No Excuses! 3 Mistakes Gift Buyers Make (and how to avoid them)!

Alright, this is a pre-Christmas intervention... Because some of us just aren't cutting it! Let's talk about Christmas Shopping, because somehow it sneaks up on us every single year, doesn't it? One minute it's September, the next minute advent calendars are out, and suddenly everyone's panicking like the sleigh's already taken off without them. If the festive stress is creeping in, take a breath. You're not alone. And honestly? Most gifting mishaps come from three very relatable mistakes. Let's chat about them, warm drink in hand, and dodge the biggest faux pas' before the tree goes up.

3 Mistakes Gift Buyers Make at Christmas

I've Got Loads of Time - Famous Last Words

We all do this.

It's October, you're beginning to feel festive. You snag a few early bargains, feel like an absolute hero, close the laptop, and then somehow, it's mid-December and the only gifts left look like they've already had a rough night out! Last minute shopping by design or misfortune, is a dangerous game: fewer choices, slower-shipping, and that creeping dread that whispers, "Did I actually buy them something they'll like, or just something that arrived no time?" How to avoid the chaos: Stop putting it off and start NOW! Not everyone likes the festive shopping experience, but start, especially if you love supporting small or handmade businesses or giving bespoke gifts! Our shelves don't magically refill like the supermarket snack aisle. Once the good stuff goes, it really goes.

The 'It Will Do' Panic Purchase

Tell me if this sounds familiar: You're tired, you're overwhelmed, and you reach that moment of gift fatigue where you mutter, "Oh, fine! That'll do." And look, sometimes survival mode wins. But the 'it will do' mentality often turns into 'never used', 'quickly forgotten', or 'mysteriously re-gifted' next year. Not because people are ungrateful, but because rushed throwaway gifts just don't have the spark. Why it matters: Thoughtful doesn't mean expensive. It means you paused long enough to pick something with a bit of heart behind it and simply put 5 minutes on Amazon, Temu, Shein, resulting in a dubious purchase that might even be a stolen design from that small-time artist you saw on Instagram (looking at you 100 pack budget Christmas cards). A little whimsy, a little you-actually-know-me energy. Those gifts? They stick.

Traveling Santa Fleece Blanket

£45.00

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Impersonal Gifts (and the Accidental Insults)

Ah, yes, the classics we've all received at least once:

• A diet cookbook (...ouch)

• A gym membership (bold choices were made)

• A generic 'for him' or 'for her' bundle of toiletries or aftershave.

• Something that screams 'I found this at the petrol station on the way - including the bag'!

The fact that these gifts miss the mark should be obvious - they're for anyone, not for you. And sometimes they come with a message you didn't intend, but wow, do they land LOUDLY! How to Sidestep this Trap: Think about this person, what lights them up? What are they into? What makes them, them? What makes them smile? Even a tiny niche gift is better than a big, totally impersonal one.

Snowy Santa Tote Bag

£24.00

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Let's Make This Year Feel Good

It doesn't have to be stressful. You don't need to become the Super Organised Gift-Buyer of the Year. You just need a little intention - and a sprinkle of magic doesn't hurt either!

If you're looking for something a bit whimsical, a bit thoughtful, and definitely NOT mass-produced... well, you know where to find us. Thistle and Bard have been supplying Father Christmas with Magically Inspired Gifts for the last five years, and each one made someone smile! So, let's make this Christmas one where the gifts feel as good to give as they do to open. NO EXCUSES! This year, let's do it right!