Great presents are not necessarily big, expensive presents. Sometimes a good gift is simply a thoughtful one that the recipient will really appreciate. Here are some 5pm Christmas Gifts that would make fun, novel or unusual stocking fillers.
Afternoon Tea + Flute of Prosecco for 2 at Arisaig, Merchant City
Available Tuesday to Saturday, this Big Deal is for two people to enjoy afternoon tea at Arisaig.
A contemporary Scottish restaurant and bar, Arisaig is in Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant Square. It has comfy seats in the square’s covered courtyard making it an ideal spot for people watching while you work your way through Arisaig’s Scottish flavoured afternoon tea.
At Arisaig, afternoon tea features a delicious selection of desserts, pastries and sandwiches served with either freshly ground coffee or a selection of teas. A flute of Prosecco for each guest is included in the offer.
The kitchen prides itself on making the most of Scotland’s fantastic natural produce and there is a subtle Caledonian theme running through the afternoon tea.
Arisaig has attracted lots of enthusiastic reviews from happy customers on its 5pm page:
‘Staff were really friendly and food was lovely. Pre-theatre menu was great value for money.’ Rating 5/5
‘Really enjoyed our meal – food, service & price were great! Thx.’ Rating 5/5
£19 for a Delicious Afternoon Tea + Flute of Prosecco for 2 at Arisaig, Merchant City
Make Up Technique Classes at Love Enigma, City Centre
As anyone who has ever Googled ‘celebrity make up fails’ will know, the wrong foundation or shade of lippy can make or break your look.
Get it right and learn from the experts with today’s Big Deal on a make up master class with Love Enigma.
Love Enigma offer a wide range of advanced beauty and wellness courses. Today’s Big Offer comes in two options; both of which give you a choice of fantastic make up master classes with one of Love Enigma’s top make up specialists.
Option one is for one person to attend a specialist technique make up class. Each class lasts up to two and a half hours and will be held in John Street in the Merchant City on selected dates.
Choose from the following: smoky eyes & contouring; Gatsby hair & make up or pin-up hair & make up.
Option two is for one person to attend one of three make up master classes.
Choose from wedding and bridal make up; intensive make up and vintage make up which covers Twenties glamour, Fifties Hollywood and Sixties siren tips.
The courses require no prior knowledge. They are ideal for beauty professionals who wish to enhance their skills as well as members of the public who want to learn how to get the best from their make up.
If you have ever thought that you could do more with your make up bag then this intensive master class is the key to greater confidence.
Family Photoshoot + 5 Prints at Shutterbug Photography Studio
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.
The trouble with most amateur family photos is that they provoke words such as: ‘We can only see half of Dad’; ‘Your eyes look weird’ and ‘You picked a fine time to sneeze’.
Snap up this Big Deal with Shutterbug Photography Studio and you can be sure of a family portrait that will provoke only happy memories.
Julie Chalk, the owner of Shutterbug, has been a photographer for over twenty years and specialises in photographing families of all ages.
With this Big Deal, available Monday to Friday, a family of up to six people can step onto the studio set for a one-hour photoshoot. Your family can pose for the camera with one outfit change, if desired.
A week after the shoot, proofs of the images will be emailed and customers can select one image to be printed. This image will be made into one 8” x 6” and four 4” x 3” prints to cherish. Prints will be available within 28 days.
Over the years, Shutterbug Photography Studio has delivered beautiful pictures to hundreds of families. This is what a recent client had to say on the studio’s Facebook page:
‘Would highly recommend Julie at Shutterbug. She made us all feel at ease and nothing was a problem. She was fab with the kids too, distracting them with things when they were getting a bit restless. Will 100% be back. Thanks Julie x’
£17 for a Family Photoshoot + 5 Prints at Shutterbug Photography Studio
Afternoon Tea + Fizz for 2 at Melville Castle
Set in extensive parkland grounds – ideal for a stroll in the spring sunshine – and located just 20 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh, Melville Castle combines the elegant period features of its long and illustrious heritage with contemporary comforts and service.
Available 2.30pm-5pm, Sunday to Friday, afternoon tea at Melville Castle is a sophisticated affair which is served in several locations in the castle.
We suggest you take tea in the Library Bar or one of its anterooms. Featuring stunning high ceilings, it also has lovely views across the lawns and fountain.
This offer has two options.
Option one is for two people to have afternoon tea with a glass of sparkling wine each – always a good way to inspire the gossip.
Option two is for afternoon tea for two.
In addition to a selection of fine teas or coffee, afternoon tea comprises excellent finger sandwiches, plump scones with cream and jam and a mouth-watering selection of seasonal cakes and pastries.
A walk in the parkland grounds; a splendid afternoon tea and the option of a glass of fizz. This Big Deal would be perfect for spoiling a family member or treating a friend.
Melville Castle has been wowing visitors for centuries. These comments were taken from TripAdvisor reviews by recent visitors:
‘Full marks to Melville Castle for a fantastic afternoon.’
‘Fantastic afternoon tea.’
‘Very well looked after.’
£19 for Afternoon Tea + Fizz for 2 at Melville Castle. £16 for Afternoon Tea for 2.
Introduction to 4×4 Driving with Action Adventure Activities
Get off the sofa, buckle up and get behind the wheel.
An introduction to the rugged skills needed for off road driving, this Big Deal gives one person the chance to learn 4×4 driving techniques in the safe, experienced hands of the instructors at Action Adventure Activities.
Option one offers a great introduction to the world of 4×4 driving and is perfect for first timers.
Each driver will enjoy approximately 20 minutes behind the wheel of one of their Off Road Prepared vehicles. This session is shared with up to four other drivers and, depending on group size, can last up to two hours.
Aimed at 12-16 year olds, option two will give younger drivers the chance to get up to 20 minutes of hands-on experience in an automatic 4×4.
Based deep in Braveheart country on the edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Action Adventure Activities have spent over 30 years in the Scottish hospitality industry and the staff have a wealth of experience in numerous outdoor pursuits.
Lots of visitors have been keen to tell TripAdvisor of their experiences with Action Adventure Activities:
‘Had the best stag party at AAA. The highlight was the off road driving which was far more dramatic and engaging than I had imagined. We all had a great time and would definitely return!’
‘Junior 4×4. My son had a fantastic time driving a 4×4 on his own. The instructor was great with him and praised him during his driving. My son can’t wait to do it again!’
For more stocking fillers, check out our 5pm Christmas Gifts Page.