Christmas Shopping – I love it.

A huge part of that is because I’m lucky to have such a fantastic stress-free shopping mall to do it at that has all of my favourite shops and more. Trust me, Fosse is Full of Your Favourites.

I love Christmas shopping at Fosse.

There’s something so heartwarming and lovely about heading out and buying gifts for the people you love. Anybody close to me will know much I love giving gifts. I love perfectly choosing a gift that I know will make their eyes twinkle and bring a smile to their face.

I know Christmas isn’t all about the gifts. It’s about family. Friends. Good times. Laughter and lots of treats and wine. But, that’s what I love. It’s not just about giving a present. It’s about being present too. That’s why I spend so long picking out the perfect gift. One that I know they’ll love. One that represents them. One that will bring a smile to their faces.

After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Christmas is a big thing to me. I’ve always planned well in advance what I’m going to get people. I’m one of those weird people who absolutely loves wrapping gifts. I’ll spend ages on Pinterest sorting out what my Christmas wrapping will look like and pinning different ideas, trust me, it’s a full event. I spend hours curating the perfect Pinterest board of wrapping paper, sorry guys, this one stays in secret!, and I truly do put so much time and effort into wrapping and Christmas gift shopping.

I get more excited about people opening their presents from me than opening my own. 

One time, I woke Alex up at 6:00 because I couldn’t hold the suspense any longer that I’d gotten him a camera. I spend hours creating photobooks. Home movies merged together. Favourite perfumes. Consoles. I just love the feeling of giving.

Christmas shopping has always been at Fosse. 

Christmas shopping at Fosse has always been a tradition. It’s the place to go for relaxed shopping that always has exactly what you wanted, or didn’t know you wanted.

The Christmas lights, the music, the cold wintry air. There’s something magical about the lead up to Christmas. The excitement in children’s eyes. The busying of parents and partners searching for the perfect gift.

I thought I’d throw in a few of my Christmas Shopping Tips for good measure, after all, it is the Christmas period. It’s all about giving, right?

#1 Have a Shopping Plan

I always do my Christmas shopping either mid or the end of November. It just makes so much more sense to me. The sparkle and glimpses of Christmas have arrived, the shops are bustling with stock and people are less frantic. 

Early Christmas Shopping will pay dividends to your stress levels over the Christmas period and your pockets. Shopping early means you’re well prepared in advance, plus, you’ll have time to make alterations if anything is out of stock. You can also start to invest more time in other Christmas preparations, like the dinner! Now, I really want Christmas dinner. 

I made sure to plan well in advance where I’ll be shopping and what the budget was for each shop, thanks to Fosse.

Full Of Your Favourites, and full of mine too. Shopping at Christmas takes a slightly different approach. Outfit and New Look are two of my three favourite clothes shops at Fosse, but for everybody else, I had something else in mind.

I made a note to head to Primark, Boots, Argos, JD Sports and Curry’s. JD Sports has recently opened at Fosse and I wanted to go there to see if there was anything for my little brother will love. He’s recently gotten into sports, especially basketball.

Boots and Argos are always good go-to Christmas shops. There’s always something to pick up from the Christmas Gift Selection, plus the 3 for 2 at Boots makes shopping for toiletries stress-free.

I also chose Primark. Since Primark opened at Fosse, it’s been fabulous. Who can go into Primark and not spend something? It’s impossible, right? What I really love is that I can pick something up from Primark and it remains guilt-free, thanks to the free parking at Fosse. I’ve been to some shopping centres and paid around £8 for parking, now would we rather buy a new top from Primark or pay to park the car? I know which one I prefer!

I’ve always planned ahead where I’m going to shop. It saves time in the long run. There isn’t any back and forth between shops, or missing somewhere you needed to go. I also made sure to plan to go to Thornton’s and Pandora… maybe Office too… I need some new UGG’s…

I told you, Fosse is Full Of Your Favourites. There are so many shops that you’re spoiled for choice.

#2 Have a Christmas Budget

I’m usually the worst at sticking to a Christmas Budget. I usually get all of the gifts and then see something else and think, well, I’ve bought everything so an extra £10 here won’t hurt! 

This year, I have been lucky enough to work alongside Fosse to build my budget. £70 at Primark and Boots and £30 at Argos. I also used my £20 extra towards my camera and in Thornton’s. I’ve also set a little aside for anything extra that we may need to put towards the Christmas shop.

Every year, we create a shoe box selection box for my little brother. My nan used to create one for my mum and I liked it so much that I decided to start one for Oliver. We used to sign it from Santa or his favourite characters when he was younger.

We fill the box with different sweets, treats and chocolates and then I decorate a shoe box or gift box if Alex hasn’t had any new shoes.  

I thought it would be nice to pick up a few treats from Thornton’s as I love their personalised range and Alex adores Thornton’s smiles.

#3 Plan with the Internet but Shop in Store

I must say, online shopping just doesn’t feel like Christmas to me. There are so many reasons why you should go to the stores as opposed to piling through online stores, but I’ll share just a few of mine.

Help the environment: Shopping with your own bags in a store can reduce the carbon footprint. If deliveries are coming from worldwide, the carbon footprint can be phenomenal. Plus, you’ve got the addition of all of the excess packaging. Buying in the store means you can take your own bags and save on that footprint. Don’t forget, Fosse also has good bus connections!

Get into the Christmas Spirit: With the Christmas hits playing and children’s faces lit up, it’s hard to not feel festive. You’ll see all of the decorations and be able to soak up the festive atmosphere. You don’t get that sitting in your dimmed bedroom with the laptop screen blaring!

Delivery nightmares: When shopping in store you don’t have to worry about gifts not arriving in time. You’ll be able to see the product before you buy it. None of that frantically trying to exchange for something different in the midst of the manic Christmas deliveries.

Get sociable: Shopping together is so much more fun. You can stop for a pit stop at the food court, I’d recommend heading to Druckers or Costa Coffee in Fosse and having a warming Christmas drink and a light cake.

The internet can be perfect for saving you time though. Take a look at the online websites of the shops you plan to go to and get some ideas of what you’ll buy. You’ll be able to see them in store and pick up exactly what you want and need there and then. Saving you time, stress and potentially money.

Shopping at Full Of Your Favourites
Christmas with Fosse

Who’d have thought that I got up at 3:00am? Went to bed in Alicante and here I am, 8 hours later standing in the Food Hall getting into the Christmas spirit, I’m here to shop Christmas and I mean business.

It’s November 24th and Christmas is readily approaching. It’s getting closer and closer and all I can think of is, I need to get my shopping done. I have so many ideas in mind and each year it feels like a mission to see how many I manage to get my hands on, and how many extra random pieces I end up picking up. I have no self-control when it comes to Christmas. It’s my favourite time of year.

We arrive at Office and were welcomed by some of the team at Fosse and treated to a lovely Advent Calendar that represents the different shops at Fosse, the proof that Fosse really is Full of Your Favourites. We also met the talented and friendly photographer, Will.

I’m really excited to crack it open on December 1st and carry on through until Christmas. I’ll be posting on my Instagram stories every morning of December, sharing which store each window will represent. I’m so glad I can take a little slice of Fosse home with me.

I brought my mum along with me to help, social shopping is the best shopping and I usually need a second opinion. The Christmas music is playing gently whilst the lights on the Christmas tree glisten delicately, it’s such a welcoming ambience.

After my shopping, I know I’ll be heading back to Druckers to enjoy a coffee and a treat, you have to celebrate a job well done!

Wandering out of the Food Court and the cold air made itself known. I wrap my coat a little tighter and head out to do my Christmas shopping. It’s cold. It feels like Christmas. This is Christmas.

JD Sports

The first place I went was JD Sports, I knew that my younger brother would be the most difficult to buy now he’s a teenager. JD Sports has recently opened at Fosse and it’s filled with all of the best sports gear.

In the end, I didn’t pick up anything from JD. They had a sale on, but nothing would’ve fit my brother.

Primark

Primark was next on my list. I always know I can count on Primark to pick up something for everyone. My mum, dad, nan and grandad like the clothes that are stocked there. There are always homeware bits and pieces that make lovely gifts. Plus, Alex really likes the accessories and gift pieces that they stock.

I knew I could do a large portion of my Christmas shop in Primark and get an idea of what I’d need to pick up from other shops.

I also wanted to pick up a few of the Christmas decorations that they have in stock. I dream of one day having an All-Disney Christmas tree, so the Disney x Primark Christmas baubles and bits and pieces are perfect. Plus, they’re so affordable which is what we all love about Primark, right?

Argos

We then headed to Argos. I knew there was a range of electricals and gift ideas in store, after looking online.

I managed to pick up a gift for my Nan and a few other bits and pieces.

Considering it is getting closer to Christmas, we didn’t have long to wait at all. The longest part is definitely going through the catalogue. But, if you search online the product you’re looking for, it will give you the catalogue number and then you can type it on their stock checker. It saves a lot of time!

Boots

Boots is such a go-to Christmas shop. Their 3 for 2 Christmas Gift offer is like the paramount of Christmas. You can pick up such affordable gift sets that make excellent additions or main gifts.

Stocking all of the top fragrances, there’s such a wide array to choose from. They are my first choice for skincare and cosmetics.

I also had my eyebrows waxed in benefit whilst I was shopping. It’s been so long that I kept apologising to the beautician who had the hack job to do! Don’t you just feel like a whole new person when you’ve had your eyebrows done?

I managed to get my brothers present from here and my dad’s. I also picked up a Yankee Candle Advent Calendar and a Yankee Candle Elevation Collection Candle for me as a little treat!

Thornton’s

Thornton’s stock so many great chocolate gifts that are sure to be a big hit with any chocolate lover in the family. Adding a touch of personalisation makes the gift feel so much more personal. It’s not just a chocolate football boot anymore. It’s your chocolate football boot.

To me, it feels so lovely that the person hasn’t just picked up a stash of chocolates and gave them as a last minute gift. They’re a gift that has been specifically chosen for you.

I also rate the chocolate gift tags. I’ve used them for a few years now, I like that the recipient gets to eat and enjoy their gift tag. It becomes part of the present. After all, who doesn’t love an edible gift tag?! Just be careful not to leave them near a fire or radiator!

It was so lovely to get into the Christmas spirit at Fosse. I wasn’t feeling very christmassy beforehand, but once I got there and saw all their beautiful decorations, glistening Christmas tree and the soft sounds of Christmas music – I really did get into the Christmas spirit! I’m now excited for Christmas knowing my Christmas shopping is done!

I managed to get a great deal from Curry’s too during the Black Friday sales. I have been looking for a high-quality camera that can take decent shots and also high-standard videos. I was recommended the Panasonic Lumix and I managed to get hold of one down from £179 to £129! I have been testing it out and it’s a nifty piece of kit. The focus on it is incredible!

Treats for me and treats for them. Fosse is full of all of our favourites.

Hasta luego,

A huge thank you to Fosse for inviting me to shop with them once more. Although sponsored, all photos, words and views are my own.

Photos with Full of your Favourites advent calendars taken by Will Johnston