May is a chocka month for birthdays – and there’s so much to choose from! Maybe it’s because I’m still recovering from my lack of sweet stuff over Lent that I’ve become obsessed with baking and can’t stop finding presents relating to food.

And because I have so many birthday gifts to buy next month I’ve got to buy cheap gifts and stick to my budget of pressies under £10.

I’ve a friend who loves baking and decorating gingerbread cookies around Christmas time – but she definitely needs some practice.

She also happens to be fluent in Russian and has a penchant for martial arts so imagine my glee when I find the perfect gift.

Cookie cutters in the shape of Ninjabread Men. Quirky, cute and cheap – just the kind of gift I like!

Plus she can now get practicing icing those cookies for christmas time – after all it’s only 8 months away…

Buy Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters for just £6.10 from Amazon.co.uk

I never though I’d get so excited about a shopping bag but it’s definitely on my birthday wish list!

It’s the kind of shopping bag a superhero would use! You can buy the Trolley Dolly Shopper for £27.95 from Prezzy Box.

So what is it?

It’s one big bag that has 18 other bags within it so you can pack all your shopping without having to remember to pack several plastic bags or having to buy a supermarket ‘Bag for Life’ (which are just as wasteful).

The amazement doesn’t end there.

• The inner bags are colour coded to help it easier to pack. So the green bag could be for your fruit and veg, the red one for your meat and the blue one for your freezer items.
• The 8 net bags for fruit and vegetables are also under the Tare weight which means they can be weighed in the bags without affecting the price – very handy!
• The inner bags hold 13kg of shopping including 20 bottles of wine or 30 tins of canned food
• Lots of pockets and zips including a trolley token holder
• You can wash each bag to keep your spotty Trolley Dolly looking spanking brand new for ages

Buy the Trolley Dolly Shopping Bag from www.PrezzyBox.com

Not only does it look gorgeous, but it can be used as a water jug, a vase, utensil holder and more. The list is only limited by your imagination!

It costs a bargain £24.99 and you can get it delivered right to the door in time for Mothering Sunday.

Apparently they were made in England from stoneware in the 1870′s and became a popular household item after the Queen got one as a pressie herself in 1958.

When the jug is full with water, the air that gets trapped in the fish’s tail creates a gurgling noise when it’s poured out. So not only will it look pretty in your mum’s house, it’ll amuse the kids and guests too – imagine their faces at the next family Sunday roast!

Buy a Gluggle Jug from The Present Finder for £24.99.

These gorgeous handmade brooches are the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Made from polyester resin, aluminium and a touch of glitter and sequins, you can now buy them from Rachel’s Wonders online shop.

Don’t wear brooches? Then there are plenty more handmade heart shaped jewellery pieces to choose from like the beautiful sequin heart necklace or the stunning hand cast heart ring (which are a bargain at just £5).

Rachel Gaw’s design show that handmade, creative gifts needn’t break the piggy bank. Come on lads, get your wallets out for Valentine’s Day gifts and treat your girlfriends to something they’ll love and treasure.

Madam Rachel, you are really spoiling us! I’ll definitely be coming back for more.

These adorable Dolphin Salt and Pepper pots not only look cute as ornaments but are a practical addition to the dining room table.

They’re a great little novelty gift for someone, especially someone who collects dolphins! You can buy them from NoveltyGifts4U.co.uk or win a free set.

Or why not try your luck at winning this Dolphin Cruet Set at Freebie Bag Free UK Competitions and win them for nowt!

All you need to do is go to sign up to the Free Offers Alert and you’ll get automatic entry to this fabulous prize draw as well as receiving their daily Free Offers Alerts that highlight the best freebies available online such as Free Pet Food samples.

Sign up before Wednesday 18th August for a chance to be picked and have your prize posted out.

You can win a jar for free simply by signing up at freebiebag.co.uk for their daily Free Offers Alerts.

The range of sweets on offer is immense and will surely be the most difficult part of the whole competition! Choose from flying saucers, mint humbugs, cola bottles, cola cubes, white mice, gobstoppers, black jacks (take a breath…) the list is endless….

Just sign up to Freebie Bag Free Offers Alerts before Sunday 13th June 2010 and you’ll have automatic entry into the draw. (Don’t worry, you can unsubscribe anytime you want).

Freebie Bag will choose one winner at random who’ll get to choose up to 4 varieties of sweets to fill their posh jar with and tell us who they’d like to receive them.

Competition Rules

• The closing date is Sunday 13th June 2010.
• All entries must reach us by 23:59 (11:59pm) on the closing date.
• One winner will be chosen at random
• The winner will receive one small jar with up to 4 varieties of sweets.
• The competition applicant may only enter once.
• The competition is open to UK residents only.
• No employees of Gift Chooser, Freebie Bag or Posh Pick & Mix may enter.
• The judges decision is final.
• Prizes may not be exchanged for cash or other goods.

Kate Gary is a designer and artist in the UK. She crafts and creates a quirky and eclectic range of loveable characters then uses them to embellish a variety of her handcrafted products.

They make truly unusual gifts for people as they are handmade in such a limited number.

From handbags, wallets and cosmetic purses, to soft cuddly toys and jewellery there is an adorable gift out there for everyone!

I especially love the Smug Cat range that was inspired by the designers cat Bella. Find the Smug Cat on brooches, purses, wallets and shopping bags like this one

This handmade designer bag is just £19.99

Or how about the snuggly muffin top softie – perfectly huggable and just £6

Make the most of the Free Christmas Delivery on orders over £50 too – it’ll save you £3.95.

Buy a selection of gifts for Christmas at Kate Garey shop

If your mum, dad, brother or best friend has a hero they look up to, or a favourite film or singer why not get them a poster or autograph for them from Movie Market. Prices start from just £3.99.

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.

This VW Beetle looks very much like the car from the classic Herbie film, except it only comes in blue or green.

I think it’s a brilliant pressie for young lads to decorate their bedroom with. I mean which boy doesn’t like cars! It will even help them save their pocket money up for your birthday present.

But you may know of a Beetle enthusiast or collector, for which this would make a great little gift or stocking filler.

It’s at a price that won’t break the bank and will appeal to all car fanatics and people who like to save their pennies.

Buy it from Purple Puffin for £4.99

If you don’t want to spend a fortune, or have a limited budget this month but need to get a quick last minute pressie for your mum or a friends birthday, this Lotus Flower is a great bath plug.

It’s a cute accessory that any girl would love to see when she takes a soak in the bath.

It’ll transport them into the spa’s of Thailand, or the tropical lakes in some exotic faraway place. They may even feel they are on holiday!

The Lotus Flower will sit prettily on its leaf and float away on top of your bath water.

It’s one of those novelty gifts that aren’t really useful at all, but are just really nice to have.

Buy this unusual floating plug for £5.95 from Feeling Chilled.

If you add the code SPRING into the code box at the checkout you will get a 10% discount . This voucher is valid until 31/03/08.

Discount Codes for Feeling Chilled

At Web Savings World you can find Feeling Chilled promotional voucher codes

You can’t beat a bunch of flowers to say a simple message – I Love You, Thank You, Get Well Soon or Congratulations. Especially on Mum’s Day, it can be just the thing to show her you care.

E-Flowers are an online flowers site that have been going since 1985, it’s a very easy to use shop and has some beautiful flowers on offer.

You can opt to have your flowers delivered on a set date or on the same day if you have forgotten someone’s birthday and need flowers to get there asap!

You can also include a personal message and select any additional gifts you may want to send; a bottle of bubbly, a box of chocs or a cute teddy bear.

I especially love the Rose Planter bouquet stuffed with mini pink roses for only £24.99.

A lot of websites require you to register as a user before ordering, this site gives you the option. If you haven’t time or don’t think you’ll use them again then you can just order what you want. But if you plan on using the site again, your info will be remembered, you will receive their newsletter with the latest offers and you will get £1 discount on your first order!

And what’s better than getting a fabulous bunch of flowers (such as some lovely Calla Lilies) for your mum on Mother’s Day? Getting money off!

The generous people at E-Flowers are offering money off when you book with us. For a 5% discount just type the word mum into the promotional code box when you checkout.

Do you know someone is always forgetting stuff? We at GiftChooser may have found the ideal gift to help you solve the problem of your forgetful friend. The Memo Clock.

It’s an ingenius idea that not only looks groovy, but acts as a handy hourly reminder of everything that needs to be done.

It also makes a great idea to be used in the office – make sure those post-it notes and important business cards don’t get an early relegation into the bin or stuck to the bottom of your shoe, by making sure they are clipped in their correct place on the Memo Clock, ensuring that you never miss a meeting or deadline ever again!

No deadlines? Up-to date with your ’To Do’ list? then why not go for some added decoration by clipping some of your fave piccies to the clock.

In fact, the opportunites for how you can decorate the Memo Clock are endless and will look great on whichever wall the lucky recipient hangs it on.

Fearless is a groovy little shop based in Cornwall. They have a super range of unique and very original gifts.

Buy this super-duper Memo Clock online from www.fearlessonline.co.uk for just £16.95 (p&p is only £2.50)

This online kitsch shop has always got something good to buy for somebody you know who is celebrating a birthday.

I think this cool Supergirl Apron and Glove is perfect for a friend who loves cooking in the kitchen.

Calling all Supergirl fans, girlies who love the colour pink and enjoy cooking up a storm in the kitchen. It’s very retro and is the perfect thing for keeping your clobber clean whilst entertaining.

The gauntlet style oven glove is an ideal accompaniment to create this fab matching set.

So if you have a girlie friend who you think is a bit of a superhero, Buy the set online now from Kitsch for £12.50

This funky iPod alarm clock has got to provide the most fun you can imagine having in a morning. Not only does it look very sleek, but you know it’s always going to play the songs you like. Ten times better than radio!

I wouldn’t be without my iPod and despite there being several very cool accessories and speakers for your music holder, this is looking like one of my favourites. A very retro alarm clock that’s sleek and curvy, it charges up your iPod whilst sitting in the clocks dock, and will be sure to wake you up in style.

The lightweight clock has a volume dial on the back (very 90’s),  a set of speakers on either side that resemble the old-style bells of yesteryear and a snooze setting.

Synch it with a favourite playlist, album or podcast and it is sure to get you out of bed with a spring in your step and a smile on your face – okay we’re not expecting miracles, but it’ll help drag you from under the covers on workdays.

Comes in Black, White and Pink (its the new silver!) so you can chose the colour to suit your bedroom.

Buy this super duper alarm clock for just £39.95 from GadgetShop

Just beware: It’s not compatible with the iPod Shuffle.

Fancy buying a present that’s a bit quirky? This very cute birdhouse is a fully functioning replica of a 1950’s wash-o-matic washing machine. It has been designed especially to house the little feathered visitors that come to your garden for their daily get together – oh and the food’s not bad either!

Hang it up in a tree and watch as the birdies flock to feed from a washing machine (you couldn’t make this stuff up really). It is completely safe even if they do manage to chip bits of the birdhouse during their frenzied feeding as the paint is completely non toxic.

It is also made from chunky wood which is perfect to keep the heat in and provide a warm home for the birds.

A brilliant present idea for bird lovers and nature lovers who are sure to spend hours watching the garden to see what their feathered friends make of their new abode.

Buy a bit of 50’s kitsch for the garden from Firebox for £14.95

You can also get a birdhouse fashioned as a rather retro caravan. See the Caravan Birdhouse here.

Discount Codes for Firebox

At Web Savings World you can find Firebox promotional voucher codes

The funkiest birdhouse ever has been created and is available now for you to buy. A fab pressie for all dads who love caravanning, bird watchers, in fact anyone with a garden!

I don’t know who comes up with these ideas but keep them coming. This brilliantly camp wooden caravan doubles up as wee little birdy house.

The door has a suitably large hole in it to allow birds to peer in and set up home if they like what they see, but it also opens up if you want to make it an open house.

It’s all bird-friendly too. The paint they use is non-toxic if they have an accidental peck at it whilst getting at their food.

Set up a little B&B in your back garden (or front garden if you trust it to be there the next day). Very retro.

Spend hours watching the birds come and go out of their very own caravan abode.

Firebox even have a few extra pics and a video of the birdhouse so you know exactly what you’ll be getting. By all reports though – most people love it!

Buy a bit of kitsch for the garden from Firebox for £14.95

You can also get a birdhouse fashioned as a rather kitsch 50’s washing machine. See the Wash-o-matic Birdhouse here

Discount Codes for Firebox

At Web Savings World you can find Firebox promotional discount codes

This is the ultimate gadget for any couch potato – who wants to slouch in style. It may look like a slouching chair for blokes but it also comes in a barbie pink colour for the girlies too.

Described as an ’interactive gaming chair’ it sounds like a dream come true!

Now we have the perfect reason never to leave out homes, or front rooms for that matter. The Slouchpod is one of those inventions that you just wish you’d thought of and created yourself.

The Slouchpod for girls 

Looks a bit like a very posh bean bag but it is actually an all in one chair that has a built-in digital control pad for you to connect up all your gadgets, mp3 players, games consoles (the Wii and Playstation are both compatible), cd and dvd players, your computer and even the TV.

That’s only the start. The slouching chair even has in-built speakers and a sub-woofer so you can listen to music and hear the TV without having to sit a few inches from the screen.

So comfy it’s even great just for watching your favourite TV shows in. Dare I say it even has a wipe clean surface? Just in case you have a habit of dropping ice-cream onto it or falling asleep and dribbling uncontrollably.

This funky Slouchpod is the ultimate in comfort and gadgetry, it’ll do wonders for your interior design and bring your flat into the 21st Century!

Buy online for the favourite man in your life for £299 from Presents For Men

I just love buying little knick knacks for people. Something cute, something kitsch, unusual, unique or just plain strange. So christmas is the perfect time for me as I get to buy lots of little pressies for people.

I personally find quantity rather than quality is best, especially around the xmas season, the more presents to unwrap the better, so to save me going bust I always chose things under a tenner.

This gorgeous ceramic Reindeer Mug is one such item that I will be purchasing for some lucky soul. Rudolphs nose is heat sensitive, so fill him up with a yummy hot chocolate or a refreshing cup of Earl Grey and watch his honker change colour from a shiny black nose to a bright red one. Just like in the song!

Remember those t-shirts that used to change colour with your body heat? Kids went mad for them and I can guarantee kids will love seeing his nose change colour and start to glow whenever a hot drink is added.

When he’s not in use as a drinking vessel he makes a handy ornament or useful spare change receptacle.

A great little stocking filler. Only £5.99 from Gobaz

I read about this brilliant cookbook for dogs in a magazine at the weekend and I just had to find out what it was all about.

Pupcakes is one of those original books that just makes you smile when you open it up. A great present idea for any dog lovers you know.

No, it’s not a cookery book for dogs to use, it’s a recipe book for lots of treats you can cook for your doggy. The author is a lady who loves animals and has set up a UK doggy bakery as well as a grooming salon and pet boutique.

Tempting treats include Pupp-eroni, Magic Muttballs and Christmas Doggeration. The recipe names are all a bit pun-tastic but you cannot fault the scrumptious recipe ideas and pictures of pups and dogs scattered throughout.

Now I don’t advocate feeding too many treats to your pets, however these recipes are all supposedly tasty and healthy ranging from treats as presents, training snacks for pups and snacks to stop doggy breath – just don’t overdo it and get a podgy pooch!

For pet lovers and pampered pooches everywhere, the Pupcakes book is lovely and makes for a real christmas treat.

Buy it from Amazon for just £5.39 and you won’t break the bank.

A few days ago I was raving about the brilliant Bar Butler, a 4 litre bottle holder to create the perfect cocktail and pour the perfect shot. Well now I have found it’s ideal companion.

Give someone the opportunity to create their very own home bar. Even if you don’t buy them the Bar Butler, make sure you get them this funky neon Bar Sign. It doesn’t cost the earth as it’s powered by a low voltage charger and creates a brilliant bar ambiance. You won’t need to have any other lights on in your bedroom or living room.

It is a real talking point and looks great at parties and get-togethers. Now that it’s winter and getting cold, most of you will be wanting to stay inside – a brilliant excuse to hold a house or cocktail party and what better decoration than to have a funky neon sign – very New York.

Now you really could become Tom Cruise a la Cocktail.

Buy it this neon Bar Sign for someone for £10.95 from The Sharp Edge

Buy the Bar Butler for £39.99 from Drink Stuff

Discount Codes for Drinkstuff.com

At Web Savings World you can find Drinkstuff.com promotional voucher codes