If you are looking for any last minute gifts and don’t fancy braving the insane high streets today, you have until 6pm Saturday to get your order in with The White Company for delivery on Christmas Eve. The White Company sells a beautiful array of items for the home, and if you’re still looking for that ‘Perfect Little Present’ for someone look no further than their selection of candles.

We have a few scented candles in the house – in the bathrooms primarily – but their Orange Grove Signature Candle would make a delicious addition to any lounge this festive period. It has a zesty scent as you would expect, but there are also undertones of an earthy smell, which makes it an uplifting and comforting fragrance. I think the orange scent is lovely at this time of year and it has pride of place on our new mantelpiece. I expect it will get lit frequently during Christmas, and with 28 hours burning time there is plenty opportunity.

The Signature Candles range – which includes Orange Grove, Flowers, Pomegranate and more – cost £20 each and are available online or, if you’re feeling brave, from stores across the country. I suggest you get to their website before 6pm Saturday and place your order from the comfort of your sofa!

For any last minute shoppers out there you can’t go wrong with a gift from Trunki this Christmas. To start you off, here are their Top 5 Toybox Fillers…

And in case you’re after any more encouragement – and a cute photo – here’s my Little Man modelling his new SnooziHedz friend, Milo.

The SnooziHedz is a great friend to take in the car. It comes as a cuddly pal your little one can just hold, but when nap time approaches they can use it as a pillow. They can also remove the blanket which is inside their pal to make sure they keep nice and warm, just as my Little Man is doing here. There is also an inflatable pillow included which can be returned to the empty SnooziHedz to make it nice and comfy. I can’t seem to encourage Little Man to use the pillow, but he was definitely nice and cosy under his blanket. There is even a pocket on the blanket – the grey face section above – for your little one to pop a teddy in, or even their hands if you use the blanket in their pushchair. A fabulous multi-functioning item, and yet another amazing invention from Trunki.

As parents we’re always looking for things to keep our children entertained that doesn’t involve a TV, computer or games console. Getting them outside in the fresh air can be a mission, especially the older they get. Little Man is 2 and is fascinated by going outside for walks, or “Looking for cats” as we call it, and finds parks and woods a real treat. As he gets older though, I’m sure this will change and he’ll prefer to be attached to the latest games console. (Though I must admit that he does play a little too much Angry Birds now…)

If you are on the look out for a great gift this Christmas to get your children back outside and want something a little different to the usual bike, take a look at this Kids All Terrain Kart.

I only wish my Little Man was old enough to ride one!

The All Terrain Kart is designed for children aged 7-12 and is great for whizzing down hills on, using the rope to steer and hold on to – this rope is also very handy for dragging the kart back up the hill!!

Your children can also push themselves along on the level using their feet on either side of the kart. It comes with a handbrake and the back rest is adjustable depending on the size of your child and the position they want to ride in.

The kart arrives ready to be assembled, but this is a quick process using the tools and fixings provided. I imagine any child would love to help build this before taking it out for a spin. The kart comes with 12″ pneumatic wheels, just like you’d find on a mountain bike, so it really is suitable to use on all surfaces, including tarmac, grass and mud.

British made, the Kart’s low size means it will fit easily into most car boots so you can take it with you on days out or family holidays. You can also purchase a storage hook from the online store for hanging in a shed or garage when not in use. The store also sells a range of spare parts and stickers for the ultimate in customisation.

As you can see this is by no means a boys only item. It was tested out recently by the children you can see in the photos here, and the girl was a massive fan. The wearing of safety gear is of course essential when using the kart, but once your child is padded up its a great kart which will be used all year round. And whilst it does say that its aimed at children aged 7-12 no doubt you’ll have to pry Daddy off it too!

You can discover more on the All Terrain Kart at their website, where you’ll also find their well stocked online store.

If you are looking for something a bit special for your table this Christmas, take a look at this cracker from Hotel Chocolat.

This would make a fantastic centrepiece for any party or celebration this Christmas.

This beautiful cracker is a massive 640mm long – they’re not kidding when they call it their “Rather Large Cracker” – and contains 40 wrapped chocolates, 12 silver party hats, and some jokes. The included chocolates are a selection of Hotel Chocolat’s finest, with a mixture of pralines, truffles, dark and milk chocolates, white chocolates, as well as ones containing alcohol and those which are more child friendly. Needless to say this was a big hit with my husband and I who thoroughly enjoyed testing out all the chocolates. I don’t think we found one that we didn’t enjoy!

At £38 this is not a cheap item, but to end a festive get together with family and friends, or even if you just fancy treating yourself to something rather special this Christmas, its an amazing item. It would also be a well received gift I’m sure!

The “Rather Large Cracker” can be found at the Hotel Chocolat online store along with the rest of their Christmas range.

Now we’re into December and the doors on the Advent Calender and getting opening Christmas is truly on its way. Before long Santa will be visiting houses across the world delivering presents. If you’re looking for a few ideas of things to put on your children’s lists this year before sending them off to the North Pole, look no further.

Raa Raa The Noisy Lion’s Interactive Playset
Now fans of the hit CBeebies show can own their very own Tree House straight from the Jingly Jangly Jungle. Raa Raa’s playset comes complete with movable Cubby Buggy, Swing and Tree House as well as the Lion himself. Whats so brilliant about this playset is the interactive elements. On the playset there are “Smart Spots” and you just have to place Raa Raa – or any of his jungle friends (sold separately) – onto a “Smart Spot” to hear them speak. The “Smart Spot” knows which character you’ve placed on the spot and you’ll here their actual voice speak. Around the back of the tree house is Raa Raa’s bedroom, accessed by a ladder, and a bed for him to nap in. I love the “Smart Spots” feature and that pressing Raa Raa down on one makes the leaves of the palm tree rise and the Cubby Buggy appear – just like in the show. This is a must have toy for any Raa Raa fan. I can certainly see the fun in buying the other characters and adding more entertainment, and more phrases, to what is already a great toy.

Tickle Time Elmo
Another great toy for your children to interact with is Tickle Time Elmo. This super soft and super cuddly member of the Sesame Street gang is perfect for children who love to tickle. By simply tickling Elmo’s feet or tummy you can make him giggle, and the more you tickle him the more he giggles and shakes. I found playing with this strangely addictive, and ended up in fits of laughter myself. He’s a gorgeous little character who is sure to become your little ones new best friend.

Tiny Bike
Bikes are massively popular at Christmas, and if you want to get your toddler a first bike this year, try a Tiny Bike. Featuring fully adjustable handbars and seat this bike teaches about balance as it only has two wheels. The bike is ideal for children aged 2-4 years and can be moved easily with a simple push. It also has a little platform for them to rest their feet on when they become confident as they zip around. The spoke free wheels means you don’t have to worry about trapped fingers either. I read about this bike and saw one in action before I got one. Balance bikes aren’t a new thing, but the wooden ones always struck me as heavy or bulky to carry around. This bike actually looks like a “proper” bike, so if you’re getting an older sibling a new bike for Christmas, your little one might appreciate one similar. This bike is really light and easy to carry, and can be used indoors – if you have space – or out. My son took to this with ease and was soon wobbling his way around the lounge on it. It doesn’t take long at all for your child to figure out how to use it, and before you know it they’ll be speeding all over the place. This bike would look great nestled under the tree this Christmas.

Food is a huge part of Christmas. After the presents have been unwrapped the main focus for us on Christmas Day is the food that we’ll be tucking into later. Here are a few suggestions of great gifts for Foodies this Christmas, or things you might want to be eating over the festive period.

Taylors Eye Witness Knife Set
Any good cook needs a good set of knives. They are indispensable in any kitchen, and these from Taylor Eye Witness are not only functional but they are also decorative. This set includes 5 knives – Chef, Carving, Bread, Utility and Paring Knife – and each knife features a colourful flower pattern that is very 60′s. The blades are super sharp stainless steel and are also non-stick so you can cut through pretty much anything without problems. They are without doubt the sharpest knives I’ve ever used in my kitchen, and also the funkiest. The knife handles are soft grip acrylic and coloured to match the blades. When they are all in the block it adds great colour to the kitchen.  Taylors Eye Witness Knives are available in a variety of colours and patterns, but I think these are my favourite design, and whats more they are British made too – perfect for Christmas.

Montezuma’s Christmas Chocolates
Who doesn’t love chocolate at Christmas? Sussex based Montezuma’s has got a delicious range of chocolates for this Christmas and I was very happy to test them out. First up there were two boxes of “Snowball”, one Chilli & Lime flavour and one Orange & Geranium. I was very keen to try the Chilli & Lime and was not disappointed – nice zesty flavour with a sudden hit of chilli. I will definitely be buying more of these. I approached the Orange & Geranium with some trepidation, but they too were delicious. Both have a milk chocolate truffle centre with the relevant flavourings but are wrapped in white chocolate, hence the snowball. Next  up was a bag of Chocolate, Orange and Geranium Truffles. These are basically the centres of the “Snowballs” but without the white chocolate coating. They come in a lovely little sellophane bag and would make a great stocking filler. We also got a takeaway cup containing “Christmas Nuts” – Brazils, Cashews and Walnuts covered in chocolate. Perfect for any nut fans in your family, and a great way of presenting it. Finally there was a box of “8 Chunky Chocolate Snowmen”. Yummy individual dark chocolate Snowmen these would work as a box slipped into a stocking, or you could separate them and place them inside an Advent Calender. These are also available in White or Milk chocolate versions. All these items can be found in your local Montezuma or their online store and cost just £4.99 each.

Savora Kitchen Gadgets
Anyone who loves baking or cooking loves gadgets. My kitchen is bursting at the seams with them! For me gadgets should be attractive as well as functional and fit in to the colour scheme or aesthetics of a kitchen, especially if they are going to be on show. After receiving a Boysenberry Kitchen Aid for my 30th Birthday this year any new kitchen items have tended to be as close a shade of purple as I can find. The Raven coloured gadgets from Savora are a VERY impressive match, and are also brilliant.  In the set we received was Peeler (probably the most attractive peeler I’ve ever seen), a Rotary Grater (much quicker and easier than a manual grater, and also usable by both left and right handed people), a Garlic Press (which is SO easy to clean unlike any other press I’ve owned and then stopped using because of the effort to clean) and an Oil Mister (perfect for reducing fat content in cooking and also for greasing baking trays. My favourite was without doubt the Garlic Press. The part you push the garlic through actually separates from the rest of the press so you can quickly and easily remove every last bit of garlic which may be left behind in the holes. A brilliant yet simple feature. Prices for Savora gadgets range from £10 – £25 so they’re not the cheapest out there, but they are so well made they are bound to last for many years to come. You can find them online or in your local John Lewis.

Pyrex
I’m sure EVERYONE has something from Pyrex in their kitchen, whether it be measuring jugs, mixing bowls or casserole dishes. Its a classic brand that has been used in kitchens for almost a hundred years. I DO own the jug, the mixing bowls AND the casserole dish, but this year Pyrex launched a new range which they are calling Kitchen Lab. With echoes to science and providing me with flashbacks to chemistry lessons at school, I love the style of these new products. First up is a Measuring Glass. Straight sided with a small pouring lip the Measuring Glass has precision measurements and is made from Borosilicate Glass which makes it “thermal shock resistant.” Its also microwave and dishwasher safe. This is ideal for measuring flour, sugar, rice or liquids quickly without digging out your scales. They also launched a Shaker which looks exactly like something a chemical potion should be mixed in. Instead this version is for mixing your salad dressings and then storing them in your fridge thanks to its leak proof silicone lid. Two fun and quirky items that would look great in your kitchen, especially for any science minded chefs you might know. Prices start from £5.

More stocking fillers now, but this time for Mums…

NSPA Products
Available exclusively from Asda this range of beauty products is deliciously fruity. Body butters and lip balms which smell divine whilst also leaving your body and lips super soft and smooth. These butters are not edible despite how delightful they smell, but are exceptionally good value for money. Each of these featured sets costs just £5 and if you go in-store on online you can find a huge range of products for women and men.

Beurer Mini Massager
Perfect for getting rid of those niggling aches and pains at the end of the day this mini massager fits neatly into your hand. Its great used on the shoulders or legs to ease tired muscles after a hectic run up to Christmas. I used this myself after long days at work on my tired calves and it relieved any tension or aches with ease. It has three individually vibrating heads and its compact size also makes it great to carry in your handbag or briefcase in case you need a little relaxation at your desk or on your commute. Every Mum deserves one of these in her stocking this Christmas. Available in a choice of colours, this model costs £11.99 and more details can be found on the Beurer website.

Rosie’s Pantry Measuring Cups
Part of Boots’ famous 3 for 2 gift sets this dinky collection of measuring cups would look great in any kitchen. Recently coveted by GBBO very own Cat, the set comes with four cups – 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbs and 1 dsp – each with a pastel colouring in the shape of miniature tea cups. Available now from Boots for just £10.

Betty & Walter Commendably Practical Cosmetic Purse
Again available from Boots this is new range for the store. The cosmetic purse comes with a Rose Lip Balm in a tin, a tub of Elderflower & Lemon Hydrating Hand cream, a Patterned Nail File and a Compact Mirror all inside a Printed Cosmetic Purse. Its a brilliant set and the hand cream included is a great product. It absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves hands feeling soft and cared for. The purse itself will slip neatly into any handbag for taking cosmetics on the go, or for keeping on your dressing table with your favourite odds and ends in. Buy it now from Boots for £14.

Touchscreen Gloves
Most of us own something with a touchscreen, whether it be a phone, an e-reader or a tablet. Touchscreen devices are excellent but when its winter and your hands and fingers need covering in gloves, using a touchscreen device is impossible, and taking your gloves on and off can be tiresome. These Fair Isle patterned gloves from Asda are a great solution and are available at a bargain price of just £5.

If there is one gift you can rely on this Christmas its a new pair of pyjamas. Nestled beneath your Christmas tree this year there will no doubt be at least one pair of pyjamas for someone in your family. There are a great range of pyjamas out there at the moment and they make a great gift – we all need pyjamas! – so here are a few suggestions if you’re searching for that perfect pair.

Once again my favourite store Asda have delivered yet again with some great pyjamas. They have a huge range of womens pyjamas on offer, but these are my absolute favourites – I think we can all admit to having felt this at least once this week already can’t we? With full length legs and sleeves these make great snuggly winter pyjamas, and I think the checked design of the trousers and the matching trim on the top makes them a little bit festive. These are available now online and in store and are currently on offer at just £9!

If you’re significant others fancy getting into the festive spirit – kind of – as well then whilst you’re in Asda getting your own pyjamas, pick up a pair of these great fleece lounge pants. One features a moose design, and the other a polar bear. Both in bright seasonal colours and most importantly cosy fleece material they are a nice fun addition to any present this year. I am rather tempted to get my husband a pair! You’ll find them in store and online at £10 each.

For any pirate fans in your house these cute pyjamas are from Minene. The pattern on the trousers is nice and colourful and features lots of great pirate themed pictures. And for the girls there is this sweet hearts design featuring coloured hearts on the top and coordinated pink trousers. Again these are both long sleeved and have full length trousers, and they are made from jersey cotton making them nice and soft against little peoples skin. You can find both designs and more on the Minene website for just £13.

Its Christmas!!

Well at the very least its approaching fast, and no doubt most of you have begun your shopping already. If any of you have finished your shopping… I hate you. Joke.

If you’re looking for inspiration for a few stocking filler for your little ones, or topping up a main present, all of the gifts below are available now for less the £15.

1. Justin’s Funny Faces Sticker Activity Book
The phenomenal Justin Fletcher – star of Something Special, GiggleBiz, Justin’s House – brings you this brilliant sticker book. Full of faces and reusable stickers your children will have hours of fun creating and recreating lots of funny faces. This has an RRP of £3.99 and is available now from Amazon.

2. Wow Toys: George’s Dragon Tale
Join Sir George and Smokey as they go on a quest in this excellent set from Wow. Complete with a chariot and boulder which can be fired at any foe they might meet, this is a great little set for the boys. This retails for £7.99 and is available from all good Wow Toy stockists.

3. Colour Me Fun Crayons: Gingerbread Men
This festive edition of the popular Colour Me Fun Crayon sets comes with eight gingerbread men in a range of colours. Non toxic, high quality and super cute these are a great buy for any budding artist. Other festive sets are available or you can get their names. Prices start from £2.49. See the complete range here.

4. Deadly 60 and The Simpsons Games
Fans of either show will love these boxes trivia games. The games are simple to play and quick fire so nobody will get bored. Each comes with 400 multiple choice questions on either show. The Ruckus Deadly 60 card game is a fast paced card collecting game where anything could change up till the last moment. All games are suitable from 8 years plus and prices start from £5. You’ll find all the games in your nearest toy store, or online here.

5. Festive Books: Everything’s Rosie, Thomas The Tank Engine, and Mr Men
Books make great gifts for children, and these Christmas themed titles are even better. Featuring characters from their favourite TV shows children will enjoy reading these again and again, and probably not just during the festive period. Priced at £3.99 each you can find these titles in your local bookstore.

6. The Hungry Frogs ‘Magic Sound’ Board Game
An ideal first board game for pre-schoolers this is a simple game of turn taking, counting and moving around the board. You are on a mission to collect flies, and the first to make it home with 5 flies wins. Every time its your go you also get to press the ‘Magic Sound Button’ which makes a loud croaking sound – without a doubt Little Man’s favourite feature. You can find stockist details here.

7. Wow Toys: Arctic Archie
Archie the Snow Mobile is a lovely toy for Christmas, particularly if you are looking forward to snow this year. Joined by Scott and Penelope the Penguin Archie is a great push along toy, and whats more its quiet too. A nice peaceful gift perhaps? Retailing at £8.99 you can find a list of stockists here.

8. Pirate Rag Doll
Whilst Rag Dolls are traditionally for girls, Little Lucy Willow has created this very trendy Pirate for all the little boys out there. Beautifully made of 100% cotton you can even undress the Pirate if you want to. A great toy for any fans of Jake & The Neverland Pirates!! This Pirate retails for £15 and it available from Little Lucy Willow now.

9. Wow Toys: Pocket Friends
If you’ve already got your little one a new Wow Toys set this Christmas, or perhaps they have them all already, the Pocket Friends are a great idea. Each packet comes with one new friend and an activity sheet and you can choose either a boy or a girl. These toys are only available at existing Wow Toys stores and Road Chefs and are not available online. They are £1.99 each.

10. Artzooka Rock Painting Kit
A great little craft set which I was amazed to find included the rocks, this set gives you everything you need to create 5 rock animals. You get the rocks, paint, stickers, brush and fixings needed, as well as the instructions. Another great way to keep the children quiet for a while so you can relax after all that turkey eating! This retails at £5.99 and is available now from Amazon.

11. The Hive: Rubee
Disney Junior’s “The Hive” is very popular in our house and they have a new range of plush toys out this Christmas featuring your favourite characters. This 6.5inch plush of Rubee is great for any little girls who watch the show. Its a good size too for cuddling, which is essential. She retails at £9.99 and can be found in all good toy retailers.

Stocking Filler ideas for Mum and Dad will be online soon!

As the children head back to school and you finally get 5 minutes to yourself the next thing on everyone’s “To Do List” is to start thinking about Christmas. Yes, I said Christmas and its only September. Forgive me. But if you want to get a head start on your shopping and avoid that last minute panic and rush of overcrowding shopping centres, get online and get to TreatHer.com.

TreatHer.com specialises in beautiful gifts for women, handpicked by their team of buyers, and delivered to you fast. You can search through jewellery, gifts for the home and garden, personalised gifts or even experience days. You can search by recipient, occasion or shop department and you are bound to find something special for that lucky lady in your life.

My favourite item from the site is this gorgeous V&A Garden Stool & Tool Set. It features the beautiful “Pink & Rose” pattern created originally by William Morris. The fold out stool incorporates a large pocket beneath the seat to store your gardening bits and pieces in, as well as pockets down either side to store your tools. Included is a set of four hand tools – two trowels, a fork, and a cultivator. Despite its simple design it is very comfortable to sit on and great for doing odd jobs in the garden. I use it when I’m tending to my pots and containers in the back garden and out the front of my house. I have a kneeler I use too, but this is great for taller pots. It is also brilliant for carrying seeds and bulbs and tools around the garden with you, and then giving you somewhere to perch for a quick break as you work.

Now of course TreatHer.com isn’t much help if you need a present for the man in your life, but do not fear – visit their “brother” site TreatHim.com for all your manly gifts.