When it comes to giving gifts, they say its the thought that counts. I agree, as many of my favourite Christmas gifts haven’t necessarily been the expensive or luxurious ones, but the ones that are personal, significant or meaningful. It’s the gift giver’s thoughtful touches that make all the difference to me. That’s why I’ve been inspired by the John Lewis #Makeitthoughtful campaign.

#Makeitthoughtful.

This Christmas, John Lewis have been offering some ideas to make your gifts even more special. As well as providing Christmas Gift Guides tasked with helping you find the perfect present for your loved ones,  they’re offering dozens of tips on how to #makeitthoughtful on the John Lewis website and on their ‘Make it Thoughtful’ Pinterest Board.

My #Makeitthoughtful Gift List.

In the spirit of ‘Making it more thoughtful’, I’ve selected six of my favourite John Lewis gifts along with my own ideas on how to make these special gifts even more meaningful.

1. For hikers & adventurers.

Thermos Vintage Flask, 1.2L, Red, £30 from John Lewis

This metallic red retro thermos flask comes with a 5-year guarantee. The light and compact and virtually unbreakable with a dent resistant stainless steel body. The Thermax double walled insulation gives extreme temperature retention, keeping hot for up to 24 hours and cold for up to 24 hours.

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

Why not give the hiker in your family a Weatherproof Active Ordnance Survey Map from the Ordnance Survey online shop, covering their favourite hiking trails or buy them the Wainwright Walks Complete Boxed Set with Julia Bradbury [DVD]

2. For book lovers.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite eReader, 6″High Resolution Illuminated Touch Screen, Wi-Fi, Black, £109.95 from John Lewis.

The All-New Kindle Paperwhite is more readable than ever, with a higher resolution screen and a font that’s been specially designed for digital screens. Plus your favourite returning features such as an improved Carta E-Ink touchscreen, a built-in light that won’t tire your eyes and a battery life which means you’ll be able to go for 6 weeks without the need to recharge.

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

Why not include a list of Amazon’s Top 100 Books to read in a lifetime? The list, a bucket-list of books to create a well-read life, has been chosen by the Editors of Amazon Books and covers books from all stages of life (which is why you’ll find children’s books in here). Books making the Top 100 include favourites such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, We’re going on a bear hunt by Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

As well as giving the book lover in your life a list of Amazon’s Top 100 books to read in a lifetime, why not load their new Kindle with some of the books from the list, including freely available classics like Pride & Prejudice?

3. For girls & boys.

Girl’s John Lewis Buster the Boxer Pyjamas, Red, £18-£20 from John Lewis

Kids will love these pyjama sets from John Lewis featuring Buster the Boxer, the star of the John Lewis Christmas advert. The Girls Buster the Boxer pyjama set has a red top emblazoned with a graphic of Buster and bottoms boasting an all-over repeat print of Buster and his woodland pals. The set is knitted from soft cotton, the pyjamas feature ribbed cuffs.

For the boy’s in the family see the Boy’s Buster the Boxer Pyjamas in pale blue.

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

Kid’s love to have adventures, late nights and midnight feasts. Why not wrap the pyjamas up with a torch and a copy of David Walliams’ latest children’s fiction novel The Midnight Gang so they can read it under their bedcovers? Read my recent review of David Walliams’ tale of five children trapped on a hospital ward and their extraordinary midnight adventures: Review: The Midnight Gang.

4. For a new baby.

My 1st Years Personalised Hooded Towel With Ears, Ivory, £20 from John Lewis

Wrap up your little one with this Personalised Hooded Towel with Ears from My 1st Years. This simple towel is super soft, making it the perfect gift for both newborns and toddlers. The corner hood keeps their ears extra cosy and you can personalise it with their name (up to 12 characters).

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

As well as personalising the hooded towel, why not give the babies’ parents a much-needed treat by writing them a Babysitting IOU? When new parents are exhausted and sleep deprived, the prospect of a future date night may be just what they need to help them through the sleepless nights.

5. For ‘Cosiness of the soul’.

LED Candles with Remote, Pack of 3, £40, from John Lewis.

Candles provide the perfect ingredients for ‘Hygge’, the Danish word which has been translated as everything from ‘Taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things’ to my personal favourite, ‘Cosiness of the soul’. These battery-powered LED candles complete with a realistic wick and remote control for ease of use, help to create the cosy ambient flicker and glow of a real candle.

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

For more tips on how to live a ‘Hygge’ life, why not include a copy of ‘The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish way to live well‘ by Meik Wiking of the Happiness Research Institute, Copenhagen. I love this little book, which is currently available from Amazon for the bargain price of £4.99.

6. For families.

Betsy Benn Favourite Place Map Framed Print, Black Frame, 48.7 x 37.7cm, Blue/ Orange, £130 from John Lewis.

#Makeitthoughtful tip.

This personalised Betsy Benn Favourite Place Map Framed Print is already a thoughtful gift, detailing all the favourite places and holiday destinations of the recipient. However, to make it extra special, why not add a Post-it note IOU to the map indicating a place you promise to take them in 2017.

Over to you.

I’ve really enjoyed thinking of ways to make gifts extra special. What special gifts are you planning on giving your loved ones this Christmas? Can you think of ways of making gifts more meaningful?

For more information about the #Makeitthoughtful campaign, click here: #Makeitthoughtful

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