Children's Gifts

£12.99 at The Present Finder

Agony Aunt at Giftchooser recently got a query from a Julia who is stuck for gift ideas for a school friend.

She asks Agony Aunt:

We are doing a secret santa at school, and I don’t know what to get my 13 year old friend. She’s not exactly picky, but I want to get her something unusual. she likes ice-cream, chocolate, cows and pink, she’s a girly girl. She is also quite funny and likes jokes and humour. Please help as I am really stuck.

Christmas is always a time for buying lots of presents for family and friends, but I find it harder and harder each year to find presents within my budget that are useful, wanted and appreciated.

I have to admit that I am turning to buying virtual gifts more and more. Avoid the busy shops and streets, the cold and wet weather and buy from the comfort of your own cosy living room. One charity gift site that I’ve discovered this year is called Part and Parcel.

Enter for free and if you are the lucky winner you will get it in time for Christmas!

Do you know a young football fan who would love to star in their very own footie story?

This personalised story book will give them the chance to play with their favourite players and win the Cup Final for their team.

Read more about the Personalised Football Book Competition and how you can enter today.

Calling all footie fans

Do you know someone who is a major football fan? If so then this competition is the perfect way to have a go at winning a personalised football book – just in time for Christmas!

Normally £14.99, DreamBooks.net have given us 5 of these fantastic football books to give away.

To enter the competition, all you have to do is email the answer to a simple question:

Me To You Online

Me to You Bears are those adorable tatty looking teddy bears that adorn cards and merchandise. I’m sure you’ve seen them – they’re probably the only grey bears you’ll find with a blue nose and patches.

Despite the soppy factor, they do make lovely presents for weddings, christenings and birthdays.

Science Museum Store

Website: www.sciencemuseumstore.com

Trying to find inventive and original gifts for people can be tricky – in fact many people call it an art. It can get worse when buying for kids.

Should you go for something fun? Something interactive? Something educational? The Science Museum Shop could solve all your problems, as it sells nothing but these items.

School holidays are usually great fun for kids, with all that time off they can play away to their hearts content outside in the sunshine, and if the weather is wet, why not get them indoors getting crafty and creative?

£4.99 at Purple Puffin

If you are struggling with a present for your little brother, nephew or grandson, I have spied this cute and very collectable money box, which is in the shape of a cartoon style VW Beetle.

It’s a bargain at under a fiver so it won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Hawkins Bazaar

Website: www.hawkin.com

Remember the good old days? Of school days and playgrounds, when the 6 weeks holidays would seem to last forever? Well the Hawkin’s Bazaar online shop takes me right back to those days. They have all the little nick-nacks we used to play with, things I thought didn’t exist anymore!

It’s a great site to browse in your lunch hour but beware, you could get lost in the vastness of gift ideas it holds.

£12.45 at The Poetry Studio

After raving about My Silver Balloon Volume 1, I have since discovered that the 2nd edition is now available. This personalised CD has a new collection of 8 happy childrens songs to keep the little monsters dancing and singing to their hearts content.

£12.45 at The Poetry Studio

With my little nephews 1st birthday approaching, I have found him a perfect little present that is guaranteed to provide him with hours of entertainment (although I am sure it’s bound to drive mum and dad potty after the 30th play!)

The Silver Balloon CD is a personalised album filled with lovely songs written especially for children and designed to be fun and educational. The best thing about them is that they have over two thousand pre-recorded names so the songs can include the name of my nephew.

£14.99 at Amazon

Underground Ernie is the latest cartoon to hit the TV screens and wow the young generation. This Underground Ernie Train, Track and Tunnel set will prove to be very popular with all fans of this hit TV show.

£19.47 at Amazon

I would have loved to have had a toy like this whilst growing up! It would have provided hours of entertainment for my creative yet slightly clumsy hands. It certainly would have kept me out of the kitchen and getting in mums way.

The latest creative toy is the Teddy Bear factory, which keeps hands busy creating a teddy and not a mess in your kitchen!

£20.24 at Woolworths

Most little boys love being creative, making a mess and having fun. Team that up with their favourite character Thomas the Tank Engine and you have a winner of a present.

The Aquadraw Mat is a parents best friend. Kids can play with water whilst drawing their very own pictures to create their own Thomas & Friends story.

£24.99 at Hamleys

The Aquadraw is probably the best invention for parents since sliced bread.

Finally a creative game that’ll keep pre-schoolers occupied for hours but without creating a messy blob on your dining room floor.

Last year we had the Aquadraw for the boys with Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, this year it’s all about the girls, with the Cinderella Aquadraw.