Idea #38: T20 Finals Day
Cricket is often a sport that gets criticised for being extremely slow and boring, however, T20 Finals Day is a whole different ball game. In 2003 the ECB introduced T20 cricket; a much shorter, fast paced game of cricket. The T20 county league is contested throughout the summer, culminating in a grand finals day where you get to watch three games of T20 cricket; the two semi finals, then the final. For the cricket fan in your life...
Idea #36: The Live Escape
Escape room adventures are relatively new on the scene but they have fast become the latest must try activity that everyone is talking about. When The Live Escape in Huddersfield opened I immediately thought it would make the perfect Father’s Day surprise! The escape room adventures all have very different themes and the idea is that you work together to solve a series of puzzles, mysteries and hidden clues to get out. The Live Escape...
Idea #35: TV audience tickets
When I told my friends I was in the audience for Pointless the first thing they asked was – how much did the tickets cost? A lot of people don’t realise that TV audience tickets are actually FREE! TV audience tickets make the ideal gift idea for anyone on a budget, all you have to do is pay the travel costs to the studio. Going behind the scenes of your favourite TV show is a unique experience and certainly one that you don’t get to...
Idea #34: Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is deemed to be one of, if not the most prestigious flower show in the world, with over 150,000 visitors over five days. The Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London every year since 1913, transforming the whole area into magical show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays. For Mother’s Day this year I surprised TIG’s mum with...
Idea #33: This Good Box
The ever-so-lovely people at This Good Box sent me a rather plain-looking cardboard box this week! However, I soon discovered that this was no ordinary box – it was a very ‘good’ box. So, what is a good box, I hear you ask? Well, it is a box packed full of eco-friendly goodness, with ethical and socially conscious treats that anyone would love to receive. Each month the boxes have a different theme, full of surprise...
Idea #27: ChattyFeet socks
I think I’ve really cracked it with this idea! Whatever the occasion this is one gift that anyone would love to receive, and will only cost you £7. It is unusual, quirky and great fun – and believe it or not, it’s just a pair of socks! When it comes to gift giving, socks have developed quite a reputation for being boring, lame and predictable. However, I am writing this post to dispel the myth and lift the grey cloud...
Idea #26: Mug cake recipe book
What’s the idea: A mug cake recipe book Who for: This is great fun for the whole family. Makes a fantastic stocking filler or as a small add-on gift Cost: £3.99 hardback Where can I buy one: Amazon – Mug Cakes: Ready in Five Minutes in the Microwave TIGs review For Christmas I received a mug cake recipe book, so this week I set a challenge to myself and all TIG fans to make a different mug cake from the book every day for a week...
Idea #25: Fruit infused water bottle
For Christmas this year I received some really wonderful pressies, however, this one had me slightly baffled. TIG’s mum always comments on how I’m the hardest person to surprise as I’ve usually seen everything, done everything or bought one already! However, she well and truly got me with this one. This idea is something I had never come across before, I hadn’t seen anyone using one and I hadn’t got a...
Idea #24: Photo booth fun
Today, we visited TIG’s extended family in Derby for Christmas Day – take 2. A visit to the Derby clan is always guaranteed to be a laugh-a-minute and today was no exception. After a fabulous 2-course meal we distributed our Secret Santa presents. We had a £10 limit and the TIG family had all decided to buy the same Christmas jumper for each of our recipients. Primark did good with their festive snowman jumpers priced at £9, and...
Idea #21: Aura Que
Aura Que ethically handmade bags and accessories are packed full of goodness. Each individually hand-crafted bag is created using the best natural materials and fibres Nepal has to offer. Every Aura Que bag has its own unique story to tell, inspiring and uplifting, which only adds to its charm! What’s the idea: Stylish, contemporary and ethically made accessories from Aura Que Who for: With a range of mens’ and...
Idea #20: DIY scarf gift wrap
The only part of Christmas and Birthdays I really don’t like is the wrapping! It never looks right, the corners are never perfect and the paper is always two inches too short and how are you supposed to handle a roll of tape while you’re holding two edges of paper together! The answer to all of your problems is….Furoshiki! The traditional wrapping cloth the Japenese use to wrap everything from gifts to...
Idea #16: Charity shop challenge
The perfect Christmas day outfit is always at the top of my winter shopping list. I don’t know about you but I’m always in a mad rush to find ‘the one’ and I always spend far too much on a dress I will only ever wear once! This yearly saga got me thinking, how could we do Christmas different for 2013, how could I take all the pressure (and the cost!) out of our Christmas outfit dilemmas. The answer was...
Idea #15: Make your own headband
It’s time to get creative with TIG’s mum’s step-by-step guide to make your very own wire headband. In just 15minutes you’ll have a new hair accessory to wow your friends with. No more headband headaches or sore ears, these just mould to your head and you can quite easily forget you’re wearing one! You don’t need to tie, simple twist and style. Whether you opt for ‘rabbit ears’,...
Idea #14: Suzi Sews baby shoes
A brand new Derbyshire baby footwear and accessories designer has arrived…and she just so happens to be my very talented cousin. Susie has just launched her very own business; Suzi Sews and her new collection is out now! Susie is extremely creative and when she’s not sewing for top designers, she is creating her very own unique designs. All Susie’s shoes are made from 100% leather to ensure your baby has the comfiest...
Idea #11: ‘Lost my name’ books
Take a child on a glorious, personalised adventure like no other. A fabulous gift for any child in your family. The books tell the story of a child who has lost his or her name, and who sets off on a marvellous adventure to track down all the missing letters. Along the way the child meets lots of weird, wonderful and wise characters, who all help in the search. Each one has its own funny, surprising and touching story, and each gives...
Idea #10: ‘Santa is coming to…’ book
Have you been good? Are you ready to go to sleep? Then Santa is coming to your town! It’s Christmas Eve. Santa’s packed up all the presents and set the Santa-nav to the destination. So what could possibly go wrong? Discover how Santa dashes all over your town while you are safely tucked up in bed and fast asleep! There are a whole range of titles written by Steve Smallman.. I am sure you will be able to find your home...
Idea #6: Scrapbook
It is true what they say, pictures paint a thousand words which is why scrapbooks make such a powerful story teller. Scrapbooks have many different uses, some people scrapbook because they love the craft, others care more about highlighting their family events or some ‘scrapbookers’ focus on preservation and the archival aspect. However, I used my scrapbook to conclude the big reveal for where I was taking Jamie for his...
Idea #3: A trike tour
So, we all know dads are difficult to buy for, so how about this for an exhilarating and hair raising idea? Let your dad be chauffeur driven on a three seater Boom trike; an amazing and thrilling machine to behold! Triking is like no other experience and a perfect way to see the stunning Yorkshire dales scenery… What’s the idea: A trike tour…helmet on, visors down and zoooom off into the Yorkshire Dales! Who for: Anyone!...
Idea #2: 501 must-visit destinations book
The book covers 501 must-visit destinations, ranging from remote hideaways and tropical islands to bustling cities, breathtaking monuments and stunning landscapes across the world. Stunning photography sits alongside informative text and a summary of don’t-miss features of each site. What’s the idea: This is an inspirational book that offers 501 ideas you might not have even thought of. Who for: The avid travellers who want to...
Idea #1: A scratch map
Scratch maps are simply brilliant! It’s the perfect way to show off where you’ve been travelling while livening up your wall. It consists of a unique, slick looking gold wall map to start with – you then scratch off all the places you’ve visited to reveal a whole new world below, featuring colour and geographical detail. It comes in a great looking, quality tube, making this the perfect gift for the jet-setter...
