It’s that time again….and seriously where has the year gone?

I purposely delayed sharing this years Christmas gift guide until after the “crudeness” of Black Friday and this year our small, local businesses need our support this Christmas more than ever.

Every year seems to be getting tougher for small independent businesses and when consumer are spending around £12.3 billion on Black Friday with businesses like Amazon, it’s no wonder.

So this year, if you’ve gifts to buy for someone, and remember it’s not obligatory to buy for the ever expanding list of friends, cousins and teachers that you may feel forced to have to buy a gift for; consider buying from a small (local) business.

I’ve collaborated with a selection of small businesses throughout the UK to share with you my Christmas gift guide for 2023, with a particular focus on homeware.

So, if you’re a lover of all things interiors (or know someone that is) set some time aside, maybe with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, have a read through my personal selection of gifts and give a small independent a reason to do a happy dance this Christmas.

Albion Nights:
Helen, founder of award-winning, off-grid holiday business Albion Nights, has carefully curated a stunning collection of gifts and homewares made by local artists, creatives and creators.

Herringbone Blanket: £57
The softest UK made blanket using 100% recycled wool.

Sheet 137: £25
A curation of drawings by local artist Mickey Gibbons, a beautifully designed hardback book containing forty-eight drawings of views from locations on a discontinued Ordnance Survey map of Lowestoft in Suffolk.

Small Hand Thrown Mug: £20
Made exclusively for Albion Nights by local ceramist Kim Croysdill.

Aligned by Louse B:
Louise, owner of Louisa B Apothecary is a qualified aromatherapist and holistic therapist; producing products spa treatment products that can be used in your own home. All of our products vegan are made using natural ingredients.

Natural Soaps Wooden Crate Gift Box: £23
Includes 6 luxury handcrafted soaps (50g) and an exfoliating soap pouch beautifully packaged in a stamped wooden crate.

Calming Gift Set: £37
Includes calm bath salts, candle, aromatherapy roll-on and pillow spray.

Amanda Duggan:
A contemporary British Artist | Maker, utilising a limited palette. Amanda sensitively creates harmonious arrangements in paint, collage & ceramic with an understated minimal aesthetic.

Remain: £500
Acrylic, ink, charcoal on deep edge raw canvas

Taken from the series Conversations with Myself.

Internal Rhythms I: £150
Acrylic, emulsion, paste on wood.

Taken from the series Internal Rhythms.

Slices of Life III: £200
Acrylic, house paint, pencil, linen, linen flax on wood.

Taken from the series Slices of Life.

Rolling Breath: £500
Acrylic, pencil on extra deep edge raw linen flax.

Taken from the series Rhythm & Flow.

Ginger Rose:
Harriet & Justin, a wife and husband team making your gifting more joyful.

Ginger Rose is about sharing unique, high-quality and luxurious pieces with heartfelt personalised messages to create timeless keepsakes and mementos for your loved ones.

Agave Tequila Decanter: £39.95
Serve and savour your favourite tequila from this decanter designed to look like an Agave plant.

A winning gift for any Tequila lover!

Leather Storage Trucks: £950 (also sold separately)
This range of beautifully hand-crafted leather storage trunks have cotton stitch detailing, leather carry handles, leather straps and brass buckles.

Available in three sizes, they work great on their own or as a set throughout your home.

Leather Hallway Set: £350
Keep your hallway organised with this beautiful leather set including a sturdy leather basket and elegant leather stick stand.

Both products have the option to be personalised.

Leather Desk Accessories Set: £220
An impressive leather desk set to help keep your workspace organised.

Consisting of a handcrafted leather desk blotter, A4 leather filing tray, leather pen pot and business card holder, this accessories set can be personalised or left plain.

Leather Jewellery Box: £179
This three layered jewellery box features cushioned compartments for rings, watches, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.

Simply lift and pull the tabs for the panel to reveal a drawer system hidden in a heirloom leather treasure box, it’s also possible for this item to be personalised.

Kim Croysdill:
Making small batch ceramics in her studio in the heart of Suffolk; Kim takes inspiration from nature and the changing seasons.

Raku Small Decorative Vase: £30
Made with specialist clay, fired in a kiln with open flame and then the patterns are created by using horsehair, feathers and other natural components to create organic patterns, where no two vases are ever the same.

Candlestick Holder: £25
White stoneware candlestick holders, finished with an off-white matte glaze.

Preloved Magazine:
If you’re a regular reader of my posts (blogs) and follow me on Instagram you would have seen how I’m a columnist for Preloved magazine, which has been running for the last two years.

Throughout December Sophie, founder and editor or the magazine is crowdfunding to secure a “Year in Print”, you can find out more here.

2024 VIP Preloved Subscription: £50
If you (or someone you know) loves reading about interiors, décor, styling curation, creativity, vintage, sustainably and connecting with likeminded people and businesses, why not consider pledging £50 to help towards allowing this beautiful publication to continue into 2024, and at the same time receive copies of the Spring, Summer and Winter editions, straight to your door.

Preloved Publication – A Year in Print

Staying in Studio:
An English homeware and lifestyle store situated in a small countryside village in Norfolk and ran by Kirsty, offering a selection of hand-made and ethnically sourced products.

Bobbin Frames: from £26 (without print) £35 (with Christmas print)
These brightly coloured picture frames are hand-made to order in Kirsty’s studio in Norfolk.
You can either choose just the frame, or way not choose this gorgeous “Driving Home for Christmas” print for a gift for someone.

Luxury Season Limited Edition Dip-Dye Candles: £18
Set of three gorgeous hand-dipped candles in the Alps with the help of workers from a social enterprise.

The Store at Spinks Nest:
Spinks Nest, the idyllic retreat nestled in the heart of North Norfolk, introducing a careful selection of luxury toiletries and vintage treasures.

Vintage Breadboards: £40-£80 (depending on size)
A selection of Turkish vintage breadboards are available for those seeking to add character and history to their homes.

The Rustic Shack:
A unique store with a selection of personally sourced vintage finds and carefully selected homewares that can be styled and re-used around your home from season to season.

Sheepskin: £80-95 (depending on size and density)
Rare breed sheepskins are sourced from one of the very few remaining British tanneries in the UK, tanned using traditional methods in a small workshop in North Yorkshire, each sheepskin is unique in colour.

Candlestick Holder: £26
Matchstick Holder: £20
Our artisan pottery is made specifically for us by local artisan potter, Jenny Bird, each piece is hand thrown with care and attention.

Vanil:
Mandy (owner) refers to Vanil as “our home”; she never wanted it to feel like a shop and describes it like her front room with all the things she loves on display.

Showcasing a selection of Scandinavian-inspired accessories, furniture and home décor from designers we love, we’re passionate about championing partnerships with creatives who share a belief in slow design, which is all about taking time to create designs you’ll cherish for a lifetime, supporting our wonderful creative community.

Clay Houses: £28
Ceramic stem vase by Home Folk Ceramics stocked at Vanil, offered in a range of finishes.

Bud Vase: £30
Ceramic bud vase by Home Folk Ceramics stocked at Vanil, offered in a range of finishes.

Vintage Guru:
Based on the St Giles Street in Northampton, you can find Vintage Guru as part of 120 traders situation in the emporium, selling a range of quirky, locally sourced preloved and new items.

Outdoor Mirror: £95
Gothic style, rustic arched mirror, ideal for adding that finishing touch to the garden.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas for a loved one, or maybe you’ve found something that has taken your fancy, which you’ll be adding to your own personal Christmas list.

If having to buy gifts for others is something you dread, why not consider booking me in for a Personal Shopping consultation, where I can assist you in finding the right gift for that someone special.

If you’ve found this useful, I’d love for you to leave a comment or even better share with someone who may benefit from this gift guide.

Happy Christmas shopping!

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