It’s been another one of those longest fastest years in living memory. Perhaps like many of us, you’ve been too preoccupied with new variant, booster shot queues, travel restrictions and changing rules to sort your Christmas list. Never fear, I’ve put together a quick and dirty guide to some excellent last minute gift ideas.
I’ve also got a fabulous giveaway offer — scroll down and click through for more about how to win an Optima Pizza Express Napoli oven worth £169!
Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Whole Family
1. Books, Books, Books
You can never go wrong with a book. Once again, I’m following the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod and gifting my family members a book and a chocolate treat to enjoy on Christmas Eve. If you need ideas, check out my Reading Lists* on Bookshop.org or these book guides: 50 Kids Books on Race and Diversity, Parenting Books for People Who don’t read Parenting Books and my 21 Best Books of 2021.
Of course, I’d highly recommend my own book Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World for yourself, a friend, a teacher’s gift, a book club member, or that racist uncle.
2. Support a Black Owned Business
In 2020, the campaign Black Pound Day was launched to boost Black businesses and entrepreneurs. But you don’t have to wait until the first Saturday of the month to show your support. Why not pick up a product from a Black owned business for Christmas — it’s a gift that gives back. Find top last minute gift ideas via my directory of UK Black businesses.
3. Family Friendly Board Games
We love playing board games and they make excellent last minute gift ideas. Try classics like Monopoly, Scrabble or Backgammon or a snazzy pack of cards for hours of fun. The boys and I are big fans of Exploding Kittens and Throw Throw Burrito and for grownups, I’ve heard great things about Cards Against Humanity (there’s a kid friendly version too).
4. Give the Gift of Theatre
There are some absolutely magical Christmas shows for families in London and beyond, although we’re depressingly on the precipice of what looks like another lockdown. You can still share the gift of theatre with someone by booking advance tickets or buying a gift card or voucher. And you’ll be helping out folk who work in the creative arts industry too.
Visit my guide to the best London theatre shows for inspiration.
5. Give the Gift of Education
Who doesn’t want to start the new year with a bit more knowledge? School your loved ones with an online course in anything from creative writing to filmmaking to painting. The Masterclass series features people at the top of their game breaking down their craft for newbies.
6. Gift a TV Box Set
I’m an unapologetic TV-holic. Some of the best times I’ve had with my husband and/or kids this year (or any year, frankly) have been in front of the telly. Share your love of the small screen with a collection of vintage TV or cartoon classics, or a binge-worthy box set or Netflix subscription. I’ve listed our top 30 television series to watch with the kids (or grownups only).
7. Subscriptions: Gifts that Keep on Giving
Subscription gifts are cool because you can buy them as last minute gift ideas, in the knowledge that they’ll keep putting a smile on their receiver’s face. The mister gets a regular beer subscription and recently, I’ve also gifted him with a plant subscription. Buy subscriptions for cheese, comic books, puzzles, magazines, music streaming, Disney+, coffee, meat, bacon, books, vinyl, socks… whatever takes their fancy.
8. DIY Gifts
Often the best gifts are handmade and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to create something memorable. Your baby or child’s handprints on a canvas. A hand-decorated tin filled with homemade cookies. A wall print of favourite places, significant dates, special songs or locations. A custom photo book. DIY bath bombs or salt/sugar foot scrubs. A mix tape… or its modern equivalent e.g. a Spotify playlist.
9. Pampering and Self-Care
After the last couple of years, we could all do with some extra TLC. Pampering and self-care gift ideas can range from something as simple as a scented candle, a bath bomb or a satin eye mask to more lavish bath and beauty sets, personalised fragrances, or a spa trip voucher. If you need deep tissue massage, I highly recommend the Theragun that I got last Christmas.
10. Gift a Family Day Trip
Flights cancelled? Destination red-listed? Or maybe you just couldn’t face the stress of PCR tests, Omicron surges and the ghastly spectre of quarantine hotels. We’re stuck at home this year too and, as cases rise, possibly on lockdown. There’s still time to gift your family a day out either somewhere outside London or in our fair Capital.
Buy tickets for ice skating spots, winter wonderlands, festive markets and more in my guide to Christmas in London.
WIN an Optima Pizza Express Napoli Oven worth £169
Fancy making wood-fired pizza in your own kitchen? We reviewed the Optima Pizza Express Napoli Oven, a fabulous piece of kit that makes authentic wood-fired style pizza in minutes. Simply whip up your homemade pizza dough (or use a store-bought fresh or frozen) and within 3-5 minutes cooking time, you’ll have delicious pizza with that smokey wood-fired taste. It’s also great for calzones, flatbreads and more. To enter this giveaway, simply follow the instructions in the form below (refresh the page if the form doesn’t load) and read my full review HERE. There are 8 ways to enter and each entry counts separately. Best of luck!
NB: UK entries only. The prize is non refundable and non exchangeable. No cash alternative will be offered. For Babes about Town competition T&Cs please see our Disclosure page.
Optima Pizza Express Napoli Giveaway £169Competitions are listed at The Prize Finder, Competition Database and Super Lucky.
I would make a calzone for my family!
urgh – I am missing something – I would make Pizzas with a pizza oven
i would make different and exciting pizzas for all the family
I’d love to make a pepperoni and cheese pizza to share with my fiancé
Our boys love making home made pizza, its so much fun
I’d start with a classic margherita pizza, made using my husband’s wonderful sourdough base recipe
this woulld be fab for garlic bread
I would make a vegetable pizza which I would share with my daughter’s
It’s got to be pepperoni because that’s what the whole family love.
Mozzarella, garlic butter, truffle oil, spinach and mushroom pizza for me and my mum.
Yes please. 😊
Lots of cheese pizzas and adding all our fave toppings, share it with my OH
A pepperoni pizza and I would share it with my daughter
Sourdough pizza, with chorizo, cheese, chilli, pineapple, and olives
My youngsters all love making pizzas and adding their own toppings, this would be awesome! x
Id make a calzone for my partner and 2 children xx
Would make lots of pizzas, pepperoni with our four boys
I would make a super fully loaded vegetable pizza and share with all the family
I’d attempt to make a stuffed crust pizza. Yum!
I’d make a chicken tikka pizza because I’m pregnant and that’s my craving lol, plus my two kids love it
I live on my own and with imminent restrictions I will probably have to share with Alf, my dog.
I would make a Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza
I’d make a pepperoni pizza with loads of jalapeño and mushrooms
My son would want to make pepperoni pizzas, but I’d like to try my keto dough version
I would make them with my boys – cheese for the smallest and ham and olive for the others
we would make BBQ peperoni pizzas, garlic bread pizzas and potatoe skins.
I would make a pizza with lots of vegetables on it for my family.
My favourite is Hawaiian or Pepperoni so i would make these and share with the wife.
I’d make a ham and pineapple pizza and share it with my grandchildren.
I’d make my children Hawaiian pizza and for me, a margherita pizza with mushrooms, red onion and black olives!
Veggie pizza for my vegetarian missus
I would make one with lots of different cheeses and experiment with other toppings
Classic margarita pizzas!
I would love to make a homemade Rosemary infused pizza with goats cheese, rocket leaves, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes and caramalised onions. My family would love these for our New Years party.
Margheritas for all the family x
Love homemade pizzas so would make a chicken, onion and mushroom pizza and share with my daughters
Would gift to parents. I am sure my sister would like to make some pizzas too with family
Sweet chilli chicken with peppers and red onions would be my choice to make. We love it. What a great prize.
Some tasty ham and mushroom pizza for family and friends
Wow , This would be amazing, Thankyou
A homemade pepperoni would be fun!
I’d make my favourite pizza, with toppings of cheese, tomato, red onion and orange pepper, all shared with my gf
Oooh I’d make a cheese and mozzarella pizza with fresh basil. How exciting 💕
I would make a pizza to share with my wife.
Four-cheese pizza with capers and sun-dried tomatoes is my favourite and the family also enjoy it.
All kind of pizzas for friends and family, why be a one trick pony with food when there are thousands of things you can create
I’d start with a classic margherita pizza, and share it with all my immediate family :)
I’m so excited for this. Totally in love 🍕
I’d make some very spicy pizzas and make them for All my family
I would be making pizza and calzone in the pizza oven.
I would make a very cheesy pepperoni and share it with the kids
We are a family of pizza lovers :) This pizza oven would come in incredibly handy, the first pizza I would make would be a cheese a jalapeno pizza with a BBQ base to share with my partner and son, my girls would be making a cheese and tomato pizza. Yum!
Pizas are our favourite and we’d make for our family games night with pepperoni and cheese being the favourite toppings
I’d make a Hawaiian pizza to start with and share with my husband as it’s his favourite!
Fully loaded meat pizza with jalapenos and pineapple. I’d love to share with my husband
I love a ham and pineapple but nobody in the house does .They each have their own fav with the youngest just loving cheese and tomato.
Wow What a fab comp! This would be an amazing appliance for our pizza loving family of 5!
Goats cheese & red onion pizza although could do with a pizza oven at the moment for turkey pizzas!
I would make a chicken and ham pizza to share with my aunt.
I’d make a veggie fest pizza for my family
I would make a pizza, probably start with just a cheese and tomato to see how it turns out
I’d make pineapple pizza! haha for all my family
Margherita, Pepperoni, Hawaii.. What else? PIzza…
I would make delicious pizzas with my children 😋
A wide and varied selection of pizza, to suit and please all of our varied taste buds _ sharing with family, friends and the birds who hang around on bbq days xx
I would make my favourite cheese, red onion, peppers and chicken pizza for my family
Mikey, donny, leo and raph will love this!
I would make our favourite pizza – ham and pineapple
Me & the grandkids love making pizzas, to have wood-fired flavours would be amazing.
We’d make a meat feast pizza for us & the kids!
I would make a four cheese pizza. I’d share it with my family!
My daughter absolutely loooves making homemade pizzas! I buy lodough for my slimming world diet & these would be perfect for family favourites like ham and pineapple for my daughter or My favourite, tandoori chicken, onions & jalapeños :)
would have a garden pizza party for my youngest daughters birthday.
She has some out of this world ideas about pizza toppings including gummy bears & beans !!
I’d make a bbq chicken pizza with my children!
This would be absolutely amazing. Would love to try and make a variety, cheese feast for me and a spicy meat combo for hubby and then move on to experimenting with other ingredientsand flavours
I would host a pizza party for family – everyone likes pizza
A classic margarita and I’d possibly share with my partner but probably not!
Love making pizza with the kids
Right now, all I can think of is turkey and sausage pizza
I would make just the standard Margherita Pizza but with a lil Truffle Oil, Chilli’s, Fresh Basil, Sun-dried Tomatoes & Hazelnut Dukkah 😍🥂✨
Wonderful prize I’ve never seen this type of pizza oven before!
I would make extra cheesy with double pepperoni 🍕
I’d make goats cheese and red pepper pizza 🍕
id make pepperoni pizza for friends and family
I would make a veggie pizza to share with my husband.
Goats cheese for me
I love anchovies in a pizza topping
I’d love to make a chargrilled veggie pizza too share with my daughter.
Hot and Spicy garlic pizza for everyone (so we all have garlic breath)
margherita pizza to start with then who knows would do it with my daughter
ham and pineapple
Sweet chilli chicken pizza and I’d share with my daughter
Spicy BBQ chicken, BBQ sauce base, red onion, bell peppers, mushroom, sweetcorn, not sure about sharing it though, some things are too good to share lol.
I’d share with my two children and would make a bbq base with steak, mushroom and cheese x Thank you.
pepperoni and cheese for myself and my husband
sweetcorn and mushroom pizza, all for me
A pepperoni and cheese pizza for me and my girlfriend
A pepperoni and cheese pizza for me and my girlfriend
Lots of veggie pizzas for my husband and kids
We love pepperoni and meat feast, but would try some goats cheese, spinach, red onion etc, and other veggie options. This would be such a great prize for my family and we would use when having friends over also.
I would cook a delicious calzone for the whole family.
I would make a pepperoni pizza and share it with my kids.
I would make a greek pizza and share it with my husband and children although I would probably need to make a few
A family activity making pepperoni and veg pizzas 🍕
mushroom and sweetcorn pizza would share with my sister and our kids
most likely a normal Cheese on with ham on with I reckon with this will taste pretty nice.
I’ve never actually made a pizza – just bought a pre made one! I’d love to make a Margarita for my daughter, a Pepperoni pizza for my husband and a ham pizza for my son and me!
A classic margharita.
I’d make pepperoni pizza for my grandchildren
A tomato, cheese & onion pizza
I’d make several Margarita Pizza’s for the whole family
we love making home-made pizza as a family – all sorts of toppings but especially cheese, peppers, and sometimes artichokes, pepperoni etc too. Happy new year. x
I’d make pepperoni pizza and share it with my sister. It’s her favourite!
Well it’s just me living on my own with a thousand books. I don’t tend to order pizza just for me.
So, given the chance I would love to experiment with making pizzas using ingredients and ideas from around the world!
… and share the best results with that special lady when I finally meet her!
Chances are I will be a seasoned and (very) experienced pizza maker by then!
I’d make homemade pizzas with my family my favourite is Pepperoni, Chorizo and mushroom topping
How fantastic! My granddaughters love making pizzas with me so we would make their favourite ham and pineapple.
This looks a brilliant piece of kit! I’d definitely try my Veganuary smokey “Meatball” pizza in this! Thank you for a great giveaway.
I’d make a ham pizza to share with my 2 girls as it’s their fave x
My favourite pizza – pepperoni, pineapple, and black olives YUM
I would make my four children their favourite pizzas. I love ham, mushroom, red onion & chicken on mine so I’d make myself that one as well x
Our Grandchildren would have endless fun trying new Pizza toppings
Be a good way to use some of the frozen turkey leftovers
I’d make calzone 😋 with chicken, bacon, loads of cheese and BBQ sauce 😍 heaven 👌🏻
I would make fresh pizzas from scratch cook them in the oven and invite all of the family
Homemade pepperoni pizza for me and the kids
I love Ham and mushroom so would try this first and share it with my partner
Just about to move house where I have access to a kitchen (finally!) 🥰
I’d make tuna, Prawns & black olives pizza’s for my husband and 6 boys
I would make a great selection of pizzas and share with my family.
i would make any sort of pizzas my family request, but not ham and pineapple!!!
Oh wow. The opportunities are endless. We could have a different flavoured pizza every night and not get bored.
I would make a calzone for my husband. We had the best calzone in Denmark made in a family owned Italian restaurant. I would practice until my dough was as good as theirs! amazing prize.
i’d have a go at beetroot, goats cheese and rocket – my fave! and i’d share it with ME as everyone else loves meat pizzas!
I’d love a sweet chilli chicken flavour pizza!
id make a meat feast pizza and would share with my son
Mushroom and peppers on top for me, and pepperoni for my grandchildren!
I would experiment with lots of different toppings for the family
I’d make a chicken and mushroom pizza and share with my husband.
Half margarita and half veg, would share with my husband and daughters xx
Lots of yummy pizza
Spicy chicken pizza for my hubby and I very yummy x
Gotta make pizza
SPICEY CHICKEN PIZZA WITH FAMILY
id make a vegetarian pizza and whatever other pizzas the family want
I’d make veggie pizzas for my family.
id make what ever anyone wants. pizza is my fav food so id love this!!!!
pepperoni and cheese pizza for us
I would make my own gluten free pizzas for outdoor sharing when the weather improves!
Goats cheese and red onion and I would share it with my husband
Family round and all make our own favourite pizza each! What a prize!
I would make sourdough pizza napolina with roasted vegetables
What wouldn’t I make, pizzas, garlic bread flat breads I’d be trying alsorts of different goodies and add and expriement with flavours and toppings I’d have a ball and the family would love it
Love this! Double pepperoni is my boys favourite, perfect for birthday parties too
BBQ chicken pizza for my wife and kids :)
I’d have a pizza party with my family, the table full of bases and bowls of different toppings and we could all make our own choice of pizza 🍕
This looks like a great addition to the kitchen! We often make pizzas, but would love to try making some dough sticks for movie night snacks 😋
I would make my daughters pizzas with their favourite toppings of ham, pineapple, sweetcorn and mushrooms x
Ham and Mushroom Pizza I would share it with my Daughter
Ham and mushroom – for my daughter :)
I’d make chicken and chorizo pizza for my pizza loving son!
Calzone would be a hit!
Pizza is my family’s favourite dish in the whole wide world 😋 so, we’d be thrilled to get spoiled with this FANTASTIC treat👌. Please DO count us in 🤩💯💗.
I’d make a Mediterranean vegetable pizza and split it with my fiance
I recently discovered goats cheese pizza with sliced figs and fresh rocket, it’s delicious. I’d cook for my family
I’d make a mushroom and red onion pizza and share with my husband and children.
Ooh a nice chicken and mushroom pizza!!
I would make my homemade spicy chicken & spicy onion pizza for myself & pepperoni pizza’s for my boys. I would also make them their favourite sweet pizza – Nutella topped with marshmallows and a rolo stuffed crust (it really is amazing 🤤)
I’d make a vegetable pizza for my family to enjoy.
I would love to make parma ham and mozzarella pizzas with my two little girls – wow, this would be amazing!
Calzone, filled with cheese, olives and anchovies, and share with hubby dearest
Wow, those look great
Wonderful Giveaway, I have always dreamt of making my own D I Y Pizza’s
I’d love to make a Pepperoni Pizza and share it with my little family
Texas BBQ pizza for my hubby
What a brilliant prize! I would make sourdough pizza with a spicy tangy tomato sauce and a variety of cheeses, chicken tikka, red and green peppers, red onions and sweetcorn to start with. Then experiment with new flavours and toppings each week to share with family and friends.
oh I would make a selection of pizzas for the family . starting with a meat feast as that’s a favourite
Ham and mushroom for me and pepperoni for my children
I have the Pizza Express recipe book, so I’d work my way through all the gorgeous pizza recipes in there, and share them with my partner and kids!
I’d use this to make gluten free pizza for my husband and I, we’d experiment with new flavours too, things that are hard to come by buying straight off the shelf!
I like a Hawaiian Pizza
I’d make a meat feast pizza
A veggie feast pizza
I would make a mexicana pizza with extra cheese, chilli beef and caramelised onions
Fantastic prize, Pizza is a firm favourite in our house and this would take it to another level! ❤️✨
I would make a Calzone. We love a folded pizza.
A lovely hawaiian pizza which I would share with my family we all love freshly made pizza and this prize would be amazing to win
I would get my friends around and have a pizza party
Pepperoni pizzas are a big hit with my kids so probably a lot of those!
oooo would make all kind of pizzas! would love to win for the tribe!
An oven-sized pizza with a ridiculous amount if various cheeses and a lot of chopped chillies. I’d share it with whoever comes-a-calling.
I Would Make BBQ Chicken Pizzas And Garlic Bread To Share With The Family
I’d make a cheese and pineapple pizza to share with the family x
Pepperoni pizza for the family
A lovely pepperoni pizza!
I’d love to make a pizza with chicken olives and onions for my boyfriend :-)
A HOMEMADE CHEESE, ONION AND GREEN PEPPERPIZZA TO ENJOY WITH MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER XX
I would make a BBQ chicken pizza, my favourite!!! I would share with the husband!
I would make a home made pizza. Thank you
Create your own Pizza with my sons
I’d love this for my pizza mad son, and we’d enjoy making all kinds of different pizzas together. A great family event.
I would make some margarita pizza and some bbq chicken pizza the family favourites
I would make a homemade bbq beef pizza for my family. I have been telling them today how amazing they are having made 15 12″ ones today at work (school cook)
I’d love this! We love pizzas in our house! This would be fab to take to the caravan with us too!! Fingers crossed!!
My little boy would eat pizza for every meal if I’d let him so I’d definitely share with him. He’d love a simple cheese and tomato pizza and I think I’d have pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
I’d make a tasty vegetable pizza which I’d share with the family, getting hungry thinking about it
Thin crust margherita for me – my grand daughter would be much more adventurous
I’d make my favourite…..ham and pineapple pizza! I’d share with my husband :)