There is something about this year that’s delivered the most incredible unisex gift ideas. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not about to go all PC and create gift guides for 247 genders it just seems that this year there are so many unisex gifts that suit everyone, any age, any gender. Gifts that will make the recipient’s life a little happier, a little better, a little more serene. With men being more aware of their feminine side and independent women learning DIY (Stay tuned to find out about our Spring workshops for Independent women) more and more products fall under the unisex category rather than being separated into male and female.
I’ll stop rambling about gender and present to you the most awesome gifts we’ve discovered this year. Images and links to buy coming soon. Keep checking back as this will grow right up until Christmas Eve.
Vegepod Kitchen Garden
This has to be at the top of my list as it lets you grow salad all year round! You don’t have to grow salad either, you can grow whatever you want in your vegepod. If you’re missing the scent of summer stocks – vegepod. If you’d like fresh basil, coriander and thyme – vegepod. If you’d like some ox eye daisies on display – vegepod. It’s incredible. Now, you’d think I’d use this in the kitchen wouldn’t you? One day I may but right now I’m redecorating my bedroom with a live plants, jungle, natural theme and now growing pansies indoors. It looks amazing, smells divine and for a little time each day I forget it’s winter outside.
Razaball
Now for something a little cheaper but still mind-blowing. When I was asked to test the new razaball I was skeptical. So many companies are trying to reinvent the razor right now, many with a subscription model. One I tried last week left me incredibly frustrated. It looked the part but they’d surrounded the blades with so much moisturising soap that the razor couldn’t even reach the skin, leaving me with two day old stubble, I was not happy. Anyhow, I digress as this razor ball is genius and not just because of the shape. It holds onto blades with a super strong magnet that gives the quickest, closest shave I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. The starter pack comes with a generous amount of blades and it takes up little room. The only downside I found, which is probably specific to me, I couldn’t hold it in my mouth in the shower as I applied the shower gel. That’s something I’m prepared to get over though as this is the BEST razor ever and I’m not being paid to say that!
Doro Tablet
Doro are great at constantly innovating solutions for those who need clear, functional, no fuss technology to stay in touch with the world without the unnecessary extras. This tablet is no different. Easy to use, simple to see and a breeze to navigate while still being as fast as an iPad and having all the functionality you need to enjoy a supreme browsing experience. It’s great for watching YouTube on, or any movie, for emailing and surfing the web yet it doesn’t cost the earth and doesn’t strain the eyes or the brain. A great tablet if you want to wean off tech or give your glasses a break.
Breville XL 9L Airfryer
If you don’t own an air fryer yet you are one of the very few as many are raving about this new piece of kit that fries food without oil. I was reluctant to take up more counter space with bulky appliances I’d only use once so it took a while for me to find the air fryer that was worth the sacrifice. This is it. IT’s lovely and square so other items can sit flush against it, keeping it neat while the generous capacity means you can feed a family of four with what you fry. My favourite is a sausage roll, homemade with puff pastry, the air frying does something to it that leaves the pastry buttery and flaky while the meat just melts in the mouth. If you’re looking to buy an air fryer this year this is the perfect one, and it looks like it’s built to last, it won’t be another fad.
Furn Outdoor Rug Amelie Flatweave
You may think an outdoor rug is just for summer but I’ve found this beauty is idea for the porch and hallway in winter. It stands up to the highest traffic while still looking amazing and being so easy to clean. It creates such a bright interior and such a warm welcome to guests that I believe it would make a great gift to any proud homeowner. Check out the Turn website and see the Amelie rug for yourself.
Melitta Coffee Machine
Coffee machines come with so many bells and whistles these days that it’s hard to know which one to choose. When you do decide you must then secure an overdraft to pay for the compatible pods along with the petrol you need trying to find those pods in store. This is why we love this Melitta coffee machine. It takes us back to basics while producing the very best coffee and once again fills the home with that rich aroma that makes mouths water. It looks great on a counter top and is sturdy and reliable, very easy to use, and delivers again and again.
MFPA Art Diary
This diary full of incredible art blew me away as each piece of art has been created by people affected by disability who can only use their mouths or feet to paint. They paint much better than many famous artists of today and the images are crisp, concise and magical. Truly humbling, incredible talent, and a reminder to make the best of what you have. Buy it.
Lego Hokusai Great Wave
Take your grown up back to a 90’s dorm room with the Lego Great Wave. A beautiful piece that takes time to build and results in a gorgeous framed Lego art piece of Hokusai’s famous wave. A stunning gift to remind your friend to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life.
Heavenly Feet Montana Slippers
If your feet are warm your body is warm, that’s what I was always told and these Montana slippers will keep your feet heated while making you believe you’re walking on a cloud. They’re so comfortable and have a good sole for nipping outside (when it’s dry). They look great on too, the perfect winter warmers.
FitFlop Sherling Boots
We only tested the women’s boots but we were so impressed that they deserve to be on this gift guide. These boots are made of sterling leather and come with a guide to tell you how to care for them. They mould to your feet and with the wool lining they make you feel as though you are walking on air, while the hidden heels gives you extra height without compromising on your stability or balance. They’re great for winter as they have a good grip on the sole with the addition of the little red FitFlop token. These would be a welcome gift for any cold fashion follower or just buy them for yourself!
Moss Art from Dobbie’s Garden Centre
You may not consider a garden centre to be the best place to buy gifts for Christmas but Dobbie’s is here to prove you wrong. Along with their robust and healthy houseplants they also have gifts for the home that are unique and unusual like this moss wall art. It’s made of varying shades of real living moss and feels amazing. It adds a 3D natural element to any room and the hexagonal design keeps it ultra modern. We’re in love and would love to see three or four lined up on a feature wall.
Roka Sustainable Bag
This would also look great in our Gifts for Young Adults but as a grown up I want to keep it. The colour is so serene and opaque while the functionality is out of this world. It’s classic and elegant but with personality too. It’s light and waterproof yet made from sustainable materials and is a joy to carry around. You can carry it in a variety of ways and it will always enhance any outfit. We love it.
The Healed State
Everyone seems to have therapy these days as we try to understand ourselves and those around us. Many spend a fortune on life coaches in order to achieve their potential and be the very best they can be. This book and affirmation cards allow you to gently assess your own spirituality and mindset while delivering positive reinforcement that can make a real difference to negative thoughts and self destructive behaviour. The artwork is glorious and they’re not ostentatious or pressurising, they make a lovely gift for those who want to understand a little more about the world we live in on a psychological level.
Pocketalk
This little device is incredible. It opens up whole new worlds, makes beautiful friendships blossom and brings you a completely new perspective on life as it gives you the freedom to talk to any one, from anywhere about anything you like. Language is such a barrier in meeting new people but Pocketalk makes it easy. It’s the size of a smart phone and so easy to use while being packed with wonderful features too. This could easily go into the Young Adult Gift Guide as young adults tend to be better than grown ups at making new friends across the world, whether through Discord or Twitch they regularly use the translate button (which is not always reliable and can cause misunderstandings). This freeing gadget makes conventions easier, removes misunderstandings and makes you feel like a multilingual messiah.
IYASU Doctor’s Bag – The Elizabeth
This bag is designed by NHS heroes for NHS heroes, nurses and doctors in particular and how fortunate they are to have such elegant handbags on offer. The Elizabeth is a red quilted large doctor’s bag but looks like an oversized Chanel handbag. The attention to detail is exceptional from the zips to the plethora of pockets inside. There are compartments to solve every problem from keeping a laptop or tablet protected to storing samples of the personal kind, there’s even a pocket for a stethoscope and, of course, one for a mobile phone. It looks sophisticated, it oozes class but it also screams, “I’m here to get the job done and I know what I’m doing.” No longer is style sacrificed for functionality as with the lockable IYASU Elizabeth our NHS heroes really can have it all. This is why it wins our Top Product Award!
SilentNight Heated Throw
Are you sick of giving fluffy slippers or socks to people who feel the cold? You can now be in their good books all year with this supersoft heated throw. It looks amazing draped over a sofa and can be a lovely warm surprise for guests as they come in out of the cold or you can wrap yourself up in it watching the Strictly Come Dancing final and let the gentle heat penetrate your aching bones. Either way we agree that only the warmest person on earth would turn their noses up at this excellent gift idea as this is one that will last for years and what’s better than the gift of warmth?
HiGRID Premium Hybrid Mattress
Another great gift to give is the gift of a good night’s sleep. A family friend recently told us they ached when getting out of bed in the morning. This is not surprising, considering their age but there was one question to ask. “How old is your mattress?” The reply didn’t shock as it’s quite the norm. 20 years old. The friend had bought a brand new Simba mattress for the guest room as she didn’t want her guests to feel uncomfortable yet believed she could cope with her old faithful mattress for many years to come. After researching we discovered the HiGRID Premium Hybrid Mattress and were curious to see the aches would disappear when we sent one over. They did. Almost immediately and this seventy two year old is as sportily as ever. It’s soft but not too soft while enveloping you in a firm cocoon that supports every bone and muscle. The hybrid advantage means you benefit from memory foam and spring technology which will probably mean it will last longer too. It’s an excellent gift to give to a relative or close friend, just ask the delivery drivers to carry it upstairs for them.
Haier Kettle
Haier are best known for their invention of smart home appliances, large ones, so when we heard they’d launched some smaller appliances we wanted to take a look. The small, but perfectly formed, kettle is strong and sturdy and came in very handy when our Swann kettle broke within a week of receiving it. We’ve loved sporting the Russel Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot kettle in the office too and went through three in a year before we admitted defeat and switched to Swann. We finally decided that a bright colourful kettle was not meant to be and instead wanted something reliable. It’s no fun turning up to the office to find there’s no way of making a cup of tea. The Hair kettle has outlasted the Swann already and does look smart and grown up. It’s black with a gold trim so would fit in many classic kitchens. It holds a little less but this hasn’t posed a problem at all. It boils quickly and relatively quietly and performs just as a kettle should. We love our little Haier and will not be swayed by bright spotty things again!
Cath Kidston Bedding – All the Toile de Jouy
Have you seen the pet beds in Lidl? The Cath Kidston ones for £20? They are so fluffy and adorable but there’s a worry of cheapening the brand. An unfortunate occurrence for Harry Potter lately as the rights seem to have been sold to every Tom, Dick and Harry with a storefront which leaves an oversaturated market and Harry Potter pens and pyjamas being sold in dusty boxes at the seaside in a couple of year’s to come (Simspons did the same). Anyhow, back to the topic at hand. This hasn’t happened to Cath Kidston as this bedding is incredible. It sports such a lovely design in blues and whites with a leaping dog and the patterns you’d expect from a classic Toile yet with a modern twist. Of course it’s 100% cotton and you probably won’t find a kingsize set under £100 but for the very best savings visit Terry’s Fabrics. In our opinion they have the best high quality and designer bedlinens and are very generous with their pricing. They are a store to bookmark for textiles for the entire home.
