Ideas For When You’ve Run Out Of Ideas…

We all know Christmas is all about the kids – it seems that everything I write these days has a kid-related theme … as we get older their pile of presents reaches to the ceiling while yours might just make the edge of the sofa, if you’re lucky. I blame the advertising and the aises of toys in the supermarkets that stretch on for miles.

Once they have been sorted out, I tend to turn my attention to the other 101 things on my Christmas To-Do list including the office Secret Santa, the present-you-completely-forgot-to-buy for the relative that never forgets you… Yes, it’s expensive and its stressful but here are a few more gift ideas that just might help.

For your husband, lover, boyfriend, brother, Dad or boss:

We all know at least one man who has everything and considers socks/smellies and ties a disappointing present. There is nothing more entertaining than a wind-up critter to alleviate boredom. Hexbugs are the brain child of Innovation First Inc. Micro Robotic creatures in Original (a winged bug looking suspiciously like a cockroach!), Inchworm, Crab, Ant and Nano, Hexbugs react to light, sound and avoid obstacles put in their path. Each variety scuttles around, providing much entertainment for its owner and would be a great stocking-filler.

For Mum/Sister/ Sister-In-Law, Lover, Girlfriend and any-other-female-on-your-shopping-list:

We all know that “when all else fails buy smellies” so why not choose something different that isn’t straight off the supermarket shelves? amaZene is a new bath and body care range that immediately made me think The Body Shop had a worthy rival.  Sulfate and paraben-free, it ticks all the healthy, organic and anti-aging boxes.  Each product contains a blend of three certified organic ingredients: Acai (an antioxidant to combat premature aging), Babacu (to soften) and Cupuacu (to hydrate). Each range has 7 different products (body lotion, body butter, body scrub, bath soak, hand lotion, hand wash and a bath/shower gel)  Available from www.amaZene.com

And while we’re on the subject of skincare and cosmetics, most of us have heard of the Rescue Remedy range; well now they do a lip treatment too called Rescue Balm which is an intensive moisturising lip balm with natural flower essences designed to moisturise and soothe dry, cracked lips. As a bonus, for that killer headache, rub a little into your temples to soothe away stress. Perfect.

Some more great gifts from those crafters at Anorak – Belle Bou Notebook. With a delightful 1950’s comic-style illustration of Cowboys and Indians, this pretty little notebook comes in at £5.50 and has 96 blank pages to fill with jottings or memories. Measuring 12cm by 17cm, it’s just the right size for a handbag.

This diddy little purse (£11.00) has been designed by the same artist as the Owl in the Mum I Really Want One Of Those For Christmas article. Perfect for loose change or for those girly-girls who love all things pretty.

For the bookworm in your life:

There are only so many gift vouchers you can buy. The Sony Reader puts a whole new spin on building a personal library. Although many of us like the feel, smell and look of a book, there is something to be said about having 350 e-books available at the touch of a button!

Sony Reader Pocket Edition comes in a feminine rose pink or stylish silver. With a five-inch electronic display it is simple to navigate with one hand and slips neatly into a handbag or jacket pocket. The compact Reader can store approximately 350 standard eBooks and provides up to two weeks of reading on a single battery charge. Featuring E Ink® Vizplex™ (electronic paper display that mimics the look of ink on paper) the Sony Reader Pocket Edition is the perfect gift for those who regularly commute or like to read in bed!

And for the creme de la creme of E-Books, we have the Reader Touch Edition. Users can type with the virtual keyboard and make handwritten notes with an included stylus, which can be exported and printed out. The six-inch screen makes for quick navigation and page turning and an onboard Oxford English Dictionary allows you to look up the meaning of a word by simply tapping on it. With five adjustable font sizes and expansion slots for both Memory Stick® and SD cards your portable library becomes virtually limitless. [Red version exclusive to John Lewis; Sony Reader Touch Edition usually available in black or silver.]

For the kids you completely forgot to buy for:

CBeebies have brought out a wonderful selection of DVDs of the most popular characters for pre-schoolers to enjoy. Timmy Time: The Train, Roary The Racing Car:Christmas Bumper Collection, Waybuloo: Adventures In Nara, Big Barn Farm: Greedy Goat and Chuggington: Wheels To The Rails have all been launched through October and November ready for the festive season. Parents will thank you a million times over for keeping their kids quiet for an hour or so!

Most children these days have a scooter or bike and we, as parents, want to make sure they are safe and seen by other road users. So why not pop a few of these in their stocking or wrapped together for another child? The KnogFrog light (in eight different colours) and BBB Quick Release Bell which can be easily mounted in various positions.

The Breo Foam Watch is a stylish piece of kit with digital display. And just to make it that little bit extra special, the fact that it is made with a material called Tourmaline, naturally occurring mineral widely used for its many beneficial health effects including:  Increased concentration, Natural detoxification of the body, Improved sleep, relaxation and meditation and Improved vitality and mood. Should be a winner with the kids and their mums and dads.

All those crafty kids (and big kids) out there will love this book Custard and Crayons. A fantastic children’s book full of recipes and craft ideas focusing on moments in the calendar – be that Halloween, Guy Fawkes, Christmas etc.

Created by mums and narrated by their kids Polly & Jago, Custard and Crayons, is bound in a beautifully illustrated wall calendar to help you keep track of all the important events throughout the year. Maybe you ought to add that to ‘Her’ Christmas list instead!