How and where we shop this Christmas has a huge impact on our economy, and our environment too. We’ve selected wonderful gifts from small independent businesses, all UK based ethical brands. You’ll be sure to find a perfect gift for your loved ones. Happy shopping!
TIS THE SEASON TO ADD AN EXTRA LAYER OF LOVE TO YOUR GIFTS
Wrap your gifts in one of these 4 wrapping paper designs and help to provide warm coats to London’s homeless. £10 each.
https://www.thegoodgiftwrap.org/
And now to our gift ideas….
You’ll find beautiful handcrafted jewellery, cashmere wraps, pre-loved and boutique fashion, artisan gin and beers, foodie gifts paired with champagne or wine and also sweet gift boxes, wooden toys, books for old and young as well as luxury 100% natural wax & essential oil candles.
1. Luxury scented candles made with 100% natural wax and essential oils
Arya Candles – gift pack, £35
Choose your favourite 3 scents for a wonderful gift box.
Women of Inspiration Candles, £30 each, large 260g
Four scents in a beautiful glass decorated with original artwork by Alina.
Shop With Darling – OPENING SOON at https://darlingmagazine.co.uk/shop-with-darling/
2. Thoughtful toys for the little ones
Wooden Pull-Along Crocodile, £22.00
Who’s this sneaking across the floor. . . its a curious crocodile!
These beautiful wooden crocodiles that wiggle when pulled along, (for hours of fun and laughter,) are the perfect heirloom gifts that can be passed down the family, connecting one generation to the next with tales of play & relived memories. ⠀
Ethically hand-made using sustainable beechwood from PEFC certified forests (for any trees cut, trees are planted) & un-varnished for a truly natural toy.
Any wood waste from the production of these toys is used as fuel at facilities & for nearby households to save energy and CO2 emissions.
In a while crocodile!!
3. For the difficult to buy for friends
- Cashmere Travel Wrap, £155
Pearl Blue, also comes in Stone, Graphite, Candy Pink, Baby Pink, Black, Cappuccino. The sweetest, softest, most cosy wrap ever made.
- Wool and Silk Blend Herringbone Throw, £49
Comes in Cappuccino & Natural and Charcoal & Natural. Sumptuously soft, and warm.
4. Beautiful handcrafted jewellery
Militza Ortiz Jewellery, made in her Wimbledon studio.
- Huggies- Gold Vermeil: mini hoop earrings centre beaded detail in 18 carat gold vermeil, £120
Chunky and funky, these best-selling mini hoops are an ear stack essential. The tiny bubbles make it ever so unique.
- Small disc pendant in 18 carat gold vermeil. £90
Dainty, reversible gold pendant. 18-inch, delicate, gold-filled chain included.
Shop With Darling at darlingmagazine.co.uk
5. Accessorize your black outfit
Who wouldn’t love a gorgeous silk face mask?
- Luxury print designer Laura Orchant’s Silk Face masks. Pink or blue £25.00
A classic and chic leather bag – can’t go wrong with this
- Ottod’Ame Leather Bag £125.00
Casual and chic Italian fashion from one of Surreys best loved boutiques.
Made of 100% Leather. Size: L 28 cm – H 18 cm
6. Add some sparkle to a loved one’s life
Designed and made in Teddington, London.
- Khaki Wing Jacket, £95
The only deployment this military inspired jacket should face is purely social. Whether you wear it to dress up you dog walking outfit or dress down a cocktail dress, this utility style jacket has got you covered.
- Toni Tiger Jumper £75
Black or Khaki, unisex sizing
A sparkling sweatshirt with an outrageously bold sequin embellishment of “Raaaw-some” Toni the Tiger. Available in Black and Khaki and unisex sizing, this is the perfect gift for those naughty but nice nieces, nephews and wild-sided friends.
https://wonderlustlondon.com/
7. For beer enthusiasts
The 12 beers of Christmas represent the best all rounder beer cases that Real Ale can put together from their selection of over 300 beers. From dark and delicious stouts to hoppy table beers and perfectly crisp lagers. There’s something for everyone. Each box comes with a tasting note and food pairings in a stamped gift box.
It is available for free local delivery or nationwide couriering.
£39.95
8. For gin lovers – cheers!
An exquisite gin inspired by the wonderful game of cricket and Berkshire countryside.
Finalist in the global Gin Guide Awards. Cricketers Gin is an independent British gin company set up by father and daughter founding partners; Rachel and David.
- Pinkneys Green in Berkshire is home to three of the local botanicals featured in Cricketers Gin; wild marjoram, milk thistle and blackberries. These unique flavours harmonise with zesty orange, spicy coriander, and subtle tones of liquorice, delivering an exquisitely smooth juniper-forward gin, showcasing Cricketers Gin provenance.
- Their new artisan London Dry Gin, received an extremely positive response after launch last November.
- Cricketers Berry Blush Pink Gin is a classic gin with delicate raspberry tones and a subtle sweetness.
Also available in miniatures.
Ordered directly from http://www.cricketersgin.com
9. A Unique gift of Pre-loved Luxury
Chanel Cuff – iconic vintage statement piece
White perspex with CC white on black logo – this iconic piece of jewellery is definitely a statement piece.
- Condition: Pre-owned and in excellent condition and comes with original box
- £350
Pink Hermes Herbag Zip – a classic bag is always in fashion
Hermes Herbag Zip is a new version of the Herbag which has been discontinued. The newer version was released on 2009. It has gained popularity already as it looks like the iconic Kelly Bag. The Herbag Zip is made of canvas and hunter leather. It has a Kelly lock closure, and includes a removable zipped flat pouch inside. The bag has a zipped pocket outside.
- Herbags have the same trapezoid body shape and the front flap, but with a different closure from the Kelly
- Size: Known as Size 39 – 39cm x 31cm x 15cm
- Condition: Pre-owned and in excellent condition, does not come with dustbag or box which is reflected in the price – £1500
10. Beautiful home gift ideas
- Green Factory & Niwa terrariums are a great way to bring the garden indoors. From £35
- The ‘Gluggle Jug’ known for its versatility, is a great way to add colour in the home. Size 1.3 litres. From £35
Bridge and Hill Livingstore is a project of many years of research and a will to deliver a unique space, where local patrons and Richmond visitors can enjoy a uplifting aesthetic environment, offering honest food, speciality coffees and teas alongside an inspirational selection of products for the living space.
Art and design being the at the foundation of our journey, we at Bridge and Hill strive to promote awareness of the artist, craftsmen and women and their stories behind our Livingstore products and exhibitions.
11. Luxury foodie gifts
If you want to gift something that little bit special this year, then look no further.
Wine or Champagne paired with fabulous Italian artisan food from Vallenbona and Ritchies of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
House champagne and smoked salmon is £40
Dine-in for two packages from £38
Price excludes delivery.
From innovative dine in for two packages comprising authentic Italian ingredients, recipe card, and of course a delicious bottle of wine, to that perfect Christmas morning duo – a bottle of their house Champagne and a packet of the finest smoked salmon, they have a beautiful range of ideas to suit all tastes and budgets.
To see more, visit www.wineatheart.co.uk/christmas
12. Gift basket with homemade treats
From £28
This charming gift basket filled with homemade treats makes the perfect gift to a friend, family member or client or employee that you can’t see this Christmas.
The gift basket includes homemade deep-filled mince pies, iced gingerbread, coconut ice, peppermint and orange creams – all made at our Merton Abbey Mills shop in Wimbledon – and a jar of Jam Packed Preserves jam or marmalade. Add four large handmade scones for £8.
To order yours, please email info@willowbough.com
13. Luxe Sterling Silver Aromatherapy Jewellery paired with 100% pure essential oils
100% RECYCLED Sterling Silver for sustainability and the essential oils are 100% unadulterated and bottled at their original climates.
Scent creates memories and this gift will never be forgotten!
- LUXE Sterling Silver Diffuser Necklaces & Bracelets – 10mm and 15mm pendants available RRP £65-£130
- 5 Essential oil Blends options RRP £7 – £21
- Rise, Mood, Rosa, Hush, Dusk
- Helps boost energy
- Used to relieve stress
- Calm Nerves &
- Improve Mood and Sleep
To view our collection and SHOP ONLINE visit https://www.oylelondon.com/
14. Books for young & old
ART & CREAKY BONES by Sheila Reid
A book to boost moral during the coronavirus epidemic.
The seclusion of the last months has given us a longing for more constructive solutions to health and aging problems and to the overwhelming problem of loneliness. ART & CREAKY BONES by Sheila Reid is the perfect aid. It’s bound to inspire you to find a creative endeavor that will bring something positive and pleasurable to your life.
Doctors have found that putting your attention on a creative venture greatly eases anxiety. Painting, singing or learning to play an instrument soothes you. It helps loosen the grip of fear. When your attention is on something new that is special, something that you look forward to each day, you become more calm, your worries are eased. When you become involved in a creative activity, you begin to forget the exterior world and find a special kind of inner peace and happiness.
The experts have given ART & CREAKY BONES five awards. These awards were in the Inspiration, Aging and Art categories. We think this book could be the cheeriest and most long-lasting health conscious gift that you’ll find for the holidays. And it wouldn’t hurt to treat yourself to one as well.
The book explores what happens as we age, and how and why an inventive activity keeps you healthier and helps you live longer. She tells why life is so much more content, lively and vibrant when you find something creative that you really love to do.
You can learn to paint or sing or whatever interests you, by taking lessions on-line. And learning something positive which gives you pleasure, means that you can share the results with as many people as you want, especially on the internet. The sharing is fun and you really do need more fun during this period of isolation.
Available at amazon.co.uk
Silver Planet by Tom Johnson
Sci-fi and fantasy for age 10 and upwards. Adults will revel in the Wimbledon based author’s vision of after life.
Worlds collide in Tom’s thought-provoking novel, Silver Planet, when the tragic death of a teenage boy from London sends his soul on a journey through the afterworld to a distant planet where he joins the consciousness of a 16-year-old boy, Jonathan Powers.
“When humans die, their conscious souls travel across an invisible corridor to a second human planet where they join the mind of another person, losing all memory of their past life the moment their new life begins. The whole process happens very quickly. It’s like waking up as someone else.”
Tom’s story is a heart-stopping journey across worlds, a journey of hope, survival and longing for loved ones left behind. Filled with anecdotes of magic and a sapient bird protagonist who protects the two worlds and the souls that pass between them, this incredible story is an emotional rollercoaster full of moments of unimaginable sacrifice, terrible tragedy and unexpected happiness.
£10.65, hardcover
From amazon.co.uk
You may also enjoy reading https://darlingmagazine.co.uk/fashion/let-it-glow-winter-fashion/
