Wedges? Heels? No thanks, I’ll take Boots…

It’s that time of year again; when the nights get darker, the weather gets colder and our pockets seem considerably emptier. Now, Christmas is undoubtedly the best time of year; hot chocolates, copious amounts of mince pies and spending time with the people that mean the most to us. Sadly Christmas comes at the end of the first term and before January loans come in so some students may be feeling the pinch when it comes to shopping for gifts. But before you begin wrapping up an orange in some tin foil, do not despair: here’s a handy gift guide for those on a budget and my pick of the best gifts on the high street this year.

The first port of call for all those looking for gift inspiration and change for a drink at The Dirty Duck after a hard days shopping is the king of Christmas gift ideas and offers: Boots. There is no excuse for not buying your friends or families gifts this year when located in both Coventry and Leamington are a plethora of Boots stores ranging from mini pharmacies to massive superstores and all stocking Christmas gifts. Not only do Boots helpfully provide a 3for2 offer on all presents and gift sets, they also have been doing a ‘Star Gift of the Week’ that offers better than half price on one of their more luxury products. For example get a Champneys Gift Set worth £50 for £24 – a perfect present for your mum or anyone who deserves some indulgence this year on a shoe-string budget. Another thing Boots offers is gift experiences, ranging from Sky Diving to Spa Days. These also range in price but you can get a Health Club Day Pass for Two for under £15 – a bargain for a present for a couple or for yourself and a friend. With their helpful gift guide for him and her under £10 ranging from bath, beauty, accessories and games there is no reason to be stuck this Christmas.

Here are my picks from Boots this year:

Soap & Glory Relaxstation Gift Set

Coming in at £20 this set features five of the brand’s best selling items and it is the perfect kit for an indulgent home spa and a great way to say to someone that they deserve to put their feet up and have a long relaxing bath.

Complete Family Games Night In

What I like about this is that it is a gift for everyone, one to play after the Queen’s Speech or the debacle of the Eastenders Christmas special and one that gets everyone involved. At only £12 it’s a really nice edition for under the tree and to awaken your family’s competitive spirit.

Bacardi Mojito Cocktail Shaker

Complete with all the necessary ingredients for arguably the best cocktail, this gift set comes with a colourful shaker to be reused over Christmas, New Year and beyond. It’s a steal at only £9 and is ideal for that last minute secret santa present or for anyone who has a yearning to re-enact 80s Tom Cruise a la Cocktail. If none of these take your fancy then just pop in store and you’ll find a veritable feast of options – and probably one or two things for your own Christmas list. Failing all that there’s always the lazy student option of the gift card…but please refrain from I.O.Us.