When boon. got in contact with me and asked me if I wanted to take part in their Christmas challenge I just couldn’t say no. Their challenge if I chose to accept it? To find some fabulous Christmas fashion available on the high street now, paying via my phone using the boon. pre-pay Mastercard and then share it with you guys.

I had to find the following –

• A Christmas party outfit that could be worn 2/3 different ways
• A secret santa gift for a friend that says they’re not a hipster, but are, bought from a charity shop.
• A Christmas party accessory
• A Christmas jumper

So far, so exciting. But first of all I bet some of you are thinking, what is a boon. card? Well, good question. I am new to using boon. (and Apple Pay in general) and was a little nervous at first. But my worries were unfounded – its super easy to use, very secure and a great way to stick to a budget (something I always need help with!)

So boon. (the full stop is part of its name) is basically a digital, prepaid MasterCard. You download the app and sign up to use it with Apple Pay and store it in your Apple wallet. You can top-up your account via your bank account, debit or credit card and it works via your phone at any contactless payment terminal.

It is very secure (my primary concern) as when you add a credit or debit card to Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apples servers. Instead, a unique device account number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored on your device, then each transaction is authorised with a one-time security code. You have an app on your phone that tracks your payments, sending you a message when money leaves or enters the account as well as providing you with a statement of your spending.

So, phone in hand, I was ready to shop… but what did I choose?

The Christmas Party Outfit – 

Sequin sweatshirt / £10.00
Metallic pleated skirt / £15.00
Leopard boots / £12.00
Earrings / £2 all Primark

This will be my boxing day/night outfit but then I will wear the top with black jeans and the leopard boots for a more casual party look later in the week for a night in the pub and the metallic pleated skirt with a lace top and heels for a sexier, party look which would be perfect for New Years Eve. Mix and match party dressing – perfect!

The Secret Santa Gift – 

I saw these 1980’s Ladybird books in one of my local charity shops and I just had to get them! Retro and cool Ladybird books would remind any hipster of their childhoods and we all love a bit of nostalgia dont we? They could even frame the illustrations and front covers to create some really cool art for their walls.

Disney is always a hit whatever your age but then I saw this ‘Frog Chorus’ one and I had to buy that too…how perfect for Christmas is that!?!  I have no idea why this is a Christmas song but it is on about every Xmas compilation I own! All together now “Bom, bom-bom, baw-ah-wah, Bom, bom-bom, We all stand together…”

Ladybird books / £1 each all Scope Charity shop

Did you know some charity shops take boon. too? If they have a contactless payment terminal you can use your phone to pay just like anywhere else and if you want to get in on the secret santa action, boon. are currently running a competition on Facebook where you can win some credit for yourself too. Check out their Facebook page for more details!

The Christmas Party Accessory – 

Lately I have been wearing more things with a high neckline and consequently have been moving away from wearing necklaces, prefering statement earrings and bracelets. This stunning duo look glitzy without being tacky and would go with any colour party outfit.  I like that the earrings are hooped rather than chandelier style, keeping their style contemporary and the bracelet is adjustable like a necklace – perfect if you have tiny feeble wrists like me!

Diamante bracelet / £4
Diamante earrings / £3 both Limited Edition by Atmosphere
I also couldn’t resist these gift bow earrings…so cute for subtle Christmas dressing up.

Bow earrings / £1 Primark

The Christmas Jumper – 

Ok, so I’m gonna level with you – I’m not really a Christmas jumper person. I like being festive and I LOVE sparkle and embellishment but having a cheap, novelty jumper on isnt really my thing. I will if I have to, but at 43, I’d rather create something a bit more stylish. However I do like to embrace the festive period so I thought about how could create a Christmas jumper that wasnt actually a Christmas jumper and my stylish solution was this…

Pink roll neck jumper / £9.99 
Brooch / £5.99 Wreath brooch / £5.99 all New Look

I added a couple of my own vintage brooches, and….et voila!
Bow earrings / £1 Primark
Vintage brooches / my own 

I love this look – it has all the sparkle you want at Christmas but it is not silly, plus you can wear it all year round – if you want to make it a bit less Christmassy you can just remove a few (or all) of the brooches. I’m going to wear it with a metallic skirt and  silver brogues over Christmas for a pretty, girlie look.

Skirt/Socks/Shoes my own

So you’ve seen my Christmas Shopping Challenge buys – I stayed within my budget and came home with a set of items I just love and think will improve my existing wardrobe, plus I donated to charity too.  I hope you love my choices as much as I do and they inspire you this Christmas whether you are buying for yourself or for friends and family.

This post was written in conjunction with boon. but all views expressed are my own. Find out more about putting boon. in your Apple Wallet here.