The Run Up to Christmas

Every year I work frantically throughout December to finish all my copywriting work, including all work that needs writing/publishing/scheduling for clients in advance, taking me up to when the boys go back to school. So when they are off, I am off! This means a fabulously festive and much needed break for us, and Daddy too when he finishes a week later, and is very much worth the silly hours working in preparation for it.

You see, I’m something of a Christmas fairy. I love all things Christmas and find the excitement quite contagious. I don’t get stressed, we just enjoy the novelty.

There are the school plays….

Taylor as a reindeer in his school production of "Santa on Strike".
Taylor as a reindeer in his school production of “Santa on Strike”.

I made my own wreath for the first time this year at a workshop held at Kristina’s in Thirsk.

I'm very proud of my efforts too!
I’m very proud of my efforts too!

We always go to the Thirsk Christmas Lights Switch on (quite the affair)!

Dancing with with kids and taking selfies with the big kids (4/6 of the siblings here).
Dancing with the kids and taking selfies with the big kids (4/6 of the siblings here).
I finish work and do a happy dance.
I finish work and do a happy dance.

The Annual Nicki and Lauren (my youngest sister) Christmas outing (shopping, great food, wonderful company and a visit to the Christmas Tree Festival).

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I dress up in my favourite festive wear to go and pick the boys up from school on the last day (much to their / and many other’s amusements).

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And we’re now on the countdown to Christmas! The run up was fun, the countdown….. I can’t wait!

Clawsom Crab Multi Tool from Kikkerland

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Does anyone else find shopping for fellas difficult? You’d think I’d be better at it than I am, being outnumbered three to one here but it’s different with children and my husband (thankfully) has a range of cool hobbies and interests which makes him easy to buy for. When it comes to brothers / brothers in law, male friends and what though I often find myself falling back on toiletries and beer because I know they’ll be drunk / used / enjoyed so not wasted. This year I’ve been trying to find something else, something different!

Once you get past books, socks, toiletries, wine and chocolates or fudge, where else is there to do unless you ask a person outright that they want or end up spending over your budget? A week or so ago an email dropped in my inbox introducing the Clawsom Crab Multi Tool from Kikkerland. As it happens quite a few “perfect presents” mailings arrives the same day however this one stood out. It wasn’t flashy, it didn’t promise to revolutionise my gift-giving rituals and yet it was exactly what I was looking for, a gift for a bloke that would be useful, enjoyed and which had a nifty design.

Many men (and women as it happens, yes us women do fix things) find a multi-tool a useful thing to have around but wouldn’t ordinarily go and buy one for themselves that wasn’t a cheap and cheerful version. The difference with this multi-tool is that while it’s useful, it’ll also make someone smile when they use it and of course will look fabulous on the workbench, the desk; wherever!

I was sent a Clawsome Crab to have a play with so that I could review it and tell you guys what I thought, and here it is:

  • It looks awesome
  • Features an attractive beechwood “shell”
  • Stainless steel tools
  • Attached appendages include a bottle opener, mini scissors, a mini knife, a can opener, a rope saw and a 3.16 flat head screwdriver.
  • Arrives attractively packaged with a clear front so that the lucky recipient (or you) can see what’s in the box.

I think it’s great. It’s practical, quirky and I’ve carefully put it back in its box and wrapped it up for Roy to enjoy at Christmas. Sorry other male relatives, I was happy to send Colin Crab your way but then I named it so, you know, he’s practically part of the family now.

Overall I give this fab crab multi-tool a solid 5* / 5*

If you’re looking to push past the usual socks and cufflinks this could make a perfect gift for the tool fan in your life or a special treat for you to enjoy.

*PS Kikkerland accepts no liability for loss of the Clawsome Crab Multi Tool due to jealous thievery. Please keep your multi-tool close and secure as fellow multi-tool fans won’t be able to resist picking it up and playing with it which may lead to accidentally long-term borrowing.