You know what it's like. You only put the clocks back a
minute ago and, now, all of a sudden it is only a few weeks until Christmas is
here.
Get ahead of the game by beginning to check a few names off your giftlist. The 5pm Christmas Gifts pages are a quick and convenient way to get on top of your giftlist.
They are organised into categories such as enjoy at home, dining, getaways and luxury. Of course, they can also be browsed by price range. Best of all, you can get organised from the comfort of your sofa. Handy when the rain is drumming on your windows.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
£20 for a Pet Photo shoot + Framed Print with John Hendry Photography
Put Fido in the frame for Best Doggy award.
What’s Included
Professional pet photo shoot
10”x 8” frame with 7”x 5” portrait
Award-winning photography studio
Great gift idea
Professional pet photo session
The Big Deal is for a professional pet photo shoot at John Hendry Studio in Hyndland.
It includes a beautiful framed photo to treasure forever, perfect for hanging in pride of place on the living room wall.
Beforehand, you will get a consultation with the photographer to discuss the style of pet portraits available. On the day, a wide variety of images will be taken.
Best of all, you can have multiple pets in your photo plus the owners can be included too!
You can then return to the studio at a later date to choose your 10”x 8” frame with 7”x 5” portrait of your furry friend.
Prize-winning studio
As one of Scotland’s most awarded studios, John Hendry Photography has a reputation for creating beautiful portraits.
Since 1996, the team have won over twenty top prizes for their photography. That’s pretty impressive!
A very special keepsake
Why not surprise someone with a professional pet photo shoot?
This lovely keepsake would make an ideal Christmas gift.
Glowing reviews
‘So friendly, very professional and extremely patient when my 4 month old decided he wasn’t playing ball! Now that we’ve chosen the final photos and layout and can ‘t wait to see the finished article and get it home to show off to all my friends!!.’
1 or 2 Night B&B Stay + Optional Food & Drink Spend for 2 at Fernhill Hotel, Portpatrick; from £69
What a view at Fernhill Hotel.
What’s Included
1 or 2 nights in Portpatrick hotel
Full Scottish breakfast each morning
Optional food & drink spend on 1st night
Late check-out
Want to book your dates now? Visit Fernhill Hotel here on 5pm Hotels now.
Hotel with stunning harbour views
With stunning open views over the village, harbour and Irish Sea, Fernhill Hotel is set in private gardens above Portpatrick.
Once the main ferry port to Ireland, Portpatrick in Dumfries & Galloway is today a pretty fishing village with attractive craft shops and friendly harbourside pubs. See main pic.
This picture perfect scenery welcomes you as you check in to the hotel. The majority of this three star hotel’s rooms also benefit from this beautiful coastal view.
Stay with optional dinner
This offer is for two people to stay in a twin or double room with a full Scottish breakfast each morning, available seven days, with a £30 supplement for Saturday night stays.
There are options for a one night stay, and a one or two night stay with £40 food and drink spend on the first night.
Every option includes a relaxing late check-out.
Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor
‘This is a lovely hotel with great views of Portpatrick. The rooms clean and tidy. The meals look great and taste even better than one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in The staff are very friendly and the service in restaurant was quick and friendly. Well worth a visit!’
£25 for 2 Cocktails Each & Nibbles for 2 at Blue Dog, Glasgow
Cocktails for two? Perfect for a catch-up.
What’s Included
2 cocktails each for 2 people
Nibbles to share
Revamped city-centre venue
Extensive cocktail menu
Rave reviews
Firm Glasgow favourite since 2003…
Step inside the doors of 151 West George St and you’ll find a New York Style piano bar, serving up delicious cocktails & lounge music for almost 20 years.
Choose from a vast menu of classic and contemporary cocktails plus a selection of nibbles with this Big Deal.
Available Sunday to Thursday from January until the end of March, this offer is for two people to enjoy two cocktails each plus nibbles to share.
Extensive cocktail list
You will be spoiled for choice when selecting your cocktails Blue Dog, here are a few examples of what’s on the menu:
Watermelon Tommy – Olmeca Blanco, watermelon syrup, lime
Aperol Spritz – Aperol, Prosecco, soda
Whiskey Orange Highball – Jim Bean, house-made orange syrup, lemon, soda
Raspberry Mojito – Havana 3, raspberry syrup, lime, mint, soda
Espresso Martini – Absolut vodka, Kahlua, vanilla syrup, espresso
Bramble – Beefeater gin, lemon, sugar, crème de cassis
Rave reviews
Blue Dog isn’t short of praising reviews on TripAdvisor, here’s a recent one, edited for length:
‘Absolutely loved it. The cocktails are just fantastic. We booked the table for 4pm and we were glad we did as it was quite busy. I’d recommend booking in advance. Still a great selection, the staff were lovely and very attentive and the place was spotless. Will definitely return.’
Click here for cocktails at Blue Dog.
Paddleboarding Experience with Action Adventure Activities; from £39
Enjoy a better life balance with a paddleboarding session.
What’s Included
Paddlesports experience
Available for 1, 2 or 4 people
Experienced instructors
Perfect gift for adventure lovers
Great introduction to paddleboarding
The very hip sport of paddleboarding is something worth checking out, so join Action Adventure Activities on their farm near Gartmore, on their own private lochan.
The session is ideal for those new to paddleboarding or considering getting into the sport. Your instructor will teach you the basics while in a safe and supportive environment
Board meeting
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.
Safety is their prime concern so, when you take to the water, you know you are in good hands.
Board meeting
Paddleboarding is a variation on the traditional Pacific sport of surfing. Stand up paddle boarders remain upright on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.
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.
With this offer, you will be able to learn skills from the experienced instructors while enjoying the scenery from a new perspective.
There is a minimum age of eight for this Big Deal. All under eighteens must be accompanied by a participating adult.
All craft, wetsuits, buoyancy aids provided.
Happy paddlers on TripAdvisor
‘Paddle boarding… There were three of us among a group of eleven, swapping between the three types of craft. Instructor was very friendly and helpful. Had a great time on the water; current and wind making it a challenge. Would recommend this to anyone who likes having fun and getting wet.’
Get aboard this Big Deal.
Want more inspo? Here are all the 5pm Christmas Gifts.