December is here. And of course, that means CHRISTMAS!
Though Christmas as a student can be hella fun (Aldi mince pies and more booze, anyone?), it can also be damn expensive.
We at Caro Lettings feel your pain, so we’ve put together this nifty Christmas Gift Guide to help you plan festive shopping with ease. Everything is pretty reasonably priced, with one or two higher budget prezzies thrown in for those really looking to push the boat out.
We’ve included ideas for everyone, including:
- Your mum
- Your dad
- Your sister
- Your brother
- Your boyfriend
- Your girlfriend
- Friends and flatmates.
So what you waiting for? Take a look, order online and feel so chuffed you’ll be breaking out the port.
Gifts for Mum
Jamie Oliver – ‘Five Ingredients’
£11.00
Okay, so we’re not saying your mum should do all the cooking…but at least this latest book from Britain’s favourite chef will make it a little easier.
Tons of recipes, each one just five ingredients. This thing makes cooking so easy, even a student could do it. Maybe order one for yourself while you’re at it.
Paco Rabanne – ‘Lady Million’ Eau de Parfum 30ml
£36.95
Make your mum feel like a million pounds with this rich and luxurious fragrance from Paco Rabanne. For less than forty quid, it’s an impressive and thoughtful present, and happens to be the most wished-for fragrance on Amazon.
‘The Crown’ S1 Box Set
£22.99
Treat your mum to one of the most-watched shows of the year…ready to binge at her viewing leisure.
‘The Crown’ follows Queen Elizabeth II as a young 25-year-old newlywed, trying to find her place in the British monarchy and parliament. It might be a bit naïve of us to assume all mums are into period dramas. But we think she’ll love it.
Gifts for Dad
‘Dunkirk’ – Blu-Ray/DVD
£14.99/£9.99
If you didn’t catch it, you should know that ‘Dunkirk’ was probably one of the most engrossing war movies to hit the box office in a while. Give your dad this movie on blu ray or DVD to give him a reason to put his feet up this Christmas. Plus, it’ll make a change from all the Xmas films.
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
£39.99
Speaking of TV, we reckon your pops will also appreciate the new Fire TV Stick from Amazon. Now the most powerful media streaming stick with the fastest wifi, it features over 7000 apps, games and new Alexa skills.
Watch anything from Amazon Instant, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Netflix and a bunch of other third-party platforms. And with the ability to launch apps via voice command, your dad won’t need to lift a finger.
Razor Subscription from Razors By Dorco
£3.90 – £5.95 per month
If your old man likes to be groomed, why not treat him to a new set of razors every month, delivered straight to his door? Razors By Dorco now make it easy to give the gift of a good shave, and not just on Christmas Day.
Choose from three types of razor, ranging from just £3.90 to £5.95 per month for a handle and set of five blades. Purchase as many months as you like, and if your dad doesn’t like them, there’s a 100% refund guarantee.
Gifts for Nan
Wine Carafe with Personalised Oak Stopper
£37
Does your nan like a little pinch of vino every now and then? If so, this beautiful hand-crafted wine carafe will do her just great.
Shaped in an elegant round curve, this carafe is a stylish way to serve wine and even comes with a personalised solid oak stopper. Add your nan’s name or write a special message to give a memorable and unique gift.
Digital Photo Frame
From £40
A digital photo frame is an excellent way for your nan to display her favourite photos. Though some are pricey, there are quite a few ones around £40, like this Azropa 7 inch IPA screen high resolution photo frame. As well as a photo frame, it’s also an MP3 music and MP4 video player; an alarm clock and calendar!
Make it extra special by adding a few of your nan’s favourite memories to the frame beforehand.
Luxury Xmas Hamper
Varying prices
Give your nan (and maybe your grandad) a hoard of Christmas treats to keep them satisfied over the holidays, with a festive hamper.
From their favourite wine and mince pies to luxury tea and smoked salmon, M&S has a variety of hampers to choose from to suit all budgets and tastes.
Alternatively, you can create your own hamper from scratch on the John Lewis website.
Gifts for Grandad
Beer Truffles
£11.25
Whether your grandad loves his beer or just the odd tipple every now and then, these beer truffles from The London Chocolate Company are sure to whet his tastebuds.
Rich and aromatic award-winning milk, white and dark chocolates are blended with dark beer and presented in an elegant embossed gift box. They’re chocolates your grandad won’t forget in a hurry.
Spear & Jackson Stainless Neverbend Steel Hand Tool Set
£11.04
If your grandad is never out of the garden, then gardening tools will never go unappreciated.
This Neverbend stainless steel hand tool set from Spear & Jackson makes a nice little gift and is totally practical.With a weed fork, trowel and transplanting trowel, each tool features weatherproof handles and rust-resistant stainless steel heads. Best of all they come in a neat little printed presentation box.
Barbour Tartan Thermal Flask
£39.95
Make sure your grandad stays warm on the inside with this stylish tartan thermal flask from outdoor experts Barbour.
Made from stainless steel complete with inner lid and separate drinking cup, your grandad will always be able to fix a hot drink, whether he’s fishing, gardening or walking.
Gifts for your Brother
‘Scratch the World’ Deluxe Black Map Print
£16.95
This ‘Scratch the World’ map is an excellent gift for the avid (or wannabe) traveller).
Made from luxury black matt paper and gold foil, the user can have great fun pinning it on their wall then scratching off the different counties they’ve visited.
As if that wasn’t enough, the map has a list of facts to tick off as they travel around on their adventures.
Give it to your brother as a fun incentive to get travelling.
Personalised Bedside Watch & Phone Stand
£45
Help your brother start his mornings in style with this smart and organised bedside watch and phone stand.
Available in a variety of wood types and with an optional personalised message, it’ll allow him to find his important items quickly in the mornings, without needing to move any clothes. There’s even a spot for all that annoying loose change.
Pigs in Blankets Pork Crackling
£17.50
Get him into the festive spirit with this 1.5L jar of pigs-in-blankets pork crackling from The Snaffling Pig Co.
Double-cooked, this extra special pork crackling provides the perfect snack throughout the holidays and beyond, and that memorable pigs-in-blankets flavour will keep him in the Christmas mood.
Gifts for your Sister
LUSH Gift Set
£8.95 – £64.95
Give the gift of pampering with a fail-safe LUSH gift set. Known for their fresh cosmetics and incredible smells, LUSH have a range of gift sets all ready-wrapped and filled with treats, so you’ll be able to simply grab off the shelf and place under the tree.
The Christmas-themed sets are a favourite, with cute names such as ‘Jolly Hollydays’, ‘The Snowman’, ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and ‘Oh Christmas Tree’. With different price ranges, there’s something to suit everyone.
Happy Memories Diary Box
£9.95
This Happy Memories Diary Box is an adorable stocking filler that will put a smile on anybody’s face.
Gorgeously designed, the box is a clever alternative to a diary and acts as a great pick-me-up when someone’s feeling down.
With over 40 illustrated blank cards, the user is encouraged to write down memorable moments as they happen, no matter now simple or extravagant. In a year’s time or whenever you fancy, the box can be opened to relive all the fantastic memories of the last year.
Luxury Mohair/Cashmere Bed Socks
£9.95
Socks are always appreciated this time of year…especially warm fluffy ones like these luxury mohair & cashmere bed socks.
Available in cream, soft blue or soft pink, they come in a beautiful gift box and will make her feet feel every bit taken care of this holiday season.
Gifts for your Boyfriend
Make-your-Own Personalised Popcorn Seasoning Kit
£20
Shake up your usual popcorn with this array of fun and delicious seasonings.
From classic flavour combos like salt & vinegar to more interesting inventions like pizza flavour and strawberry delight, this popcorn seasoning kit will ensure you and your boyfriend will never have a boring movie night.
Add on popcorn and cartons to really complete the seasoning experience. The jars also come with adorable labels so you can mark your favourite creations accordingly.
‘Breakfast of Champions’ Frying Pan
£40
Your man will love perfecting his fry-up with this incredibly Breakfast of Champions frying pan.
Effortlessly cook up a storm in the mornings with this multi-compartment frying pan, which has separate spaces for bacon, eggs, beans or whatever else he wants to throw in there. No more tomatoes dripping in bacon fat…no more soggy eggs covered in mushroom juice.
Just a good ol’ fry-up, perfect for the weekly hangover.
Amazon Echo Dot
£49.99
Your favourite guy will love feeling in charge with the Amazon Echo Dot.
Control music, apps, lights, devices and more with the smart voice-activated controls. Let Alexa take care of your life by organising your calendar, making shopping lists, and setting reminders and alarms. The Amazon Echo Dot can be also used in conjunction with a ton of third party apps such as Spotify, Just Eat and Uber. among others.
When student life can get a little erratic, Amazon Alexa will help keep it simple.
Gifts for your Girlfriend
Couples Birthstone Necklace Pendant
£33
Made from sterling silver and embedded with two sparkly coloured glass birthstone pendants, this couples’ birthstone necklace pendant is the ultimate romantic gift.
Simply choose your necklace length, pick the birthstones of you and your partner and enter your names. Then creators Ellie Ellie will take care of the rest.
This classic piece of jewellery is a joy to open and will be a keepsake she treasures beyond the holidays.
Personalised ‘Reasons Why You’re Wonderful’ Set’
£19.95
Make her day with this simple yet thoughtful gift. This personalised ‘Reasons Why You’re Wonderful’ set from Bread & Jam makes it easy to say what’s in your heart in a unique, almost non-cheesy way (well, it is Christmas).
Simply fill out your personal favourite things about your gal – from the way she’s always there for you to the way she makes your coffee.
She’ll be presented with your sentiments encased in ten glass tubes, in a beautiful presentation box.
‘F*ck That: An Honest Meditation’ book by Jason Headley
£9.99
Finally – a meditation that really understands her. If your girl is tired of the usual meditations that promise to bring balance to her crazy life, then this will be a book she can get behind.
‘F*ck That: An Honest Meditation’ really gets into the mindset of the worn out critic, who’d rather keep in touch with cold reality than imagine themselves by a lake.
Through beautiful images combined with sarcastic, witty, and dry mantras, the reader will feel strangely calmed and reassured they’re not the only ones who have to deal with bullshit on a daily basis.
Gifts for Friends & Flatmates
2018 Life Mapper Journal
£17.99
Whether you’ve got a particularly introspective friend or know someone who needs help getting their life together, the 2018 Life Mapper Journal from stationary brand Trigg is the perfect present.
Not just any journal, this award-winning productivity companion involves 12 unique features to help you bring your dreams to life and cope with moderate stress.
Filter out busy work, pressure and information from the outside world, to minimise anxiety and distractions and focus on what’s really important. Along with the usual calendar and diary functions, the Life Mapper also utilises weekly, monthly and annual frameworks to help you with planning, productivity, gratitude, reflection and mindfulness.
Boozy Chocolate Brussel Sprouts with Baileys
£15
Sprouts are usually an acquired taste, but there’s no doubt your mate will love these chocolate Brussel sprouts filled with sweet creamy Baileys.
Whether given as a stocking filler or just a quirky little something, these sprouts will very quickly become flavour of the day…especially after Christmas dinner.
‘I Cannot Adult Today’ Mug
£12
For those friends that struggle to get going in the mornings or maybe just refuse to grow up, this ‘I Cannot Adult Today’ mug from The Great Gift Company sums up the difficulties of being a teenage/twenty-something/any-something adult.
Give it to them for their morning coffee and they’ll be able to explain their feelings to the world without having to say a thing.
Indoor Allotment
£33
Bring out your friend’s inner gardener with this adorable and totally practical indoor allotment.
Small and compact, this genius gift is basically your own allotment in a box, without any of the hard work, mess or pesky trespassers.
Grow coriander, basil and oregano with the seeds and cute pots provided, and keep them all neatly conserved within the handmade white picket fence. The tiny shed even provides a space for your snippers and seeds.
If your humble abode doesn’t allow for green spaces, then this is surely the next best thing.
What will you be getting your friends and fam for Christmas? Furthermore, what will they be getting you?
If you need student accommodation for 2018 in the heart of a thriving city, check out our range of luxury student apartments in Liverpool.
