Given with love

IT REALLY IS THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS – SAMANTHA WOOD FINDS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT DON’T COST A PACKET

A HAPPY Christmas needn’t be a high-cost Christmas when it comes to finding presents. And giftgiving isn’t about the money you throw at it – it’s the thought behind it that matters.

So for presents I think of things that conjure up a happy memory or hint at an in-joke. I once gave my brother a pine cone and can of gold spray paint for Christmas, to remind him of childhood decoration-making. He was delighted.

I noticed wilko stocks a rose plant – the Blue Moon – a variety my grandparents had in their garden. As kids my best friend Paula and I loved playing in it. So when she told me she’s creating a ‘secret garden’ vibe for her twins at her house, I decided to get her a Blue Moon for Christmas. I’m also buying her a wilko gardening mug – ideal for a relaxing cuppa after a day’s digging. For everyone else, it’s greatvalue wilko presents (below), which I’ll put into gift hampers.

For children, wilko has fun toys, like helicopter and police car construction sets, and a gingerbread house cookie decorating kit. For parents, there’s the wilko ‘brilliant dad’ and ‘amazing mum’ bauble gift boxes.

For adults, I’ll make my ‘Sammy’s Holiday Hot Sauce,’ brownies and fudge, and pop in a present, like the wilko ‘gem mirror’ photo frame (with a photo so it’s more personal). Pals with pooches get a wilko dog toy – styled like Santa or a reindeer!

These are my gift choices, because a carefully considered present says: “I spent time thinking about you.” And that’s what makes Christmas truly magical.