When it comes to getting presents for family members it can be a daunting task at times. This year I have been fortunate to liaise with many brands to help you and I with gifts for the family. The ultimate family guide aims to give you an idea of what you can get your family members. It is also a chance to share the ultimate family guide products I will be reviewing in the coming weeks leading up to Christmas.

As mentioned during the One less worry campaign, Christmas 2017 gift ideas is a new Christmas edition on A July Dreamer. The aim is to help you prepare for festive season and sharing our best gift ideas. We have only a few weeks left before Christmas is here and want to ensure we are ALL fully prepared. To make sure you don’t suffer the same mistakes as I did in previous years.

The Ultimate Family Guide 

I appreciate this guide might not be for everyone I hope to inspire or give you an idea of what to get your family member. Obviously we are all working to different budgets, but I hope some of these items might be on budget. If not we are open to hear what you are thinking instead.

To give some context into my current family, it consists of 8 members not including the extended family. We have my mother, father, brother, sister, sister-in-law and gorgeous nephew. So this guide will be revolving around this family structure but hope at least one is applicable to you.

Mother – because she does everything without asking for anything in return. 

Whenever I look at my hard-working mother I want to buy her the world unfortunately she would keep it for me. I noticed years back that if I gave her money she would keep it and give it to me when I needed it. A couple of years ago I stopped just giving her money but started buying her items she needed. This year I wanted to get her something more practical and thanks to JD Williams I am able to do that.

• Winter coat from JD Williams 

Father – the backbone of the family 

One thing I have always wanted to do for my father is give him a gift of experience. Every single year I have longed for that but always ended giving him something else. I have always dreamt of giving him tickets to see UB40 in concert or a drive experience. It is something I wish to grant him one year if this year does not happen.

• Gift of an experience 

Brother – the ever peaceful and thoughtful 

My brother is so much like our father, quite and always ever thoughtful man. I was happy when Dobell reached out to us about a possible collaboration. For me my brother is everything and always want the best for him, so I would this collaboration was perfect. Working in the corporate world it’s always nice to have a good-looking suite for functions. I love the choice my brother made and we can not wait to share more about it on the blog.

• Two piece suit from Dobell for the corporate millennial {£79.99}

Sister – the family fashionista 

There is no doubt in our family who the fashionista is and that is my sister. She has always had impeccable taste, we differ in our fashion sense. Case in point, our differing choices of autumn wedding outfit ideas, please be the judge. She has an eye for fashion and is very creative, this is why our collaboration with Contrado was welcome. What I loved is she has combined her recent accomplishment with her favourite fabric print. We can not wait to share what she is creating with her fabric from Contrado.

• Thanks to Contrado she put her designing skills to the test 

Sister-in-law – the creative family member 

When my brother was getting married I wasn’t sure how we were going to manage the wedding planning. Do you know who had it all in hand? The Bride herself, she decorated the wedding venue and made all the centre pieces. I knew she was creative but it wasn’t until the wedding that I realised just how creative she is. Our collaboration with JD Williams brought over another opportunity for her to pick something from their outwear range.

• Autumn outwear from JD Williams 

The nephew – best thing about the family 

When  my nephew was born I can not even describe the feeling, he definitely is the best thing about us. Seeing him grow into an independent clever little man has been such a joy. His a boy whose obsessed with anything cars, mickey mouse and frozen related. But cars {the movie} is something he knows every car and words in the movie its unbelievable. Last year I got him a bike and this year we looking to getting him a Cars kids bed. This is something we know he will love so hopefully we can it for him.

• Cars kids bed 

What I want for Christmas {I am part of the family}

To be honest this year is one I am yet to start thinking about what I actually want for Christmas. I have so much on my plate right now I am not sure I know what I want anymore. But also after some decluttering and donating my clothes I know what I need most. In the interest of keeping the list short I would say anything autumn/winter worthy.

What are some of the items making it on your version of the ultimate family guide? Do you go with what your family needs or what they will like the most?