This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
One of my favourite parts of Christmas Day is laying the table which includes putting two or three crackydoos on each place setting. What is a crackydoo? Well it is a relatively inexpensive, thoughtful gift, the same as stocking fillers. This year we are dispensing with “main’ presents – there was a collective sigh of relief all round when this decision was made! Until grandchildren come along, our family consists of adults and so we are having a ‘reduced’ Christmas this year – our usual Sunday lunch with aforesaid crackydoos. Quite appropriate actually as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year.
Lots of us really appreciate receiving useful gifts. And these luxury car scents are a brilliant example. Great names, great packaging, great fragrances that will perfume your car, sock drawer or hallway for up to six weeks. £11 from Roadscents. Use AG10 for 10% off
Scrape, stir, mix, scoop and serve – all with this one silicone supoon! It has a flat squeegee tip and flexible sides to scrape a bowl clean, measures tspn and tbspn, is dishwasher safe and its clever handle design is like having a built-in spoon rest, so its head sits up off the worktop. £7.50 from Jane Lovett
The Alphabet make up bag great quality for only £6
This is the gift that keeps on giving. These drops from life armour® are so good. Annabel and her husband both use these drops regularly. She says, “If I am having a hectic time and need an extra boost I use the drops of vitality and my husband who struggles with his sleep often uses, very successfully, the drops of slumber.”
There is a 20% discount code of AG20. Click HERE to go to the life armour® website
Everyone loves a list! If you’re buying for someone super organised, then this handy pocket-sized notebook is an ideal stocking filler. It’s hardback, beautifully illustrated, and supports the Royal Society for Protection of the Birds (RSPB) too… what’s not to love? £3.99 from Cards For Good Causes
Small metal lantern for a tealight or fill with fairylights £7.50
Dachshund wine stopper £8.99 I have one of these and use it all the time. So handy and much better than trying to ram the cork back in the bottle!
Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep Scented candle – an absolutely fabulous fragrance. £18
Rocking whiskey glasses set of two for £18 at John Lewis
The only hairtie anyone will ever need. Soft and gentle, kind to hair, holds the thickest to finest of hair types. Doubles up as a friendship bracelet. £7 from Tiebandz.
Totally ethical and sustainable tea – in the buff! Tasted some of the excellent teas at Spirit of Christmas recently and really think this small company makes excellent products – bursting with flavour.
Le Creuset stoneware mug in Coastal Blue (lots of other colours available) – top quality stoneware. Currently on offer for £11.87 at Amazon
Keyring mobile phone holder £4.86
Mini Christmas Pizza (chocolate) £4
Tishoo – available in various stylish colourways, these ultra-soft tissues in a tube are perfect to pop in car holders or place around the home.
I will be trawling the internet to find brilliant gift ideas for children of all ages – you’ll be able to see them in my Christmas Gift Guide which publishes on 9 December. In the meantime, why not check out all our other Christmas Gift Guides here.
Lastly, just going to give you the heads up now about these personalised velvet present sacks and light up baubles that you might like to order now so as to get them in time for 25 Dec.
Did you see Annabel’s selection of practical Christmas gifts?