Life feels like a lot at the moment. One of my aims is to keep Christmas a little bit more simple this year. I feel as though the older my children get, the more our house seems to be filled with things that we just don’t need. This year, we’re going to be thinking of present ideas that don’t need a home and where the joy last so much longer than Christmas Day!
It’s that time of year when our inbox becomes inundated with offers, our diaries become packed and our houses feel as though they’re overflowing with ‘stuff’! It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed around now. And with all of the buzz around Black Friday, it’s easy to feel as though we’re missing out if we don’t take advantage of every offer going. But, if you’re looking to get organised with gift ideas that won’t require an extension come January, I’m here to help!
Tickets
This could be tickets to a theatre show, a family trip or even a voucher for a lie-in and breakfast in bed! One place my children love is the Everyman Cinema. We’ve asked family for a voucher for us all. Other places to consider are Crafty Pots Cafe in Walton (our favourite place for a bit of parent/child one to one time), Riverhouse Barn (I’m always amazing at how much is going on there!), any of the local theatres or a farm park like Bocketts or Hobbledown. Fun, time together and nothing to find a place for. Perfect!
Memberships
We’re so lucky in Surrey to have so many gorgeous gardens and places to visit. So many of them make more sense to visit with a membership though. And the great thing about this gift idea is that it keeps giving all year round! Various National Trust properties, Wisley, Brooklands Museum, Hampton Court Palace and Painshill are all on our doorstep. A membership for any of these would mean a whole year of days out for the the family receiving it.
A handmade booklet
I loved this one when my two were little. Inexpensive, doesn’t take up too much space and grandparents love it! Ask your children some questions about their grandparent then put the answers together into a little booklet. Add a photo of them with the children on the front and give them free rein to decorate it. It’s completely free but makes you look super thoughtful! A few questions that might work…
- What’s the best thing about Granny?
- What is she really good at?
- When we’re at her house we…
- She always says ….
- I love her because ….
A Subscription
One of my favourite things to ask for is a magazine subscription. I hardly ever buy magazines for myself but absolutely love receiving them in the post. And there’s definitely the perfect one out there no matter who is on your Christmas list! I love the idea of a flower subscription too. Local florist Wild Alice Flowers offer this service which looks like the ultimate treat. A few other ideas are cocktail subscriptions, brownie boxes, coffee deliveries or fancy recipe boxes. The list is endless!
A voucher for a photo session
Finally, a voucher towards a family photo session will mean the recipient is left with beautiful, natural images of their family to look back on forever. My family photography gift vouchers are available for any amount or for a full session. You can also buy a voucher for an extended family session – the perfect grandparents’ gift! If you or someone you know runs their own business, you can even purchase a voucher for a mini or a full personal branding photography session. Get in touch via my website by clicking here if you’d like some more information.
I hope that helps! Make sure you take a bit of time for yourself as this crazy season gets going. There’s nothing worse than getting to Christmas day feeling totally frazzled. The children don’t need every tradition, experience or gift going, I promise!
And when we finally get there, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Helen x
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