There’s not long till Christmas now. 

It can be hard deciding what to get anyone at this time of the year; whether it’s a friend, parent, sibling or partner. I definitely think the best type of gift is something that someone can actually use and won’t just get left on the shelf. I've listed some ideas to make your Christmas shopping that little bit easier: 

Gifts for her 

♥Skincare set 

Beauty and skincare is usually the top of most women’s list. Why not buy her a skincare set? If you know her very well you could get her a basket of her favourite skincare products – you can create your own basked by buying individual items or the easier option, just pick up a ready-made basket.

I’d suggest going into a big department store such as John Lewis or House of Fraser and seeing what sets they have to offer. Cheaper, alternative stores are; Lush and Body shop. 

Us women usually like anything beauty related so it’s unlikely you’ll go wrong with this. 

♥Makeup 

Makeup is sooo expensive these days so receiving it as a gift is a treat. Popular brands include; MAC, NARS, Bobbi Brown, Elizabeth Arden etc.

I’d suggest buying her a lipstick, blusher or make-up brushes. I’d stay clear from buying foundation and concealers as girls can get picky about these types of products. 

A girl is always in need of new jewellery. The good thing about jewellery is that it doesn't go out of style and can last years. Focus on buying the classic pieces such as simple bracelets, necklaces or even a watch. 

You could go that extra mile and get personalised jewellery for that special finishing touch. 

♥Bags

Handbags, clutch bags and purses. All essential, and all make good presents. There’s loads of variety to choose from on-line and in-store to grab her a nice ( and fashionable) bag.

Popular stores include Zara, H&M, Topshop and River Island.

Gifts for him

♥Shoes

You can't go wrong with a good pair of shoes. Whether the guy in question loves urban-type trainers such as Jordans, or he’s more of a Toms or smart-suede shoe fan – shoes is a good option. 

♥Fragrance

Its a fact; guys love smelling good just as much as us girls do! There are soo many good fragrances for men at the moment; Hugo Boss, Cool Water by Davidoff, and One Million by Paco Robanne. If you're not sure what scent to go for, ask the shop assistant what the best sellers are.

♥Watch

This can be abit more of an extravagant option. Buy him a statement watch to make a big statement this Christmas. Wrist candy has a range is wide so make sure you pick the perfect watch for him.

♥Bag/Briefcase

Whether he’s going to and from the office or if it's quick trips to the gym - a handy bag is always an essential. Bags can make a big statement for a guy so choose something that’s suitable for the intended use but also fashionable. 

JimBags’, Nike and Adidas are all popular brands for bags – this is because they're usually spacious enough for sports equipment and toiletries.

 

♥Headphones

If he doesn't have a good pair already, or he’s thinking about buying one – beat him to the chase. A good pair of headphones can be lifesaver and a fashion statement. Dr Dre’s Beats, Bose and Sennheiser are all good, high quality brands. Sony and Panasonic can offer cheaper alternatives.

Hopefully this lists taken some stress off your shoulders. Good luck and happy gift-hunting!

We’re officially a few days away from the infamous Black Friday (27^th November). If you’re anything like me, you’ve been patiently waiting for these sales but it’s important to not get lost in the hype and still be smart about your shopping. I’ve rounded up my best tips to make sure you don’t get ripped off this weekend.

♥Shop Online

There’s the constant comparison – Black Friday vs Cyber Monday.

A little history lesson - Black Friday is historically the first Friday after thanksgiving.  Cyber Monday follows Black Friday as the first Monday after thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is said to be the busiest online shopping day of the year before Christmas. However, the two shopping days have probably been blended together so that stores that are based online can also have their own “day” of sales. In my opinion, either of these days will give you an equal opportunity of bagging a good bargain.

You’re just as likely to get a good deal online on Black Friday as you are on Cyber Monday. I recommend shopping online just because of how much easier it makes your life. Honestly, online shopping is a dream. You get to see all the stock that the stores have without even leaving your house. You also get to shop from several stores that may be out of reach locally.

Save yourself the bruises and manic of trying to shop in person this Black Friday.

♥Bookmark / Make a list

Think about it this way; what would you buy right now if it wasn’t on sale? 

I can’t stress how important this is. Instead of being a compulsive shopper and buying a lot of random stuff that you don’t really need, make a list of what you do actually need and then make use of it.

You could even bookmark the items you want from specific stores, and once Friday’s here; go to  your bookmark, add to basket and checkout.

That way you’re sure to only buy things you actually need.

♥Compare current prices

Another key point to note. Some prices are actually not reduced. Don’t be fooled by false advertising. After you’ve made your list of what you want to buy, make sure to make a note of what the current price is. Remember “up to 30% off” means it can be anything from 5% all the way to 30% , make sure that you’re not fooled by the big red stickers and flashy signs that stores use.

♥Shop Early

Most companies, such as Amazon, have started ‘Black Friday Week’. Essentially, their promotions are running the whole week. I’d be a bit cautious with this tip as some companies will have discounts during the week and then up their discounts on Friday.

♥Sign up for emails

Make sure you’ve signed up to all the stores that you want to shop on. Email vouchers and codes could help you save a lot. Sometimes you could even get pre-release deals on products.