Please hit me with your amazing gift finds

[Lancasterlassie]

You know the drill- the weird and wonderful, the eclectic and electric, the winners and the wowsers.

what finds have you come across on those small business or novelty websites you wish you found years ago.

I’ve just started the Xmas trawling through random sites and I’m federate for some good pointers.

fire away!

I am also looking for inspiration so am following with interest.

One thing I look at every year for my sister but can't justify the price is this Christmas coal at Fortnum and Mason's. If anyone knows anything similar but cheaper that would be amazing.

@WWRGD I'm sure one of the supermarkets, maybe Sainsbury or Tesco, sell cinder toffee coal like that for around £1/£2. Bought as a joke gift for an ex partner for his stockong, didn't go down very well as a gift unfortunately as he didn't see the funny side! But check the supermarkets

I'm making wall and desk photo calendars with family pictures and add Birthdays and anniversaries in them. There is custom calendar maker for this and sheets can be printed and fastened at the local photo store or check out Shutterfly, they also let you design your own thing. I know not so many people use calendars these days but it works more as a decorating thing, at least my family loves it

The kids are crafty so last year I got them DIY kits and this year I'm thinking paint by numbers kits, though not sure yet.

Treat Trunk subscription (the New mom version) is what I did for my SIL, she's vegan and she loved it!

Not actually a gift idea, but we also make video greeting cards which is super nice adding to gifts like e-vouchers or subscriptions for distant relatives.

One of my personal favorites was a Christmas themed tea set that we got as a Christmas/housewarming gift years ago. May be not for everyone but if you know someone who would love getting it, this is a great idea.

It's pretty easy to make your own coal candy, @WWRGD. There are lots of recipes for different types but the F&M one is honeycomb dipped in chocolate with black sherbet. Nigella has an easy recipe for honeycomb (she calls it Hokey Pokey). Dip it in melted chocolate and black sherbet crystals (easy to find online).

I’ve had this Brownie subscription which is such a lovely treat. They come in letterbox friendly boxes so you’re not resigning the recipient to delivery watch. I’ve had the Specials boxes so you get 6 different flavour brownies to try each month. They’re a decent size too so DH and I would split each one so we got to taste them all.

My DF has a rule that he only wants gifts he can eat or drink. Henloves seafood but there’s not that many places to get fresh near us. I got him a gift voucher from Fish for Thought who deliver fresh and frozen caught fish and shellfish across the UK. He loved it and has treated himself a few times since.

DH is a football fan and I’ve bought him bits from The Terrace. They do retro shirts and gifts for loads of football clubs, not just the big ones either.

Etsy is great for personalised/unusual gifts. I bought SIL a personalised wine glass with a Disney character etched into it for £12.99. Also ordered some Christmas Eve cookies for Santa last year that were personalised and beautifully decorated from Lily’s Cookie Corner.

I found a lady who does mini flowers in jewellery and other gifts and they are lovely,can’t for the life of me find the page now!

@kateandme was it Buttonsy Jewllery, I’ve got a beautiful autumn pendent from them.

My parents loved their hamper from Tobermory Fish Company. https://www.tobermoryfish.co.uk/

@IggyAce @kateandme
I also have Buttonsy jewellery, it's lovely!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ButtonsyJewellery

@Sweetener12 please not paint by numbers! Goes against all my artist instincts! A water colour set and paper absolutely!
I gave myself a flower subscription last year. You can do it weekly, biweekly or monthly. You can specify pet friendly even.
I gave my adult stepsons a '12 days of Christmas' flavoured vodka set from Tipsy Wight vodka. They grow their own flavourings (like 'hedgerow', 'damson' etc). Went down (literally) really well.
I'm giving my daughter an afternoon tea at a cat café. I think it would be a fun one off. She never wants anything and this will be a total surprise. She also thought of this concept when in primary school for a 'design your own caravan' project before she even knew it was a thing.

I bought a couple of magic tricks each for my kids stockings, from Magic By Post. Postage was quick, they arrived this morning, and I am so pleased with them. Even my 5yo will be able to do the tricks, easily.

They have been watching magicians on you tube a lot, so I hope they are going to love them.

@WWRGD I've just ordered this and hope it's good - thanks for the idea!

https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/product/lumps-of-coal-chocolate-covered-honeycomb/?utmsource=Google+Shopping&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=tbch-google&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1vSZBhDuARIsAKZlijRWG7hJMwZCilANSgvCm3BaHEMcpIlPuNCwQWkx0XeLBMnZ0tU0ZGEaAhDLEALwwwcB

I link to this site every year - The Kid Should See This Gift Guide.

Endlessly interesting, unique, educational gifts for kiddos and teens (and me!)

A lot of the links are to US stores but can easily be found in the UK too - just takes some digging.

You can also get a marshmallow version of the coal now if she’d prefer that, here.

How many times do you need to spam this?

@CaptainMerica - these look great. Could
i ask which ones you got?

Thanks @BloodyMabel , that looks interesting.

@CaptainMerica magic tricks are an inspired idea. My DD is really into magic at the moment. Can I ask which ones you went for? I want something she can do but that also looks impressive iykwim

@ladybee28 that gift guide is brilliant. I think I've looked at it in previous years when it's been posted on the Christmas thread. I've got a couple of things from the list for friends' children this year so thanks for the reminder

I've also got a reverse colouring book for a friend. It has colours (looks like watercolours) on the pages and you draw in whatever picture you want on top.

This thread is brilliant, will try to think of some suggestions of my own to contribute but here is my placemarker

@Ridingladybugs @WWRGD

I got two magic tricks each. For my 5yo, I got an electric deck that he can shuffle and look cool, and a screw which magically unscrews the bolt.

For my 8yo, I got a "rip a pen through a note" trick, and an exploding dice trick (big dice turns into 8 little ones).

I’ve just ordered two bags of Christmas coal @Unicorn2022 thanks for the link.
id seen the Fortnums one but I’m not paying that price for a little joke gift.