Christmas Gift Guide Part 1

AD – PR Samples – This post contains items I was gifted for consideration in my 2022 Christmas gift guide. Some links may be affiliate links – if you buy via these links you pay nothing more but I get a small amount directly from the company.

Hi, my name is Sarah and here’s my yearly reminder that Christmas is coming! It seems strange that at least for me this will probably be the first “normal” Christmas since pre-COVID. Last year Ash spent Christmas in the hospital so once again it was very different for us.

Hopefully, everyone will be able to spend this year with loved ones, celebrating the day.

I know personally, I always find Christmas presents hard to buy and often turn to gift guides for ideas. So I hope mine helps you as much as I’ve found others do for me in the past.

For those who haven’t come across my guides before – I don’t do themed guides, my guides all feature ideas for everyone as I’ll be honest, I’m not good at arranging things quite that well.

So without further ado – here’s my ultimate Christmas gift guide part 1!

Massimago “Marchesa MariaBella” Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore from Independent Wines

If you are buying for someone who loves wine then Independent Wine is an online store to know about. They are the UK’s leading wine company that specialises in award-winning Italian wines. Stocking at least 140 award-winning wines on their books.

Many of their wines are bought from small, family-owned wineries in Italy. However, you need not worry about import charges as everything they sell is already in the UK.

I was kindly sent Marchesa MariaBella which is a low-sulphite, organic Ripasso wine produced by sustainable winemaker Camilla Rossi-Chauvenet. Which comes in at £24.95.

I passed this over to my parents to try who said: “A lovely red wine that has red berry flavours but is not too heavy. It is a ‘drink anytime’ wine, and delicious with cheese.”.

2023 Horoscopes

If you are after something for someone who loves to know their horoscopes then this book is a must. By Patsy Bennett an Australian celebrity astrologer who has been practising for over 24 years, this book offers a day-by-day prediction for every star sign.

What’s more, within the pages you will also find moon phases and energy charts, allowing the recipients to really know what 2023 has in store for them.

The 2023 Horoscopes (affiliate link) costs £16.99.

Rufus Needs A Haircut

If there is one thing that comes with owning a dog, it has to be the amusing stories that go with it. So this Christmas why not treat a dog-loving friend to these shaggy dog stories?

A lovely book full of short stories and illustrations, this is the perfect book to dip in and out of over the festive season. Written for adults, this book is bound to bring about a range of emotions as you read through it.

David Selby got the idea to write Rufus Needs a Haircut over lockdown and as such gives £1.50 per sale to the NHS charities.

Buy Rufus Needs a Haircut now from Amazon (affiliate link) for £7.99.

Orli – Rose and Rhubarb Reed Diffuser

Orli offers a range of products perfect for gifts, from the massage candles they are best known for to home fragrances, facial products, hair care and so much more.

I personally found their range really unique, with fragrances I perhaps hadn’t come across before. They suggested that I try out their best-selling Rose and Rhubarb reed diffuser, which is definitely a scent I wouldn’t have thought of.

However, I can definitely see why it is one of their favourite offerings, with the rich rose against the fruity rhubarb it offers a fragrance which would work in any room of the home. The reed diffuser itself offers up a fragrance which lightly scents the room, with reeds being turned every 1 – 2 weeks until fragrance has run out.

Orli’s reed diffusers, including the Rose and Rhubarb, come in at a reasonable £16.66.

Lily Blanche – Rutilated Quartz Cocktail Ring in Rose Gold

I have reviewed a pair of beautiful garnet earrings from Lily Blanche on my blog before and it is wonderful to be able to include their personalised jewellery once again in my Christmas gift guide. This time I decided to try one of their rings and went for the stunning Rutilated Quartz Cocktail Ring which is available in silver, gold and rose gold finishings and has matching earrings on offer too.

I went for the 18-carat rose gold vermeil finish which I think sets off the rutilated quartz beautifully. If you haven’t heard of this type of quartz before, it has these delicate acicular (needle-like) inclusions of rutile which I think makes for a really unique look as each one is essentially different.

In the rose gold vermeil finish the Rutilated Quartz Cocktail Ring comes in at £110.

SBC – Hydra-Collagen and Black Pearl Moisturising Gel

I have to admit I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of a moisturising gel but I have been really impressed by SBC with their gels offering a really soothing experience. Personally, I can see SBC moisturisers making for a great Secret Santa or stocking addition as they start at just £7 for 100ml.

This particular one is a good anti-ageing moisturiser which can be used across the face and body. This is due to the fact that the hydra-collagen and black pearl moisturiser has been formulated to promote skin elasticity while tackling the signs of fine lines as well as hydrating the skin.

The Hydra-Collagen and Black Pearl Moisturising Gel 300ml as seen in this post, comes in at £19.50.

COSRX – Acne Pimple Master Patch

If you are looking for a stocking filler for a teen or someone who struggles with their skin, then perhaps the COSRX – Acne Pimple Master Patch would be a good idea.

Containing 24 clear hydrocolloid patches, which are simply placed on top of any spot, these patches have been shown to help break down debris from blackheads and absorb gunk from whiteheads overnight. In fact, you may well have seen patches like it work their magic for people on social media.

Personally, I find these a must to have around the home ready for any breakouts that might occur.

The COSRX – Acne Pimple Master Patch (24) comes in at £5.99.

Rubis – Classic Slanted Tweezers

Another great stocking filler idea is a pair of tweezers. This particular pair from Rubis are rust and corrosion-resistant (and hands up I’ve lost count of how many pairs I’ve lost to rust). As well as offering a non-slip grip and slanted tip.

Perfect for brow shaping and hair removal, they have been designed by experts to be comfortable to use, yet don’t compromise on effectiveness.

The Rubis – Classic Slanted Tweezers (affiliate link) come in a range of colours and cost £25.50.

SOS Serum

If you know someone who has problem skin, then SOS Serum could be the perfect product for them to try. Ever since I ended up in the hospital last year, I’ve struggled with flare-ups of itchy skin.

The last time it happened this SOS Serum had just arrived so I reached for it and was so impressed, it cooled and soothed the areas and for me will be a cream I always keep around.

For Christmas, they have a lovely Travel Essentials kit which could make the perfect gift if you have someone coming to stay! While single bottles are perfect for small gifts and stocking fillers.

This particular SOS Serum can be used on the body and face and for 50ml comes in at £16.

Embryolisse – Lait-Crème Concentré

If you’ve been on TikTok this year it is likely you have seen the Embryolisse – Lait-Crème Concentré. A celebrity favourite this cream is a must for any skincare lover.

Offering a 6 – 1 multi-tasking cream it can be used as a; moisturiser, make-up remover, repairing mask, after-shave cream, baby-care product and of course, is most often raved about as a primer.

This multi-tasking marvel offers up a creamy milk texture and is wonderful at hydrating the skin. As such it is a beauty secret everyone should know about.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré comes in at £13 for 30ml and can be bought from Boots and Sephora.

Mylee Ice Ice Baby Collection

Buying for someone who loves doing their nails and has a LED or UV lamp, then the Mylee My Gel Ice Ice Baby collection is one to think about.

Containing two colours; Below Zero which is an icy-cool foil effect and Frostbite which offers a deep blue hue, this set will have any nail fan wanting to play ASAP.

It is worth noting that if you are looking to start with LED or UV nails a good base and top coat is also a good idea.

The Mylee Ice Ice Baby Collection comes in at £14.50.

Ramer

Ramer Cleansing Shammy for Sensitive Skin

Personally, I swear by a Ramer Cleansing Shammy for washing my face with, I have a whole host of different colours now. They offer a really soft cleansing cloth, which can easily be washed and reused.

Working well for both cleaning and toning, they will be a stocking addition which is used over and over. It is worth noting they do go harder between uses as they dry out to help prevent the growth of bacteria, but never fear as soon as water is re-added they soften right back up again.

The fantastic Cleansing Shammy for Sensitive Skin comes in at just £1.99.

Ramer Luxury Body Sponge

When I said I hadn’t tried one of their luxury body sponges I was told it was a must and I have to agree it is a wonderful sponge.

Expanding to hold up to 12 x its weight in water, this sponge is the perfect stocking filler to go alongside the shammy. It is completely vegan-friendly and comes in 100% recycled packaging. Making it an ethical alternative to the sea sponge.

The Luxury Body Sponge starts at £5.50.

Naturally Tribal Skincare – Agu Beard and Aftershave Oil

For the man who loves to take care of his beard, Naturally Tribal have them covered with their Agu oil which can be used both as an aftershave oil and beard oil.

Infused with coconut and argan oil, it can be used on even problem or sensitive skin, helping to add hydration to the hair and skin, along with a healthy shine to any beard.

All that is needed is a few drops, to be rubbed into the beard and skin underneath for this oil to work its magic. What’s more, the oil is natural, vegan certified and cruelty-free and comes in a recyclable packing.

Know the perfect person for the Agu Beard and Aftershave Oil? Well, it comes in at £18.

ARRAN – Bergamot & Geranium Home Fragrance Gift Set

I have long been a fan of ARRAN, with them offering some wonderful body and home products in unique fragrances. In fact, the scent is at the heart of all their products.

For anyone who loves home fragrances then ARRAN has a range of gift sets which might be the perfect option. From those including just candles, these wonderful sets with a mix of candle and reed diffusers.

This particular one is in Bergamot & Geranium, which offers up a beautiful fruity floral scent, which is perfect for the living room. You can allow the reed diffusers to offer up a gentle scent which is then added to as the long evenings draw in, by the candle.

The ARRAN Bergamot & Geranium Home Fragrance Gift Set comes in at £40 (which offers a saving of £11).

Lumene

Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Hydration Treasures Set

For the skincare lover who wants to try something different then how about the hydration treasures set? Inside this two-piece set you will find:

Aqua Serum – a hydrating serum which helps to plump the skin and add a dewy look. Utilising ingredients such as; Nordic birch sap, Nordic algae and pure Arctic spring water this serum is definitely one to get people talking.

Intense Hydration Moisturiser – offering an intense hydrating experience from first use, which lasts for up to 24 hours. It is lightweight in nature with ingredients such as organic Nordic birch sap, Arctic spring water and hyaluronic acid.

The Nordic Hydra [Lähde] Hydration Treasures Set comes in at £27.90.

Advent Calendar Nordic Beauty Treasures 24 Pieces

It isn’t the run-up to Christmas without an advent calendar and every year more brands are coming out with their own. This year Lumene has come out with a Nordic beauty treasures calendar which includes a fantastic 24 items for you to try.

Including a range of skincare items and a few makeup products for good measure, this calendar is perfect for any beauty connoisseur, while also offering a wonderful insight into the Lumene brand.

Each day you get to track down the numbered box and see what surprise is hiding inside.

Worried about the rubbish a calendar such as this will create? Well, the Lumene calendar is made from FSC® certified recyclable cardboard and is fully recyclable.

Fancy counting down to Christmas with Lumene? The Nordic Beauty Treasures Advent Calendar comes in at £99.90 and can be bought from stores such as Sephora, and Look Fantastic.

BadRhino

BadRhino Big & Tall Mid-Blue Stretch Jeans

I have to admit BadRhino is a shop I had heard of before but never visited, so I was interested when they asked if I wanted to work with them on my Christmas gift guide. I had for some reason assumed they were the male equivalent of Yours Clothing and as such sold only men’s plus size clothing.

However, that isn’t true, they also deal with tall sizing and with Ash being over 6ft that is in fact very useful.

BadRhino of course sells its own brand products such as these jeans which come in sizes 36 – 60 and offer a leg length of 30″, 32″ and 34″. While colourwise they come in a choice of 6 different options.

Offering a stretch fit, these jeans are said to be comfortable enough for everyday wear.

The BadRhino Big & Tall Mid-Blue Stretch Jeans come in at £29.99.

SUPERDRY Big & Tall Black Vintage Joggers

Alongside their own brand, BadRhino also sells items from many household names. Such as these joggers from SUPERDRY. It was actually these joggers that made me realise quite how short some of his other pairs are on him.

Available in black and grey (and there was a navy choice at one point), and in sizes M – 2XL with an inside leg length of around 30.3″. In testament to how much he liked this Ash now has multiple pairs of these joggers in the home.

Made from a soft cotton blend, they have an elasticated waistband with drawstrings, ribbed cuffs and three pockets.

The SUPERDRY Big & Tall Black Vintage Joggers come in at £49.99 but at the time of writing have 20% off.

NOMO Caramel Advent Calendar

Vegan-friendly, and free from dairy, eggs, gluten and nuts the NOMO caramel advent calendar is a must for so many people.

Behind 25 doors to open this advent includes 24 caramel drops and 1 caramel bar to enjoy on Christmas Day itself. What more could you want to count down to Christmas with?

The NOMO Caramel Advent comes in at £10. (Right now they are on 3 for 2 on the NOMO website as well).

So there you have the end of my first Christmas gift guide for 2022, I do hope you have enjoyed these ideas and that you keep looking out for the next part!

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