Five gift ideas for that special someone

Yes, that time of year is fast approaching once more: cue Mariah Carey blaring out of every supermarket you walk into, D-list celebrities melodramatically turning on garish lights across the city and the mulled wine and mince pies beginning to flow. 

The arrival of the festive season might be particularly welcome this year. But what might be less so is the dreaded shopping. And who is often the hardest to buy for but the one ostensibly closest to you: your other half. 

You might know each other inside out, but depending on how long you’ve been together you might have run fresh out of ideas for something they’ll truly love, rather than rushing back to the shops first thing on Boxing Day to exchange it for something else, à la mode de Friends’ Rachel. 

Well never fear, we’re here to help you out with a bit of inspiration for the perfect gift for your partner.

Photo collage

If in doubt, go sentimental. There’s really nothing more sure-fire to please your loved one than a collage or album of some treasured photos of the two of you. They can be from your last holiday, highlights from across the years or that perfect snap from a day out spent together. Head here to get your photos printed. 

Magazine subscription

Collectively, I think we can admit we are all far too addicted to doom-scrolling on our phones in our downtime. Why not give the gift of something tangible to read in the form of a magazine subscription? There’s a whole range of titles to choose from, from news and current affairs to glossy women’s reads. Plus it’s the gift that keeps on giving, with a new mag flopping through the postbox weekly or monthly throughout the year. 

Book about a new hobby

Did you partner get into banana bread baking in lockdown number one? Or perhaps they got the urge to get green fingered and fill the house with pot plants to nurture? Whatever their new obsession, why not find a book about their new hobby so they can buff up on the topic? It’ll surely get you some brownie points to let them know you took note of their new interests. 

Gig tickets

What could be more thoughtful than booking a night in in the future to get out and do something fun together? Check out when your partner’s favourite band might be playing and buy a couple of tickets and they’ll be over the moon. Or if gigs are less their thing, how about a theatre show or comedy night? 

Bullet journal

It was all the craze a few years back but its also a concept that’s stuck around: bullet journaling is a great way to plan your time, chart progress and achieve your goals. After a tumultuous 18 months, everyone’s craving regaining a bit of agency in their lives, and a lovely fresh journal to kick that process off might be just what your other half needs. 

The editorial unit