Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

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Capture61 Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

A huge box of goodies arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago! These were gifts I’d handpicked from Treat Republic’s newest additions. Knowing just how much I’m struggling to get out and about hauling my ever-increasing bump around, they wanted to see if their website could help me tick a few presents off my Christmas list this year. It’s such a lovely gesture, it bought a little tear to my eye and I’m so grateful.

As Treat Republic is my all-time favourite online gift shop for quirky and fabulous bits and bobs, I managed to get some really lovely presents for my dad and his wife, Dexter and Craig. To be honest, I could have just got everything from there as there are plenty of Christmas gifts for the entire family at Treat Republic! I must admit, it does feel a little strange blogging about them before Christmas Day, but my family are under strict instructions not to read this post so hopefully it won’t spoil the surprise!

index9 Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

First up I picked some gifts for my dad and his very lovely wife. We don’t see them anywhere near as much as we should but I talk to my dad on the phone every week. He’s had some good news recently and has obtained a degree in Social Care. I’m so proud of him as this is something he’s wanted to achieve for many years.

I’m sure he’d raise his eyebrows at what I’m about to say, but they remind me of the couple from The Good Life. They grow their own potatoes and olives, and encourage wildlife into their garden. It all sounds very twee, but to be honest, you’re just as likely to see them having a cheeky glass of wine in the garden as you are doing any actual work!

For them, I therefore choose something really lovely for the garden. I’ve been raving about Treat Republic’s ridiculously cute watering cans for months now. And now I’ve actually got to see one up close. I choose the Lucky Elephant (£24.99) for my dad and he’s absolutely lovely. These beautiful watering cans recently featured in ITV’s This Morning’s Christmas Gift Guide for Women and rightly so. Each one in the series is meticulously handcrafted making them extra special in my opinion. They’re also perfectly sized for indoor use too and will look very lovely sat guarding your windowsill.

094 Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

Speaking of windowsills (see what I did there?) I also got them this cast iron double bird bath (£10.99) to sit in view of their kitchen window. They already have an enormous feeder out there that seems to attract all the pigeons in Fareham rather than the garden birds they probably had intended. This miniature bird bath will look very cute alongside it… and I can’t wait to see if a pigeon attempts to plonk his bum in it.

096 Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

For my long-suffering other half (Craig) I chose an indoor herb allotment (£24.99) to ease us gently into our very own grow-your-own empire. Craig loves cooking and seems to spend a fortune on pots of spices and herbs. He’s always saying things taste better fresh, so I’ve taken him at his word and am hoping to make a Diarmuid Gavin out of him! Given our new house has a bay window in the kitchen, we also have an enormous windowsill to fill - this will look absolutely adorable as a centerpiece and I can’t wait to get started. Just look how cute this is?!!!

Indoor Herb Allotment Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

A little shed houses all those necessary bits and pieces for sewing and growing his plants. Whilst a large fenced off garden is made up of three plant pots each containing soil so the gift can be used straight away.

As an additional little stocking filler, I also got him a personalised keyring bottle opener (£9.99) with a cute mini torch. I’m hoping this will come in handy when he stumbles home from the pub and struggles to get his key in the lock! Best of all, it comes in a cute little case making it super easy to wrap! > Well thought-out Treat Republic!

Bottle Opener Keyring Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

For the little man in my life (Dexter) we choose a fabulous Jute Santa Sack (4 designs available at £12.99 each). We’ve wanted one of these for ages as Craig remembers having one when he was little and wants to carry on the tradition. It’s surprisingly roomy so big enough to hold anything Santa might decide to treat him to, and has that gorgeous natural sack smell. It also has a very cute Reindeer mail stamp so Dexter knows the gifts have come directly from Father Christmas himself! Okay… I’ll admit I stuffed the sack with sofa cushions for this pic as I haven’t actually bought him anything yet!!!

Santa Jute Sack Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

We also got him an adorable monkey hat and mitten set (£12.99) to keep him nice and snug in the winter months. He looks awesome in these knitted sets and has already been rocking an owl version. We’re forever calling him our little monkey so it will be lovely to see him in it. It’s super soft and has handy ear flaps to keep them warm.

monkey hat and mittens set jdv129 001 Christmas Gifts for the Entire Family at Treat Republic

 

So that’s my selection of the best new gifts available on Treat Republic. There are, of course, TONS more to choose from for the special people (and pets!) in your life so well worth heading on over to their Pinterest page if you’re stuck for ideas. They’re also on Facebook and of course Twitter if you’re feeling lazy and want them to come up with some suggestions for you!

If you’ve enjoyed reading this post you can also check out my previous reviews of Treat Republic’s new baby gifts (I dare you not to feel broody when you read this), and our stunning personalised cheeseboard if you’re buying for a keen chef.

DISCLAIMER: As mentioned above, Treat Republic and I are old friends. They kindly sent me these gifts (free of charge) but I wouldn’t tell you something is lovely if it isn’t. All thoughts, opinions and any subsequent gushing is my own.

 

 


Vintage & Retro Gifts - Spoilt Rotten Gifts

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Capture7 Vintage & Retro Gifts   Spoilt Rotten Gifts

Spoilt Rotten Gifts is an online gift boutique for unique gifts with a retro twist.

Coming from a beautiful Yorkshire village, owner and Textile designer, Nichola Watson had to do all of her shopping in Kingston Upon Hull, famous for its fish trail and the House Martins and definitely NOT its boutiques! That is where Spoilt Rotten Gifts came in….with a background in buying at John Lewis and an eye for the unusual, Nichola sourced an ever expanding range of online gifts from Norwegian lunch boxes, to Californian cartoon jewellery pendants including a popular range of accessories from Disaster Designs, all to be sold in the eye-catching wibbly wobbly world of Spoilt Rotten Gifts.

Christmas is the perfect time to discover new online gift shops. If you’re anything like me and have a really hard time choosing that perfect gift for your in-laws, you’ll often end up trawling the internet looking for something you wouldn’t find in boring old Boots (I’m definitely not one for hitting the 3 for 2′s buying bath oil sets that will no doubt gather dust in someone’s bathroom for years to come). The best gift shops have items you just can’t find elsewhere and will make someone’s eyes light up upon receiving it; Quirky items that will transport someone back to their childhood, offer a practical solution to something they’ve often whinged about, or something so undeniably pretty you’d be delighted to receive it yourself. This is true of simply everything on Spoilt Rotten Gifts.

index7 Vintage & Retro Gifts   Spoilt Rotten Gifts

When Nichola got in touch to see if I’d like to treat myself, or a member of my family, to something from the site, I must admit I didn’t give any of my loved ones a second thought. There was simply so much I wanted, I had to treat myself. As I’m due to move in just a week’s time (eek!) and will have a brand new nursery to deck out - I plumped for a very sweet cushion that will keep Bump’s crib warm until he or she is ready to sleep in it - The Freya Dream Big Cushion. It’s very cute and I can’t think of a better sentiment for a peaceful nursery; “Dream Big Little One, Tomorrow You Will Move Mountains“. I have a funny feeling however that Dexter’s will be cuddling up to this until D Day though as he’s forever cuddling and squeezing it.

DisasterDesignsBagOuter Vintage & Retro Gifts   Spoilt Rotten Gifts

Having lugged the essentials for Dexter’s birth to the hospital in a Tesco carrier bag (he came early and we left the house in an almighty panic), I also fancied something infinitely more lovely this time around. Spoilt Rotten Gifts has tons of roomy weekend bags that looked just perfect so I also plumped for fabulous overnight bag designed by Jan Constantine exclusively for Disaster Designs. With it’s very British / Irish theme and appliqué union jack heart, I’m hoping it helps me embrace the whole ‘Keep Calm’ mantra when I walk into the Royal Berks Maternity Unit in just a few months time.
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Determined not to be caught off guard this time around, it’s now crammed full of deliciously cute newborn outfits, water wipes, cotton wall balls, spare knickers, and other not so attractive birthing essentials. With two internal pockets (one one handy zip pouch) and generous pccket on the outside, there’s plenty of room for everything I need. I’m having to remind myself daily not to empty it and swan around town with it!
DisasterDesignsBag Vintage & Retro Gifts   Spoilt Rotten Gifts
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Inside, the lining is a printed fabric covered in ‘Love’ which is very cute and would make for a perfect change bag as it won’t show up any indiscretions. The outer bag is leather look PVC but smells and looks just like the real thing. It’s so very pretty, I’m delighted with it.
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Delivery, and postage and packaging was better than Santa himself could manage. My gifts arrived within days, lovingly wrapped, and with a mini packet of Love Hearts squirreled away within the folds of the parcel. Perfect.
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Yet not confined to gifts for hormonal women and babies, there’s also plenty there for the man in your life, for the home and exclusively for Christmas. Here are some of my favourite bits:
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Clockwise (left to right): Disaster Designs Beatles Ticket to Ride Satchel, Magpie Wildlife Owl Apron, VW The Original Ride Campervan Satchel, Magpie Wildlife Otter Cushion, Gisela Graham Summer Garden Gardening Bag, Disaster Designs Moomin Woodland Flask
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If you’d like to find out about more gifts available on the website, there are simply tons of reviews from fellow bloggers to read:
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  • Mrs Shilts reviewed (and is giving away) a very gorgeous Baby Reindeer Gift Set (baby sleepsuit & shoes)
  • The Crazy Kitchen received a very beautiful teapot and owl cushion if homeware is more your thing
  • And the very awesome Jen from Love Chic Living has fallen in love with her new wash bag set

If I’ve only gone and made you more intrigued about Nichola’s wibbly wobbly world of Spoilt Rotten Gifts - why not pop over to her little shop, or show her some love on Pinterest or Twitter? - I dare you not to fall in love with something. And if you’re feeling lucky and are lusting over a gorgeous Disaster Designs bag of your own, there’s a Facebook competition to win this equally stunning matching wallet and satchel from their adorable “Once Upon A Time” range.

Capture223 Vintage & Retro Gifts   Spoilt Rotten Gifts

 

DISCLAIMER: I was sent these lovely gifts free of charge in exchange for my thoughts. How lucky am I?!


Funny Gift Ideas for Dads

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You might have spotted I’ve been a bit preoccupied with Christmas preparations recently. I used to really enjoy buying presents, but over the last two years I’ve really struggled to make decisions. To start as I mean to go on, I’ve prepared a mini spreadsheet with everyone’s names on and have been busy populating it with gift ideas. The idea is to link to as many things as I can, and watch them like a hawk just in case they somehow slip into the sale section and I can bag some bargains.

I’ve millions of ideas for Dexter and the children in the family, and I’ve even managed to find some lovely things for the grandparents. But let’s face it, men are ridiculously difficult to buy for. I find myself year after year racking my brains trying to recall conversations we’ve had for inspiration. Yet every year he’ll get stuck with a few Diesel tees (he likes the fit) and some Clinique face cream. This year I’d love to get him something different.

Luckily I’ve found a site with dozens of funny ideas for the man in your life. The Internet Gift Store has loads of really affordable stocking fillers and out-of-the-box ideas for the tricky to buy for man. Hopefully this will mean that Craig gets to open a few more pressies on Christmas day.

dad funny Funny Gift Ideas for Dads

If your old man is a big kid at heart then perhaps you could tap into the 80′s retro theme. Craig is a huge Star Wars fan so I love this Darth Vader apron (£14.99) and Jedi fleece robe (on sale at £26.99). The Marvel Comics wash bag (£11.99) is also very cute and might mean he stops taking up space in my Cath Kidston bag when we go away for the weekend - why are men’s deodorants twice the size of women’s anyway?

dadpractical Funny Gift Ideas for Dads

Or if you’re looking for something a little more practical, then there are also some bits your other half would get tons of use out of. This battery powered iPhone charger (£12.99) would be great for quick charges when you’re on the go. Although Craig has an in car charger, we have two cars and often forget to switch it from car to car. This would fit comfortably in my handbag and earn me heaps of brownie points when we’re out and about and he needs to get the latest football scores.

A key finder (£5.49) would also be an easy hit in our house. Although Craig is really careful with his keys, our cheeky monkey often has other ideas and will literally scale Everest to have a chew on daddy’s car keys. Unfortunately, Dexter isn’t so great at putting them back after he’s got bored with them and we’re often ten minutes late to parties where we’re searching the depths of the sofa for them. This key finder beeps when you whistle so would be the perfect solution.

As Craig is also the main cook in our house (I say main… in reality, the only dish I can actually cook without supervision is cheese on toast!) I also really like this chopping board set from Joseph Joseph at £46.

index10 Funny Gift Ideas for Dads

But whilst browsing for Craigy, I also found these seriously cool neon lights for just £32.99 each. I’m not suggesting we have one of these in our bedroom but they’d be perfect as a nightlight for Dex! And that’s without even looking at the kids section!

So there you have it - a perfect selection of quirky gifts for men - big and small!

What’s on your Chrimbo list for your other half this year?

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