Christmas Gift Guide for HIM & HER
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
1. Something Sparkly?
Good start!
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. We especially like the Trollbeads on offer at Deacons in Old Town. Definitely worth popping in and looking at.
2. A Spot of Pampering?
You can't possibly go wrong with this!
Always a popular choice, and shows that you're in touch with your feminine side...
OMG Hair and Beauty Salon
Faringdon Road
They're a lovely bunch at OMG. Just let them know your budget and a few things about the person you are buying for, at they'll do the rest, incl. wrapping and delivery!
3. Girls Night Out
The best possible present for some - an evening without you!
Barnes Travel are offering coach rides to some of the biggest names in music, including Take That, Olly Murs and the newly reformed S Club 7!
Barnes coaches offer travel and tickets for the 2015 performances.
4. Hey Good Lookin', What You Got Cookin'?
Don't be sexist, now!
At the Thyme at Southrop near Lechlade, award-winning chefs 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.
5. Picture Perfect?
Your loved one in the frame 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!
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.
6. Sex It Up!
For your eyes only
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!
7. Perfume & Make-Up
The staple festive gift
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.
8. Choccy Time!
And we're not talking Terry's All Gold
Nothing gets to a woman's heart better than a box of chocolates, or so they say.
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.
9. Table for Two
And there's more choice in Swindon than ever before
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.
10. Riding Lesson?
Plus pub rides at Rein & Shine
At the Rein and Shine Riding School in Braydon, Swindon everyone is welcome to come along and ride.
So whether it's just a pressie experience with a difference or your loved done wants to get back to riding, get fit, or learn to ride a horse for the first time, this new centre really is ideal.
Lessons start from just £29 too and they even do Pub Rides. What a present!
And.....
For HIM
1. Boys toys
They like to fiddle
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.
2. Christmas 'Time'
Every man likes a watch
What about buying him a fancy - or funky - new watch?
And we're not talking breaking the bank here. Deacon's Jewellers in Old Town stock a huge range of watches no matter your price range.
And for a touch of Italian style, we also like the very masculine Breil watches available at Iles Jewellers in Swindon town centre.
3. Get Retro
Remembering when he was just a boy (you wish!)
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!
4. Something sporty?
Now we're talking!
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
Getting him back on track
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 £110.
On top of two wheels?
Beware, though. Middle-aged men in lycra?
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.
Golfing widow?
You'll go a 'fairway' to finding the perfect prezzie in here...
5. Up, up and away!
Just think of Tom Cruise in Top Gun - then wake up!
The Royal International Air Tattoo takes place every year at nearby RAF Fairford and if you buy a ticket before 31 January, they're only £36! 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!
Or you could buy a voucher for a glider flight at the White Horse Gilder Club near Shrivenham.
6. Winter Warmers
Ahhh, the jumper!
Swindon Designer Outlet
Great labels at up to 60% OFF
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!
It's a Christmas tradition!
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!
Find the best ones at House of Fraser, the Forum & John Anthony in the Brunel.
6. Splash it on!
And we're not talking Brut!
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?
7. Put a bow on it!
Book him a lesson in archery
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.
9. Don't fret!
Get down to Holmes Music
We're not saying your other half is the next Jimi Hendrix, but you can at least let him pretend!
John Holmes music have everything a musician - or budding stage star - could possibly want.
And if guitar isn't his thing, perhaps you can treat him to a stress-busting drum lesson or a trial piano lesson?
Or better still..... a retro album
10. A Little Tipple!
Last but not least - alcohol 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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