The Gift of Christmas Magic

It’s a well known fact amongst all who know me that I simply adore the festivities that Christmas brings! It’s the little things I love. The fun in finding gifts for loved ones, seeing the decorations go up all over the world, enjoying endless Christmas parties, dinners and snuggling up under great big blankets sipping hot chocolate watching Love Actually and other festive favourites.

It isn’t always easy for everyone this time of year, things can start to get pricy and there is always the worry that the gift you buy someone won’t be appreciated. I’ve come up with a sure-fire way to avoid those festive disappointments and make sure everyone finishes the holidays happy and fulfilled!

Everyone has different views and opinions on gifts but I think they are a brilliant way to show that we care and appreciate people and have spent time and energy thinking of something to give them to make them happy. I am not a huge fan of the ‘last minute’ gifts as it seems slap dash and can often lead to forgotten friends or stressed individuals as you can’t find what you had in mind for someone a month prior.

The best advice I can give you this time of year is to plan early and think about why you get someone a gift and what they me an to you. I am quite a sharp individual and would never send a card to someone or give a gift unless I genuinely like the person or am taking part in something fun and festive. It isn’t about how much you spend or how much someone else is spending on you but about thought and feeling. It doesn’t even matter if someone else doesn’t get you a gift because the gift to you is knowing you’ve made that person feel special and happy, even if only for a moment of receiving something.

Christmas gift ideas

My ultimate gift ideas are listed below! I like to really think about them and get something unique and memorable for that individual!

Gift boxes

This year my best friend and I decided to create gift boxes for each other from our countries, this is a great way to show you care and appreciate someone because you have to put in time and thought whilst also thinking about who they are as a person and what they might find funny or cute. I added the cutest gift to Carina’s box which was a tea bauble for her to remember England and hang on her tree. Now every year she can have a little something to decorate her tree and remind her of the country she used to call home, and when I go to visit her over Christmas I plan to fill it up again with surprise gifts and get her to open them after I leave! Little things like this won’t set you back and often turn out to be a real crowd pleaser! You can pick these up for just under £10 in lots of retailers (check out Amazon for a huge selection)! You can also make your own hot chocolate ones like these cute little ones I found on Pinterest!

I am also making these for a few other people, but because Carina is the only one who has opened hers I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but my advice is think about the individual, hobbies and what would make their day!

Gifts from your place of work

This probably sounds like a boring idea for someone working at a bank or law firm but you can often find something for sale at this time of year to give to your family. For me, working in a Museum is a godsend this time of year as we are often gifted by our companies with extra discount in the shops, and as my Museum is the V&A – well! Expect something cultured and fun if you’re part of my Christmas list circle! For the rest of the world who don’t work in a Museum, you are still not at a loss as I have worked in corporate companies and always been able to find something fun even if its a freebie or entry to something they’d otherwise be unable to attend, you will find its very much appreciated.

Gifts online

This is a really easy way to buy personal gifts for everyone! A few sites I love to use are: EBay, Etsy and Amazon! This year I’ve used all three for gifts which are unique and fun. I hadn’t used Etsy before, but I have to say it’s so incredibly fun and full of handmade items and unique fancy things you’d never get anywhere else. They’re also full of varied prices too!

Home made

You can make some incredible home cooking gifts for people! Cookies, coconut ice, brownies and all sorts!

You can also pain glass, draw pictures and make felt animals if you’re good at those things. My partner and I have taken to the crafts and created some wonderful little things this year, one being a felted hamster we’ve put on our tree!