Buckley Belt – £30
Has a fine ratchet on it rather than holes so: always stays new-looking, adjust to exactly how you like it, easy to tighten or loosen slightly without having to undo it. I’ve got several now. Gave one to my brother who loves it.
https://www.buckleybelts.com
Lots of cheaper imitations on amazon now, but are they any good??
Personalised football key tag £6
https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/nameyourkeyring/product/personalised-football-shirt-keyring
Not the best quality but cheap and fun
I know lots of people who would like one of these…
My number at school was 87, so I’m going to get a Bournemouth one with Croft 87 on it.
Travel jacket from Patagonia £100
Packs down tiny
and only weighs 105g
Windproof and waterproof if you get caught in cold or wet weather by surprise
Calendar of Bad Taxidermy
Really makes me laugh
Two Nerf guns, with ammo – £10
Made by the proper Nerf company, bargain price (I’d probably get the spare ammo pack as well for another £7)
Not just for boys – I think my two female grandchildren would love these
Only sponge so not painful or dangerous. Great fun!
Super-light folding chair – Flexlite Air – $99
Either for hiking with it in your backpack or taking it to an open air festival/show, this is SO light you can carry it without notching. It’s only 500g! There are lots of cheap imitations on amazon that weight twice as much. I got mine from REI in the US (grab one if you’re there!) but there is one that is slightly larger (maybe more comfortable?) and only very slightly heavier, on amazon UK here.
More information here
Similar one on amazon UK here
Basically it’s not the most comfortable chair but it’ll do, and it’s MUCH better than not having one at all, which is usually what happens! it’s VERY easy to assemble since the pieces have elastic down the middle so it pulls itself into shape. And as for strength, I’m 13 stone (yes, I know, curry!) and it copes with me easily.
Cast Iron Octopus Loo Roll Holder £21
I like to know I have rolls in reserve. And everyone needs a loo roll holder, in fact you can have more than one in your smallest room, so it’s a good present.
https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/selections/product/cast-iron-octopus-loo-roll-holder
Cat handbag – it’s really realistic!
Both hilarious and cute at the same time
It’s a bit pricey (£76) but the quality is great, I can vouch for that since I have bought one. Not for myself. They sent me the wrong colour, so instead of the black one I got a siamese – but I love it so I’m keeping it. To give away, obviously.
It’s quite big – holds a decent amount of stuff.
Always draws gasps of amazement and love when people open the box and see it – just saying.
Link here
PS I’m not on commission.
Smart light bulbs – £13 for two
I’m not bothered about being able to switch them on with Alexa, or with my phone, but I DO like the idea of them coming on every day at the time of sunset (the computer knows when that is) or maybe one hour before or one hour after. Or just random, if you’re not in the house but want to make it look occupied. They can be in the top light or any lamp.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Z4HSBQM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
You can also get smart plugs (£28 for four) so you can switch on things with cheap/any bulbs – or even music or whatever.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0875CTMGH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
reMarkable Paper Pro Move – £400 approx
Not cheap, but I love mine SO much, I use it all the time – just great for taking notes and having everything with you all the time.
Personalised Charms key ring £25
I like this because keyring tend to get dirty and broken from all the in-and-out of pockets etc but this one looks really durable. As well as fun to choose the charms (I’ll have a The Best and a Star please, haha!)
https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/kutuu/product/design-your-own-personalised-charms-keyring
Rock climbing key holder – £38
While we’re on keys, anyone into climbing will really like this.
Smart Pebble – for your important house plant. £40
Monitors the water in your plant, and also the soil, the light, and the temperature!
Flip-over alarm clock – £50
I love the simplicity of this!
Flip it over the switch off the alarm
www.amazon.co.uk/Lexon-Luminous-Reversible-Function-Rechargeable/dp/B0FFBBK7JV?th=1
…or (go on, let me have one bit of self promotion) you could buy a year of my Life Coaching Online for a loved one (or even for yourself!) – £9/month……
www.CroftLifeCoaching.com
Turtleshead Revisited – the latest Profanisaurus – £20
If just the title cracks you up then you have to get this. If you don’t understand why the title is funny then you NEED to get this. But don’t get it unless you have a STRONG and CHILDISH sense of humour (or rather the person it’s for needs those dubious attributes).
It’s the biggest collection so far of definitions of hilarious phrases – fantastic toilet reading, and one of civilisations most wonderful peak creations, yes I really do believe that.
If £20 is too much you can get older (smaller) versions much cheaper, see amazon, and they are still brilliant. .
James Bond Toy Car £30
Yes they’ve restarted making the original metal Aston DB5 with the ejector seat and the real window shield and the guns in the radiator grille and the spiky wheel hubs oh yeah
Take you back to your childhood…..
Pet-Shaped Cushions – £12 – £20
for someone who misses their dog or cat perhaps
I can’t vouch for the quality, not having bought one of these, but they do look pretty fun, the reviews are good, and the price is amazing
See also my ideas from last year, mostly still current – https://www.chriscroft.co.uk/christmas-preset-ideas-for-2024/
and the year before! https://www.chriscroft.co.uk/christmas-present-ideas-for-2023/
PS. What is the 5 gifts rule?
The ‘5 gift rule’ is a rule of thumb where you give someone five different gifts based on something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read and something to do. The idea is that it helps you stick to a budget and it will (hopefully!) be things they really, really love.
