Giving back is the true heart of Christmas.
From engaging in community events like soup kitchens and food drives which give back to your local area, to spending quality time with a grandparent at their care home, there are myriad special ways in which individuals can embody the spirit of the festive season and engage in good deeds to usher in the new year with oodles of merriment.
For those whose love language is gift-giving, shopping at small businesses this Christmas starts a chain of wonderful acts of kindness that can often have a beautiful butterfly effect. In purchasing from a small business, you’re supporting an entrepreneurial endeavour which might just ensure that a certain crafty individual is able to give their entire family their own wonderful Christmas celebration.
The gift that you buy will then go on to make someone else’s day, perhaps inspiring them to do the same for another friend or partner. The result? Bucket-loads of festive cheer for all to experience. What’s more, supporting small businesses works to support a movement towards slow fashion and mindful purchasing, which in turn has a positive environmental impact.
So, to recap, by buying big and shopping small this Christmas, you’re quite literally making the world a better place. Look at you go. We’ve curated a selection of the best Christmas gifts to buy from small businesses this year. Keep scrolling for the goods.
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Commune Seymour Hand Kit
Commune is an independent, family-owned brand based in the UK and driven by sustainability. The bottles which house a luxuriant hand soap and cream are made from recycled aluminium and feature reusable metal pumps. The duo has been designed to keep your hands feeling and looking fresh, with ingredients such as cypress oil and coconut for great-smelling, skin-loving benefits.
Buy now £120.00, Harrods
Leach Pottery Mixing Bowls
Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, handmade Leach earthenware instantly elevates any kitchen space. These nesting mixing bowls were hand-thrown in Cornwall at The Leach Pottery studio, reduction-fired and finished with a dolomite glaze.
Buy now £105.00, TOAST
Monogram Quilted Cosmetic Bag
Beautifully simple, this embroidered quilted cosmetic bag would make a brilliant gift for brides and grooms-to-be. Though each toiletry bag is machine washable, take extra care to tighten the lids to foundation and self-tanner before use.
Buy now £16.19, Etsy
Kind Bag Weekender Bag
Cabin-bag approved, this weekender bag from the heroes over at Kind Bag has been crafted from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles. Vegan, cruelty-free and void of PFA coatings, this naturally water-resistant piece of kit is machine washable and set to be your new best friend.
Buy now £65.00, Kind Bag
Astley Clarke Biography 18ct-Gold Vermeil Malachite Friendship Bracelet
Known as the “stone of transformation”, malachite helps to ward off danger and clear the chakras. Gifting your best friend a friendship bracelet crafted with this precious stone is a sign that you truly want to see them shine.
Buy now £148.00, Selfridges
Etsy Hand-Painted Personalised Hairbrush
A personalised hairbrush is the sweetest pick for youngsters. These traditional, hand-painted designs are set on a sleek wood construction and are ideal for baby showers, christenings and Christmas. Simply choose the name and style of flower - ranging from white winter roses to blue forget-me-nots - and you have yourself a one-of-a-kind gift.
Buy now £30.00, Etsy
Cortona Splatter Oil Pourer
A homeware gift for the avid chef and salad connoisseur, the Cortona oil pourer was designed in Tuscany by Cortonese artisan Giulio Lucarini for Italian company Ivo Angel. It’s been crafted using wheel-thrown terracotta clay and decorated with a slip and transparent glaze. The slightly weighted yet easy-to-handle creation is finished with a cork and stainless steel stopper, handmade in Sardinia.
Buy now £60.00, Toast
Ceramic Paintbrush Holder
Offered in an array of pretty pastel colours, this handmade paintbrush holder and water pot make a fantastic gift for the artist in your life. It has a fully glazed interior to protect the stoneware and a half-glazed exterior for an arty finish.
Buy now £22.00, Etsy
Beaded Phone Ropes
Though technically a phone charm, we love the fact that these bright orange beads rather resemble those which Jane herself strung through the loops of her very own Birkin. The chic accessory is also available in cobalt blue and black.
Buy now £14.00, Not Another Bill
Blooms Of Boldness Crochet Flower Bouquet
Gift a flower bouquet that never withers to your loved one this festive season with the help of a female-owned small business The Way To You. We love the perennial pop of colour that this bouquet comprising of poppy, fern, Peruvian daffodil, berry and Lily of the Valley elicits.
Buy now £42.00, NOTHS
Gigi Clozeau 18ct Gold Ladybug Pendant
Crafted in Gigi Clozeau’s family workshop in the South of France, this lovely ladybird 18ct gold silhouette is complemented by lovely red enamel dots. It features an attached bail clasp for locking onto your favourite necklace or bracelet. Purchase this as a gift for the good luck charm in your life.
Buy now £175.00, Liberty
UpCircle Kaolin Clay Face Mask
Detox your skin and combat bacteria with the award-winning, vegan clay face mask from UpCircle. The luxurious product counteracts blackheads and prevents breakouts, meaning you can feel confident in your skin at all times. It’s suitable for all skin types, thanks to a blend of olive powder with white kaolin clay, coconut powder and baobab oil. Treat your skin to some serious TLC with this mask to hand.
Buy now £20.99, UpCircle
American Trench Classic Retro Sock Pack
You can’t go wrong with some all-American, striped tube socks. This pack of ecru socks with varying retro-coloured stripes from American Trench are a must-have whether paired with rollerblades, trainers or loafers.
Buy now £24.00, Free People
The Pink Reef Elongated Bow earrings
Christmas means bows on just about everything, ears included. This gilded pair is finished with 18k gold plate and will look stunning whether you wear your hair up or down.
Buy now £96.00, Wolf & Badger
Baby Turtle Conservation Everyday Pouch
Treat the animal lover in your life to a sumptuously soft, personalised velvet pouch from Elizabeth Scarlett this festive season. Choose from a Safari-themed design or browse the varied mystical motifs on offer before adding your very own personalisation.
We’re particularly fond of the customisable baby turtle conservation pouch, which is beautifully embroidered with originally hand-painted designs. Plus, two per cent of Elizabeth Scarlett’s annual sales go to animals and projects which support keystone species. That’s festive shopping to feel good about.
Buy now £32.00, Elizabeth Scarlett
The Tartan Blanket Co. Lambswool Oversized Scarf
If you’re looking for expert craftsmanship for an affordable price, The Tartan Blanket Co. practically invented it. As stated on the brand’s website, this lambswool scarf’s extra length and width make it ideal for styling as a shawl or as a simple double wrap. Add your loved one’s initials for £15 extra to make it all the more personal.
Buy now £69.00, The Tartan Blanket Co.
Liga Candle Holders
These beautiful, neutral pillar candle holders are made from 100 per cent eco recycled sweetcorn husks. They make a fine addition to any sustainable dinner table and can be wrapped with festive branches for Christmas dinner.
Buy now £18.00, NOTHS
Mustard Made The Kit in Sage
Treat the homemaker in your life to a new, easy-to-build storage solution from family-owned business Mustard Made. Started by two sisters living on opposite ends of the world, the brand has become a go-to destination for bright and beautiful storage lockers - and has gone from strength to strength since its inception back in 2017.
The Kit is the latest addition to the brand’s bustling collection, featuring chic fluted glass detailing and that signature Mustard locker key. It’s available in all 12 signature colours, but our favourite happens to be the sage green hue.
Buy now £199.00, Mustard Made
Bloomsbury Revisited Muse Lampshade
Bloomsbury Revisited is a small British company which specialises in hand-painting lampshades inspired by Charleston Farmhouse. Artist Jane McCall takes inspiration from the flamboyant style of the historical Bloomsbury Set in order to craft whimsical, modernist designs.
Our personal favourite is the subtly stylish and elegant ‘Muse’ lampshade. You can also shop complementary bases here.
Buy now £90.00, Bloomsbury Revisited
Santoku Knife – Maldon
This gorgeous kitchen knife features a blade handmade by Goto in Seki, Japan and an octagonal handle made out of Maldon Sea Salt’s waste plastic. A veritable treat for any culinary enthusiast.
Buy now £120.00, Allday Goods
Isla De Gar Antique White Heart Hair Scrunchie
The most adorable addition to any festive slicked-back bun, Isla De Gar specialises in lovingly handcrafted accessories which embrace the slow fashion movement. It’s crafted from satin ribbon and measures roughly 15cm in diameter.
Buy now £35.00, Koibird
