21 Raring2go! CHRISTMAS The Christmas creep starts earlier every year. I was in my local B&M this August, before the new school year had started, and there was already an aisle of chocolate coins and selection boxes. Why?! This feeling usually carries me to December, then I panic to find the right gifts. I love giving gifts, but not for the sake of it. With my 5-year-old boy, I want it to outlast the usual two days of rough handling! Here are a few ideas I’m considering this year… Beyond the Wrapping Paper: A Different Kind of Christmas Gift Guide Investing in gold I love the idea of giving my child something that actually grows in value, rather than being forgotten by January. A small amount of gold or silver, even a 1g bar or a Sovereign coin, can mean far more in eighteen years than most toys will in eighteen days. The price of gold has risen by around 128% over the last five years (The Royal Mint, August 2026). I’m not a financial adviser, and past performance isn’t a guarantee of future value, but maybe it’s worth considering! Buying with purpose Is there anything wrong with buying gifts that are actually needed? I have fond memories as a child of unwrapping new underwear every year in my stocking, and I like to keep that tradition going! Make something together Some of the best gifts cost nothing but time. A memory jar, a homemade voucher book (“one free video-game session with Grandpa”), a batch of baking or a decoration made together on a wet Saturday afternoon. Give to others Choosing a charity gift together - sponsoring an animal, donating to a food bank in a child’s name, filling a shoebox appeal, or picking a gift for a local family in need. Shop local If you are buying something wrapped, a voucher for a local, independent business is a lovely way to spend Christmas money. It keeps the spend in your own community, and usually requires more thought than a last-minute supermarket grab. Choose a different kind of experience A cookery class, a forest school session, a pottery workshop, a mini pamper session or a block of swimming lessons?
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