50 Blogmas Post Ideas | #BLOGMAS Day 7

Hi, I'm already struggling with Blogmas content, my main issue is the lack of daylight hours restricting what I can blog about as I need to organise photos. As a result I've had to do some mega brain storming to think of some more interesting festive blog post ideas and decided that I'd share as many Blogmas ideas with you as possible. I hope at least one of these ideas inspires you if you're also stuck this Blogmas.

50 Blogmas Post Ideas

1. A Christmas Tag
2. Festive Product Review
3. Christmas Jumpers Good/Bad
4. Your Christmas Traditions
5. A Christmas Playlist
6. What's On Your Christmas Tree
7. Your Favorite Christmas Movies
8. A Festive Baking Recipe
9. Christmas Day Makeup
10. Festive Home Ware Haul
11. Vegan/Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Recipe
12. Festive Nail Art
13. Document A Christmas Market
14. A DIY Christmas Decoration
15. Gift Guide For Him/Her
16. Christmas Gift Guide For Your Pets
17. Tips On Staying Organised
18. Christmas Shopping Tips
19. Festive Drink Recipe
20. Christmas Wish List
21. Hold A Giveaway
22. Personal Festive Goals
23. Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
24. Share A Christmas Memory
25. Document A Cosy Winter Night-In
26. Who You're Watching This Vlogmas
27. Money Saving Tips
28. Budget Christmas Ideas
29. Party Dresses For The Office Party
30. Secret Santa Gift Ideas
31. Easy Hair Styles For Christmas Day
32. The Perfect Christmas Eve
33. Share Some Small Businesses For Gift Ideas
34. Christmas Reading Recommendations
35. A Wintry Walk
36. Your Advent Calendar
37. Share Your Favourite Things About Christmas

38. Share Some Christmas Wrapping Hacks
39. Favourite Winter Scents
40. Christmas Specials You’re Looking Forward To
41. A Charitable Post
42. Healthy Festive Snacks
43. Festive Cocktails/Mocktails
44. Share Your Favourite Things About The Season
45. Review A Festive Restaurant Menu
46. Your Decoration Wish List
47. Homemade Christmas Cards
48. Your Favourite Toy As A Child 

49. Christmas Day Outfit Of The Day
50. Gratitude list

I actually found thinking of these post ideas quite easy to about 40 where I felt I started to repeating myself. There's more than enough ideas to get me through to the end of Blogmas and I'm now looking forward to it (only 17 more days to go, eek). So wish me luck, I'm going to need a brake after all this.

Do you have a favourite post idea you'd like to see?

Sam

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7 Gift Ideas That Give Back | #BLOGMAS Day 6

Hi, Today I wanted to talk about gifts but more importantly gifts that give back in one way or another. I think it's important at this time of year when commercialization is so strong to take a step back and take a look at the planet that we owe our existence too (wow that got deep). Okay back to the light hearted festivities, I've got a selection of gifts that are a great way to take care of our planet and the people we share it with.

Gift Ideas That Give Back

Reusable Coffee Cups/Water Bottles
I can't quote numbers but as a planet we use a crazy mind boggling amount of paper cups and plastic bottles, most of which end up in land fill. Our planet for the moment is plentiful but what happens when these common materials become harder to source. It might not happen in our life time but I'd like to not be known as the generation of wastefulness.

Tote Bags
This is also helpful on the wallet as in the UK plastic bags are now chargeable to try to stop so much plastic ending up on our beaches (I'm sure I heard a report that said it has already made a positive difference). Tote bags are really useful and something everyone should have handy.

Buy Ethical/Cruelty Free
Being aware of where products come from and how they are produced is really important. I choose to go cruelty free this year and it's made me aware of how little some companies care about welfare. There are great brands like Lush and Body Shop who go out of there way to fund raise, create awareness for issues and supply products made with fair trade ingredients which are cruelty free.

DIY
Gifts that are made hold more value, by reusing materials you already have you can make things that are gift worthy at very little cost to both yourself and the environment. The humble loo roll is used in lots of DIY's this time of year, Pinterest is the best place to check for inspiration!

Second Hand/Recycled
Sometimes the perfect gift doesn't need to be brand new. It's great for the environment if you're not buying stock that's mass produced in lots of packaging. A gift doesn't need to be new, books are a great example of recyclable gifts and you can probably get more for your money.

A Donation
Okay not so glamorous but a lot of people I know ask for a donation to be made on their behalf as a Christmas gift. Charities are quite happy to promote themselves at this time of year by also offering a welcome gift to a donation program so you'll also get a gift to wrap (I'm thinking the World Wide Fund for Nature on this one, so many cuddly animals).

An Anonymous Gift
Linking back to my #ReverseAdvent post you can give an anonymous gift of food to someone in need this Christmas. There are also Charities asking for Gifts for Children at Christmas time, do some research into your local charities if this is something you'd like to do.

Do you think that Christmas is a little wasteful? Do have anything to add?

Sam

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Lush Review - Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb | #BLOGMAS Day 5

Hi, I picked this bath bomb up on my recent visit to Leeds, along with two other bath bombs I'll be reviewing later this month. It was the one bath bomb from the Christmas range that made me go 'I need to try that'. I previously tried 'Shoot For The Stars' last year but didn't review it. It's back this year with a new look and I think it's a simpler design but much more luxurious.

Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb – Starry Nights

Can we take a second to admire how cute the Christmas packaging is this year. I think the overall look of this bath bomb is one of simplicity but it still stands out as a need to try product. It's a deep cobalt blue with three Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter stars covered in gold luster on the upper half. A mixture of Brazilian orange oil and bergamot oil create an environment designed to rocket your mood to the stars.

Once popped in the bath the bomb fizzed instantly creating a deep blue bath with bubbles galore. My stars sunk to the bottom of the bath where they melted and created simmering gold luster speckles on the surface of the water. The gold in the bath bomb actually turned the deep blue into more of a deep turquoise colour which looked so pretty. I've used glittery bath bombs before but I've never had it stick to me as much as with this one, I was covered. I put this down to the cocoa butter which left my skin feeling so soft and smelling amazing. The bath took a little more effort to clean down due to the oils but it was so worth it. I'd highly recommend this bath bomb if you like to sparkle.

Have you tried Shoot For The Stars?

Sam

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Christmas Shopping Survival Guide | #BLOGMAS Day 4

Hi, Every year I have good intentions of going on one shopping trip to get all of my Christmas list bought and put under the tree, only that never happens. The problem with the Christmas shopping spree is that you are one of many people trying to buy the same item in the same stores and well it can all get a bit over whelming. Have you been in Lush at Christmas time? my local store was practically queuing out the door (exaggeration but only because the staff had an genius system in place). My point is that hitting the shops can be rather stressful but I have some helpful tips to get us through our Christmas shopping.

Christmas Shopping Survival Guide

Plan Ahead
Don't leave the house until you have a rough idea of gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list. Once you know where you want to shop. You can always browse for that one person who's difficult to buy for but you'll save time if you know which stores you need to visit.

Look For Vouchers
If possible save money, look for in store vouchers before you head out to the shops. Make note of online offers too, if you're organised and have time to order those heavier items make life easier and get them deliver.

Enlist Help
Drag the reluctant other half to carry the bags or join forces with an allied shopper to take the sting out of the day.

Dress Appropriately
I think this is obvious but you're going to be on your feet all day so make sure you're wearing shoes that look after your feet and wrap up warm, it's December it gets cold, brrrrr. 

Take Breaks
Don't be afraid to have a break and recharge, a warming cup of hot chocolate will give you the needed energy to continue.

Take Reusable Bags
Now that bags are chargeable in the UK it's a good idea to take some old bags or your trusty tote to the shops to save some pennies. It's also great for the environment so you can feel super about doing your bit by looking after the planet.

You Deserve a Treat Too
You're on a shopping trip spending money on all your nearest and dearest, don't forget about yourself. You could pick up a cheeky bath bomb or a festive nail varnish. 

Finish With a Meal
You deserve to treat yourself after all that hard work, so go grab some food, you'll need the energy to carry all those presents home.

Have Fun
It's Christmas! I love walking around looking at all the lights and decorations which just make everything look so much more magical and takes the darkness away from the winter. The best part about buying gifts is knowing you've got something special that the recipient will love.

 Have you got any tips to add?
Sam

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Small Business Saturday | #Blogmas Day 3

Hi, It's that time of year again! Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative started way back in 2013 to create awareness for all the lovely independent businesses about. More and more people are starting up small businesses on the side and December is a great opportunity to gain sales with the run up to Christmas. If you're not heading out you could always look online at websites like Etsy and Not on The High Street to show your support.

I'm in Leeds today checking out what's on offer at the Etsy Made Local event (check out the link to see if there's an event near you). I am so stuck for ideas for original gifts this year so checking out smaller businesses is a great way to find something a bit different. A lot of independent companies even offer personalised gifts, making them even more special.

Even if there isn't an event near you make the most of all the independent shops in your local town you might normal pass by or go check out that local craft/farmers market and see if there's something interestingly different for sale. Either way I hope you have a brilliant day and at least are checking out all the festive decorations in your local area.

Will you be supporting any small businesses today?

Sam

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20 Festive Themed Goals | #Blogmas Day 2

Hi, I like lists and goals so I've put together a list of goals for the festive season. I don't like that Christmas is in the shops before Halloween these days it just seems strange and drawn out but now it's December I'm seriously in the festive spirit. I feel really uninspired for gift ideas but I'm off shopping tomorrow so hopefully I can get some inspiration and some gifts purchased. I'm looking forward to decorating my first Christmas tree in my own home and having free range as to how mad it can be, here are my goals for the month ahead.

Festive Themed Goals
1. Donate food to charity
2. Drink mulled wine
3. Make mince pies
4. Decorate my Christmas tree
5. Create a festive playlist
6. Have fairy lights everywhere
7. Get my Christmas shopping done
8. Make my own wrapping paper
9. Go to a Christmas market
10. Wear a Christmas jumper more than once
11. Bake something vegan as a present
12. Try something from the Christmas lush range
13. Read a festive book
14. Go on a day trip
15. Go for a wintry walk
16. Go ice skating
17. Do some themed crochet
18. Complete blogmas this year
19. Binge watch a new series
20. Make some DIY Christmas decorations

So there are my goals for the month ahead, writing this post has made me feel so Christmassy and I can't wait for my annual holiday from work for a bit of relaxation. My Christmas tree is sat patiently in the box to finally be put up, I want to get a few more decorations first. I'm looking forward to the fun of tree dressing, Christmas tunes and some baileys over ice. I plan to do lots of baking in the coming weeks, I have a special way of making mince pies which just beats all the shop bought ones.

Do you have any special plans for the month ahead?

Sam

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Doing Advent Differently #ReverseAdvent | #Blogmas Day 1

Hi, As you can see from the title I'm doing Blogmas, or at least I'm going to try. It's the first day of advent and I wanted to let you know that I'm doing things differently. I can't remember where I first heard about the concept but I received an email from Co-op promoting #ReverseAdvent (this post was planned way before this). I doubt it's a new idea but I wanted to do my bit to make someones Christmas.

To do your own #ReverseAdvent simply put an item of food in a box for the 24 days of advent and on Christmas Eve go and donate it to a local food charity. I think the idea works really well if you've got children to show them that not everyone is going to have a care free Christmas, but by being caring they can help (humanity at it's best). I personally think I'll box up the products and donate them well before Christmas Eve so the staff have time to distribute the food so it can make a difference to someones Christmas.

People find themselves in need of help from food banks for a whole range of reasons and commonly it's people who have suddenly been made redundant from a job or got a large unexpected bill that they find themselves in need of help. The Trussell Trust is a UK charity who are trying to make food poverty a thing of the past. Most supermarkets have a donation point so you can make a difference by picking up a few extra items on your next shop and dropping them off.



The basic products you can add are none perishable food items such as dried pasta or tinned goods, anything with a really good shelf life. Christmas treat foods with a shorter shelf life are also good because they won't need to be around for long. It's up to you what you want to add so if you've got toys or toiletries that's great, but make sure that the charity you plan to donate to can accept that type of item. After some research into my local food bank they have a Christmas donation list and a list of highly needed items which I will be adding to my donation.

What do you think of this concept, will you be taking part? #ReverseAdvent

Sam

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This post is not sponsored.
Co-op had #ReverseAdvent packs available to the general public, sadly they are all gone now.