This is it. IT. You guys!
We are officially two weeks out from the be all and end all of holidays.

Office Christmas parties are in full swing, family gatherings become much more frequent and those hasty “we need to catch up” texts are flying around to friends young and old.

I may or may not have every decoration up and almost all of my presents wrapped and sitting patiently under the tree, but as previously discussed, I am freakishly organised.

I do, however, have some last minute gifts to buy and if you haven’t followed my brilliant advice and started your shopping in September, I thought you might find this interesting.

A few of my delightful family are receiving vouchers this year, and I save these for the last few weeks of December. I want to make sure they have the maximum amount of time to use the voucher, and I don’t want to stinge them out of a couple of weeks because I was too organised. Enter my latest list…

Last Minute Present Gift Guide (including vouchers for maximum usage time):

Movie Vouchers
If you have to go shopping in the two weeks before Christmas, you want to make sure it’s not at a busy and stressful shopping centre. For grandparents in particular, I find movie vouchers super handy. It forces them to go on a mini date, enjoy a great movie and each other’s company. I’ll pair this with a little bag of gourmet popcorn for something to unwrap on the big day.

Food Packs
I love putting together a little basket or box of food, because who doesn’t love food?! Especially around Christmastime. Pop into the Re Store, Charlie’s or the Herdsman, and build your own masterpiece. I tend to include a bottle of wine, or a boutique beer, some special chocolate, a jar of jam/chutney/infused olive oil, and something personal – my step-granddad loves his mushy peas, whereas my Mum is such a sucker for marzipan.

Restaurant Vouchers
My darling besties got me a voucher for Mary’s for my birthday, a restaurant I had actually been dying to go to but hadn’t gotten around to it and couldn’t justify for a random night out. It was so sweet to receive, and seeing how well they know me meant so much.
Pick a place that you love, but that the receiver probably wouldn’t chose for themselves. My recommendations for Perth include El Publico, The Standard and Kitsch.

High Tea
For a special lady in your life (girlfriend, wife, mum, cat), high tea is always a winner. It’s the kind of present that the gal wouldn’t normally buy herself, but will absolutely LOVE to receive. Hit up The George, Peninsula Tea Gardens (for the scones) or Chapels on Whatley (for the tea!). Rochelle Adonis is notable, but be prepared to splurge and walk away still peckish.

Nutella
If you handle going into Myer this week, a fantastic last minute present is Nutella. Not just any old jar though, Myer are printing personalised jars with that special someone’s first name. They also stock Nutella cookbooks full of deliciously wicked treats to make over the holidays. Go on, you know you want one… for yourself!

Happy shopping my little elves!
Hanbel.
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