Stuck for inspiration when it comes to your Secret Santa
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Here are eight Secret Santa gift ideas. You can browse dozens more Secret Santa gift ideas on 5pm.
Di Maggio's Restaurants
£10 for a 3 Course Italian Meal for 1 at the popular Di Maggio's Restaurants
Glasgow without Italian food would be like chips without salt; bread without butter or indeed Batman without Robin.
Celebrate one of the city’s best loved cuisines with today’s Big Deal on a fantastic three course meal at one of four Di Maggio’s restaurants.
With multiple purchases available, this would make a great gift for one or more Italian food lovers.
Tasty Italian American meal
Di Maggio’s restaurants have a well earned reputation for taking great care of their guests.
Dedicated to offering great dining for all the family, it will come as no surprise that Di Maggio’s have twice won the ‘Best Family Friendly Restaurant’ title at the Scottish Restaurant Awards.
This tasty Big Deal is for one person to have three courses from the special 5pm menu at one of four Di Maggio’s restaurants.
Available Sunday to Friday at three of the Di Maggio’s restaurants (Sunday to Thursday at the city centre branch on Royal Exchange Square), the diner can enjoy a starter, main course and a Di Maggio’s 99 dessert.
Starters include old favourites such as bruschetta alongside more surprising choices like nachos served with ground chilli beef, hot cheese, sour cream and jalapeños. Our personal favourite is Di Maggio’s Bad Ass Wings, basted in spicy Louisiana sauce and served with celery sticks and blue cheese dip, and the Ying Yang Chicken, which has a £1 supplement.
A great variety of pizzas are available, including the Americana (spicy ground Italian sausage and salami Milano with roasted mixed peppers), Cajun chicken (chicken fillets marinated in Cajun spices with roasted mixed peppers and sweet white onions – £1 supplement) and the Verdi (margherita with melted feta cheese, topped with spicy Roquito chillies, fresh spinach and rocket, shaved Grana Padano and a drizzle of garlic oil).
From the twelve pasta dishes, choose from options like the fusilli Espanola (pasta spirals with sliced chicken breast, Spanish chorizo and fresh spinach in a cream sauce), ravioli salsa rosa (filled with spinach & ricotta and served in a tomato sauce with a touch of cream, wilted spinach and fresh cherry tomatoes) and the Lasagne Famoso – the Di Maggio’s all time best seller.
And, of course, we have to mention the Di Maggio’s spaghetti and meatballs in a classic Napoli sauce.
Glasgow and Di Maggio’s go together like Starsky and Hutch.
Find out why with today’s Big Deal on a three course meal for a tenner at any one of four venues.
Spin Pottery, Glasgow
£15 for a Make Your Own Mug Session at Spin Pottery, Glasgow
Not every crafting experience will stick in the mind.
Happily, today’s Big Deal on a Make Your Own Mug session means you will take home a mug full of memories that will come flooding back every time you have a cuppa.
This Big Deal from Spin Pottery Glasgow will take place in a craft studio tucked away in Finnieston’s arty Hidden Lane.
The session will be led by Leah, a passionate pottery enthusiast and patient tutor who will guide fledgling potters on their journey towards becoming Master Mug Makers.
The offer is for one person to join a two hour group session in the pottery.
Using a variety of hand-building techniques, Leah will show the group members how to make their own ceramic mugs from scratch.
Sessions run on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6.30pm until 8.30pm on selected dates.
Your mug will be ready for collection three to four weeks after class. Once fired, the mugs will be glazed to show the natural clay colour and they will be fully functional.
All instruction, materials, finishing glaze and firing costs included in price.
Open to anyone aged eleven and above, this is a hands-on introduction to clay table work.
Relaxed and informal
The sessions are relaxed and informal. The emphasis is on the experience being fun and sociable as well as informative.
However, you just might discover your new favourite hobby.
Incidentally, this is a BYOB establishment with no corkage so guests are welcome to bring along a bottle of wine and get creative.
Everyone’s life is increasingly busy. This Big Deal with Leah at Spin Pottery is the perfect way to take some time out and get hands-on with the ancient craft of pottery.
Of course, with some dates available in early 2020, it would also make a very thoughtful Christmas gift. Or even an unusual date.
And, since you get to take home your one-of-a-kind mug, this is one experience that you will remember every time you have a brew.
The Jersey Notes - Tribute to the Music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
For Frankie Valli and his Four Seasons, late December back in ‘63 was quite a night. In fact, they wrote a song about it.
You may have heard it…
For fans of Frankie’s music, Friday 1st May 2020 will be an evening to look back on and exclaim ‘Oh what a night!’
Billed as Scotland’s No. 1 tribute to the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Jersey Notes will be raising the roof at Glasgow’s Oran Mor on Friday 1st May.
Accompanied by a full live band, these seasoned performers capture the trademark vocal virtuosity, tight harmonies and crisp choreography that made The Four Seasons one of the greatest vocal groups of all time.
Brilliant back catalogue
The Big Deal is for one ticket to The Jersey Notes – a tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons – at Oran Mor on Friday 1st May 2020.
Doors open at 7pm with the fun kicking off at around 7.45pm. The show will last around two hours, including a break.
The show features all of their biggest hits including: Big Girls Don’t Cry, Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Working My Way Back to You, December, 1963 (Oh What A Night) and many more.
The show will take the audience on a musical trip down memory lane.
The Four Seasons asked Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
The Frankie Valli fan in your life may be less than loving if they miss this great concert from The Jersey Notes.
With fabulous costumes, tight vocals and slick moves, this show has all the ingredients for a memorable night out.
Following their sold out show last year and huge success at the Pavilion Theatre, The Jersey Notes are ready to take Oran Mor by storm! Make sure you don’t miss this one. Buy now.
Cruise on Loch Katrine
Afternoon Tea & Cruise on Loch Katrine, Callander; from £16
Picture the scene – tranquil loch cruise, gorgeous winter scenery and a soft breeze wafting your hair. And of course, your favourite person beside you.
Then afterwards, a tasty lochside afternoon tea to tuck into.
This Big Deal on a Loch Katrine cruise offers all of the above and more. Basically, it’s the best bits of Scotland wrapped up in a big shiny tartan bow…
Loch Katrine cruise
This scenic Big Deal offers one or two people the chance to cruise across Loch Katrine. You will have a choice of either the legendary 119-year-old Sir Walter Scott steamship or the more modern Lady of the Lake cruiser.
Leaving from Trossachs Pier, you can enjoy a tasty afternoon tea in a lochside cafe either before or after your adventure. This will include a selection of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.
This offer is available from early January until the end of April 2020, with a choice of various times. Cruises take 45 minutes or 1 hour.
On this awe-inspiring sailing, you will glide past stunning Trossachs landmarks such as Ben A’an, Ben Venue and Brenachoile.
Both ships have heated saloon bars, where you can enjoy a drink and hear about the legends of the loch from the knowledgeable crew.
Or you could head up onto the decks and drink in that exhilarating winter scenery…
So why not whisk your other half off on a romantic day out with this Big Deal on a loch cruise and afternoon tea? You can cosy up together in the saloon bar, toast each other with a G&T and enjoy the incredible view. Bliss…
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding with Loch Lomond Leisure, from £15
Looking for a fun (not too difficult) outdoor activity?
Fancy trying the fastest growing watersport in the world in spectacular surroundings?
Don’t miss today’s Big Deal for a paddleboard session with Loch Lomond Leisure.
Paddleboarding is currently the fastest growing watersport in the world.
A variation on the traditional Pacific sport of surfing, paddle boarders remain upright on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.
Not as difficult as surfing, it doesn’t take long to learn how to paddleboard – once you’ve mastered the basics (standing up and steering your board) the only limits are your imagination.
It’s a surprisingly serene water sport; gliding across the water is enormously relaxing (so much so that paddle board yoga has become a thing).
The sport is on the crest of a wave in the States, where this traditional Hawaiian activity has become an outdoor pursuit as popular with hipsters as it is with families.
Explore Loch Lomond
Today’s Big Deal takes off from Rowardennan and allows you to see a perspective of the loch you’ve never seen before.
There are two options to today’s Big Deal. Option one is for two hours paddleboarding on Loch Lomond. Option two is for four hours.
The deal includes hire of a paddleboard, paddle and buoyancy aid provided by Loch Lomond Leisure who have a wealth of experience in overseeing watersports at the loch.
All paddleboarders will receive a safety induction and some basic training from Loch Lomond Leisure but once they set from Rowerdennan they will be completely independent and free to explore Loch Lomond at their own pace.
This Big Deal for a paddleboard session would make a great group activity with friends.
Available from March until the end of September 2020, it would also be an ideal Christmas gift for anyone who loves outdoor adventures.
Ollie's, Southside
2 or 3 Course Dinner for 2 at Ollie's, Southside; from £20
Every neighbourhood should have an Ollie’s. It’s a welcoming hangout on Nithsdale Road in Glasgow’s Southside.
You know the kind of place. Laidback, friendly, serves good food, decent wine list.
Local. No need to get a taxi or argue over whose turn it is to drive.
Drop by Ollie’s with today’s Big Deal on a two or three course dinner for two.
Informal and welcoming
With its reclaimed lighting, white tiles and stripped tables, it is a comfortable, informal place where people are as welcome for coffee and cake as they are for a multi-course sit down evening meal with friends.
From the Far East to the Med via the States, the menus at Ollie’s take inspiration from many parts of the world.
Test drive it with today’s Big Deal. Available from 4pm to 9pm, Sunday to Friday, the offer is for two people to each have two or three courses from the festive or new year menu.
The menu changes regularly depending on the best seasonal produce available.
This Big Deal from Ollie’s would be ideal for a low key date night; dinner with friends or simply an easy, midweek alternative to shopping, prepping, cooking and doing the washing-up.
With validity stretching until the end of February 2020, it would also make an ideal Christmas gift.
Dog Photoshoot
Dog Photoshoot from Classy Dog Studios, Glasgow; from £19
Have you ever noticed how dogs can make you feel like the starring superhero in your own movie? You pop out to Sainsbury’s for five minutes and when you get back, they act as if you have been off on a ten year ocean voyage.
Bless them.
That’s why it is important to have special photo mementoes of your best friend. Today’s Big Deal for a doggy photoshoot from Classy Dog Studios gives you the chance to create a few magical ones.
You even have the options of bringing more furry pals along or taking part in the photoshoot yourself.
Pooch pup-arazzi session
As mentioned, today’s Big Deal for a doggy photoshoot from specialist photographers, Classy Dog Studios, is for a Headshot Portrait Package. It is very flexible:
Option one is for a one hour doggy photoshoot, designed to show your best friend in their loveliest light.
Should you have more pooches, you can pay an extra £10 per pet as up to three dogs can be photographed in this package.
And if you would like a snapshot of you and your pal together, then choose option two for the dog and owner photoshoot. Again, you can pay Classy Dog Studios £10 per dog for any extra pets.
A choice of two background changes will be included, plus a private screening of the photos.
After the shoot, all images will be professionally retouched to add that little extra bit of pizazz. By the end, you will have a gorgeous set of mementoes of your dog or dogs that will show off their unique beauty, cuteness and personality.
Whatever you pick, you will have a special memory to treasure for life.
Classy Dog Studios is run by Malone Masina, a photographer with ten years experience who is passionate about creating artistic dog portraits.
Malone is an expert who will help your dog to feel relaxed, happy and safe during their session, so that he can capture them at their most playful and cheeky.
Today’s Big Deal for a doggy photoshoot is very flexible, offering the option of bringing along two dogs or taking part in the shoot yourself.
This is your chance to create mementoes of your furry pal or pals that will last a lifetime. It would also make the perfect Christmas gift for the animal lover in your life.
Guided Walking Tour of Glasgow's Music Scene
£28 for a Guided Walking Tour of Glasgow's Music Scene for 2 from Glasgow Music City Tours
Love Glasgow? Love music?
Make like Aerosmith and walk this way.
Glasgow Music City Tours have collected Glasgow’s musical myths, tall tales and wicked rumours.
Have you heard about the Barrowland star falling on David ‘The Starman’ Bowie?
What about the legend of Lou Reed’s one song Apollo set?
Alex Harvey being Framed? Glasgow council’s punk wars?
Buckle up your blue suede walking shoes and hear the full story with today’s Handpicked Deal from Glasgow Music City Tours.
Valid for Saturday tours from 11th April until 25th July 2020, this Big Deal is for two people to take a scheduled two hour tour.
Choose between the Merchant City Music – Past and Present tour or the Music Mile tour of the city centre. Excludes the Music Mile tour on 11th July.
Irreverent and informative tours
Led by guides with years of experience in Glasgow’s music scene, the tours deliver an irreverent, informative look at the city’s iconic bands, the famous venues they played and the incendiary performances which became legends in their own show time.
With tales ranging from music hall to modern day, the tours offer something for every music fan, from folkie to punk.
Of course, guests are encouraged to share their own memories of great gigs. The best stories might just end up in the tours.
These walking tours of Glasgow’s music scene make amazing presents.
Whether you are a hardcore gig-goer or simply keen to see a little of the city’s famous music scene, this Big Deal from Glasgow Music City Tours will strike a chord with young and old.
And the same company also runs music walking tours in Edinburgh at £24 for two tickets.