Nothing shows love and appreciation quite like a handmade gift.
However, the majority of us aren’t even blessed with the ability to draw stickmen, let alone mastering age-old artisanal skills like oil painting, embroidery and pottery.
But don’t let a lack of the requisite skills stop you from presenting loved ones with thoughtful, handcrafted creations. Just because the gift hasn’t been spawned in a godlike manner from your own hands, it doesn’t mean you can’t hand over something handcrafted.
Many of us can think of a handful of recipients who will delight in the perfect imperfections of a handmade ceramic mug, or who will cry happy tears when gifted a specially commissioned portrait. Letting the experts do the job instead of attempting it yourself is a sure-fire investment in a high-quality, stylish and durable present which could even become a family heirloom in the future.
This isn’t to say that your watercolour birthday cards and air-dry clay trinket dishes should be tossed out with the rubbish. However, when it comes to extra-special, commemorative occasions like anniversaries, graduations or milestone birthdays, consider browsing one of the many marketplace retailers specialising in handmade creations by small businesses.
From artisanal pottery to hand-stitched creations, we’ve curated a selection of the best handmade gifts below.
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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
Maxi Weekender Ricebag
Crafted from discarded rice bags from Nepal and India, these handmade totes by regenerative fashion brand Hemper Handmade S.L. also feature mountain ropes woven between the handles for increased durability. It is lined with cotton, has reinforced edges, comes with a handy carabiner clip and is embroidered with a rising sun.
Buy now £103.00, Wolf & Badger
Soho Home Hillcrest Pasta Bowl, Set of Four
Handmade by skilled artisans who have been producing ceramics in a small village just outside of Florence for 40 years, these lovely stoneware bowls are crafted from Tuscan stoneware and realised in a calming sage green hue.
Buy now £50.00, Soho Home
Augarten Hand-Painted Porcelain Croissant Dish
Simultaneously disturbingly and delightfully inedible, this surprisingly realistic hand-painted porcelain croissant dish is the perfect vessel for butter or jam on the breakfast table.
Buy now £235.00, Abask
Longpi Seasoning Pot
Made using an age-old technique unique to two villages in north-east India, this utilitarian seasoning pot is made by mixing ground black stone with locally found clay before being left in the sun to dry out and then woodfired – hence that highly characteristic deep black patina. The piece is finished with a side-loop and a neem wood spoon, which is made from timber from storm-felled trees and responsibly managed woodland in Jharkhand.
Buy now £20.00, Toast
Ceramic Paintbrush Holder
Offered in an array of pretty pastel colours, this handmade paintbrush holder and water pot makes 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
Old Bookshop Soy Wax Scented Candle
Handmade in London with 100 per cent pure natural eco-soy wax, this vegan and cruelty-free candle is imbued with natural ingredients and essential oils which evoke the scents of your favourite local bookshop. Notes of dusty tomes and leather-bound books are sure to delight the bookworm in your life.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Personalised Moon Trinket Dish
Beloved Etsy creator TheDoodleShed is renowned for gloriously minimalist clay creations ranging from personalised Christmas ornaments to sleek and stylish trinket dishes. We love this moon-shaped jewellery tray which is perfect for the bedside table.
Buy now £8.00, Etsy
Soap on a Rope - Patchouli Rose
Hand-cut and swirled in small batches, this soap on a rope by The Natural Spa Store helps to naturally exfoliate the skin for a smooth and supple complexion without any artificial fragrances, preservatives, palm oils or parabens.
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
Personalized Vinyl Record with Photo
An incredibly thoughtful gift for a music lover, this Etsy seller will personalise a display vinyl record with your favourite song and your chosen image. Choose between two sizes, and the option for an engravable display board. You can also add a scannable Spotify music code so the recipient can play their favourite track with just a scan.
Buy now £16.28, Etsy
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
Good Squish Scrunchie
If you watched the final season of Sex Education and wondered where the incredible souped-up scrunchies are from, well the answer is Good Squish. The ruffled hair adornments are the most sought-after accessory of the moment with their oversized design and pretty yet punchy colourways. Need to keep your hair away from your face? Whip your thick mane up in a bin and secure it with Good Squish.
Buy now £40.00, Selfridges
Personalised Good For You Cushion
Lovingly handmade in London from uber-soft Scottish wool, this customisable cushion by Pickles Knitwear makes for a kitschy present. Whether your recipient loves Guinness, Whispering Angel or Walkers crisps, add this made-to-order cushion to your virtual basket for a uniquely personal gift.
Buy now £115.00, The Go-To
Brady Fishing Bag
Handmade in England since 1887, Brady is a heritage lifestyle brand which makes classic, durable and stylish fisherman-style bags. They’re crafted in Walsall from premium canvas, brass and English bridle leather components from original patterns. Weatherproof and highly practical, you needn’t be an ardent angler to wear this stylish saddle bag.
Buy now £340.00, Labour and Wait
Travel Backgammon Board
Globetrotting board game lovers will rejoice for this beautifully handmade roll-up backgammon set by Los Angeles-based brand Throwing Doubles. It’s offered in a variety of hand-stitched hues which are inspired by locations across the globe, but this sandy St Barth’s option is our favourite.
Buy now £232.00, The Go-To
Oval Lacquered Frame with Pressed Flowers
These aesthetically pleasing pressed flower frames by Matilda Goad & Co. are made with inlaid stained wood and finished with an intensely glossy lacquer. They’re available in various colouways to suit your personal aesthetic and come with hand-pressed flowers by UK-based Me & My Bloomers.
Buy now £190.00, Matilda Goad & Co.
