushion

Soundcore – Liberty 4 Pro Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I recently had the chance to try Soundcore’s new Liberty 4 Pro noise-cancelling earbuds, and I must say, I’m very impressed.  Combining cutting-edge design with a host of innovative features, these are Soundcore’s most advanced and elegantly designed earbuds to date and as soon as I took them out of the box it was clear that these were no ordinary earbuds.  

First impressions matter and the Liberty 4 Pro make quite an entrance with an almost futuristic charging case with a sleek glossy light blue finish. The earbuds themselves are a striking metallic blue steel design, instantly setting them apart from the usual generic white or black plastic that dominate the market.

The case itself is quite innovative. Instead of the usual hinged design, it slides open to reveal the earbuds and a tiny OLED display. This display not only shows the charge level for each earbud but also allows you to access certain functions without needing the app which is a very handy feature.

Connecting the Liberty 4 Pro earbuds was simple, thanks to Google Fast Pair technology. During setup, the earbuds automatically prompt your device to connect and install the Soundcore app, where a host of customisations await.

The sound quality is obviously the most important feature and the Liberty 4 Pro really shine when it comes to sound. Powered by Soundcore’s ACAA 4.0 coaxial driver architecture, each earbud features a 10.5mm woofer and a 4.6mm titanium tweeter for exceptional clarity across all frequencies. In plain terms this means your music will sound like it’s being played live, so whether you’re enjoying booming basslines or a spot of Beethoven the earbuds deliver a rich, clear sound experience.

There are plenty of ways to tune the earbuds to suit your preferences. As well as standard equaliser settings, both custom options and presets; there is a sound preference test which works through a number of tests and tunes the earbuds to match your ears. This feature worked brilliantly, and I found the earbuds performed well across a wide variety of music and other audio.

The noise-cancelling technology is exceptional, equipped with seven sensors to detect ambient noise and an air pressure sensor designed to excel during flights. While I haven’t had the chance to test it on a plane, it’s proven invaluable for tackling noisy environments, like working in the garden. The addition of a wind reduction mode has been particularly helpful during recent blustery weekends outdoors.

Noise cancellation can be activated with a touch, but I prefer using the case controls which allow you to adjust the level of cancellation with a simple swipe, giving you precise control.

No two ears are the same and Soundcore knows it so there are six different eat tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit. There’s even an app based fit test to ensure they fit snugly and I found once they’re in, they stay put, even if I’m out in the garden when it’s windy.

With up to 10 hours of battery life (or 7.5 hours with noise cancellation), plus 30 more hours in the case, they’ll keep up with even the busiest of schedules. And if you’re in a rush, a quick five-minute charge gives you four hours of playtime -perfect for those “oh no, I forgot to charge it” moments.

At £129.99, the Liberty 4 Pro earbuds are a steal for what they offer. Whether it’s the smart case, the high-tech noise cancellation, or the sustainable materials (yes, they’re made from 28% recycled plastics), these earbuds combine high-quality sound, innovative design, and all-day comfort, making them an excellent choice for any music enthusiast. From their stylish appearance to their customisable audio options and impressive battery life, these earbuds tick all the boxes – and they make a great Christmas gift too!

Carmen Rechargeable Hot Water Bottle

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home, REUSABLE, secret santa, Winter

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

One present that’s good for Christmas this year is a Rechargeable Hot Water Bottle, ready to stave off the cold as well as relax your loved ones over the winter months.  Carmen have a Rechargeable Hot Water Bottle, which doesn’t use water at all and keeps warm for up to 5 hours!

With cost of energy being high and the mantra we all have to, “heat the person not the room,” then it’s advantageous to heat up this hot water bottle and keep toasty.  The appliance comes with a charging cable which heats up the water inside, which is completely sealed and therefore can’t leak if you drop it. It doesn’t need refilling either so you won’t scold yourself on the hot water tap.

There’s a plug on the hot water bottle that you use the provided cable to plug in and charge. It takes around 15 minutes for a full charge but if you charge it for less time, there’s still heat from it.  The bottle is covered in a fleecy grey cover with a pocket for your hands, so you can sit with it on your lap, or safely use it in bed.  It keeps the heat for about 5 hours, or through the night if you’re keeping it under the duvet! It can’t over heat because there’s a thermostat which cuts off as soon as it’s hot enough. 

This is a great gift, especially as it’s so safe for anyone to use so children, the elderly or anyone who’s not I the best health can get warm quickly. I also like that it can be charged whilst you’re at work and might be cold, or to charge at work and take in the car on the journey home.  Lots of work offices don’t have boiling water any longer so it would be impossible to fill a conventional hot water bottle, but this is a great idea!

Available at £14.99: https://carmen-products.co.uk/hot-water-bottles/spa-rechargeable-hot-water-bottle

Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’re looking for a gift for the tea lover this Christmas, the Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea is a safe bet.  This loose tea comes in its own gorgeous, air tight tin which can be used again but the Christmassy red packaging is perfect for the Christmas Lunch table, in a stocking or even just on its own.

Mariage Frères Noel Royal Tea is a black tea with fruit pieces added to give a more fragrant, fruity flavour.  Consumed without milk but left to brew for 5 minutes (I use a loose tea strainer) it takes approximately 2.5 grams of tea to make a cup. As the tin contains 80 grams in all, that’s 32 cups of tea that can be made from just one tin! One for every day of advent or suitable for the whole family throughout the Christmas period.

The aroma of the tea when you open the packet is overwhelmingly fruity, with its sweet tones and fresh black tea fragrance underneath. It takes all of the 5 minutes to brew the tea as it’s slightly weak with only a minute or two, and I found that even after 5 minutes it didn’t become too strong so I could recommend making a pot of tea with Noel Royal.  

At £28 a tin it’s for the tea connoisseurs and lovers of fragrant teas but makes a great gift for Gran or as part of a hamper at Christmas time.  Noel Royal is part of the Royal Fairy range by Mariage Frères this Christmas which can be found on their website: https://www.mariagefreres.com/en/tea/tea-collections/royal-fairy-teas.html

Available from £28 at:

https://www.mariagefreres.com/en/noel-royal-te9226-other-tea-jars.html

Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto and Savoia Vino

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Winter, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you’re looking to bring a touch of Italian elegance to your Christmas celebrations this year, then the charming tradition of Italian aperitivo is just the thing. This pre-dinner ritual not only awakens the palate and sets the stage for a delicious meal but also encourages guests to relax and socialise. At Christmas, aperitivo comes into its own, picture your friends and family gathered before dinner, sipping on sparkling cocktails whilst chatting and snacking. It’s easy, elegant and brimming with the festive buzz we all love.

But Aperitivo is more than just a drink, it’s a great gift too as it generally comes in bottles so stunning you’ll barely need to wrap them. A simple gift tag and a contrasting bow are all it takes to create a show stopping present. They’re the perfect choice for anyone who loves a bit of sophistication and let’s be honest, the brightly coloured bottles look great in a drinks cabinet or on a kitchen shelf. Pair one with some cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker or some gourmet nibbles and you’ve got a great Christmas gift.

ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto has been created by Giuseppe Gallo and is inspired by the amazing flavours of his Amalfi Coast childhood. This aromatic liqueur delivers a perfectly balanced taste of Italy, with refreshingly bright citrus flavours from bergamot, a fruit best described as a cross between a sour orange and a lemon.

Grown, harvested, and distilled in Turin, ITALICUS features notes of ripe bergamot orange, light bitterness, and subtle floral spices. The bottle itself is a work of art with the design inspired by Italy’s architectural heritage and resembling the columns of ancient Rome. The marbled black and white stopper taking inspiration from Northern Italy’s gothic cathedrals. The aquamarine hue? It’s a clever trick of yellow liquid in blue glass, evoking the sparkling tones of the Amalfi Coast.

Drink it with Prosecco or Champagne for a ITALICUS Spritz and garnish with green olives for a touch of saltiness. Or shake things up with the ITALICUS Cup, blending tonic and grapefruit soda for a zesty twist on a classic Margarita.

RRP £31.75 available from The Whisky Exchange

Savoia is a certified vegan vino aperitivo that boasts a complex blend of 24 botanicals, including bitter orange, gentian root, pink grapefruit, and warming winter spices like cardamom and ginger. It is available in two flavours, Rosso and Orancio.  

Savoia Rosso, includes a touch of Marsala wine while Savoia Orancio channels the exotic flavours of saffron and pomegranate, drawing from Marco Polo’s Silk Road adventures. Both are ideal for classic cocktails like a Negroni, Spritz, or Garibaldi, or why not try inventing a few of your own? You can find a selection of recipes on their website, casa-savoia.com.

Like the Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto the design of the Savoia bottles pays homage to Italy’s royal heritage, with nods to Turin, the first capital of unified Italy. The wooden stopper evokes the Mole Antonelliana building, and the horizontal infinity symbol represents the countless ways Savoia can be enjoyed. With an ABV of 18.6%, the Rosso’s design even marks 1861, the year of Italian unification.

RRP £20 Available from Italspirits

These bottles make great Christmas gifts, whether it’s for the cocktail enthusiast ready to shake things up on Christmas Day or for Granny looking to try something a bit different. Either way, they are sure to be a festive hit!

Swan 1.5 Litre Digital Kettle

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thought and opinions are our own

Imagine waking up on a chilly morning and without leaving the comfort of your cosy bed, being able to turn your kettle for the all important first brew of the day. That’s now a reality with the Swan Digital Kettle which boasts the title of the world’s first Alexa-compatible kettle. As someone who appreciates home automation, I was intrigued yet sceptical – did I really need to turn my kettle on with a voice command?

Design-wise, the kettle has a sleek, modern look, finished in glossy black with a LED touch panel. At first glance, it resembles a standard cordless kettle, but the illuminated display reveals advanced features like a temperature indicator and a “set” button, allowing you to choose the temperature of the water. With five temperature options ranging from 40°C to 100°C it’s perfect for everything from green tea to coffee. It even keeps the water warm for a couple of hours too which is ideal when you need a top up.

Now, let’s talk Alexa integration. Connecting it to WiFi via the app was very straightforward and within minutes it was under Alexa’s control. I’ve also linked it to custom Alexa routines which turn the kettle on when I say, “Alexa, I’m home,” or when I turn my alarm off in the morning. While you can’t check if there’s water in the kettle remotely, it does have a boil-dry protection feature, which turns the kettle off if there isn’t enough water in it, which is lucky as getting the family into the habit of refilling it is proving to be a challenge!

Overall, the Swan Digital Kettle is a stylish, functional addition to any kitchen, blending tech-savvy innovation with everyday practicality. A smart kettle might not be essential, but it’s undeniably a luxury that’s nice to have.

RRP £79.99 but currently on offer at £59.99

Edifier W260NC Active Noise Cancellation Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Tech

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Everyone needs headphones nowadays and especially headphones which you can travel with, whether it’s for gaming, watching TV on the go or even sports. Edifier have these wireless W260NC headphones which are both noise cancelling and Bluetooth v5.3 and fit into this neat little box which is also used for charging.

The sound quality is excellent and with a latency of 0.08 seconds you can use them to watch TV or a movie, and equally brilliant for gaming.  Gaming with wireless headphones is much easier and I find social media when you’re on public transport is so much easier with wireless earbuds, especially when they’re this small and fit into their box and then your pocket so easily.

Technically, these headphones are advanced. There’s 6 microphones on them for taking phone calls or recording video and there’s -45dB noise cancelling.  They really do shut out a lot of noise and when you’re on noisy transport or someone else in the room is watching TV or gaming, you can’t hear a thing! There are up to 8 hours of playback per charge and I really like the wearing detection so that if you fall asleep, need to run or walk fast or are knocked on public transport, the headphones stop playing until you put the earbuds in again. The 6mm and 10mm duel drives give a richer sound too.

Make sure you have the up to date software or phone for the Bluetooth v5.3 otherwise the earbuds won’t connect, and the Edifier Connex app has more controls to let you play with the sound quality. 

The all-round Edifier W260NC Earbuds make a great gift this Christmas for anyone who enjoys their music, gaming or just getting some quiet time.

Available from £62.66 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-W260NC-Cancellation-Microphones-Dual-Dynamic-Dark-Blue/dp/B0CTJL37R9?th=1

Contigo West Loop Mini Travel Mug

Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, hiking, Home, REUSABLE, secret santa

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate all of those friends and family who buy us Christmas gifts which are both stylish and practical.  With the Contigo West Loop Mini travel mug, you could be one of those gift-givers because Contigo have come up with this excellent design of travel mug that will make anyone happy!

The Contigo West Loop Mini travel mug is designed to fit into outdoor pockets or be able to be carried snugly thanks to its curvy design. It keeps drinks hot for p to 4 hours or cold drinks are cold for up to 14 hours due to a clever design with BPA-free stainless steel.  It’s dishwasher safe as well, including the lid which twists off and reveals 470ml of drinking space – the size of most coffee mugs.

The most ingenious design of the Contigo West Loop Mini is the 100% leak-proof seal.  If you play around with the lid, you find that there’s a spring release autoseal (marked ‘AUTOSEAL’) which when pressed, release the sip cover so that you can drink. When it isn’t pressed, the West Loop Mini is completely sealed so that it doesn’t spill anywhere. That means you can use it in the car, put it in a bag or rucksack and not only will it keep the heat of the drink but it will not leak at all. You can see by the sturdy design of the lid and the inner spring that it’s really effective and when I tested taking it out into the garden, there was indeed no spill no matter how much I threw it around!  This would be great for when you’re out with the children or if you’re into real outdoor pursuits in all weathers.

tea mug

The team at Contigo were also generous enough to send me what I consider a luxury – a proper tea infuser! For those of us who appreciate loose tea, this is a fabulous addition you don’t normally find in travel mugs.  Once the loose tea is put inside the stainless steel strainer, the infuser fits inside the lid before you affix the lid in place. Perfect for having the West Loop Mini full of boiling water, then you can add the already filled infuser to the mug and allow the tea to brew. No more stewed tea when you go out!

Contigo have thought of everything with this travel mug, and there are other products in the Contigo range such as the water bottle which has similar clever designs. The Contigo West Loop Mini comes in 5 different colours (the one featured here is the liquorice design) and sizes.

Available on sale from £24.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contigo-Autoseal-Stainless-Leakproof-Easy-Clean/dp/B07TRG2RGH/ref=sr_1_5?crid=10N00O7XWBK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ogA6XhsejKBbFGmkCasxzOXzSCx29RM-0uVZYE8lOLFz7qAzDuDzdktzKHqhIp3r9qmIxhzLB7E-ry8Yg9FHPTxXNAzqcAJeyeviFR8CZch-QogxE_O5yyfIAQfFlHb1gGXRpZEbTm6NdFmJdGXHQCPGhIKTbt6hA3NAaznjAz-vODrevzmiXzj3NyQPduKjoL-f2BFd1J3RMmITfKlELJ4vBUEMoWoJ8_DOprMcMcRNKGE1voWwPKlRVfQqoQG6YRItmMv2USIWdP5p_H-yvi3dulsawpgipU6sfXMGvjE.I9HFuC3mx6yte5i-trYQXRlOZJFFsiZunzc7tUooUNo&dib_tag=se&keywords=contigo&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730636284&s=sports&sprefix=contigo%2Csports%2C74&sr=1-5

Tea Infuser £15.99 At: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Contigo-Infuser-strainer-stainless-dishwasher/dp/B084C25JMQ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2BWY8VOYMITXI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SCRFxTLti8pkQw7yg8bFVAlfG4qU32VNabvQjZjyTx3pFvmNSKQE7IdNQfuZzVV432WZc1nks_BhQEJlXeq1flfHLg4Gldudz0gMEZ63sOk7x5TeZ_MD_d9YZRc9v5foD4rWDYMFzaXMzE_IlYJapkmaTjD9OGxpGD_nM6IZIznyiBc8z3kByLO7Zxp49Pha0cQeQ7JdGfsOIWrtRN9Hrr8nzNHpyMQcrmNjmgAZ8oLdZlhlhAK4XzZEVBIu8mAhM8Eee0UOGtAzLMZnYYq6h20wAQxg5xQSC4e6K3ksyIE.T6hoMdPPp0fa-inAPsOEa2Uc_lDoYEr350cK0fo8nQ8&dib_tag=se&keywords=contigo+infuser&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1730636581&sprefix=contigo+infuser%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-5

Clean Co Alcohol Free Gin

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The original is still the greatest and the Clean G Alcohol Free Spirit (otherwise known as the non-alcoholic gin) is still up there as the standard for 0% gins.

The first zero alcohol spirit in the Clean Co drinks cabinet (they also have alcohol free pink gin, rum and whiskey among others), Clean G is made without the distilling that creates the alcohol, therefore giving it the gin taste but without the fumes!  It also means that Clean G is lower in calories, sugar free and available to be added to cocktails just as easily as the alcohol version.

Does it taste like gin though?  Without mentioning that a bottle of Clean G had been sent to me, friends commented on how the Clean Co product was just as tasty as gin and sin-free too so makes for a perfect tipple on a school night or when out at lunch with work.  It’s award winning too, not just for taste but for how easily it substitutes the alcoholic version in G&Ts or mixing into cocktails. It’s made in the UK and vegan friendly too and contains less than 6 calories per double shot. All-natural flavourings and no artificial sweeteners, this is perfect for Christmas either as a gift to anyone, or for drinking and not worrying about the hangover afterwards.

If you haven’t heard of the Clean Co range of drinks, you’re certain to over Christmas and into 2025 as they gain notoriety for being so versatile and much friendlier than spirits.  So many people are switching to Clean G and even pubs and restaurants are making non-alcoholic cocktails with Clean G products that it’s becoming the fashion now to drink and not be drinking alcohol.

Available in shops and online from £16:

Clean G

That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar

advent calendar, alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Winter

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

For adults, advent calendars have taken on a whole new twist, and this year’s countdown to Christmas promises to be both sophisticated and delicious with That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar. It’s the ultimate treat for any gin enthusiast, turning each day of December into a journey of unique flavours and botanicals.

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures, each one distinct and some even holiday-themed (Christmas Pudding gin, anyone?), this calendar lets you savour a different gin every day. For the seasoned gin lover, it’s a fantastic chance to explore bold new flavors and perhaps uncover a new favourite along the way – scan the QR code and vote for your favourite!

The lineup is impressive, and a few sound especially exciting including Chocolate Orange Gin, Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Gin, and Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of gin, this calendar offers a festive array of smooth, spiced, citrusy, and Christmas-inspired gins. Many of these are hard to find in stores, adding a welcome element of surprise to each day’s tasting. Picture yourself winding down each evening with a “GINgle All The Way” in hand -now that’s the Christmas spirit!

Whether given as a gift or kept as a special treat for yourself, this gin advent calendar is a fun and exciting way to countdown to Christmas. Each day feels like a little celebration, and by Christmas Eve, you’ll have experienced a tour of the gin world from the comfort of your own home.

RRP £ 64.95

Marshall Minor IV Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

If you’re starting to think of Christmas gifts then you can’t go wrong with a pair of earbuds, especially a cool pair like the Marshall Minor IV earbuds. First off, let’s talk about looks, because when you’re dealing with Marshall gear, you know they’re going for that whole rockstar on tour vibe—even if your tour is mostly the supermarket and the occasional jog. These little guys are oozing with Marshall aesthetic, and you’ve got that iconic logo on the charging case. Classic black with brass accents? Check. Textured case that makes you feel like you’re holding a mini guitar amp in your pocket? Double check. It’s like they took the essence of a stage amp and shrunk it down into something you can pop in your ears.

Now, here’s the thing about design: they’re open-fit. Which is just fancy talk for “they don’t have rubber tips jamming into your ears like you’re getting an ear exam.” Depending on who you are, that’s either a win or a dealbreaker. Me? I wasn’t sure but after wearing these for a week or so have found them comfortable and secure. It’s like getting that smooth, carefree sound without the deep-pressure sensation of in-ears. One thing to bear in mind, the open fit lets a lot of the outside world in and there is no background noise reduction.

For tiny earbuds, the Minor IVs hold their own. Marshall’s really got the mids and highs dialled in – vocals come through super clear, and the treble’s crisp enough that you’ll notice those delicate high-hats or twangy guitar riffs. The bass isn’t exactly bone-rattling, though. I’d say it’s more tastefully understated. Not the kind of bass that you’ll feel in your teeth, but it’s balanced, not too muddy. If you’re a basshead, you might be left wanting a bit more thump, but for everything else – rock, jazz, podcasts it’s solid.

Marshall claims 7 hours of playtime, and an extra 24 hours from the charging case. In my field test – by which I mean doing normal human things and listening to music while pretending to be productive – the battery held up pretty close to that. And let’s face it, if you’re listening to music for 7 straight hours and not stopping, either you’re on an epic road trip or your hobbies are way more intense than mine.

Touch controls are simple to use and can be changed using the Marshall App which also gives you access to firmware updates, battery management settings and equaliser options. Connectivity is good, they’re Bluetooth LE ready and I had no problems connection them to my phone.

The Minor IV has wireless charging, which is great but if, like me, you’re yet to embrace the latest technology you can fall back onto USB-C (cable included) when you need to juice it up old school.

So, what’s the verdict? The Marshall Minor IV aren’t your “I need absolute isolation and my skull to rumble” earbuds. They’re more your “I want to look cool while listening to Led Zeppelin and still hear the barista call my name” earbuds. They’ve got style, decent sound, and comfort—if you like the open-fit feel—and that classic Marshall attitude that says, “Yeah, I rock. But, you know, casually.”

Would I recommend them? If you’re a Marshall fan and like your earbuds with a side of swagger, absolutely. They won’t replace your high-end over-ear headphones or some fancy active noise-cancelling buds, but for daily casual listening with a splash of rockstar flair? Yeah, they’ll do just fine.

RRP £119.99

Edifier X3 Lite Wireless Bluetooth Ear Buds

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Tech

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Christmas present alert!  Edifier have these brilliant Wireless Bluetooth Ear Buds for just £29.99 and they’re perfect for the gym, commuting or even as stocking fillers for children. We’re always losing headphones so who can turn their nose up at another pair?

The Edifier X3 Lite (here in ivory colour) have 24 hour battery life when fully charged. They come with their own case which doubles as a charging unit and the Type-C charging cable in included so you can charge it from your laptop or any USB socket whilst you’re on the go. When the red light is blinking, it’s still charging – no red light means fully charged and ready to go! The earbuds connect to your phone with Bluetooth, which is done by tapping the touch panel on each earbud 5 times to be in pairing mode. Depending on your phone (or other Bluetooth device), follow the instructions to pair with the earbuds. 

The earbuds have touch control so you don’t need to fumble for your phone each time. Each ear bud (left and right) has similar controls such as tap three times on the left to skip back a track, or three times on the right to go forward. You can also use the touch controls to answer and hang up on calls, or hold down for 2 seconds to reject a call.

As well as being Bluetooth 5.3, they are noise cancelling but with human voice ambient sound. The box also contains spare silicone buds which I believe are a different size to the ones fitted – perfect for children to use. They’re not waterproof but they are water resistant which means they don’t get affected by sweat or light rain.  They feel really, really light in your ears and the case is light and easy to put in a pocket if you’re out and about.

Available from £29.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-Lite-Cancellation-Microphones-Customization/dp/B0CG8L288V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=20JGZ3QFG56PE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QR_2YJTQr4DXW2MZcbdIDOpCanFqVLxhSzBO6caxz83B8BOh7_HxQ6R-WWtuZTY7zRvMsYUnsSZhuBTO8u3a3pHoov-G-dskI7KyM_97GI04JgvJTugzyj85h3fDLsWBvJmXPhjyfK-Y-3v7aFn9TYulS37_jsi2oYzVYjJkYbEzkgwC6SrIKN9dSvL3fsCSGE0lT3Uor3OLSZ-cC5t64hmrYSmu_xOdVf7cdMCctmk.C9gjZqPDxe7FuMyQnJDcWOwwOGns-DHmhmKIfnEP2XY&dib_tag=se&keywords=edifier+x3+lite&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729008161&sprefix=edifier+X3+Lite%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Amonax Ab Roller Home Workout Set

Birthday Gifts, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Not that we’re thinking ahead to New Year, but there are definite pros to getting exercise equipment before Christmas!  The Amonax Ab Roller Workout Set is designed to help cardio and ab fitness from home with the help of an Ab Roller, skipping rope and press-up handles. We were sent the set to try as a gift idea for Christmas, but I think I’ll be using this for a long while afterwards!

The skipping rope is 3.1 metres and long enough for an adult to use. If you find it’s too long though, you can always adjust it by cutting, as explained in the instructions. It’s good quality, with foam handles and the rope is non-tangle, unlike the string we had on the skipping ropes we used as a child. Skipping ropes are brilliant for on-the-spot cardio workouts and can be used by adults and children alike. Brilliant for travelling if you don’t know if there will be a gym or not, or for keeping children entertained, it is a really good addition to a home gym and gets the heart beat going really quickly!

The push-up bars are made of steel but with foam grips for comfort. They’re set at a 15 degree angle too, so that you hold on ‘up hill’ and it makes for an easier grip. Push-up bars are great for body strength work but also for working on the abs in push ups, planks etc and especially shoulder work. The non-slip mat that comes with them is also useful if you don’t have a suitable floor surface to work on.

Finally, the star of the show is the Ab Roller. This nifty contraption can be either one or both wheels and each wheel can be placed a different width apart depending on your level of difficulty. If you’ve never used them before, then have a look at some You Tube videos, the basic concept is that you kneel, with your weight on the wheel out in front of you with straight arms and roll the Ab Roller away from you and crucially, you wheel it back again towards you. This engages the abdominal muscles in a way in which your back is still supported but it works the muscles beautifully. It’s an upper and lower ab workout but be warned, you will definitely feel it the next day! This is the exercise that will get you a more sculpted torso, but it will take a while and a lot of repetitions!

The Amonax kit is called the Ab Roller Home Workout Set but it can be used for more than just the abs which is why it’s so versatile.  The cardio and strength elements (skipping rope and pus-up bars) can be used along with the Ab Roller to give a really good overall workout and I especially like that this kit is quite small, can be taken apart and is very light. If you’re tight for space, travelling or just want to use one element of the set at a time then it’s really easy to adapt the apparatus to the workout you want. It’s a really good beginners set as well if someone isn’t sure about going to the gym yet and the Ab Roller on its own is a brilliant piece which even top athletes use.

For the price of £20.99 too, this is an excellent idea as a gift for anyone!

Available from £20.99 at: Ab Roller Home Workout Set

Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Standard Gift Hamper

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers, Winter

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Chocolate lovers are easy to buy for at Christmas but if you’re a real chocoholic, you’ll know that just any old chocolate won’t do.  It has to be good quality and taste like chocolate.  The Wickedly Welsh Gift Hamper (standard) makes a perfect gift for anyone but if you love chocolate, this is a real treat!

The quality of the chocolate is first to note. It’s handmade so there’s a lot of love and care that goes into it but with anything that’s handmade, it means that someone has had to physically deliberate over the goods and make sure that they’re of the highest quality.

The ingredients are often more authentic as well, and Wickedly Welsh products are no exception with locally sauced elements to mix the chocolate and flavours to be the best they can.

The Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Gift Hamper is bursting with different chocolates, all of which are sold separately too. There’s three bars of chocolate (Milk Chocolate, Orange & Honeycomb and Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel), two hot chocolate mixes (each sachet makes 2 mugs of hot chocolate), a box of 6 handmade chocolates of different flavours and a bar of milk and dark chocolate from the Wickedly Welsh Love Spoons range.  The whole gift is presented in a letterbox-sized box with window so you can post this or package it up easily as a gift.

My first call was the chocolates which are so moreish and easy to eat! I like to have a chocolate pick-me-up in the afternoon and one or two of these chocolates is ideal.  I don’t know if different boxes contain different flavours but these 6 were Citrus Burst, Raspberry & Vodka, Spiced Praline, Gingerbread, Dark Praline and Mocca Coffee. A lovely assortment and the chocolate alone is delicious!  Secondly, I tried the hot chocolate.  Heating a mugful of milk and adding the chocolate flakes to melt into the milk, this gave a delicious, smooth hot chocolate and the chocolate hit without too much sugar. 

The bars of chocolate were a treat for watching TV or sometimes I just have a small piece in the afternoon. The Milk Chocolate is a favourite with the whole family but the Orange & Honeycomb and Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel are best sellers at Wickedly Welsh and you can tell why. The Orange & Honeycomb is a flavour that’s not widely available with other retailers so you can tell that adults in particular love this. I know I did! The Welsh Sea Salt & Caramel is also a flavour which I would buy, given the chance to look around a chocolate shop on a rainy afternoon so this is especially good. The final Love Spoon Milk and Dark Chocolate bar is an intertwining bar based on the famous Welsh Love Spoons, so it would make sense to give this to your loved one. However, the chocolate is very indulgent and a perfect snack, so I wouldn’t blame you if you kept it for yourself!

This is a brilliant gift not just for Christmas but for anyone at any time and especially chocolate lovers.  There’s something for everyone and the whole family can enjoy the handmade excellence of Welsh chocolate.

Available online from £26.99:

Original Standard Gift Hamper

Raquex Racquet Backpack

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Sport

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Here’s a nice gift for anyone who is into any racquet sports – a proper racket backpack!

Most people carry their tennis or squash racket separately to a game or practice but now you can carry your racket with all your other sports equipment thanks to the Raquex Backpack, which is designed for racket sports.

The Raquex Racquet Backpack has its own racket compartment and an additional laptop compartment with a Velcro secure strap. There are several pockets too including a secure pocket for a wallet or mobile phone and a vented pocket for trainers which is separate to the main body of the bag. Water bottles fit in the side compartments and you’ll find other pockets are handy for loose change, membership cards or travel cards and anything else you need to secure.  All of this in one backpack which has padded straps and back plate so that you can wear it with comfort and the racket won’t get in the way.

Not only for adults who like to play racket sports, the Raquex Racquet Backpack is also great for school aged children to take their PE kit into school. The multiple pockets are invaluable and the separate compartment for the trainers is a gift in itself for those muddy winter shoes but the main part of the backpack, if not used for a racket, is great for school books or a lunchbox too. The classic black look is easy to take to school and the racket compartment could be used for the project that won’t fit A4 size and needs securing on the way to and from school.

The Raquex Racquet Backpack is the type of gift you’d never think of owning yourself and one which once you have one, you won’t know how you did without!

Available online from £37.99:

https://www.raquex.com/product/raquex-racquet-backpack/

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth Speaker

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, Tech

Disclaimer: We received this product as a review sample but all thoughts and opinions are our own

Let’s talk about the Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker. If you’re familiar with the Marshall brand, you already know they embrace a rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic, and the Emberton III is no exception, resembling a mini guitar amp, earning full marks for style. The classic black and brass design is timeless, looking just as at home on your coffee table as it does out in the wild. That’s key because you’re buying this speaker as much for its visual appeal as its sound quality.

Speaking of sound, the Emberton III delivers an impressive performance for its size. It won’t shake the room, but for a compact speaker, it packs a punch. The bass is rich without being muddy, and the highs are clear and crisp. It avoids the common pitfall of small speakers where everything turns into a flat mess at high volumes. Does it rival professional studio monitors? No, but that’s not the point, you’re not mixing tracks in your bathroom, you just want great sound while you shower. Maybe the Emberton III is overqualified for such casual listening, but that’s part of the fun.

The battery life is a respectable 30 hours on a full charge, and it only takes 2 hours to recharge and the simple 10-bar LED gauge keeps you aware of the remaining battery.

The IP67 rating means it’s dustproof and water-resistant. While I wouldn’t suggest tossing it in a pool, it can handle sawdust in the garage or a splash from a drink on the patio without missing a beat.

Control-wise, the brass joystick on top lets you adjust volume and skip tracks with a tactile, old-school feel, like turning a radio dial, which is far more satisfying than a touchscreen. It features Bluetooth 5.1 with Bluetooth LE support, and in my tests, it maintained a stable connection throughout the house. The speaker also comes with a companion app, and whilst not essential, it does offer firmware updates, EQ settings, and battery management.

So final thoughts? The Marshall Emberton III is like that tool in your workshop you don’t necessarily need but really want. It’s not the cheapest option, but you’re paying for the cool factor as much as the audio quality. It’s got style, it’s tough and has enough sonic oomph sound to keep you energised while working on those endless DIY projects.

Is it overkill for casual listening? Probably. Would I still recommend it? Absolutely. Because sometimes, you just want to blast some tunes and feel like you’re backstage at Woodstock – even if in reality you’re just doing a spot of DIY in the garage!!

RRP £149.99

Opies Preserved Fruits

Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For Christmas, there is a certain set of rules that doesn’t apply at any time of year, and that is especially true with food. Opies Preserved Fruits are the type of treat you would never ever think of buying for yourself at any other time of year, nor would it be a gift for someone else unless it was something they particularly asked for! Perhaps that’s why Opies only release these preserved fruits at Christmas – so that you look forward to buying and consuming the luxurious preserves a family, or because you know the perfect recipient for the Kilner jarred delicacies, perhaps as part of a hamper?

We were sent part of their 2024 range including the Black Cherrie, Baby Pears and Peaches. Each of the fruits are preserved in a different alcohol (so Granny might enjoy this but probably not one for the children!) which included Kirsch for the black cherries, Amoretto for the pears and 12 year old brandy for the peaches.  Packed by hand, the preserved fruits come in generous 500 gram plus sized portions and are now in fabulous Kilner jars, so when you’re finished with the fruit, you can use the jar again and again.

Starting with the Black Cherries, the label has various recipes inside, but for starters you can use these in trifles, Christmas or otherwise.  I like them on their own with some cream, or one year I made croissants and added cherries to the middle, which gave the croissants a festive red colouring as well!  The baby pears are great as statement pieces at a Christmas dessert, or sliced up with their Amoretto flavoured juices as a Tarte Tatin.  My favourites though are the Brandy peaches.  The recipes include Peach Melba, but imagine these sweet, soft peaches in a peach crumble with delicious custard or ice cream as an alternative to Christmas Pudding?

Opies have other hand packed preserved fruits available on their website; have a look to see who you’ll be buying for this year, or maybe treat yourself?

Available from £6.99

It’s Halal Chilli Pattern Chopping Board

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For the chef in your life, a chopping board is essential as part of the kitchen during meal preparation, and is always a great option as a gift at Christmas. It’s Halal produce a range of meal subscription boxes, all of which are Halal focused but they also produce a range of other kitchen products including this Chilli Chopping Board.

Measuring approximately 40 centimetres by 30 Centimetres, this clear board is adorned with red chillies but is mostly clear, so it can be cleaned easily but being clear, it means you can hide a recipe underneath to protect it, and still be able to read through the board as you prepare the meal. It’s made of lightweight Perspex and can be put in the dishwasher, perfect for children to use or for anyone who doesn’t like carrying a heavy wooden chopping board or is frightened of it breaking if dropped.

This month, It’s Halal are having a sale on their chopping boards but whilst you’re over there, have a look at the Halal subscription boxes. Meal prep for every day of the week and a changing menu you’ll want to try again and again!

Currently on sale for £10.99 at: https://itshalal.co.uk/product/chilli-pattern-chopping-board/

Arty Bee Designs Coaster

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, secret santa, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

I’m always on the hunt for unique gifts, so I was delighted when Beth from Arty Bee Designs got in touch -she’s an incredibly talented artist with a fantastic range of cards and gifts. You can find her at Shipbourne Market on Thursdays, and she’ll also be showcasing her work at various farmers markets across Kent in the lead-up to Christmas. If you’re not local to Kent, no worries – you can easily purchase her beautiful creations from the Arty Bee Designs website.

A coaster is a great choice for both stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts and the Pierre La Patisserie Croissant Coaster, featuring a playful croissant wearing a beret is bound to bring a smile to anyone’s face on Christmas morning. The design is whimsical and light hearted, adding a charming Parisian touch to any desk or coffee table.

When you buy from small businesses like Beth’s, you’re not just purchasing a product -you’re supporting an artist’s passion and dedication. So, if you’re looking for a unique gift bursting with character, make sure you take a look at the gifts on Beth’s website.

Coaster £3 each or £10 for 4

Malibu Sun Lotion and High Protection Sun Care

beauty, Children, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Stocking Fillers, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

It may be that the cooler months of the year are upon us, but many are still going to sunnier places and everyone, regardless of the season, needs to look after their skin with SPF. Malibu Sun has a range of products, not just sun lotion, which can protect your skin from harmful rays. We were sent the Malibu Kids 50 SPF Lotion, Malibu 50 SPF lotion, Malibu SPF 30 Clear Hair and Scalp Protector, Malibu 50 SPF Roll-On Lotion and Malibu 30 SPF Lipcare Vanilla flavour.

The Malibu Kids 50 SPF Lotion comes in a handy spray with 300ml net and is UVA and UVB protective. The spray makes it super easy to ‘zap’ kids who don’t want to be covered in lotion and it’s a lighter spray than what you find in the bigger bottles. It’s water resistant too so great for the beach or pool and contains Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to be kinder to skin. The Malibu Kids 50 SPF Roll-On Lotion is just as light and has as high a protection factor as the spray but for when it’s windy or you have a smaller child or baby and you want to ensure coverage, the roll-on lotion might help. It’s also UVA and UVB protective, and water resistant.  I love the spray for the whole family for when we go out but the roll-on is great for keeping in your beach bag and topping up the lotion or for days when you think you don’t need it, but it turns out you do!

There’s the classic family Malibu 50 SPF Lotion too, which is what I would take on an adult only holiday. I don’t need a fancy spray as an adult, and I find it quite reassuring having the old-fashioned 100ml bottle with me when I go on holiday! That size doesn’t last long by the way, so it’s enough for a week for two people if you’re out by the pool daily. It has a light fragrance to it too, which again is reassuring and like the others is UVA/UVB protective.  I love having the SPF 50 factor on so that I know I’m getting a proper coverage and won’t burn easily too.

Lastly, there are some ‘treats’ from Malibu too. For the times when you sit by the pool or on the beach and, “I wish I had thought of that…” here are two products you won’t want to forget next holiday. The Malibu SPF 30 Hair and Scalp Protector and the Malibu SPF 30 Lipcare.  When your scalp starts to burn and you don’t want to make your hair greasy from the sun lotion, Malibu have the solution. Same goes with your highlights that you don’t want to get bleached; the Hair and Scalp Protector maintains a barrier with the sun so that you don’t have to worry about your hair drying out, scalp burning and peeling or your colour dissipating.  I was really grateful for the Malibu Lipcare as well because on the days when we were out but not by the beach, my lips were getting dry from the sun but with eating and drinking, lotion wasn’t doing it. The vanilla flavour helped remind me when I needed to reapply the Lipcare too! Malibu Lipcare and the Hair and Scalp Protector are both UVA and UVB protective and water resistant.

Did they work as sun protection products though? Well no one got burned! We had nice tans but more importantly there was no long term damage, the lotions stayed on and everyone was happy in the sun. The Malibu Sun Protection range would be a fabulous gift for a family at Christmas, or a stocking filler for that trip of a lifetime next year. Who’s coming with me?

(Some products aren’t available online)

Malibu SPF 50 Lotion £4.99:

https://www.malibusun.com/spf50-lotion-protection-49-p.asp

Malibu SPF 30 Lipcare £1.99:

https://www.malibusun.com/spf30-vanilla-lip-care-241-p.asp

The Hoy Coffee from Artisan Coffee Co

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, coffee, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Nobody likes bland coffee, so when The Artisan Coffee Co sent us a new blend of coffee to try, we were all for it!  Not only was this a new artisan blend, but it was developed with Sir Chris Hoy, Olympic champion.

Sir Chris discovered artisan coffee during his Olympic training in Melbourne, Australia and has since joined forced with Artisan Coffee Co to create The Hoy No 6 blend.  With a combination of Arabica beans from Sidamo in Ethiopia, Brazil and El Salvador, the distinct flavour is strong, with a smoothness you’ll appreciate as a coffee lover but with a sweetness that makes it ideal for after dinner.  The luxury of this Hoy No 6 from Artisan Coffee Co means it’s ideal for Christmas Day, or for relaxing on Boxing Day without being too strong.

The Hoy No 6 is a limited-edition coffee, designed especially as a flat white, which incidentally is how Chris likes to drink his coffee!  The coffee is a tribute to Hoy’s sporting achievements and as a celebration to the 2024 Olympic season.

The Hoy No 6 Artisan Coffee Co blend is available in whole bean bags of 240 grams. £1.50 of every bag sold will be donated to The Christie Charity, which supports the work of the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in providing world-class cancer care.

Available online for £12.25 at: https://www.artisancoffeeco.com/products/the-hoy-whole-bean-coffee?_pos=1&_sid=b8df84670&_ss=r

Siprano Non-Alcoholic Wine

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Today, there are not only a lot more choices available to us for alcohol but non-alcoholic drinks are also becoming increasingly popular, and much better than they used to be. 

Siprano was born out of owner Anna-Louise’s sobriety and an opportunity she found to create wines that were non-alcoholic but tasted as good as the real thing.  There are a surprisingly large demographic of buyers who don’t want or can’t drink alcohol, and those, like me, who just don’t like the taste. Ultimately, the non-alcoholic market is much larger than the drinker’s market and has more longevity, so Anna-Louise has hit the nail on the head with her idea, and especially in time for Christmas.

Anna-Louise sent me a bottle of each of my favourite wines; a Riesling white wine called The Very Cautious One and a Rosé called Darling Cellars Grenache. Both are alcohol free and refreshingly, also vegan so anyone can drink these!

The Very Cautious One was our first to open. A dry wine, it is typically Riesling flavour with Australian grapes.  Not a tough drink at all, it has sharp tones but a slightly fruity taste which develops with time. It feels like a wine but perhaps not the same Riesling flavour as the alcoholic version but still refreshing and easy to drink either on its own or as part of a meal.  It’s light-medium bodies so you can drink more of it than you might imagine.

The DC Rosé is made with 98% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Grenache from South Africa and has distinct delicacy to it with a fruity sweetness.  This is a great pairing with a pasta meal or after dinner and is very drinkable.  This tastes more like its alcoholic rosé cousin and goes down well on its own or with a meal, and even a snack in the evening.  Particularly good sharing with a group of friends where you can forget that it’s not alcoholic and enjoy it anyway!

Siprano has an online quiz on their website to help you choose which wine is best for you, with a subscription of 1-4 bottles per week delivered to your door. Their gift idea also works perfectly as a gift for someone to receive a bottle per month for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Nothing stopping you having your own subscription for the next 12 months too, and with it being non-alcoholic wine, it won’t be the alcohol preventing you opening a bottle as often as you like.

www.Siprano.co.uk have a new website which they’re eager to show off, so have a look and see if the quiz, or any of their evolving products take your fancy.

The Very Cautious One White £10.60: https://siprano.co.uk/collections/white-wine-alcohol-free/products/de-bortoli-the-very-cautious-riesling-alcohol-free-white-wine

Darling Cellars Rosé wine £9.35: https://siprano.co.uk/collections/rose-wine-alcohol-free/products/darling-cellars-grenache-alcohol-free-rose-wine