It’s just two weeks until Christmas, and although we all know one or two organized individuals who finished their shopping back in October, the vast majority of us have been far too busy eating our advent calendars, organizing our relatives and surviving the work Christmas party. If the idea of drawing up the Christmas list has started to feel more stressful than the looming 'Festive Jumper Day' at the office, panic not – here at Funny Women HQ we’ve put our collective heads together and come up with some ideas to tick all the necessary gift-giving boxes. Check out a few of these for your loved ones – and then celebrate with a mince pie. It is Christmas, after all…
STOCKING FILLER
No Christmas morning, whether you’re eight or 80, is complete without a stocking. They’re proof that no matter how old you get, novelty gifts are still funny on both the giving AND the receiving end. Two of our particular favourite items this year are Moustache Fashion (RRP £12) from Parragon – put the ‘fash’ into ‘tache’ and moustachify everything from nails to jewelry with a mustache eraser and tattoos. For a slightly less silly, but equally quirky option, we also love these Mugtails (RRP 14.95) from Naken Interiors – porcelain mugs with tails for handles that can be used as either a mug or a tealight.
There’s no better way to get over the post-Christmas blues come Boxing Day than curling up with a good book – luckily some of our favourite funny ladies have released some brilliant reads in time for the festive season. A sure-fire winner is Jennifer Saunder’s Bonkers: My Life In Laughs (RRP £20.00) – a hilarious and heartfelt memoir from one of the nation’s best-loved comics. We’re also loving Bridget and Joan’s Diary: Mad About The Toyboy (RRP £9.99) – the first book from Bridget Golightly and Joan Hardcastle, two octogenarians whose Twitter account @BridgetandJoan has amassed nearly 30,000 followers.
And of course, there’s always the trusty DVD option – top of our list is Miranda Hart’s new comedy-slash-exercise vid 'Maracattack', which is sure to go down far better than a traditional exercise video.
Still stuck for a small gift idea? For something a little bit different, how about turning one of your funny friends into a Funny Friend? Our brand new friends scheme is the perfect way to treat a comedy fan this Christmas. For £30 a year, each Funny Friend gets a free ticket to a Funny Women show, the opportunity to vote on our brand new Funny Women Award for Best Video and an exclusive Funny Friends e-newsletter. They’ll also get free registration to next year’s Funny Women Awards – so if you’ve got a friend who needs a little push to take the stage, this could be just the ticket!
SANTA’S NICE LIST
A stocking on the end of the bed is one thing, but perhaps you’ve been extra well-behaved this year? For good souls who deserve something a little more 
luxurious, here’s our list of extra-special presents. (Hint, hint.)
We’ve been lusting after a tablet for ages – they make you look technology-savvy, professional AND allow you to check Twitter on the bus. The new Sony Xperia Tablet Z (starting at £379.00) has an HD display and a range of snazzy features – but it’s also super durable, with shatterproof glass and the ability to withstand total submersion in water for 30 minutes. Which means you can continue to keep an eye on the Funny Women website on your next beach holiday with no fear of reprisal – sounds good to us!
A bottle of bubble bath is well and good, but most of us can agree that a bottle of the strong stuff is better. ‘Tis the season for sherry and mulled wine, but if neither of those are cutting the mustard, the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve limited edition (RRP £42.00) is the perfect way to celebrate in style. The classic smooth, luxurious blend is sure to appeal to the most refined of whisky drinkers, whilst the limited edition gold lacquer bottle adds a touch of Christmas sparkle.
In our humble opinion, a couple of tickets to a sell-out comedy show is the ultimate present – plus there’s always the chance your lucky recipient will take you along too! Bridget Christie’s show 'A Bic for Her', which won this year’s Foster’s Comedy Award, sold out its November run at the Soho Theatre – but new dates have been added in January due to popular demand. The Sir Stirling Moss rant alone is worth the ticket price, but this is an hour of dynamic, feminist comedy at its best. One of our favourite male comics is also touring a new show – Greg Davies, recently seen in Channel 4’s Man Down, brings 'The Back of My Mum’s Head' to the Queen Elizabeth Hall for five dates only. You can see the show from 16th – 20th December, so how about getting an extra-special comedy fan a couple of tickets as an early Christmas surprise?
And although we’ve got your Funny Friends covered, what do you get for your BFF? Well, how about a BFF? Until December 31st, we’re giving you the chance to become one of Funny Women’s BFFs – rather than paying an annual £30 fee, you pay a one-time only £100 payment for a lifetime membership! On top of all the Funny Friends benefits, our BFFs also get an invitation to our exclusive launch party in Spring 2014, priority booking and discount codes to Funny Women events and a special offer on our Workshop Weekend. Who knows – maybe your BFF will even treat you to a BFF in return!
NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS…
We’ve all got them: the friends and relatives who are impossible to cross off the shopping list. Either they never know what they want, or they’ve already got everything you’ve come up with. For those loved ones who are leaving you stumped for the right present, how about an experience rather than a gift? Along with getting you bonus points for originality, the right day out will provide memories that’ll last long after the festive season comes to an end.
For the high-fliers in the family, check out Heli Air – the company offers helicopter flying lessons, and have four branches in the UK. They’re running an extra-special Christmas offer this year (£99) – with a briefing, 15 minute lesson, 15 minute flight and a souvenir certificate. Visit their website here for further information.
Or for an experience that allows you to keep your feet on the ground, how about a Funny Women Workshop Weekend? Our two previous outings have been a huge success, with 100% of participants saying they’d recommend the experience to a friend. The next weekend, which runs from 8th – 9th February 2014, features a whole range of brand new speakers and workshops – so whether you’re a beginner or a previous attendee you’re guaranteed to have a great time.
Sessions this time around include ‘How to Write a Comedy Script’ with Gavin Smith, Creative Director of Business and Development from the Comedy Unit; ‘Developing Comedy Characters’ with 2013 Funny Women Awards 2013 Best Show winner Alex Maher; and a choice of an introductory or advanced Stand Up to Stand Out workshop with 2012 Awards finalist Lucy Frederick. Funny Women executive producer Lynne Parker will be rounding off the weekend with a session on ‘How to Produce and Promote a Show’ – plus there’s appearances from special guests throughout the weekend!
You can read full details and feedback from previous participants here and save 10% off the £250 cost by booking before 31st December. Or, treat someone to a BFF membership – they’ll get £100 (the entire cost of the membership itself) off the Workshop Weekend! Feeling slightly jealous? Why not book a place for yourself while you’re at it? After all that Christmas shopping, we reckon you definitely deserve a treat…
Have you come up with an even more original Christmas gift? Have any of these made your own Christmas wish list? Let us know in the comments section below!
