When you think about receiving bath gift sets for Christmas it conjures up memories of being gifted  Lavemder scented sets or Lynx is always a go-to set for teenage boys. They inevitably end up at the back of your bathroom cabinet or a shelf in a charity shop in January. Does anyone ever use the body crème or bath salts that come in the gift sets we get? How many body puffs do you actually need? 

I think I'm right in saying most of us would prefer one really good quality gift over a 3 for 2 Boots deal, some chocolate and some slippers. You can ditch the gift sets with a lip gloss and flannel that nobody ever uses and pick one top notch gift this Christmas which will earn you a wide smile from whoever your cherished recipient is.

You could opt for one big gift like a robe which will be soft and warm to wrap up in when you leave the bath or a radio with batteries so it can be cable free in the bathroom. You could even make your own hamper filled with all of the recipients favourite things. I'm going to be doing this for my brother this year (Sorry if you're reading this Geraint. Surprise!) and pick and mix from all of their favourite brands. Wilko sell small baskets and the clear wrap to cover them and tie up with a bow. Voila, perfect present. If a gift is bespoke or well thought out you know won’t get forgotten about or even worse – re-gifted!

What is the worst gift you have ever received? I know you you guys are not ungrateful but I bet you have unwrapped some hilariously bad presents at some point. My nan is fond of finding a bargain in a charity shop and once gave me a Bros watch about a decade after Bros were a thing...

*This post was written in collaboration with Mira Showers

I LOVE gin, I really do. It's always my drink of choice and I either go for a simple G&T or a gin cocktail like a bramble on a night out or when relaxing at home. My love of gin meant I was really excited when a beautifully boxed Rock Rose Gin arrived at my house courtesy of 31DOVER.COM. Rock Rose Gin is in the Top 50 food and drink products in Britain as voted by the Great Taste Awards. It sounded pretty top notch so I couldn't wait to get stuck in.

It is hand-distilled by Dunnet Bay Distillers up in Caithness Scotland. Rock Rose Gin gets its name from the botanical Rhodiola rosea which is rose that grows in the rocks. The botanicals are foraged along the cliffs of the Pentland Firth. It is sweet, floral, with a botanical taste and is perfect paired with Fever Tree tonic and some orange peel. It comes in a pretty ceramic bottle which is currently sitting proudly on my shelf. 

The gin was sent by 31DOVER.com which is the UK’s leading online drinks vendor. They stock sought after drinks, price match and deliver next day as standard. You can order anything from one bottle or a whole party, send a gift or stock up on wine. There's a highly curated selection on offer that are personally tested by all of the 31DOVER.com team. There are your favourite brands and things you might not have heard of before. 

If you want to give 31DOVER.com a try (I highly recommend the Rock Rose gin) you can use my exclusive discount code 31GEM2 to get 10% off until 20th December. perfect for a Christmas day toast or NYE tipple. 

It's finally December which meant that I put the Christmas tree up straight away, stocked up on mulled wine and I've started sporting my festive outfits. I was very keen this year and my festive bedding went on a week early and I don't even care, I love Christmas! 

I know it is a bit early to be getting so excited and I've been informed by colleagues that you're not supposed to put your tree up until 12 days before Christmas but I live with my partner in our own home now so we'll do what we like. Who's with me?! 

I've got a few novelty dresses and accessories but this is the first year I've worn a Christmas jumper. Better late than never... My Christmas jumper is from Geroge and is pretty understated so I may have to get another jumper which is super tacky and lights up if I really want to get into the spirit of things. You can wear a Christmas jumper just for the fun of it and to stay cosy and warm but you can also get involved with Christmas Jumper Day on 18th of December and help to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, Make-A-Wish UK and Save the Children, giving hope to families in difficulty at Christmas. Head over here to find out more and sign up.

I'm really pleased with my Christmas tree this year. Martyn and I have been picking up decorations from the Christmas markets and cities that we visited over the past three years (can't believe it is our third Christmas together!) and I've shared some of my favourites in the photos above. Really looking forward to my week off over Christmas and tucking into my tin of shortbread biscuits. Roll on 4pm on the 22nd of December. 

 Are you going to be sporting a Christmas knit this year?

I love nothing more than a long walk on a crisp winter day, taking my dog Sookie out with me where she inevitably gets covered in mud or decided to jump in the river on the coldest day of the year. The best part of it all is returning home and snuggling up in front of a good movie (sadly I don't have a log burning fire) with a hot drink and some shortbread biscuits. Perfection!

I've rounded up some of my favourite picks that are ideal for creating a cosy winter experience. 

1. First up and pretty essential is a warm coat to keep out the cold. I've got my eye on a maroon parka from M and M Direct. It's got a hood to make sure my hair doesn't end up in a mess in the wind and rain and pockets for dog walking essentials like dog treats (and poop bags, ha!|) 

2. My next pick is a ultra soft and over sized scarf from Joules. It is so big it can double up as a shawl, belted in at the waist.

3. I have ALWAYS wanted a Welsh Wool blanket and I love this modern navy and white one which you can pick up from Melin Tregwynt who have been making them for over 100 years. 

4. Whittards Mulled Wine tea is a merry medley of fruit and festive spices, blending blackberry leaves for sweetness, apple for bite and essence of cloves for a fragrance. Perfect for that mulled wine taste without the alcohol content.