Welcome to our festive gift guide for 2020! Our past gift guides have been really popular and although this Christmas is a little bit different, this years guide is full of inspiration for brands that a combination of small, independent, eco, you can buy online, but most importantly they're all epic, gifts. Because now, more than ever, is the perfect time to buy meaningful, hand crafted gifts from small businesses and creatives.
As we all snuggle down to an unusual run up to Christmas, most of us will start looking for gifts that we can buy online and get delivered to our homes. As well as trying to buy from small brands as much as possible, I really recommend buying your gifts early this festive period, spreading the love until Christmas and allowing creators the most time to adjust to this strange year... This is especially relevant for the brands that make your products to order.
If you want to support these brands in ways other than a purchase, follow them on social media, like and share their posts. Feel free to share this blog post with friends and family and spread the love for small this Christmas.
Enjoy...
feather and frey
If you're looking for beautiful macrame home pieces, decorations or even something to wear yourself, feather and frey is for you. Kylie creates stunning macrame pieces that range from huge wall hangings to stunning little handmade Christmas angels. I have a recycled ocean plastic wall hanger (the one pictured) and also an angel and I love them both! They are made from recycled or sustainable fabrics, and all are handmade. Kylie also works in sustainability and she's super lovely. You can find feather and frey on Instagram, and find her shop here! Keep your eye out for when she launches new products, as they're always stunning!
Peonies From Pluto
Instead of automatically sourcing from the nationwide branded flower delivery, you can now support a small business, an awesome lady and get an epic bunch of flowers, indoor plants and loads more! Alice, the artist behind Peonies From Pluto, is amazing herself but also creates the most stunning arrangements!
They have DIY Christmas wreath packs, that they send straight to your door and guide you through creating your own wreath, perfect for those cosy weekend afternoons inside! They also deliver via courier nationwide, so there are so many reasons to support the small, independent and incredible Peonies From Pluto!
Find Peonies From Pluto on Instagram (I love Alice's updates not just on all things floristry, but her really honest chats about mental health that I just love).
Shop Peonies From Pluto (where you can also get indoor plants! YAY!)
Foraged by Fern.
If you're looking for a gift that's an experience, I thoroughly recommend Foraged by Fern events, run by Fern! She runs wild food events in and around Sussex, where you'll have an absolutely fabulous day learning about what's safe to nibble on and the history of the plants around you (you'll never look at hedgerows the same again). Events are focussed around spring/ summer/ autumn, so the recipient will have something to look forward to.
Fern has an epic Instagram that I thoroughly recommend checking out. Find out more information about events here and keep your eyes peeled as she is launched a new shop soon....
A foraging event with Fern is also a great gift for yourself (and something I cannot recommend highly enough, if you're interested in learning about wild food).
Dappled Light.
I absolutely love Dappled Light prints! Bethia, who is the artist behind Dappled Light, gave me two of her pieces at the start of 2020 when her and her family stayed at my mum's B&B. She's just opened her Etsy store, and her prints make epic gifts for the nature lover in your life. You can also buy prints via the Dappled Light website and her Instagram is also a must follow!
Kays Cornish Creations
I bought these earrings from Kay's Cornish Creations this summer for my best friend's birthday. They are made from seaglass, they are sooo beautiful and so wonderfully creative. You actually can't tell that they are sea glass from afar, so when complimented on the earrings your recipient will have an awesome story to tell about them. At the time of writing, Kay's Cornish Creations was taking a short break on Etsy, but it's worth checking back to get your own unique handcrafted gifts. Find them on instagram too!
Lois Gunn
This awesome little creative shop is perfect for smaller eco gifts. I love the studs created from upcycled gin bottles, destined for the gin lover in your life. My favourite part is that the studs are beautiful, aside from their eco background. They really stand alone as stunning jewellery and would be great for the secret eco warrior... As well as their website, find Lois Gunn's store on Etsy and also instagram.
HK Creations
Heather, of HK Creations is a superwomen. She is also one of my longest friends, but that does not make me bias. I love HK Creation's brand image, the Christmas cards are beautifully stylish (see above!) I also love HK Creation's inspiring cards for the rest of the year. She does journalling bundles that are really popular, and has just launched some super cute Christmas props, some fun for your little elves!
Tanaka
I am super excited about Tanaka! Suitable for all skin types, these luxurious soaps are cruelty free, vegan with no nasties and no palm oil. Packaged plastic free too and with gift sets available, Tanaka soaps are the perfect present and are the gift of self care. Face bars are particularly tricky to source, but Tanaka do a range. Tanaka's instagram feed is incredible- check it out! Shop here.
Sage Ceramics
I have loooong been an admirer of the beautiful handmade pottery by Yvonne Kirk.
As well as cute Christmas pieces, she also creates stunning homewares- the mugs are especially lovely. Mindful, useable gifts are sure to be popular.
Yvonne creates a range of pieces that you can purchase (at very reasonable prices) through Etsy but you can also reach out to her direct. Keep an eye on her Instagram for new creations.
Flourish Cakes and Treats
I am extremely lucky to have taste tested the very early Flourish! Jess, who runs Flourish Cakes and Treats creates the gooeyist, stickiest, squidgiest brownies ever. You can have a tray of 6 extremely luxurious brownies of choice (including vegan and gluten free options) delivered straight to a loved ones door (or yours)! What better for those we might not be visiting this year? She also does gift cards, so you can leave the flavour choice to your recipient! I can honestly attest for the absolute deliciousness of these brownies, and what's better is you are supporting small. Find Flourish on Instagram (they run giveaways on Instagram so keep your eyes peeled) and buy here.
Terrain Clothing
Looking for ethical outdoor clothing, made right here in The UK? Terrain do epic outdoor wear, made to order and also made to fit. With eco-fabrics and your choice of colour combinations, as well as accessories too- at an extremely affordable price, a Terrain jersey is a perfect gift for the loved one that might have developed a love for walking and biking over lock down.. Also perfect for those who have been active in the outdoors for yonks and will make full use of the sustainable, hardwearing epic outdoor wear.
Find Terrain Clothing on Instagram
Duvet Days
"Sassy and Sustainable"... Duvet Days creates super cute upcycled clothing from old bedding! Have you got a really sentimental duvet that you want to make use of? Or would like to turn your children's favourite duvet into something unique? Send them into Duvet Days, and they'd create something new with it, just for you. Comfy and perfect for more time at home.
I particularly love the look of the off the shoulder tops.
Find Duvet Days on Instagram
Chi Africa
Chi-Africa makes garden (or indoor!) pieces of art, from recycled materials including from oil drums. I bought my Mum the bluebell (the same as pictured) and also the snowdrop, and we both think they're lovely. So lovely, they're in our gift guide! Mum likes her so much, she's decided to keep it in the kitchen.
As well as flowers, they have animal sculptures and also bird feeders- but be quick, they're selling out fast. For those who, like me, adore wildlife and love supporting brands that use recycled materials in creative ways, a Chi-Africa sculpture will bring lots of joy (especially as we spend more time in our gardens). Find Chi-Africa's shop here and on instagram too!
I hope you've enjoyed this years festive gift guide and that you're inspired to buy from some of these fantastic small brands. Check back on the blog, as I may add eco brands in the run up to Christmas too!
This guide is in no way affiliated or paid for by any creators. These are genuine recommendations, in some cases I am a paying customer! I am really proud to amplify these small brands. All brand photographs are taken from the brands themselves, used with permission.
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