How To Give Better Gifts + A Giveaway Worth over €150 (ft. Urban Decay, Urban Outfitters, Primark and more)

Giving gifts can be tricky. I know a lot of people who hate it and genuinely buckle under the pressure of it. I've seen it damage relationships.

But that's not how things should be.

Gifting is one of my great joys in life. I love spending time, thinking and focusing on people I care about, one by one, and trying to find something that they will love. I don't always spend a lot of money and I don't always buy something at all. Hell, I don't even always get it entirely right but I do think that my gifts, generally, show people that I know them well and that I really thought about and considered them.

As so many struggle with finding the right thing, I thought I'd share some of my tips for getting better gifts, rather than giving specific gift ideas that might not apply at all.

1. Think about the person

I know, I know. This seems so obvious, right? But I don't mean think about them like: "Oh, she's a woman. All women like perfume, right?" (NOTE: Perfume/cologne is never a good idea unless you know the person's favourite scent) or "He likes Star Wars, I'll buy him this Chewbacca mug" (NOTE II: If someone is really a fanatic and they don't have a house full of mugs, this is, actually, a good idea. See below for more discussion on these two examples).

When I say "think about them", I mean think about conversations you've had. Think about things they've said they really wanted or things they keep meaning to get for themselves or little indulgences they can't justify. For example, my friend once bought me a fancy candle for my birthday and I was really touched by it. He'd been around when his girlfriend (my BFF) and I had been discussing our love for the candles and how we couldn't buy them regularly because they were too damn expensive and, when he was buying her one as a treat, he picked one up for me as well. Similarly, I've been talking about buying a hair curler for years, but never got around to it. This year, my sister bought me one for my birthday as a surprise and I was genuinely delighted when I opened it.


2. Do some recon

If you can't think of anything from conversations you've had, can't remember any childhood game they've mentioned or book they keep saying they want to read, go find out. Subtly probe for info or merely pay more attention when you hang out. Or ask people close to them who might know. I always check in with the aforementioned friend when buying for my bestie to make sure she doesn't have things or isn't getting them from someone else. Make use of your sources!


3. Practical gifts aren't boring

Remember the example about the perfume? It's a dangerous gift if you don't know what the person likes but, if you happen to know their favourite one and that they might be running out soon, it is a super useful and thoughtful gift! Similarly, if someone has been complaining that someone in work nicked their mug and you know that they love Chewie, get them that mug!

Practical gifts aren't boring. It is so nice to receive a pricey skincare item that you always repurchase or a new kettle if yours is dying slowly. It means the person pays attention to you, your life and woes, and it saves you having to do it! However, know your audience. You don't want to be one of those cliches that gives someone a vacuum and ends up out on their arse outside on Christmas day. Conversely, if someone has always wanted a Dyson (pricey feckers) and loves to vacuum, it might be the perfect gift. It always depends on the person!


4. Time is the best gift

I always say that getting things isn't always necessary. A voucher to go to the spa together or afternoon tea or the cinema or a gig is a lovely gift. It can be customised to their interests - if they're a foodie, have been dying for the release of a new film, love a band, need a day to relax etc - and it ensures that you get one-on-one, quality time together. Basically, it's two gifts in one!


5. Be sincere (+ always accompany gifts with hand-written notes)

Some of the best things that I have given and received have been the notes that came with things (extra points if they're handmade as well as handwritten). Loving words mean a lot and can be things of great comfort to have around for lonely nights or hard days. Shiny baubles don't do the same for us.

If you're really trying your best, that comes across to most people. Just really consider the person that you are giving a gift to, try and get them something they'd really like, and you'll be alright. It doesn't have to be big or expensive. Wrap it nicely, accompany it with heartfelt words and tell them that they matter to you...


Speaking of which, you guys really matter to me! And I wanted to do a giveaway to thank y'all for reading my stuff throughout the year. Normally, I do "12 Days of Giftmas" or "5 Golden Gifts" with multiple giveaways but my November this year was crazy and those things involve a lot of work. I usually liaise with brands for weeks and weeks and email back and forth loads in advance to organise it. And then there's the photographing, writing and promoting each of those posts and the running and regulating of each of the giveaways. I'm sorry for not being organised enough to do all of that this year but I didn't want to do nothing either. So, instead, I have this one giveaway but it's a good 'un!


Worth over €150, it includes:
A €50 Primark Voucher
A Clarins Beautiful Lip Essentials Gift Set
A Madison Makeup Contour Palette
An Urban Outfitters baseball cap (similar here)
An Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
A Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
A Sleek Brow Kit (in the shade Light)
A Flormar Long Wearing Lipgloss (in the shade Backstage)
A mini Sumita Eye-liner Pencil (in the shade Black)
A pair of Pieces faux pearl stud earrings
A pair of Kurt Cobain style oval sunglasses (similar here)
A travel-size bottle of Oil Arganic dry oil from Tan Organic

























To win all of this, simply leave a comment on any of the social media posts promoting this article (Instagram & Facebook) before the 24th of December 2017. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on the 25th of December 2017 and the prize will be sent out shortly thereafter. Sadly, this is giveaway will only open to readers based in mind, so keep this in mind before entering. Good luck and happy holidays!

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Five Golden Gifts: The Gift of Choice + Win A €50 Penneys Voucher

We all have one of those people in our lives, right? Someone who is impossible to buy a gift for. Someone who doesn't really want anything. Someone who has very particular tastes. My dad, for example, really doesn't want much and doesn't have any hobbies that are easy to buy appropriate gifts for. Choosing a gift for him can be very, very stressful.

I'm sure you, too, have a person like this in your lives. So, I'm going to suggest a gift that isn't particularly original and isn't something many like to give: a voucher.

I know, I know. It seems incredibly impersonal or lazy. However, in reality, you're giving someone the freedom of choice to get something they really want or need, rather than giving them one more thing to add to the big pile of unnecessary stuff we all have in our lives. This isn't to bash other gifts, of course, I'm merely saying that, if you're stuck, it's really not the worst gift in the world.

And, if you're worried about seeming cold and impersonal, you could always pop it inside a handmade card or accompany it with a silly little present that references an in-joke.

There's such a wide range of possibilities to choose from with vouchers, too: You could get a voucher from an airline if the person has been talking about wanting to go to a particular place for ages; a voucher for iTunes or a ticket seller like Ticketmaster, if the person loves music; a voucher for a spa to allow them unwind after a long and rather eventful year (Jesus); a voucher for that restaurant you've been both meaning to try; or you could even get them a voucher for their favourite store...

...which leads me to today's giveaway, a €50 voucher for one of Ireland's favourite retailers, Penneys! Read on to learn how to enter to win this prize and make sure to come back over the next couple of days for more gift ideas and giveaways!

1. This giveaway is open to residents of Ireland, over 18.

2. The prize is a voucher for Penneys and is worth €50.00. 

3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 10th of December 2016 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

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Five Golden Gifts: The Gift of Sentiment + Win A Limited Edition Alex & Ani Bracelet

Jewellery is not a unique gift idea, I am aware. However, I do think that it can be a really powerful gift if thought is put into it. It is something that the person receiving it will likely keep and wear frequently for the rest of their lives. There is also something in the fact that they wear it, keep it against their skin, carry it around, that makes it a really intimate gift. If you give them the right piece, you are essentially giving them your feelings and allowing them to hold your sentiments close.

I'm not personally a big jewellery wearer, I don't really like the sensation of it against my skin, but there are many pieces that I have received over the years and hold very dear: the lovely silver pendant my mother gave me for my 16th birthday, the gold bangle with my name inscribed on it that my godmother gave me when I was born, the gold locket my mother gave me on my Confirmation day.

And some of the gifts that I have given and have most proud of have been pieces of jewellery such as one of my best friends' Christmas present last year. We were going to be separated for a year while she went to work in Hong Kong so I bought her a simple heart-shaped necklace and had in engraved with a message. Small and simple, it could be easily brought and packed, easily worn and could stay with her as a constant reminder that, even if she felt very homesick, I was with her and missing her too.

In my personal opinion, it is not the most expensive jewellery that makes for the best gifts, it's the pieces with the most heartfelt messages attached. So, how do you figure out how to tug on the heartstrings in the right way? I've compiled a list of questions to help you come up with a theme for the piece and then your understanding of your own budget, the tastes of the person in mind and practical considerations (such as whether they have their ears pierced, have active lives that make wearing long or dangling pieces difficult, dislike wearing certain types of jewellery etc) will help narrow down the potential list of candidates.

1. Do you have pet names for each other?
(For example, even if you just happen to call the person "dear" a lot, you could buy something with a deer on it.)

2. Do you have a memory of a moment together that you hold particularly dear?
(That one time you had too much wine and ended up staying up all night talking? Bonding over a mutual love for Bowie when you first met?)

3. Do you have an in-joke that no one else knows about?

4. Is you the person a mega-fan of any brands?
(Particularly luxury brands. Chanel offers some costume jewellery pieces that are, by no means, inexpensive but are much more affordable than anything else from the label. If someone loves a particular brand, just seeing the box will make their face light up with joy.)

5. Did you meet somewhere specific? Have you ever gone on a trip together that changed your relationship? Have you been dreaming of going somewhere together?

Which brings me on to today's giveaway. It's a piece from Alex & Ani's Liberty Copper Collection, available in Ireland from the Kilkenny Design Centre. I talked about this collection upon its launch and it is a very limited line of jewellery that features recycled copper from one of New York's most famous landmarks; the Statue of Liberty. It is, therefore, the perfect gift for someone you share important memories of New York with or plan to travel there with. It would even be a great little gift to announce to someone that you are bringing them to New York as the main gift!

If you want to win this piece, just read on and be sure to come back over the next few days for more amazing prizes!

1. This giveaway is, sadly, only open to entrants located in Ireland, who are over 18 years of age.

2. The prize is one Kindred Cord bracelet from the Alex & Ani Liberty Copper Collection.
3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr). Let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 9th of December 2016 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

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12 Days of Giftmas - What's still live

Yesterday was the last entry into the 12 Days of Giftmas series but seven of the giveaways are still up and running. I thought I'd just pop up a quick masterpost so you can get your entries in before the rest close!

Happy Christmas!

Caudalie (Micellar Water and Divine Oil) - Closes the 13th of December 2015 at midnight.
Willow (€20 gift voucher) - Closes the 14th of December 2015 at midnight.
MyLadyBug (3 Month Subscription) - Closes the 15th of December 2015 at midnight.
OPSH (Howlite Urban Outfitters Bracelet) - Closes the 16th of December 2015 at midnight.
VOYA (Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body and Massage Oil) - Closes the 17th of December 2015 at midnight.
The Zipyard (€30 gift voucher) - Closes the 18th of December 2015.
Flormar (2 Lipsticks, 1 Lipgloss, 1 Nail Polish and 1 Blush) - Closes the 19th of December 2015.

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12 Days of Giftmas - Flormar ¦ Giveaway

And, finally, on the 12th day of Giftmas, my true love gave to me, professional make-up made easy...

One of my posts which has been most well-received, and garnered some of the most attention and engagement this year, was about the relaunch of Flormar in Ireland. Flormar is an Italian make-up brand which is now made in Turkey and which used to be sold in Ireland in the past. However, it was relaunched into the Irish market this year after being absent for some time. It is a professional make-up brand which retails at highstreet prices, ranging from €2.95 to €12.95, which means it offers some serious quality at a really affordable price point.

Currently, it is available in over 140 locations across Ireland (pharmacies, stores etc) with a free-standing store that exclusively sells the entire line in the works and a projection that it will be available in 200 locations by February. I actually even wrote a separate post about where it is being sold at the moment because I got so many inquiries about, and interest in, it.

The real testament to a brand, however, isn't the carefully worded press samples, expansion and buzz but in the actual products themselves. And, I have to say, they live up to the hype. Some of their products have even become make-up bag staples for me, alongside brands such as Urban Decay, Benefit, Miisha, Etude House and Tony Moly.

All of which is why they are closing out my first ever 12 Days of Giftmas.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

If you didn't read yesterday's post about The Zipyard, let me explain it again!

The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

I could recommend all of the range as potential gift ideas, particularly for the make-up addicts in your life as a smaller budget is going to go a lot further here than it might at other professional brands. However, I think it will suffice to just suggest a few of my favourites and let you do some of your own swatching and playing around at the counters for yourself.

The first item that has to be included here is probably my most-used product from Flormar, their eyeshadow palette (€9.95) in the shade 04. Containing five shades from cream to beige to brown tones, it's a slim, compact palette that is literally the perfect size for popping in an everyday make-up pouch. It's also got all the shades necessary to add definition to your eye sockets, line your eyes, add light to the inner corners and brow bone and, potentially, fill in your brows if you're stuck.

Another highlight of the line is the Illuminating Primer Make Up Base (€9.95), literally. This crap pumps out which is great for getting the right amount and being hygienic and makes you look all glowy and alive to boot.

Their Revolution Lipsticks (€6.95) are long-wearing, creamy, look like a Mod sixties dream and come in an array of gorgeous colours. And their Terracotta Blush-Ons (€11.95) are the most dreamy beautiful marbled blushes in pretty shades with flecks of metallics and glitter throughout which makes the application gorgeous.

These really are beautiful products and the prices are unbeatable. So, if you want to give this amazing brand a try for yourself, enter my giveaway of two lipsticks, a lipgloss, a nail polish and one of the Terracotta blushes.

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!

2. The prize is two lipsticks, a lipgloss, a nail polish and one of the Terracotta blushes from Flormar.

3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 19th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's that! Good luck and thanks for reading. This has been the 12 Days of Giftmas.

(Thanks to Flormar for everything!)

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12 Days of Giftmas - VOYA ¦ Giveaway

On the tenth day of Giftmas my true love gave to me, Irish organic skincare from the sea...

VOYA is one of my all-time favourite beauty brands. They were the first brand that I worked with, almost two years ago, just as I was getting into beauty, skincare and make-up properly. In fact, only a few days after I finally committed to establishing a proper skincare routine and trying to use more natural products, I got the email to attend my very first blogger event with them. As a result, they have a particularly fond place in my heart.

Aside from this though, there's a lot to love. And there's a reason that I've gotten friends and my mother hooked on the brand. In fact, Mammy's Christmas request from me and my siblings this year was "just lots of VOYA stuff."

They're Irish, a family-run business, natural, pick inspirational ladies as their spokespeople, make damn good skincare and, oh yeah, everything smells so damn good. I have my favourite products, of course, but I've yet to try anything from them that I didn't get on with. And you'd best believe that anytime I have the option, I choose a spa or hotel that stocks their products (and then ransack the hotel of every product left out in my room).

All of this is why they had to be part of the 12 Days of Giftmas.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

If you didn't read yesterday's post about OPSH, let me explain it again!

The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

There are a lot of great gift ideas and options from VOYA and to suit a range of budgets and different recipients. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, for example, you needn't despair as this luxury brand has got your back. You can get a cute little Skincare Kit with travel sizes of their Me Time Moisturiser, Cleanse and Mend Cleanser, Ritzy Spritzy Toner and Maskerade Hydrating Facial Mask, all in a little VOYA cosmetic pouch, for just (RRP) €20.00.

And, if you want to give someone a spa day out but don't have a lot of cash, you can get their Lazy Days seaweed bath pack for €18.00 to bring the spa to you.

If you have more to spend and time to bring them on a wee trip to Sligo, the birthplace of VOYA, you can buy a range of vouchers to use in their Strandhill spa.

Then, if you're feeling luxurious, they have the kind of gifts a loved one would never justify buying for themselves that make great presents for spoiling people such as the Hair Gift Set with their high end (and effective) shampoo and conditioner (€43.00).

They also have lovely bits for the house such as their range of diffusers with scents such as African Lime and Clove for €44.00 and a range of candles and refills.

There's also a range of Christmas gift sets including Christmas Mitts Limited Edition Hand Care Gift Set (€34.00) and their Christmas Spiced Candle (€20.00).

In addition, there's a whole range of skin, body and haircare products that you can pick and choose from to make up a little luxury hamper for someone, as we'll be doing for Mam. Basically, VOYA makes the products you need to pamper the hard-working, fantastic people in your life.

So, if you want to give this amazing brand a go, why not enter my giveaway of a recent VOYA launch, the delicious-smelling Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body and Massage Oil.

VOYA is stocked online, in spas around the world and in stores such as Avoca.

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!

2. The prize is one Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body and Massage Oil.

3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 17th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's that! Good luck and see you again tomorrow for the next brand and giveaway!

(Thanks to Tracey and Sophie at the Spa PR Company and VOYA for working with me!)

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12 Days of Giftmas - OPSH ¦ Giveaway

On the ninth day of Giftmas my true love gave to me, online shopping made cool and easy...

OPSH is the brain child of Irish fashion darlings, bloggers-turned-social-media-networkers-turned-e-commerce-stars, and all-around cool girls, the McGinn sisters. The concept is simple, an online store that brings together your favourite high street stores, makes it possible to shop them all through one portal and makes it easy to filter exactly what you want to cut through all the noise. Think Asos without the overwhelming search results. When you use OPSH, you can customise your search to include the type of item you're after, retailers you like, size etc.

The model is similar to ones that you're familiar elsewhere but done exceptionally well on a site that's engaging, nice to look at and carefully put together to make every part of the process easy and pleasant.

Add to this that it's an Irish tech-meets-fashion company run and spearheaded by awesome young Irish women? I can seriously get behind that and encourage others to do the same!

Which is why I had to include OPSH in the 12 Days of Giftmas.

"But what, pray tell, might this 12 Days of Giftmas be?" you're probably asking.

If you didn't read yesterday's post about MyLadyBug, let me explain it again!

The 12 Days of Giftmas is a project that occurred to me last week. An idea that I ambitiously decided to go through with very last minute - I must be a lunatic. It's a sort of advent calendar for me and my readers, a way of saying thank you for reading and rewarding you in a small way. For the first 12 days of December, I will be writing a post every day on a shop, brand or item that would make good gifts. This is instead of the long gift ideas posts I've done in the past and offers a more in-depth look at some amazing companies and things. To complement each post, I've also teamed up with these fantastic brands and will be giving something away each day! So, the 12 Days of Giftmas will give you some gift ideas and the potential to win something for a loved one (or yourself!).

If you're looking for gifts for a variety of people in your life, OPSH is the place to go. It is home to a variety of clothing, accessories and cosmetics brands all in one place, meaning you'll find something for the make-up obsessive, the fashionista, the permanently-cold individuals and many other friends and family members.

Pair the usability and pleasant shopping experience of OPSH with the variety and great edit of stores, and seriously cool lookbooks to help guide you and give you inspiration and you really do have a winning formula. Currently, you can shop brands such as Boohoo, Warehouse, Missguided, Reiss, River Island and Dune through the site and more brands are often added.

Do keep in mind shipping though. You're ordering from these brands through OPSH so you may have to pay for shipping fees a couple of times, things might not arrive at the same time and the final orders for Christmas are fast approaching (16th of December). So, if you're gonna shop through OPSH, get to it soon!

To complement this post, we have the important part, the giveaway! I have this lovely Howlite Semi-Precious Cuff (that I want to keep) from Urban Outfitters to give away. Read on to find out how to enter!

1. Sadly, I can only keep my giveaways open to Ireland this time around. I apologise to those who might disappointed but I have to keep the generous brands that I'm working with in mind!

2. The prize is one Urban Outfitters Howlite Cuff.

3. All you need to do is comment below here or on Facebook with who you'd give it to - or if you want it for yourself! However, you must be following me on at least one platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Tumblr), let me know which one in the comment if it's not obvious!

4. Competition closes a week from now on the 16th of December 2015 at midnight Irish time.

5. Winners will be chosen at random.

6. I will then comment below the winner's comment and ask you to email my official blog email address.

And that's that! Good luck and see you again tomorrow for the next brand and giveaway!

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