GIFT DIFFERENT WITH TK MAXX

{AD | This is a paid collaboration with TK MAXX}

Now that Black Friday is out of the way, it’s time to start talking about the C-word….. Chrissssstmas!  

When TK Maxx recently got in touch and asked if I wanted to take part in their new Christmas campaign ‘Gift different with TK Maxx’ I jumped at the chance.

Tk Maxx is my favourite go-to shop for my personal shopping all year round, so of course it only makes sense that it should also be my one stop shop for all my Christmas gifting too. With a huge selection of unique big brand gifts, Tk Maxx enables me to gift bigger and better whilst still shopping on a small budget.

I’m usually on autopilot when Christmas shopping, and I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I occasionally gift fail-safe presents which are mediocre and sometimes repetitive. Things like new pyjama’s or slippers on repeat. You get my drift. (not saying theres anything wrong with new pyjamas by the way!) But this year I have been inspired to be more thoughtful and think outside the box.

I took a trip to my local Tk Maxx in Watford to be inspired and to see what exciting Christmas gifts I could get for under £50.

As soon as I entered the store I had my head turned by some of my favourite big beauty brands in festive gift boxes at fantastic prices. But then I had to remember that I wasn’t there to self gift, so onwards I went.

At the back of the Watford Tk Maxx store is a huge selection of kids and baby toys. Ideal for all the little people in my life, including my 18 month old son.

I saw my nieces favourite toy brand with a fantastic value price tag. At £10.99 (RRP 19.99). In the bag it went. Then I saw a pink play shopping trolley fully loaded with imaginative faux food which I know my son would absolutely love at a bargain £14.99, so naturally that had to into the trolley too.

I then ventured upstairs in TK Maxx to their mezzanine floor where the menswear and homeware could be found.

That’s where this gorgeous plush pink velvet cushion caught my eye and I knew exactly which friend would love it more than me. At £9.99, it’s the sort of cushion that looks much more expensive than its price tag so in it went into the basket.

the green velvet footstool was only £49.99 and the velvet cushion £9.99- all at tk maxx, watford.

I then passed an aisle of faux foliage, which had rows and rows of faux succulents and house plants.  I then remembered a conversation I had with my dad about his dead house plant and his now empty shelf, so I thought the faux succulent will make a lovely surprise gift that he wouldn’t expect from me. And it certainly looked much more expensive than its £7.99 price tag.

faux succulents from £4,99 at tk maxx.

With less than £10 to spend I started To browse the menswear aisles. Looking at some lovely big branded sweaters and t’shirts for my brother and husband (which I’m going to return to buy at another date).  But then in the backdrop I saw a wall of mens socks. Socks in all different colours and styles in various big-name brands.

I picked up a pack for husband at £5.99. Believe it or not, but I’ve never bought my husband socks before, so I know he’ll be pleasantly surprised with his ‘posh’ big brand socks. And he’ll never need to know that they only cost me £5.99.

So that’s now five Christmas presents, for five different people all ticked off my list.

How will you be doing your Christmas shopping this year? Will you be inspired to gift a little differently?

And if you don’t live near a TK Maxx store, why not check out their website to be inspired to gift a little differently this Christmas.

AD | This post was sponsored by TK Maxx. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. 

DIY UPHOLSTERED FOOTSTOOL

Are you are thinking of buying a foot stool to fill a space in your lounge? Or perhaps you’d like an ottoman for your bedroom? Before you take the plunge and spend a few hundred quid, maybe consider covering your own.

Not only will it be better for the environment, but also much more cost effective and could save you hundreds, not to mention the self-satisfaction it brings you. Ok..so what I REALLY mean is total smugness!!

So where to start, well ebay is a good place, so are car boot sales, gumtree or even vintage flea markets. I bought my one below from Kempton antiques market for £20.

Find a shape and a price you like and remember that anything is possible so don’t be put off by the print or fabric. As long as the legs are sturdy and the frame isn’t riddled with wood worm you can cover anything.

Once you have a frame then all you need is the fabric. Velvet is a favourite of mine and is still up trending and you’ll find plenty of online merchants willing to give you a deal. If you do go for a velvet maybe choose a cotton one. They're more mat, clean and more in keeping to what you would find in the shops if you were to buy your own velvet stool. Alternatively jacquards, and heavy canvas fabrics are also good, just make sure they are hardwearing and don't contain any stretch. 

What you'll need;

A foot stool to cover

Nail gun and spare nails

pair of scissors

Hammer

Screwdriver 

(and an extra pair of hands can come in handy if your new to this).

DIY Upholstered footstool

1. First buy an old footstool that's in need of a makeover. (As I mentioned before, I bought mine from Kempton market for £20). 

2. Strip it back. If you find its actually not antique (like me) and it's made of PU,  then keep this as its a smooth base to cover over. Yep mine looked lovely and french but it was probably just from DFS... Good job I only paid £20 for it! 

3. Start with the base. Measure and cut a piece of fabric that fits around the base. If you're using velvet decide if you want the fabric pile up or pile down. Pile up will make the colour look brighter. 

Then using the nail gun, nail the fabric inside. For the ends, fold the edges in for a smooth, clean look. 

At the base fold the fabric in to create pleats. Then pull teh fabric tight and staple. Use the hammer to knock in any nails which haven't gone in fully. 

4. Then for the top, unscrew it from the base and lay it on top of the fabric and cut around, allowing an extra 5cm seam allowance to pull it over. Then pull tight and use the nail gun to secure. Hammer down any nails that are sticking out. 

And thats it. One finished footstool. The nails are inside and underneath so you can't see them. 

If you want, you could line the base to hide the nails. I did this with an ottoman that I covered, but depending on what your using it for, you don't need too.