Christmas Gift Guide
Click back and relax with our Christmas Gift Guide - for HIM & HER
Trawling around the shops without a clue of what's hot is definitely NOT recommended but with a little help from your friends here at SwindonWeb, shopping has just become much easier, and most definitely fool-proof (even if we do say so ourselves). So check out our fantastic gift ideas - and more importantly, where you can find them. Try these links for a list of all the best places to shop in Swindon.
For
HER
Something Sparkly?
They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but even if you can't afford the real there's a variety of gem stones and jewelley out there that will equally impress.
Something Bespoke?
A new Swindon company have launched a website where you can create your own jewellery, or buy direct from a massive selection of ready made rings and pendants. Prices start from as little as £20.
A Spot of Pampering?
OMG Hair and Beauty Salon
A new service for 2012 at OMG - a personalised gift service. You just let them know your budget a few things about the person you are buying for, at they'll do the rest, incl. wrapping and delivery!
Girls Night Out
Barnes coaches offer travel and tickets starting from £60.
Hey Good Lookin', What You Got Cookin'?
At the Thyme at Southrop near Lechlade, award-winning chef Sebastian Snow offers expert culinary courses on all sorts of subjects, most of which last a day.
And nearer to home, The Rusland School in Haydon Wick offers cookery classes for all abilities.
Picture Perfect?
Why not treat the woman in your life to some professionally taken photographs (not of you - her!)?... or just a nice neat digital camera?
... or how about a nice piece of art - very homely!
Is she a fan?
Of George Clooney? Probably! But maybe the Beatles? Or Mad Men? Or Harry Potter?
Pick up an authentic, signed piece of film & TV memorabilia at Fan Favourites in the Brunel Centre.
Clothes, Shoes and Accessories
Maximum satisfaction here - guaranteed! - especially if you find something a little bit different. But remember, don't buy anything in a size too big!... or lose the receipt.
Sex It Up!
The woman in your life will really appreciate the thought if you buy her some high-quality underwear.
Being a Swindon company we are bound to say Triumph is the best, but with places like Ann Summers, La Senza and even M&S offering something sexy there's plenty of choice on offer - if only you're brave enough to buy it!
Perfume & Make-Up
She'll love you if you bought her some top of range make-up or her favourite perfume.
Do your research and then get down to Debenhams or House of Fraser and snap up one of the many branded gifts sets on offer.
Choccy Time!
So it's just as well that Thorntons have a shop in the Swindon Designer Outlet as well as The Parade, as a measly box of Milk Tray is unlikely to hit the spot if this is your chosen gift.
Table for Two
Instead of one eye on her and the other on the footy results spend an evening giving her your full attention!
And with some great restaurants in and around Swindon it's the perfect gift.
Gym Membership
The ideal dual present, alongside chocolates above. But if you choose this pressie, be very careful how you explain it when your loved one opens it up on Christmas day!
And.....
For HIM
Boys toys
Men love their toys - especially electrical ones. It appeals to their James Bond instincts. And any one of these shops will have just what he's always wanted.
Christmas 'Time'
And we're not talking breaking the bank here. Deacon's even stock some fantastically fun Breo Watches at just £10, ideal for the gym, at work or going out.
Or something more manly?
Deacons Jewellers in Old Town have a brand new range of oversize TW Steel watches now in store.
And if your other half loves Formula 1, the fact that David Coulthard wears a TW Steel watch makes it a gift with a little bit of glamour.
And for a touch of Italian style, we also like the very masculine Breil watches available at Iles Jewellers in Swindon town centre.
Get Retro
Retro & Vintage Collectables
And if he's a fan of nostalgia, don't look any further than Carter Collectables. They've got a huge range of comics, magazines, and motoring and football-related items and much more from days gone by - with more items being added to the site every day.
They've even got a section that lets you select items from a specific date/era, so you could make his present even more personal - perfect!
Something sporty?
Sporting books and DVDs
If the man you're buying for is a sports fan - or a sofa sports fan! - then a sporting book or DVD on Christmas day will have him smiling.
There are plenty to choose from this time of year with seemingly every sports star publishing an autobiography. So whether he likes his motor racing, football or gee gees then you're bound to find something he likes.
Waterstones will be probably have the best selection, as will WH Smith but we recommend you also support the smaller book shops like Bassett Books in Wootton Bassett.
The same goes for sporting DVDs - season compilations and sporting out-takes and gaffes presented by minor celebrities abound!
Probably the best present in the £10-15 bracket.
Behind the wheel
It's only just up the M4 and they offer a brilliant taster course where you can drive with - and learn from - racing drivers from £99.
On top of two wheels?
So why not treat your other half to a new set of wheels (no, not that BMW he's always wanted) at Mitchell Cycles in Swindon.
Up, up and away!
The Royal International Air Tattoo takes place every year at nearby RAF Fairford and if you buy a ticket before 06 Januray, they're only £30! And kids under 16 go free as well, so you can send all the boys off to enjoy a day watching hundreds of aircraft and fantastic ground displays while you put your feet up!
For £70 you could buy a voucher for a glider flight at the White Horse Gilder Club near Shrivenham.
Golfing widow?
You'll go a 'fairway' to finding the perfect prezzie in here...
Urban 18
And if he still playing golf in a 10 year old cardy and half-worn slacks, then pop in to Urban 18 in Old Town. The whole shop is dedicated to golf and fashion wear for men from the likes of
Hugo Boss, Lyle & Scott, Ukko, J.Lindeburg and more.
Is he a skier?
Or perhaps you're thinking of a present to keep him nice and warm this winter? Then the least you can do is buy him a fancy new bobble hat.
Winter Warmer at Swindon Designer Outlet
What man secretly doesn't like wearing a designer label, eh?
And with the likes of Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein at the Swindon Designer Outlet you're bound to find something he'll really like for much less then you would pay elsewhere.
Our only tip is avoiding the ubiquitous orange fleece in XXL, which although cheap, won't have your man thanking your for buying it!
Or perhaps... yes, a Christmas jumper!
Christmas jumpers for some reason are back in fashion this Christmas after years of ridicule, so why not wrap up a seasonal woolly number that he can get out the draw for years to come!
Splash it on!
For a proper 'thank you' we do recommend a really decent bottle of after-shave from Debenhams - something like Million from Paco Rabanne. Money may be tight at the mo, but he'll feel like a millionaire wearing this.
Something different?
What do you get the man who has everything?
Put a bow on it!
Book him a lesson in archery!
They're open 7 days a week and will be open between December 27 and New Year for tuition, experienced days and corporate days.
And what we think will be an ideal present is their gift vouchers!
They currently have these on sale for £25, and vouchers for their full archery beginners course for £99.
The beginner's course consists of 8 hours tuition spread over four weeks.
Don't fret!
We're not saying your other half is the next Jimi Hendrix, but you can at least let him pretend!
John Holmes music are currently offering an Acoustic Guitar pack incl. guitar, gig bag, spare strings, dvd tutor, picks and an onboard tuner for £125.
Or perhaps you can treat him to a stress-busting drum lesson or a trial piano lesson?
A Little Tipple!
He'll love you for buying him a bottle of something special...
Don't forget the Grandparents!
If they're interested in gardens, castles, wildlife, or just somewhere peaceful to relax (away from the grandschildren!), a National Trust membership will give them a wide variety of things to do, as often as they like, for the whole year.
Or why not adopt an animal?
Adoptions make an unusual gifts at Christmas and you can choose the species you can adopt with photo, certificate and newsletter. Then get everyone together and pop down and see how they're getting on in 2012!
And of course... a present for your pet!
We think every pet deserves a little pressie on Christmas day. So why not pop down to Plaza Pets at the Brunel Centre or Argyle garden and pet supplies, Argyle Commercial Centre, where they have a whole array of fun and festive gifts for your pet to love this December.
And finally.... a gift perfect for Noel!
A blatant advert for what we think is
the essential Christmas gift - a SwindonWeb '
I Survived The Magic Roundabout T-shirt!'
These shirts are top quality, 100% cotton, hand-printed here in Swindon and available in white, blue and what we call 'Swindon grey'.
At just £9.99 + p&p it has to be the bargain of the season!
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