Christmas 2023 – Gifts for her

I’m you you feel these same as me and nowadays there seems to be so many people these days we have to buy for. Now, there’s a good chance that today’s post could be the most important thing you’ll read today. So we get to some of the most important Christmas presents you will buy this year. The smallest of errors can be the difference in making an impact for all the right reasons and equally for all the wrong ones.

Journalist, Academic and now Author Hannah Kane’s brilliant new book, The Style Thesaurus,  should be an essential read for everyone. Style can be used to fit in or to stand out, to send different messages and, with the right knowledge, it can also be adjusted according to mood or occasion. The Style Thesaurus examines a wide range of looks, investigates their roots in history and culture, and shows how they can be curated or combined.

Journalist, Academic and now Author Hannah Kane’s brilliant new book, The Style Thesaurus,  should be an essential read for everyone. Style can be used to fit in or to stand out, to send different messages and, with the right knowledge, it can also be adjusted according to mood or occasion. The Style Thesaurus examines a wide range of looks, investigates their roots in history and culture, and shows how they can be curated or combined.

M&S have outdone themselves this year with their classic Christmas wicker is full of festive flavours to enjoy. A perfect present, this selection includes a generous slice of Iced Fruit Cake, Chocolate and Speculoos Cookies & Cream Biscuits, Christmas Spiced Tea, Merry Berry Jam and more, all neatly presented in a wicker basket. However, one improvement we would suggest to make this the perfect gift idea would be the additional of a little seasonal spirits in the form of maybe a bottle of their Marmalade Gin or their Conte Priuli Prosecco.

How far would you travel for a chilled flute of Veuve Clicquot‘s champagne? You needn’t make the journey to Reims to enjoy a glass, but this personalised tin, containing a bottle of delicious Brut NV, tells you how many kilometres you are from the historic label’s estate in the northeastern French city. A placename of your choice will be printed in bold lettering on the front of this vibrant arrow-shaped tin alongside the exact distance from the famous Champagne House.

LARGE GEOMETRIC MULTICOLOUR SCARF by Jo Gordon. This Soft smooth jacquard knit, one side patterned, the other soft contrasting stripes of tweed.

Knitted in Leicestershire, England by a skilled craftsman who has over 50 years’ experience in the knit industry. Working solely for us, he is the only knitter in the UK who can knit such complex patterns using this many colours in one scarf. Can be worn draped over the shoulders for dramatic effect, wrapped round to keep you cosy on a winter’s day, or laid over your sofa for some interior colour and pattern.

You can’t go wrong with jewellery as a gift ideas and we have a cracker idea for you this time. The word ‘Grá’ meaning love in Irish. Show the unconditional love you have for your partner, friends or family with our ‘Grá’ necklace from Fada Jewellery which comes in Gold or Silver.

Create the quintessential aroma of the season with this bestselling fragrance, Holiday. This exquisitely fragranced Classic Candle from Nest New York, features the iconic scent’s blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of vanilla and amber. 

This Barwell Cut Crystal Champagne Coupe, Set of Four can’t help but add a touch of glamour to the festive proceedings. Since 2010, the Barwell range has been synonymous with the Soho Houses, from Greek Street in London to New York. It was designed by its namesake, Soho House Design’s Managing Director Marcus Barwell, who created the concept while working across in West Hollywood and Miami clubs.

Founder ‘Nick Jones wanted the  US Houses to nod to old Hollywood glamour, so I looked to the 1920s for inspiration and sourced hand-cut crystal to bring the feeling of elegance we needed,’ explains Marcus Barwell.

Sleep for Britain in these gorgeous pyjamas. It’s the detail and finish that makes them so special. They’re cut from the same lightweight cloth British Boxers use for their private-label Jermyn Street production, and comprise a traditional rounded-collar jacket with a curved hem and a breast pocket, and tie-waist trousers with handy side pockets (by popular demand!). The jacket is finished to perfection with piping along the collar, pocket and cuffs. If you’re unsure about which size to choose, they recommend rounding up for a looser fit and maximum comfort. The ultimate in luxurious loungewear.

These little babies are the is Milly WP from Grenson, the WP stands for waterproof. The upper leather is impregnated with oils at the tannery making it resistant to water penetration for hours.

The waterproof mesh lining is made in an adapted way as a bag to keep moisture out even though the boots are still Goodyear welted.

The signature chelsea boot design has been adapted with added heel and toe bumpers, collar padding and speed lacing. The boots have leather storm welts and hardwearing Vibram commando soles. 

Christmas 2023 – Gifts for him

Finally, we get to this post, this could be translated as the gift guide for the most forgotten member of the Family, the Male, whether that be Dad, Brother, Grandad, Uncle, Boyfriend, Son or even, God forbid, YOURSELF. At Christmas we normally are so wrapped up in buying presents for other people, the generous lot we are. So, as always we’ve brought together some gift inspiration that will hopefully tickle your fancy and give you such self inspiration. Enjoy

You know we all hate to think about it, but after all the indulgence over the festive period, it’s inevitable, we have to think The new year and trying to work off those mince pies, desserts, part food etc. Now at least we can look good whilst putting ourselves through our paces in search of your new self and Fabletics does that for you. Clean cut meets cosy. Made with ultra-soft fleece and designed with sport-inspired style, this hoodie offers premium looks and lounge-ability. From Saturday nights to Sunday strolls — it’s ready for anything.

Now no-one can deny the iconic status of the Beatles and the impact that they have had on general popular culture, but one area they are often neglected, is in the style stakes and many looks are style staples within Menswear can we traced back to or popularised by the Fab Four. In her new book, Fashioning the Beatles: The Looks That Shook The World , Deirdre Kelly, chronicles the looks, the styles and the ways John, Paul, George and Ringo impacted the world of menswear.

I have to say I fall into the camp of always loving being given GOOD socks as a gift and Steranko who has been serving the good people of Manchester for more than 30 years have a great selection. These particular example by Anonymous ISM’s 5 Colour Mix socks are some of its most vibrant — they’re knitted in Japan from soft cotton-rich yarn in a variety of rainbow colourways.

If you’re searching for something unique to delight a man with a competitive streak, Ralph Lauren’s chic set of playing cards could be just the ticket. Tucked away inside a sleek leather travel case, it’s the perfect companion for long train rides and intimate candlelit dinners – and certain to impress any lucky playmate

Combining the classic British design of Barbour with the contemporary creative vision of Maison Kitsuné’s Paris and Tokyo-influenced DNA, this special collaboration re-imagines the signature foundations of both brands to bring relaxed and playful styles to your edit.Maison Kitsuné is recognised for it’s signature Fox logo and this season, in celebration of its collaboration with Barbour, the Barbour x Maison Kitsuné Beaufort Fox Sweatshirt takes on a playful new character. Sporting Barbour’s classic Beaufort Waxed Jacket, this iconic character is ready for a day in the countryside

Mr Stanley’s set up shop in North Yorkshire back in 1843. The confectioner has had over 100 years to perfect the art of crafting taste bud-tantalising treats, so it’s fair to say it’s somewhat of an expert. The brand pours its own milk chocolate – swirling with natural vanilla – into a set of four cigar-shaped bars, each hand-wrapped in metallic foil and stamped with a signature logo band.

The Seamatic dive watch by Rotary is enviably high-spec: it features stainless steel casing and a 3-link bracelet secured by a Divers Z clasp for optimal on-wrist security. The deep orange dial, which displays luminous indices and open hour/minute hands, is protected beneath sapphire glass with a date window feature.

This timepiece also features a black ceramic unidirectional bezel for the best possible underwater timekeeping

Baines 08 Denim Blue Chambray Cotton Over Shirt by Joe & Co” Are specialists & garment producers of sustainable British, Italian & Japanese raw Selvedge Denim Jeans & timeless classic, modern vintage, luxury workwear from Manchester

Spun, Woven, Handcrafted & made to last in the NW of England. This Cotton twill collarless over shirt, ideal for layering, cut and crafted in our little bespoke workshop, complimented with natural corozo nut buttons,  

A hiking boot you can style all week long, Moss’ pair is crafted in rich brown leather with a burnished finish for added character. Trimmed with hardware in an antique-gold effect, they’re lined with faux shearling, so you’ll enjoy a cosy feel on cold, wet days.

Now the humble Christmas jumper has come a long way and also, you don’t want  a sweater that’s only gets pulled out for a handful of days a year. So enter the Christmas season in style with the staple Jacamo Fairisle Jumper. Cut with a timeless silhouette finished with the Fairisle print, this jumper is the best option to elevate your style this season whilst keeping you cosy and comfy. Designed in a retro and autumnal colour, this jumper can be worn dressed down with some jeans or can be paired with one of our smart overcoats for a sharper look.

Christmas 2023, Christmas Brainteaser: Can you spot the 7 kitchen hazards in under 45 seconds?

With Christmas just around the corner, seasonal stress can heighten the risk of injury, especially in the most hazardous room of the house the kitchen.

To highlight how easily kitchen dangers can be overlooked – particularly when tackling what’s dubbed the ‘most stressful meal of the year’ – experts at The Knowledge Academy who offer courses in food hygiene and safety, have put together a tricky puzzle challenging readers to spot the seven kitchen hazards to avoid this festive season.

According to the creators, it takes an impressive 45 seconds on average to identify all seven kitchen hazards that could have resulted in a disastrous Christmas, while one in four people admitted defeat after only spotting six.

Can you beat the 45-second average?  Don’t fret if you didn’t catch them all, scroll down below for the full reveal and ensure you steer clear of these common kitchen blunders to minimise chances of injury this Christmas!

Answer:

Christmas 2023 – Beauty Gift inspiration

Every year, we are inundated with requests for advice from our fantastic male readers, about what to buy for the significant female/s in their lives for the Yuletide. In fact, even when I’m out and about shopping, myself, I’ve been stopped and asked, by rather harangued looking men, aren’t  you that Clothes make the man fella ? And I politely response with, WHAT ! No never, always, happy to help and it’s so very often regarding what should they should purchase for their, girlfriend, wife, Mum, Gran, Aunt or sister. Well for over a decade now we have been offering help and advise to yourselves and this year is no different, in a post next week we will be looking at general gift inspiration for female friendly gift inspiration, but today we are focusing on Beauty specific ideas.

First up we have the Dyson Airwrap multi-styler and dryer

Curl, shape and hide flyaways. Without extreme heat. THE most awarded hair multi-styler.¹ Re-engineered attachments with Enhanced Coanda airflow.Engineered for multiple hair types and Includes a storage case.

This Special gift addition includes a Dyson-designed Blue Blush Presentation case and complimentary Dyson-designed Detangling comb.

Re-engineered attachments harness Enhanced Coanda airflow to create your styles with air, not extreme heat.

SEPHORA FAVORITES The Haircare Collection

Forget naughty or nice, it’s all about nourishment this Christmas. Ticking all the boxes, this set is filled with the haircare needed to shine through the festive season. From pre-shampoo scalp treatments to deeply nourishing conditioners and gloss-inducing oils, tis the season of silky soft strands for all hair types and textures.

Set Includes:

– Aveda Botanical Repair Overnight Serum Travel Size, Color Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss Finish, Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil and Nature Spell Rosemary Oil for Hair, once again to name but a few.

Guess – Bella Vita Gift Set

GUESS Bella Vita, a sophisticated and luxurious fragrance tailored for the glamorous GUESS Girl. This new scent marks a return to GUESS’s origins, evoking the essence of Southern California and the Mediterranean. A fruity, floral, and amber fusion, this fragrance instils its wearer with a sense of confidence. The floral heart exudes femininity and elegance, while the rich and velvety base notes of tonka bean and sweet praline provide a comforting sensation.

This great value gift set contains:

GUESS Bella Vita Eau de Parfum Spray, Eau de Parfum 15ml Travel Spray, Perfumed Body Lotion and Gold Toiletry Pouch

SENSSE Professional LED Light Therapy Face Mask

The SENSSE Professional LED Face mask was developed for improving a multiple of skin concerns, from improving blood circulation, reducing wrinkles, stimulation collagen growth to improving age spots and skin imperfections. The 90 LED lights omit at different levels to cover a multitude of concerns and give a noticeable improvement over 4 weeks use. With its soft flexible silicon face mask, its very light and so easy to use. Its rechargeable and comes with a hand held remote control, so you can select your required programme and then just sit back, close your eyes and relax.! THere are 4 different LED light programmes to select from, each offering a different treatment with a maximum of 10 minutes for 1 treamtent and 1 automatic treatment that covers all 4 lights with a 15 minute programme.

Revolution Pro Miracle 12 Days of Christmas Calendar

Treat a loved one this Christmas with the Revolution Pro Miracle 12 Day Advent Calendar, packed full of the brand’s best-sellers and festive favourites. Including;

Revolution Pro Miracle Lip Oil, Tweezers Gold, Miracle Cream (Rose Aroma) Miracle Waffle Head Wrap and theCleansing Pads, to name a few !

ICONIC London Make Your Move Exclusive Gift Set

Move (quickly) to the check out with this great  gift. Smoke out your lady’s eyes with the super-flattering eyeshadow shades, then add lashings of Triple Threat Mascara. Beautify your base with a touch of Sheer Blush, and use Prep-Set-Glow to set the look with a veil of shimmer.

Set Contents:

Prep Set Glow Original
The 100% vegan formula is enriched with calming cucumber and chamomile extracts to soothe any sensitivity, as well as antioxidant-rich green tea and vitamin E to condition the complexion and revitalising caffeine to wake up even the most lacklustre skin.

Sheer Blush in ‘Rose Riot’

Formulated with a plant extract known for its anti-pollution benefits, our water-rich Sheer Blush melts into the skin, giving cheeks and lips a beautiful veil of soft-focus colour.

Triple Threat Mascara
An ultra-black, stunning, weightless formula that volumizes, lengthens and lifts lashes all day and well into the night for a dramatic fluttery look. These velvety soft powders include a mixture of mattes, shimmers and glitters for flawless day to night looks.

DRUNK ELEPHANT Wild night : the evening kit Face care kit for night skincare routine Set

Time to take your skin on a Drunk Break with this perfect skincare set that provides a purifying Drunk Elephant jelly cleanser and a peptide-packed moisturizer in travel size.

BENEFITS

The Beste No. 9 jelly cleanser by Drunk Elephant removes all traces of makeup, excess oil, and any other grime from the day, while the Protini  Cream moisturizer hydrates and strengthens the skin. Use these skincare products exclusively for 30 days so that your skin can reset to its healthiest, happiest

Jo Malone London Favourites Hamper

Deliver tidings of great joy with a luxurious hamper filled with our most-loved fragrances. Lift the lid on a selection of home and bath & body products and a Cologne Intense to fill their day with scent.

Collection contains:

Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense, Pomegranate Noir Home Candle, Lime Basil & Mandarin Diffuser, English Pear & Freesia Body & Hand Wash, Peony & Blush Suede Body Crème, Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body PLUS Hand Lotion !

Moncler – Pour Femme Gift Set

A floral woody musky fragrance, Moncler Pour Femme opens with the crisp sensation of the exclusive Powdery Snow accord – reminiscent of the beauty of freshly fallen snow. Lifted with the radiance of Bergamot, it evolves through a bouquet of white florals – Jasmine Sambac and Heliotrope – to plunge headfirst into the embrace of the exclusive Mountain Woods accord. Its luxurious drydown fuses with natural vanillin, for a feminine allure that lingers well after dark. The fragrance is showcased in a unique ‘borraccia’ flask-shaped bottle encircled with a ribbed silver case and cap – a utilitarian echo to Moncler’s mountaineering origins and the iconic quilted construction of a Moncler jacket.

GIFT SET CONTENTS
-Eau de Parfum Spray, Shower Gel and Body Lotion


JoJo Glow microfibre pads are the modern way to remove your makeup. They can be used up to 200 times making them sustainable and more affordable than normal face wipes. They are chemical free which means they are perfect for any skin type or sensitivities. The fibres are 100 times finer than human hair which means they deep clean your skin removing any makeup and impurities. The pads have a sponge in the centre which makes them super soft. For the love of skin, join the revolution!

Christmas 2023 – Grooming Gift inspiration

Jeez can you believe we are virtually at the end of 2023, I mean it literally feels like a week ago I was denying eating the kids Easter eggs ! Well, here we are, forget Halloween, forget the Advent Calendars and we are nearly, well we have another week, but, nearly done for 2023’s Christmas Gift guides. Today it’s the turn of Grooming gift ideas, whether it be nasal hair trimmers, Hai Karate Gift sets or back hair waxing strips, whatever you maybe be after, for a “Friend” or whoever, we gotcha covered.

Wahl Clipper Kit Cord/Cordless Gift Set

VARIED CLIPPER LENGTHS – Cut your hair with the ease of a cordless clipper and the flexibility of 10 guide combs for full styling control

BEARD TRIMMER – Maintain your beard, trim and stubble with the trimmer along with the 6 trimmer guide combs for precise trimming lengths

EAR, NOSE AND BROW TRIMMING – obviously not you you BUT remove unwanted stray hairs from your nose, ears and brow with the battery nasal trimmer

CORDLESS CAPABILITIES – Cordless Clipper and Trimmer kit enables maximum manoeuvrability when cutting hair

PRECISION GROUND BLADES – We only use high precision blade grinding technology, ensuring the best cutting performance for you

Montblanc Platinum Eau De Parfum 60ml Gift Set

Montblanc Explorer Platinum expresses a new facet of the spirit of exploration. Montblanc is taking us towards new adventures, in 2024. Discover this woody ambery eau de parfum that reveals a new side of Montblanc Explorer.

Explorer Platinum opens with vibrant green notes of grapefruit, violet leaves and clary sage, all wrapped by the intensity of cedarwood and an accord of ambery notes. The bottle is decorated with a precious and eye-catching textured silver sleeve inspired from the 1858 Geosphere Montblanc’s watch paying tribute to the world’s seven summit mountaineering challenge.

This set contains:

  • Eau de Parfum 60ml
  • Shower Gel 100ml

The Waterpik Ultra Plus Water Flosser (WP-150UK) provides excellent water flossing performance. It cleans deep between teeth and below the gumline where traditional brushing and flossing can’t reach, utilising a unique combination of water pressure and pulsations. It also massages and stimulates gums for enhanced circulation.

The easy and more effective way to floss, the Waterpik Water Flosser is great for anyone with braces, implants, crowns, bridges or periodontal pockets. It features 10 pressure settings, a contemporary design, a covered reservoir with in-lid tip storage and water pause button built into the handle to easily control water flow.

• Removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas
• Up to 50% more effective than traditional dental floss for improving gum health

• Up to 3X as effective as dental floss for cleaning around braces utilising the Orthodontic Tip

• Up to 2X as effective for improving gum health around implants vs dental floss utilising the Plaque Seeker Tip !!!!!

ACQUA DI PARMA Blu Mediterraneo Mirto di Panarea Fragrance Gift Set

Acqua di Parma presents Blu Mediterraneo, a collection that evokes the energy, the sun and the colours of the Italian Mediterranean. An instantly uplifting fragrance thanks to aromatic notes of myrtle, basil, lemon and bergamot, Mirto di Panarea features a unique heart of sea breeze accents merged with rose and jasmine, which are wrapped with intense closing notes of mastic, juniper, cedarwood and amber.

Eau de toilette 75ml, hand and body wash 40ml, hand and body lotion 40ml

 

Harry’s Christmas Total Face Care Set

A selection of face-care essentials: Foaming Shave Gel, Exfoliating Face Wash, Post-Shave Balm, and Daily Face Lotion.

Packed in a celebratory gift box.

The blades are designed for your face and not recommended for head shaving.

Harry’s Winston handle, with weighty, die-cast zinc and a polished graphite finish. Leave your mark on their gift with engraving: Add up to three letters to their Winston handle for that extra-special touch.

Dove Men+Care Restore Clean Comfort Bath & Body Gift Set for Him with Charging Pad.

Looking for something special for a man who likes to take care of himself, but not spend a fortune? No problem ! Gift him a triple dose of comfort, care and confidence with the Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Trio + Charging Pad Gift Set. Because we believe that care makes a man stronger, this set of gifts for him features a full-size. These gifts for him are complemented by a Dove Men+Care Charging Pad with a one-year guarantee, which allows him to charge his devices fast wherever he is, without worrying about wires. Our gift sets are engineered for men, so you know hell have comfortable, cared for skin thats reliably fresh all day. Help him feel his best no matter the occasion with Dove Men+Care.

THE RITUAL OF HAMMAM Gift Set

Everything you need to create your own at-home spa, all in one box. This gift set is the perfect way to treat yourself, a lucky friend or a family member to a moment of pure relaxation

This wonderful gift box is the perfect present for a friend or family member or for treating yourself! Treat yourself to one of the oldest cleansing traditions, with these purifying products based on rosemary, argan oil and eucalyptus. Contains a foaming shower gel, body cream, body scrub and scented candle. The origami design was inspired by the Japanese art of giving. In Japanese culture, gift wrapping can be just as important as the gift, where the gift is viewed as a form of communication between the giver and receiver. The complimentary re-usable, luxury gift box can be given a second lease of life by keeping photographs, letters, or other items in it.

MOLTON BROWN Woody & Aromatic Christmas Cracker Me’s Selection

Make a statement at the festive table with this distinctive, crowd-pleasing cracker, brimming with a quartet of iconic woody and aromatic Bath & Shower Gels.

Includes

Re-charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel (50ml)

Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel (50ml)

Neon Amber Bath & Shower Gel (50ml)

Dark Leather Bath & Shower Gel (50ml)

The Gorilla Collection by Slick Gorilla

The most complete collection on their website, different hair products for different looks. Includes; Hair Styling Powder, Lightwork, Clay Pomade, Sea Salt and a Washbag to put all these delights into !