After more than a year of pandemic, shutdowns and shipping delays, there’s not better time to buy from artists and small businesses in the UK. Read on for some of our favourite Christmas finds. Buy them for friends, family,… or yourself.
Art from the Cotswolds
Inspired by the wildlife of the Cotswolds, Louise Goves Illustrations are beautifully drawn watercolours of hares, hedgehogs, pheasants, and more. Pick up a set of greeting cards that are sure to brighten someone’s day. Alternatively, the prints will bring a taste of the English countryside to any room, while tea towels and mugs will bring some whimsy to your kitchen.
Candles from Cornwall
Imagine the warming scents of orange and cinnamon on Christmas morning. The citrus zest of grapefruit and lime after your morning shower. Or relaxing at the end of the day with the air of sea mist. St. Eval Candle Company in northern Cornwall have been making top quality, hand poured candles for about 25 years. They use high quality ingredients to make wonderfully scented products for your home. St. Evals is the first candle company to win the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development. Proceeds from their candles also help to support a variety of Cornwall charities, including the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the Fisherman’s Mission, and the Cornwall Air Ambulance. So in addition to treating someone you love to a gift they’ll treasure, you’ll be helping the local community.
Eco-Friendly Christmas Supplies
Have you got a houseful for Christmas? If so, then you’ll know there’s more than just presents and food to think about. For some very special extra touches to your Christmas decor, head over to Nancy and Betty. They make eco-friendly Christmas crackers using sustainable paper and vegetable inks. For each packet sold, they plant a tree. Did you know that a lot of wrapping paper isn’t actually recyclable because of the shiny surface and the inks used? Nancy & Betty have got you covered. Wrap your gifts sustainably with their fully recyclable wrapping paper and gift tags. You can find Nancy & Betty crackers at Harrods and Selfridges, or you can simply order online. Pick from one of their wide selection of stunning designs.
Cosy Knitware
Help your loved ones stay warm this winter with Perilla’s alpaca and cashmere knitwear. They import the finest Peruvian wool, dye it in Scotland, and then send it to England where it is made into socks, wraps, and hats. Each product comes in a bespoke gift box, saving you the trouble of wrapping! So don’t bother with the usual scarf from the high street. Instead, choose one that they will look forward to wearing year after year.
Welsh Cheese
Ask me or my nieces and the way to our hearts is not through diamonds. It’s through cheese! So chances are someone on your Christmas lift would dance a jig when they wake up on Christmas morning and open a selection of artisanal cheeses from the Welsh Cheese Company. With more than 60 cheeses to choose from, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. You can even get a cheese Christmas cake!
Custom Charcuterie
And if you want some cured meats to enjoy with your cheese, pick up a hamper from the Charcuterie Box Company. Salamis, hams, and cheese. They’re all vacuum packed so they arrive in perfect condition. Better still, order a platter which comes complete with olives and crackers. Your guests will think you’ve been working for hours in the kitchen. Or send one to a relative and save them some prep time before the visitors arrive.