Five Fail-proof Birthday gifts

As it was my birthday recently, I’ve been inspired to write a birthday related post! 
I always really struggle to find a gift that I think someone will love, especially gifts within my price range, and I can and have spent hours/days/weeks thinking about what to get someone I care about for their birthday, so here’s a list of ideas that won't break the bank; partly influenced by the presents I received on my birthday and also by what I think can sometimes be over-looked as a great present.

No.1 The watch

 I received a watch for my birthday that I had been looking at for ages, it’s a beautiful rose gold Olivia Burton watch, with a deep blue leather strap and a bee embossed on the face. No, I’m not an insect lover, but my nickname is ‘Bee/B’ (however you want to spell it) and I thought it was such a thoughtful gift for my boyfriend to buy me; it feels really personal and I couldn’t be happier with it. Watches are timeless and really useful, so this really is the gift that keeps on giving.

No.2 A modern twist to an old classic. 

ALCOHOL. 

So I received a LOT of wine for my birthday (I must love it or something..) and although I know alcohol is pretty much a go-to kind of present, last year my brother left a message on a bottle of champagne which read the classic ‘I hope you have a great birthday, love you..’ and I loved it. No one had ever given me personalised alcohol. Similarly a couple of my friends went to a shop in Manchester/Trafford Centre called Vom Fass, and hand picked different spirits they thought I would love. Again, I thought that was really special, and it wasn’t too expensive. A great new t(affordable) take on alcoholic gifts.

No.3 The 'you know it makes them happy' gift

(don’t get weird here...) 

Think ‘Team building’ but less formal. Gifts that you know your friend/family/other half are already really interested in are the BEST. It shows you have really considered their interests and you know it’d be something they would enjoy, however these could end up being quite pricey, so be tactical! For example my family and family friend bought my dad a fishing trip away for him and his friend. Their birthdays are after each other and they both love to fish, so it was a great idea for them, a chance for them to get away and they both really enjoyed themselves. 
Photo below taken from Google.co.uk

 No.4. The adventurous gift

(again, don’t get weird..) 

So my best friend Ange randomly texted me asking when I was free; she basically found a deal on Groupon (great place to looks for these kind of gifts) for a hot air balloon ride, with champagne in Scotland. Now, I have a lot of family in Scotland which is why she thought this would be perfect: we could go visit my family and also enjoy an experience neither of us had had before, together.
Photo below taken from Google,co,uk    

No.5 The original. 

Money makes the world go round, right?
I usually get money for my birthday, and I know a lot of people who think money as a gift is really impersonal, but every year my auntie and uncle have sent me a card with money in and always written something along the lines of ‘Don’t save this money in the bank. Spend it on rubbish and enjoy!’ I love that. It’s a great idea to personalise a card with money in, for example if it’s for your girlfriend/boyfriends birthday, suggest they buy a new outfit ready for the night! 

Do you have a go-to gift? let me know!

Beth x

Travel | Florida | Week Two

WEEK TWO

In our second week we went back to both Epcot and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure as there's just so much to do in both parks. We also found ourselves heading to waterparks in the morning, as we were still waking up quite early (8/9am); we were usually one of the first ones there too, which meant less time queuing for rides and less congestion on the lazy river.

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

The two main water parks in Disney World. 

Blizzard beach (in my opinion) has a much better family raft as it's longer, faster and more thrilling, however, the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon is insane! The waves are huge although you have to be a confident swimmer and quite strong to be at the very front of the pool where the waves are at their highest. 

We usually spend a full day at the water parks, this is the first time we've only gone for the morning, but it's a really good idea, as I said before, there's less congestion on the lazy river and in all the water attractions as people don't really begin to show up and the park get busy until around 11am.

Must: Family raft at Blizzard Beach and get to the front of the waves at Typhoon Lagoon (if you're a confident swimmer)

Magic Kingdom

Arguably the best known and most popular park within Disney World: Magic Kingdom, like it's name suggests is truly magical. This park is where you will find Walt's best friend: Mickey Mouse, alongside all his Disney friends, whose autographs and pictures you can get, although you may have to queue. 

There are six parts that make up Magic Kingdom:

1) Main Street U.S.A

This is the first area you walk into when you hop off the tram or ferry into Magic Kingdom. It's packed with shops and restaurants, full of classic American items and Disney memorabilia and a great introduction to the park.
Must: Eat at the Crystal Palace, and try to book or stay until Wishes starts (fireworks show at 10pm usually) 

2) Liberty Square
Portrays the colonial era of America and is home to three attractions: The Haunted Mansion, The Hall of Presidents and the Liberty Bell Paddlewheel Boat, which takes you on a cruise around 'America's Rivers'; you will also find plenty of shops and cafes here.
Must: Go on The Haunted Mansions. One of my fave rides here. 

3) Tomorrowland
Like the name suggests, Tomorrowland depict's Disney's idea of the future and is home to three of my favourite attractions in the park: The Carousel of Progress, Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. You can also hop on the Transit Authority People Mover for a great view of Tomorrowland and a detailed explanation of the history behind that particular land.
Must: If you were going to go on one of these rides, it has to be Buzz Lightyear's Spin. It's so much fun!

4) Frontierland
Frontierland is home to some of the more bigger and better rides (in my opinion) such as Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain (my favourite ride here!). You can hop on the train from Main street to Frontierland which only takes a couple of minutes, plus you get to see a part of the park you wouldn't normally.
Must: Go on Splash Mountain. 

5) Adventureland
Adventureland houses some smaller, more relaxing rides and attractions including: Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Treehouse and the Jungle Cruise.
Must: Try all three attractions I suggested above!  

6) Fantasyland
Probably the best land for a child's playground within the park. With a mix of smaller rides and 'rollercoasters' (small, but children love them), children really love this land. There's also a no-queue water attraction, which is basically a mini water park in Fantasyland that I have spent many an hour on when I was younger (and this year, I won't lie). 
Must: Try all the little rides, they'll make you feel like a child again!

TOP TIP: Pre-book tables at restaurants before you go on holiday (some have waiting lists for months).

Pre-book fast passes for rides, you can do this online and it will save you a good hour of queuing 

Kelly Park, Natural Spring.
While we were staying at The Hard Rock Hotel, one of the waitresses suggested we go to a natural spring; she had been the weekend before and swam with otters and apparently there were bears at one point (so they all had to evacuate). It sounded really nice and relaxing, and was something different to anything we'd ever done before, so she listed down a few and we drove to the closest one: Kelly Park in Apopka.
We rented tubes from a local bar/shop nearby and headed to the spring. It was cold but very clear and really beautiful, the spring was a natural lazy river and lasted for about 40 minutes, people were having Barbecues and you could also camp over. Other activities included: kayaking, scuba diving and loads of other water activities but these were mainly at other, bigger springs.
TOP TIP: Get there early as the spring car parks have a limit and Kelly Park was closed to other visitors by 1pm.

I hope you've enjoyed my two-part Florida Post. If you haven't read the first part you can find it here.
Have you ever been to Florida or any natural springs? Let me know your fave holiday destination too!
Check out my Pinterest for some travel inspo 


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