Shop small - your ethical Christmas gift guide 2024
From cosy knits and preloved clothes to bags made out of unwanted inflatables and zero waste jewellery, this extra special Christmas gift guide is a treasure trove of some of my favourite ethical, sustainable and independent businesses who care deeply about crafting good things, for good people (and pets).
🎁 In this Christmas gift guide you’ll also find mood-boosting natural home fragrance, hand-sewn make-up bags and textiles, crochet soft toys and patterns, and delicious mindful hot chocolate. For those that prefer to gift experiences over things you’ll find calligraphy classes, mandala workshops, and cake decorating classes. Or perhaps treat yourself and learn how to live gift wrap with ease this Christmas or join a ten year plan workshop in the New Year.
Let’s spread some small business joy this festive season by supporting the artists, crafters and makers who are living and working in our communities, and say yes to quality over quantity!
Join me in voting with your money and shop small this year.
Small businesses can’t compete with the big offers and discounts that other much larger companies can promote for Black Friday - and in fairness we don’t want to. You only have to look at the images of Black Friday purchases in landfill, to realise that this is over consumerism on a whole new level.
Almost half of UK shoppers said they rarely or never used their Black Friday purchases. Starling Bank, 2023
Colour Friday
That’s why I’m supporting Holly & Co’s #colourfriday campaign and I hope you will too.
Please share this post with friends, family, colleagues and support the wonderful small businesses listed below. One in three small to medium size business fear closure by the end of 2024 (Novuna, 2024) and the Christmas period is a crucial time for many micro-small business, so let’s show them some love and SHOP SMALL this year 🎄
Shop Independent Christmas Gift Guide 2024
Clothing, accessories & homewares
Merino lambswool orange thin pink stripped wristwarmers - SHOP ITEM
Penny Grace Knitwear
Bringing colourful joy to everyday life.
Penny Grace Knitwear is a West London-based brand specialising in vibrant, handcrafted accessories. Founded in 2022 by designer Helen Deely, the brand is known for its signature striped designs. From her Ealing studio, Helen creates playful yet timeless pieces using British-spun Merino lambswool, producing cosy, durable items like wristwarmers, snoods, scarves, beanies, ponchos, and blankets for adults and children. With a background in Textile Design and Fashion Knitwear, Helen combines expertise with a passion for adding colourful joy to everyday life.
Find the perfect cosy gift that’s made to last at: pennygraceknitwear.co.uk
Stunning Raey 100% silk blouse size 12 - SHOP ITEM
Sourced.
Your source for the very best preloved finds.
Treat someone else, or perhaps even treat yourself, to preloved clothing, accessories and homewares from Sourced. Founder Sarah Sole is on a mission to change people’s shopping habits and prove that “second hand does not mean second best” by becoming the go to place for the very best preloved finds. Horrified by the impact fast fashion is having on our planet, Sarah was determined for her family not to add to the problem and so decided to bring beautiful timeless pieces to a wide audience whilst keeping them out of landfill.
Source your preloved finds at: sourced.studio
Christmas tree huggie hoops - SHOP ITEM
Studio Nerg
Handcrafted clay statement jewellery and accessories
Made for people who love colour! Everything is designed to be comfortable and wearable, from the smallest studs to the largest statement pieces. Designed by Nerg in her studio in west London. Studio Nerg is a zero waste business, and even has a zero waste design range where Nerg turns offcuts into beautiful unique pieces.
Step into a world of colour at: studionerg.co.uk
Free delivery if ordered before 1st December, use code: KGNUXJGZ
Noelle Christmas charm bracelets - SHOP ITEM
Denalis Jewellery
Handcrafted fine and sterling silver jewellery
Denise makes beautifully unique pieces of assay quality jewellery, including bracelets, earrings and necklaces. She works primarily with silver precious metal clay, made using reclaimed silver, a very versatile, zero waste material. Nothing goes to waste during the Denalis making process. Denise also makes sterling silver jewellery featuring semi precious stones or Swarovski crystal pearls.
Find the perfect silver jewellery gift at: denalisjewellery.bigcartel.com
Get a 10% discount with code: Den10
The Chevron Oversized Quilted Clutch - Christmas Limited Edition - SHOP ITEM
Inflatable Amnesty
One-of-a-kind bags made from salvaged inflatables
Inflatable Amnesty have been salvaging and repurposing bags from broken inflatables, since 2010. In 2017 Georgia and Steve decided to open up Inflatable Amnesty so the public could send in their broken inflatables to them, instead of landfill. So far, they’ve recycled over 700 tonnes of broken paddling pools, airbeds and countless other forms of inflatables turning them into a variety of unique and playful bags and gifts. All their products are made by them on the Isle of Wight, UK.
Show your support at: inflatableamnesty.com
Stylish lightweight tote bag with a stylised floral digital illustrated print - SHOP ITEM
desgn.prnt
Creating textures through surface pattern design and illustration
Rakha Madahar of desgn.prnt is an award winning surface pattern designer and illustrator who creates stunning artwork for apparel, home decor, and has a range of eco-friendly homeware, cards and gifts. Her work is both bold and vibrant, making it perfect for those looking to add a touch of creative flair to their lives.
Rakha’s artwork is often inspired by her travels and experiences, and she loves to explore different cultures and their associated art and design styles.
Explore more at: desgnprnt.co.uk
Luxurious button pouch make-up bag with bee design - SHOP ITEM
Olganna
Make someone smile this Christmas
Olganna designs and creates textile products perfect for both everyday storage and travel such as make-up and beach bags. Handmade in Oldham, Olganna products are made from a beautiful assortment of patterned fabrics with a practical design and high quality finish.
Find the range of handmade gifts at: olganna.com
Free Shipping until 25th Dec. No min spend. Worldwide. Use code 'kohlab' at checkout.
Beauty & home fragrance
Wild swimmer’s gift box - A beautiful collection sea-themed items including cold water salve, beach blend coffee and Alpaca socks - SHOP ITEM
MELLA Handmade Soap
Ethical and socially responsible skincare and candles
MELLA Handmade Soap is a small soap, skincare and candle business based in Unst in the Shetland Isles. Melanie makes a range of palm oil free soaps and skincare using only the finest ingredients and eco friendly packaging. Melanie is inspired by the stunning nature and natural beauty of her island home and loves working and collaborating with other small businesses and artists for new products and label designs.
Dive into Mella’s Shetland-inspired products at: mellasoap.co.uk
For 15% off use code KOHLAB15 valid until 16th December 2024
Fallen Leaves candle in amber - SHOP ITEM
Whist
Creating moments of pause
Essential oil handmade candles, mindfully created by Whist founder Kerry to aid your wellbeing. Made with the gentlest tread on the planet, and no harm to all souls we share it with.
Whist also sells a collection of both refillable candles, and wax melt warmers to suit any style of home decor, made from sustainable British stone clay.
Gift someone a moment of calm from: whistuk.com
Receive a 10% discount when you sign up to the Whist newsletter
Pets
The Midnight Bundle with dog walking bag - SHOP ITEM
Bew Dogs
Stylish dog accessories for hounds about town
Bew Dogs is an independent, dog-loving brand, created by pooch owners who were inspired to make stylish pieces for their beloved pets at reasonable prices. They are based in West London (Fulham) but deliver across the UK. Bew Dogs, founded by Lily, comprises a small but dedicated team and who spend all their time researching exciting new products for city dogs, connecting with their community on socials and ensuring their customers are 100% happy with everything they order! Bew Dogs care about Mother Earth as much as they do their Bew Dogs, and strive to provide customers with environmentally-friendly products wherever possible.
Find the paw-fect present at: bewdogs.co.uk
Use the code WINTER25 for 25% off the whole store.
Toys
Penguin children’s soft toy keepsake heirloom gift 100% wool - SHOP ITEM
Made in the Button Room
Planet-friendly crochet soft toys and keepsakes
Natalie, the founder of Made in the Button Room, is an eco conscious crochet designer and maker, specialising in Amigurumi crochet. Here in the Button Room it's planet first, Natalie is passionate about using more sustainable and natural materials such as British wool and organic cotton. The name 'Made in the Button Room' comes from what they call their cosy spare room - The button room. It is decorated with many of the old buttons Natalie has collected since she was a child. It's this Room that everything from crochet soft toys, known as the 'Button Room Mini's', greetings cards, seasonal decorations, framed crochet pictures and crochet patterns and kits are designed and lovingly made.
Visit the button room at: buyindie.co.uk/store/made-in-the-button-room
Food & Drink
Calm Cocoa Original Rich mix hot chocolate - SHOP ITEM
Calm Cocoa by Meredith Whitely
Award-winning mindful hot chocolate
Calm Cocoa is an award-winning mindful hot chocolate range created by meditation teacher & chocolatier Meredith. It all started with her deep love of chocolate and the need to build a better relationship with stress … It’s based on the simple ritual of making and mindfully sipping hot chocolate as a beautiful way to create space for calm and connection in a busy day. Our hot chocolate is made using flakes of real chocolate, sourced for both ethics and taste. It can be enjoyed on it’s own or as part of a calming hot chocolate meditation. We’re a proudly small batch maker and have no plans to grow to world hot chocolate domination. Small is definitely good!
Gift a splash of mindfulness at: calmcocoa.co.uk
Ethically sourced loose-leaf herbal tea blends - SHOP TEAS
little batch
Award winning herbal teas, seasonal syrups and decadent bliss balls
little batch is an award winning foodie business based in the beautiful Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Like most people, owner and maker Kirsty likes to know what's in her food. She has found joy in cooking, baking, "growing your own" and foraging since she was a child. little batch makes delicious chocolate balls (with a health conscious twist), distinctive loose leaf herbal teas inspired by the forest and delightful seasonal syrups - all handmade in their rural kitchen and created with natural, local, foraged or ethically sourced ingredients.
Get foraging for the perfect foodie gift at: littlebatch.co.uk
Cake decorating gift certificates - SHOP ITEM
Cookie Girl
Sprinkling the magic with cake decorating classes
Xanthe Milton AKA Cookie Girl has been teaching people the art of cake decorating for over 20yrs. Having written a best selling recipe book and taught clients including Netflix, Sony & Nike, she can teach you the techniques to take your cake design to a professional level. A gift certificate makes the perfect present for a loved one and why not make it a shared memory by treating yourself to one too?
Gift a cupcake experience at: cookiegirl.co.uk
Get 20% discount on purchase of 2 x gift certificates - no expiry
Creative classes & workshops
Learn to wrap for Christmas - SHOP CLASSES
Giftwrapped by Eve
Greener giftwrapping made easier
Eve Cale, founder, Giftwrapped by Eve, will help you learn to giftwrap with ease and enjoy it (with an eco-friendly twist). Whether it's reducing waste, choosing sustainable materials or implementing simple eco friendly wrapping techniques, Eve’s mission is to help make greener gifting easier.
Through her series of online workshops, Eve can help you choose greener wrapping materials and improve your wrapping skills so it's easier this Christmas.
Order materials at: giftwrappedbyeve.com
FREE UK delivery for orders of £25+. Last date to order materials: Thursday 19th December
Online calligraphy club for lettering lovers and improvers - EXPLORE THE CLUB
Laura Letters Life
Calm, create and connect with mindful calligraphy
As a London-based calligraphy artist and teacher Laura helps people tap into their inner creative, find a space to calm their busy lives and to re-connect - whether that’s with themselves, or with others. She offers public and private workshops as well as workplace sessions to help people get creative. Laura also offers calligraphy services providing a personal touch for events, brand launches and more.
Explore calligraphy workshops at: lauraletterslife.com
Mindful Calligraphy Club discounts:
Monthly membership - for 1 month free use code: 1MTHFREE
Annual membership - for £30 off use code: CLUB30
Mandala Art Workshop in Chiswick, London - SHOP CLASSES
Story Beyond Lines
Art with a spiritual soul
Ekta is an Artist based in west London, specialising in Mandala Art. She hosts meditative mandala art workshops and events for kids and adults, where participants come and indulge in a meditative art, while being creative.
Explore more at: storybeyondlines.com
Get £10 off when you book a Mandala Art Workshop in London on or before 24th December 2024 - BOOK HERE
Update your ten year plan online workshop - SHOP TICKETS
In Ten Years Time
New Year’s Day Workshop - create your ten year plan
In Ten Years Time: How to live a creative life, is a podcast and a philosophy. Creator and host Tricia Duffy is on a mission to inspire and support you to live with creative balance. Using the power of ten year planning coupled with small daily steps you will live a more creative life. Join Tricia on New Year's Day for an on line workshop to create or update your ten year plan live.
Learn how to live a creative life at: intenyearstime.com
Early Bird Tickets available now for £20 - BOOK OR GIFT A TICKET
I hope this ‘shop small’ Christmas gift guide leaves you feeling inspired by all the unique gift and experience ideas offered by independent businesses who care about their customers, the planet we call home and doing things really well. By supporting small businesses I believe we can turn the tide back towards quality, connection and community.
