This is the last of my gift ideas posts. I woke up on Saturday feeling really stressed about presents because I hadn’t bought a single one so my whole weekend was dedicated to shopping and I feel better knowing it’s just about done. The trap I fall into next is seeing ‘just one more little thing’ pop up for the boys – I’m determined to resist this year because musketeers style if I buy one for one, I have to buy for them all. Anyway I’d intended today’s post to be all about smaller gifts and stocking fillers 2024 which it is – but there are a few other things I’ve spotted so I’ll add those at the end. Right, let’s dive in.
Smaller gifts and stocking fillers 2024
I’m starting with the man in your life and this may not look exciting at first glance (or maybe it does…) but I’m reliably told that they’re the most luxuriously comfortable boxers, especially for anybody who does a lot of sport because they’re wicking without being too synthetic. I find that when your man has everything he wants, all you can do is upgrade the everyday pleasures. Lots of colours and different leg lengths available, quite a few are currently on offer.
This post is going to be full of twists and turns, these are a bit random but a great little stocking filler/add-on gift for a midlife friend. They came reader recommended a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned midlife earlobes and they’re very clever. If you have a heavy earring you simply replace the back with one of these and they stop it hanging at 45 degrees to your earlobe. Don’t worry, the ‘love’ stamp isn’t visible unless somebody is quite literally whispering in your ear, in which case it wouldn’t be a bad thing!
We have one boy who hates playing Trivial Pursuit (Black Friday offer currently running) but the rest of us love it. This will be a salve to him this year although I think the competition will be fierce – and in the meantime I’ll be able to slink off with a book.
While we’re on the subject of games, you’ll either love or hate Cards Against Humanity. We finally agreed to play it with our boys when they hit 20 and last year it kept us at the dinner table from lunchtime until midnight with a few other games peppered in between. It’s only once a year and it’s a great way of bonding over ridiculous, controversial and slightly abstract humour (I should add that they’re often very surprised to see their mum holding her own!). It absolutely isn’t for everybody but if you’re a player there are some fabulous little expansion packs this year – great stocking fillers or secret Santa gifts but you do need to already have the main game to add them to.
Cards Against Humanity expansion packs
One for a friend, a set of pretty Liberty pens, just the thing that’s lovely to have in various handbags. They come in nice packaging and feel far more expensive than they are.
And I know some of you are fellow pencil lovers so I had to add some in – one of my favourite things to receive at Christmas. Great value with a BF offer currently running.
I dug out an old Mulberry handbag recently, I’d completely forgotten about it but it was my mainstay when the boys were little. Anyway still nestled inside were some of the little animals I used to keep in every single bag. I kept nine different ones in each bag and they so often saved my sanity when we had to wait somewhere (I used to buy them in packs like this from Woolies but wouldn’t know where to look these days). I guess parents pass their mobile phones over now but they were great for keeping the boys busy and they often tell the story of the middle one dropping a much loved weasel in a spittoon in France while we were wine tasting (despite the cries there was no way we were digging it out!) Ah well, these sets are in Black Friday clearance – jungle animals, farmyard animals, aquatic creatures and dinosaurs… the first time I’ve ever wished I had grandchildren!
Let’s get back on track with some more great gifts for friends. This is just the kind of luxurious looking lip balm that gives you extra pleasure when you pull it out of your bag. You buy the case and balm separately which is great because it means it’s refillable – designer style at a surprising price, especially as there’s a BF offer currently applied.
Refillable luxury lip balm case
Lip balm refill – various colours available. BF offer currently running.
Here’s another gorgeous handbag piece. The best powder I know for reducing shine but maintaining luminosity, now available in this bijou size. BF offer currently applied.
This is one of my personal must-have products. You mix two of these glow drops with your foundation and it gives extra luminosity, I haven’t found any other product quite like it. You can use it on its own as well for a wash of glow.
Another essential for evenings out, especially if you’re dancing. Somehow midlife make-up just seems to disappear, I don’t know where it goes but this much lauded setting spray really helps it to stay on your face for the whole evening. It works in hot weather too so this little travel size is great when you’re going away. 30% off for BF.
Another of my favourite products, a liquid blusher in the shade developed to suit everybody. You only need to dab a little on your cheekbone and blend it in with your fingers for a healthy look. Then apply a streak of the highlighter just above the cheekbone, at the temples and on the inner corners of your eyes. Blend with your fingers again and you’re done. BF offer currently applied.
And the last of my beauty favourites in tiny sizes. I have cans of this stuff in large and small sizes everywhere. It’s the best hairspray I know, it not only sets your style but it protects against heat too. If you apply it before you straighten your hair you get a double whammy, heat protection and a pre-set result.
If you buy three minis you get 20% off so my other top recommendation is Cool Girl. I keep this with me when I’m out and it gives your hair that slightly zhuzzed up Parisian tousle – plus it smells divine (as does the hairspray).
Cool Girl – buy 3 minis, get 20% off
This is such a great belt – remember when we were talking about the great switch in texture that suede or nubuck adds when you’re wearing jeans? It’s in the men’s department so a great gift for them but I’m also thinking that you could buy it for yourself and add another notch or two – from the reviews it looks as though a few women are doing the same. It’s also available in navy or grey and it’s a brilliant price for 100% leather.
A few last minute larger ideas
While we’re on the subject of the hard to buy for male I’m suggesting fleece lined Crocs – to be worn for winter garden jobs only!
This water-repellent down jacket has been popular this season – it’s known as the ‘buff-maker’ – helping every man who wears it look as though he’s spent years working out at the gym. Five colours available, it goes up to a size 3XL and there’s currently a BF offer running.
Every time I post an outfit with my black and ivory scarf I’m asked where it comes from. Mine’s an old one from Hope’s first ever season but I spotted this and thought I should point it out. It makes the world of difference when worn with a black coat or a monochrome outfit.
Black and ivory geo knit scarf
I’m also often asked for silver belts. This is a good quality one that will give your outfits a lift for years to come. Currently 25% off for BF.
And there’s a silver bag too – I keep lingering on this, flicking between it and the bronze option. Both would work hard with winter outfits. Black Friday offer currently running.
This layering top is a great gift for a friend who likes V-neck jumpers or blazers. The lace is such good quality that it almost looks vintage and it’s also available in black.
And with that I must sign off because we’re heading over to Newcastle now for our Geordie festive celebrations – with the way Christmas is falling it’s the only time that worked this year. The car’s packed with everything on hangers and it looks like a pantomine dame’s dressing room with all of the sparkles, tulle and glitter in the back. I’m just praying the snow disappears before we get there because sensible footwear isn’t going to work with anything I’m taking! I’ll be back on Friday with a round-up of the best Black Friday offers. The current ones are listed below but it seems that a lot of retailers are staggering them so they’re changing all of the time. One thing worth noting is that John Lewis are running a Black Friday price match promise so if you buy something now and find it cheaper elsewhere on Black Friday they’ll refund the difference – there are some ts & cs but you’ll find them here. Happy shopping, have a great week – and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends.
Disclosure: ‘Smaller gifts and stocking fillers 2024’ is not a sponsored post
Good Black Friday offers running now
John Lewis – offers added every day – dedicated Black Friday hub here
Hush – 30% Black Friday hub here
French Connection – 30% off everything here
Mango – up to 50% off everything here – worth the trawl!
Anthropologie – 25% off everything here
Nobody’s Child – 25% off everything here with code BF25
Hobbs – 20% off everything here
Antler luggage – 30% off everything here
Seasalt – 25% off everything here
White Stuff – 25% off everything here
Jigsaw – 25% off everything here
Whistles – 20% off everything here
Sweaty Betty – 30% of everything here
Nike – 25% off everything here
Dunelm – Black Friday hub here
Waterstones – topsellers from Boris Johnson to David Nicholls 50% off & 25% off LEGO here
LK Bennett – 30% off everything here
Liberty – 30% off everything here plus 20% off beauty
Rise and Fall 20% off everything here
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Updating your festive wardrobe for 2024 – bumper post
Winter outfit building – working with texture
Midlife lately – pockets of October joy
How to make outfits more interesting
All-inclusive Turkey holiday review
3 style tips for autumn outfits
M&S – what’s in store for AW24?
