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December 2021Best last minute Christmas gifts
Every year, Christmas seems to get a little earlier. One minute it’s November and you have all the time in the world to buy gifts. Next thing you're rushing around frantically with 3 days to go trying to remember your mum's favourite colour. It happens to the best of us. Fortunately in these wondrous times of endless choice and next day delivery, a lack of planning isn’t necessarily the end of you. That’s why we’ve decided to put together a quick list of some of the best presents you can still get in time for Christmas.
Headphones
A classic electronic Christmas stocking filler, decent headphones can go a long way. Ordering direct from retailers might be cutting it a bit fine this late in the day, so either going in store or checking delivery dates will be key.
Our top pick
Bose QuietComfort Noise Buds
One of the best in-ear headphones on the market, the Bose Quietcomfort earbuds provide a fantastic listening experience for such a small device. While you won’t get the same noise cancellation as over-ear models, the Bose Earbuds are incredibly handy. Their small size and 6 hour battery life allows for a wide range of uses, from going on a jog to relaxing at home and ignoring those around you. Currently they are £200 down from £250 which is a great deal but certainly not the cheapest present on the market.
An experience
As people begin to tire of having endless piles of stuff to sort through each Christmas, a fun day out is becoming more popular. On top of providing a great memory, it represents a much more thoughtful gift.
Our top pick
Cheese and wine experience at Chapel Down
If there’s one thing we love in this country, it’s an opportunity to indulge ourselves while feeling like we’re doing something cultural. A cheese and wine tasting experience offers just this. Situated at the Chapel Down Winery in Kent, the experience day offers a selection of local cheeses and wines, expertly paired together. You will need to pick a particular day for this experience, so make sure your chosen recipient is free to avoid unnecessary complications. Prices start at £25 per person, so why not bring the whole family?
Subscription boxes
The gift that keeps on giving, subscription boxes leave a good feeling long after the big reveal. It’s something we’re starting to see more of with new types of subscription boxes cropping up all the time. Often they will offer discounts on 3 or 6 month subscriptions, which saves you money and also ensures you’re not paying for one indefinitely.
Our top pick
Grind coffee boxes
One for all the coffee lovers out there, Grind subscriptions are a great way to get delicious coffee delivered every month. The model is highly customisable, allowing you to select the type of coffee and amount that is delivered. If you don’t already know what type of brew the recipient likes, try and casually find out. It’s a little bit of effort that goes to show how much thought you have put into it. If you want something physical to give them on as well, a personalised coffee mug could be a great way to top it off.
A plant
It’s become somewhat of a cliche in recent years, but plants remain a great gift. The fact that you're buying someone a living being also adds a certain something to it. Just make sure the person you're buying it will be able to keep it alive.
Our top pick
Bloom and Wild Pineapple plant
Nothing says merry Christmas like a miniature version of a tropical plant. As far as novelty gifts go, this one is guaranteed to get a reaction out of pretty much anyone. Bloom and Wild also do next day delivery which means you have plenty of time to try and figure out how an earth you're going to wrap it. To really top it off you’ll want to buy a pot with it which Bloom and Wild naturally provide naturally in abundance. The only downside is that the Pineapple is not actually edible which may or not be information you want to include. Depending on how much you like the person in question of course.