ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Ultimate Christmas Gift competition for fantastic 2012 gift ideas

River Island grey jumper £30, Navy Lambswool scarf from TKMaxx £12.99, Nars Forever Yours gift-set £35, Triple wick pillar birch candle £30 and Benefit skincare set £10.

The Christmas period is officially upon us, the nights are getting longer, the days shorter and the air colder. It may only be November but it seems like the countdown is just around the corner and like most of us I'm longing for those cosy nights in drinking mulled wine and falling asleep in front of the TV. However, one of the things I am most looking forward to is gift buying, I  always try to make presents personal to the individual and wrap them up in festive paper and ribbons. The sort of presents you're excited to see them open wide-eyed and smiling. The thing is coming up with new ideas year after year is difficult, sustaining your 'great buying' status whilst sticking to a budget. So, for anyone who is searching for some inspiration take a look at my ultimate Christmas gifts for £35 and under stemmed for the current Blogger competition by GiftVouchers. So, here they are my top five which I have constructed for your best friend  your boyfriend, your dad, your mum and... yourself. 

1. For your best friend it is always hard, you aim to spend no more than £10-£15 to show how much you care for them but without taking up too much of the xmas fund up. Finding a present that looks like it is worth more than what you spent on it is always key for this person and so buying from a well-known brand is a great start. I choose this Benefit gift-set full of six miniature skincare products - triple performance facial emulsion, moisture prep toning lotion, foamingly clean facial wash, refined finish facial polish, total moisture facial cream and it’s potent eye cream: Benefit skincare set £10.

2. For your mum you want something she will appreciate and actually use. I am forever buying my mum nick knacks that she never actually uses such as bath and facial products. What most mum's enjoy is a good candle with a long burn time, dreamy scent and unique aesthetic. French Connection have extended into homeware and most of the products are expensive but a few are affordable enough for a present whilst retaining that luxury feel. £30 maybe a lot of any other candle but surely mum's worth it: Triple wick pillar birch candle £30.

3. For your dad I think bringing out his warm and fuzzy side is always expected on Christmas - normally he'll get socks, boxes and gloves but less and less we buy them scarves. TKMaxx have designer labels and cheap prices, making your dad feel special without loosing his masculinity: Navy Lambswool scarf from TKMaxx £12.99.

4. For the boyfriend I like to invest in something trendy and appropriate for the cold months as I know he won't do so by himself. Knitwear is one of those iconic staples at Christmas and River Island do a nice selection for reasonable prices: River Island grey jumper £30.

5. Lastly, if you have a little something left over then treat yourself too. For me I am a cosmetic obsessive and am loving Nars products. Their aspirational, indulgent and desirable - everything I long for in beauty items. Their gift-sets offer this at a reduced price: Nars Forever Yours gift-set £35.

If you fancy a chance, like me, of winning a £35 voucher from the likes of ASOS, Bohoo or Topshop you have until 9th Novemeber to get blogging, thanks to Giftvouchers.