Secret Santa Gifts under £15 – The Review Studio

Fatso Chocolate

Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Christmas, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Vegan

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

I’m a real chocoholic and it doesn’t take much of an excuse for me to reach for a bar of chocolate, so with Christmas around the corner, I’m really enjoying “researching” the festive chocolate selection.

This year, my taste buds have been utterly spoiled by FATSO, a brand that never fails to surprise with its inventive and indulgent flavours. Their chocolate is rich, bold, and just a little bit cheeky – just what you want when the nights draw in and you fancy something comforting (and possibly a little naughty). FATSO chocolate is sourced exclusively from Luker, a family-owned, Colombian co-operative that champions ethical, sustainable cocoa farming. Their beans have earned the prestigious Fino de Aroma classification – a mark of exceptional quality and their work supports local communities, biodiversity, and better farming practices. So, every bite not only tastes good but it does good too!

Top of my Christmas list this year is FATSO’s Drunk’n Monkey (RRP £7.25), a gloriously grown-up combination of spiced rum, banana chips, and salted crackers, all covered in FATSO’s signature dark Colombian chocolate. It’s a real tipsy treat and just as delicious as it sounds.

If you haven’t tasted FATSO chocolate before then the FATSO Foursome (RRP £15) is the perfect introduction. The giftset contains four individually boxed 40g bars –

Sweet Tart – a wonderful combination of cherry, almond and shortbread that balances sweetness and crunch beautifully.

King’s Ransom – for mint chocolate lovers. It contains mint, pistachio and cocoa nib and is minty without being overpowering. The pistachio and cocoa nibs add a nice crunch.

Home Run – 60% cacao chocolate with generous chunks of salted pretzels, whole almonds and honeycomb. The saltiness of the pretzel takes away some of the bitterness of the dark chocolate and sweetness comes from the honeycomb. Nuts add a satisfying crunch to this bar making it impossible to stop at just one bite.

Nan’s Stash – this contains peanut, toffee and digestive biscuit and is incredibly moreish – I challenge anyone to stop after only one piece!!

FATSO has set the Christmas chocolate bar (quite literally) high this year, and I can honestly say it’s the best chocolate I’ve tasted in quite a while. If you’re a fellow chocoholic – or shopping for one – FATSO should definitely be making an appearance this Christmas!

Elemental Herbology

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

Skincare gifts that combine effectiveness with a touch of indulgence are a great idea for Christmas gifts and Elemental Herbology have a fantastic selection to choose from. Inspired by the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine they blend top quality, natural ingredients with cutting end technology to give your skin exactly what it needs. These are exactly the kind of gifts I’d love to find under the tree on Christmas morning so I can indulge in a spot of pampering after the festive madness is over!!

As you know winter can be incredibly harsh on our skin, the cold air outside combined with the drying effects of central heating often leaves it feeling dry and dull. That’s why it’s so important to give your skin extra TLC in the winter months. Elemental Herbology’s face creams are beautifully rich and luxurious yet absorb quickly, so you don’t get that heavy or greasy feeling on your face. The creams are formulated with even the most sensitive skin in mind, using an ultra-hydrating complex that deeply nourishes dry, dehydrated skin to leave it looking plump and healthy.

The Cell Plumping Moisturiser has a smooth silky texture that absorbs effortlessly into the skin, providing excellent hydration without the greasiness. It feels lightweight and I’m loving the softness and slight mattifying effect that it gives. After a couple of weeks my skin feels softer, smoother and has a radiance about it that I certainly didn’t have before.

RRP £55 (50ml)

Now for the Facial Souffle Ultra Rich Cream, this is an intensely hydrating multi purpose cream that works perfectly as a day or night moisturiser and doubles as an overnight face mask. The rich, creamy texture absorbs beautifully, enveloping my skin in a cocoon of hydration. By morning, my skin feels incredibly nourished, soft and refreshed – as if I’ve had a good eight hours sleep – even when I haven’t!

RRP £55 (50ml)

The Detox Neroli & Rose Damask hand and body wash is another favourite, made with a blend of natural oils and botanicals it lathers nicely and has an incredible fragrance that lingers softly on the skin, transforming a shower into a truly sensual experience. I love how it leaves my skin feeling refreshed yet pampered, adding a touch of luxury to my daily routine. Slip this into a stocking, and it’s bound to add a touch of elegance to anyone’s bathroom!

RRP £14

And finally, the Detox Bath and Body Oil. Now, this is the one you’ll want to treat yourself to as well as gifting to others. Add a few drops to a hot bath once the Christmas festivities are over and the stress will simply melt away. It’s rich, nourishing, and leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. Plus, it’s got that spa-like aroma, so even if you’re only in the bath for a quick 10 minutes, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported somewhere fabulous. Not only is it a fantastic bath oil it also doubles as a body oil so you can enjoy the beautiful fragrance all day long. The blend is designed to detoxify and rejuvenate both body and mind and the ingredients are carefully selected for their unique benefits.

Rosemary: Boosts mental clarity and encourages digestive flow.
Grapefruit: Detoxifies the skin and supports healthy digestion.
Juniper Berry: Cleansing and purifying, it enhances circulation and refreshes the skin.

It’s the perfect addition to any self-care routine, giving your body a revitalizing boost during the winter months!

RRP £33

So if you’re looking for gifts that bring a bit of that “aaah” feeling, these are a great choice, perfect for mums, sisters, friends or anyone who loves a bit of pampering.

Jack & Orla Origami Notelets and Bookmarks

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

I’m a self confessed stationery addict so was really pleased when Jenny, the founder of Jack & Orla got in touch to share her gorgeous origami inspired gifts. Named after her children, Jenny founded Jack & Orla out of a wish to create unique prints for her children’s bedrooms and her fantastic designs quickly became popular with likeminded people. Soon, her sister Claire joined the team and together they have grown Jack & Orla into a brand loved for its high-quality designs.

The latest collection features these fantastic origami notelets, I think the animal print ones are really cool but there’s eight other ones to choose from if you prefer something a little more subtle.The paper is beautifully thick with a smooth finish that’s a pleasure to write on and each notelet feels like a mini work of art, showcasing Jenny’s creativity and style. There’s plenty of space to write but the cleverest feature is that these cards are designed to fold to create their own envelopes! After writing your note simply fold it up again, seal it with one of the adhesive labels that is included in the set, add the address and a stamp and then just pop it in the post box.

Whether you’re sending a thank you note, a birthday message, or just a quick “thinking of you,” these notelets make every occasion feel a little more special. They’re a joy to write on and an even bigger joy to receive. In today’s digital age these are such a lovely way to bring back the art of letter-writing!

RRP £12 for a set of 6 notelets

In addition to the delightful notelets Jack & Orla also offer origami bookmarks which are just a dream for anyone who, like me, can’t stand folded page corners! These charming bookmarks come in packs of four, each featuring a unique origami design that’s as stylish as it is practical. With four different designs to choose from, they’re ideal for marking pages in recipe books or your current novel, making turned down corners a thing of the past!

Jenny’s put so much love and creativity into these designs and whether you gift them together or on their own, they’re perfect for Christmas stockings, Secret Santa gifts, or even a little treat for yourself!

RRP £6 for a set of 4

If you want to purchase them Jack & Orla are offering 10% off if you use the code THANKYOU at checkout.

AOURA Body Mist Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

If you are looking for reasonably priced Christmas Stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts then the Aoura Body Mist giftset is perfect, costing a very reasonable £13 it can either be given as one gift or split up for stocking fillers.

The set contains four fragrances, Paradise Bliss, Pretty Woman, Midnight Passion and Love Rush which are packaged in pretty jewel coloured 60ml octagonal bottles.

Love Rush in the deep pink bottle is a fruity and spicy scent which is perfect for day and night. It has hints of vanilla and aims to remind you of what falling in love feels like again! With notes of bergamot, blackcurrant and pear it is a fragrance designed to capture the excitement of life. It’s light and easy to wear and is a great everyday fragrance.

Pretty Woman comes in a light pink bottle and is a lighter fragrance scented with bergamot and pear. When you spray it, you initially smell the delicate rose fragrance which is followed by sweet vanilla notes with a hint of musk and patchouli. This is my favourite of the four and I receive lots of compliments when I wear it.

Midnight Passion in the purple bottle is a heavier fragrance and one I would wear in the evening when going out. The floral fragrance has top notes of bitter orange and anise, middle notes of rose and almond and base notes of tonka bean, creamy vanilla, and sandalwood.

Paradise Bliss comes in a beautiful turquoise bottle and reminds me of the sea and walks on the beach. The enticing mixture of heliotrope, orange blossom and mango combined with the closing notes of hazelnut, wood and creamy coconut milk is sweet and fresh and a lovely fragrance to wear during the day.

The pump spray is nice and powerful giving a good spray from just one pump. Obviously, the mist isn’t as strong as perfume, so it does need topping up during the day which isn’t a problem as the 60ml bottles fits nicely in my handbag.

This is a lovely giftset and anyone receiving it on Christmas Day is going to be delighted with it.

Available at Boots ( included in the 3 for 2 Christmas offer) and Amazon

Sacla’ Christmas Gifts

Uncategorized

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

Christmas is the time of year when most people treat themselves to luxurious food & festive drinks. You may have heard of the Italian brand Sacla’ before as they make the most amazing pesto, but did you know that they also stock an amazing selection of Italian food & drink gifts, including sweet treats, hampers and drinks.

The company was founded in 1939 by Secondo and Piera Ercole in Piedmont, Italy. The area is known as ‘Italy’s garden’ and they wanted to share their delicious produce so started preparing fruit and vegetables and selling them. The company has gone from strength to strength and is now a very successful business, bringing the real flavours of Italy to the world.

We’ve been sampling a couple of products that will make fantastic Christmas gifts for any foodie. The Villa Domiziano Prosecco DOC is nice and fresh with plenty of bubbles that jump and fizz enticingly. With subtle flavours of citrus and apple it is everything you could want in a fizz, and more. Light, delicate and fruity it is an excellent accompaniment to Christmas lunch or Christmas drinks with friends. With an RRP of £15 it also makes a great Secret Santa gift too.

Chocolate as a Christmas present is hardly an original idea, but once you taste this magnificent Chocolate & Rum Torrone D. Barbero boozy Italian nougat you will see that chocolate from an artisan producer is a world apart from something from a supermarket or high street store. This torrone, made by family chocolatiers Barbero, is based on a family recipe that’s been passed down through the generations, each tweaking the recipe slightly. This variation is hand crafted and encased in dark chocolate with dark rum, Piedmont hazelnuts, Madagascar vanilla, honey and raisins. With plenty of filling encased in the chocolate, the bar is nice and moist and incredibly moreish. Whether you’re buying it a Christmas gift or as a treat for family over the Christmas period it is bound to be very well received.

RRP £14

Warmies Giraffe

Autumn, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Winter, Women

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

Whilst it looks like an ordinary soft toy this cuddly giraffe from Warmies isn’t just for children. Scented with lavender, which is well known for helping you relax and drift off to sleep, the soft toy can be warmed in the microwave which helps the beautiful fragrance intensify. The warm giraffe is then lovely and snuggly, just like a warm hug and is lovely to cuddle up to.

It is really easy to heat , place it in the microwave and turn it on, for microwaves 600 to 800W heat for 45 seconds and 850 to 1000W it needs 30 seconds.

I have been using it instead of a heat pad and found it perfect for soothing cramps and muscle pain. Our mini reviewers have been snuggling up to it at bedtime which has really helped settle then down at night and they have definitely been falling asleep much faster.

Popping a Warmies soft toy in the microwave before bed has now become one of our favourite bed time rituals, guaranteeing us all a good nights sleep.

Available from Well Pharmacy there is also a Cockapoo and the super cute Warm Hugs penguins which would make great Christmas gifts. If you are looking for gifts for older relatives then it might be worth considering the fully heatable bottle, fully heatable eye mask or the fully heatable slippers which are all available from the Well Pharmacy website.

RRP £14.99 and currently on offer for £13.49 here

Annabelle Minerals Sheer Shine Lipsticks

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

I don’t leave the house without putting lipstick on so was very pleased to receive a selection of Sheer Shine lipsticks in the most gorgeous shades of nude, pinks and red from Annabelle Minerals.

Available in six shades, these lipsticks are a lovely creamy consistency which glides nicely onto your lips, enhancing as well as nurturing them. The colours are lovely and last well but the main benefit to me is how moisturised my lips now feel. Enriched with a blend of natural butters, oils, waxes, and vitamin E they have the moisturising qualities of a lip balm but in a lipstick formula – a winning combination which not only makes your lips look good, keeps them lovely and soft and hydrated too.

The shape of the lipstick enables a precise application, and it was easy to adjust the intensity of colour from a subtle wash to an intense full lip. We all know the packaging of lipsticks is important and these are available in a chic golden magnetic case, with a snug fitting lid and there is also a refill option too which is a great sustainable option.

The colours available are –

APRICOT – a fresh peachy nude shade that complements both warm and cool beauty types. A very versatile everyday colour that will suit most people.

BROWN FIG – a gorgeous pink caramel colour that can easily be glammed up if you are going out straight after work.

COCONUT – a warm brown hue, great if you have a tan.

DRAGON FRUIT – this fuchsia pink lipstick teamed with smoky eyes is a winning combination for Christmas party glamour.

GUAVA – a powdery pink shade that will suit all complexions.

STRAWBERRY – a stunning red lipstick that will add a touch of drama to any outfit.

As a user of more expensive lipsticks, I can honestly say that these lipsticks could easily rival any of my normal brands so are a great choice if you are looking to save a little money but aren’t prepared to compromise on quality. The choice of shades is great and they keep your lips lovely and moisturised which is very important now we are heading into the winter months.

From daytime to evening glamour, Annabelle Minerals have a great selection of makeup and skincare products that would make amazing gifts this Christmas, so whatever your budget you will easily find the perfect gift.

RRP £11.90 and the refill is £9.90 – available here

Baylis & Harding Royale Garden Luxury Pamper Keepsake Tin

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Women

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

There has been talk in this office this week of our annual Secret Santa and with a limit of £15 the Royale Garden Luxury Pamper Keepsake Tin Gift Set from Baylis & Harding fits the bill perfectly.

It is one of a number of gifts from the Royale Garden range that contain products scented with a beautiful Rose, Poppy & Vanilla fragrance. The products are beautifully packaged in a keepsake tin and all the products are all individually wrapped in tissue paper, making it feel like an extra special gift.

Inside the tin are

Soap 50g

Body Wash 50ml

Body Butter 50ml

Hand & Nail Cream 50ml

Body polisher

The soap and body wash lather up well and if you layer up the products it helps the beautiful fragrance linger on your skin all day. The body butter is nice and rich, melting into my skin leaving it lovely and soft and fragranced. The hand cream was a delight to use, it was just the right consistency, not too thick where you need to rub your hands a number of times to help it absorb and not too thin where it runs through your fingers. It left my hands feeling soft and smooth without any greasiness. The 50ml tube is perfect for keeping in my handbag too.

As well as being a great Secret Santa gift it is perfect as a stocking filler or a thank you gift for teachers.

RRP £15

Tension Play Anywhere Edition

Birthday Gifts, camping, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Stocking Fillers, Toys

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

Whenever we go away, whether it’s by car, train or plane, I always make sure I have a couple of travel games in my bag to help pass the time. Tension from Cheatwell Games, the top ten naming game is one of our favourite board games so were really pleased to try out the travel version this summer.

The box is very cleverly designed, storing all the cards, timer and counters and also doubling up as the score board with little buttons to pop whenever a correct answer is shouted out.

The cards are double sided, orange questions on one size and blue on the other. The orange questions tend to be easier so when we have been playing with younger children we use these but if you are playing with older children or adults you can choose either. The cards cover a huge variety of topics such as Fictional Doctors, Power Tools, Pub Names Featuring Animals and Things You Can Hang On A Wall so it is a great game to play when you have a mix of ages.

The game is easy to play, you split into two teams and the first team select the top card and place it into the card dispenser, making sure that all the poppers are raised. The topic is read out, the timer turned and the other team shout out as many correct answers as they can within the time. It sounds easy but the twist is you need to come up with the same ten answers on the card to gain points. Among the correct answers you will also get plenty of hilarious answers which adds to the fun of the game! When a correct answer is given the popper is pushed down to keep score. Tokens are awarded based on the number of correct answers (yellow =1, red =5 and blue =10). Play then swaps to the other team and continues until all tokens are used.

This is a great game to play and a fantastic addition to our travel game collection. It is now in my travel bag ready for our next trip.

RRP £12.99 from Amazon