One thing that makes this green and pleasant land of ours so special, is all the individual and artistic thinkers and designers that merge their creativity with a desire to not only provide a quality product but do right by this wonderful world and the people that inhabit it. Independent artisans following a dream and shun the bright lights for bright ideas.
Don’t spend the run-up to Christmas charging in and out of random shops or trawling through the heartless pages of Amazon. Get ahead and buy something that the woman in your life, be it wife, mother, sister, daughter or gran will truly treasure and respect.
Here’s our selection of bespoke gifts, lovingly and expertly made by the great independent and some additional treasures by a few of our other favourite brands.
Heritage Oxblood Rust by Ridgemont £149.00
Ridgemont makes timeless, stylish boots that’ll look and work equally well in both the urban city landscape or the less well-trodden terrain of the countryside. These Heritage boots are, well exactly that, a nod to the early Alpine hiking boots of yesteryear. Incredibly comfortable and super cool.
Women’s Bridger Mid Waterproof by Oboz £150.00
Renowned boot builders Oboz make seriously comfortable and sturdy footwear for the outdoor enthusiast. We’re loving the traditional vibe of their Bridger Mid. Featuring their signature tech specifications like the O FIT Insole™ and Granite Peak outers, these boots will see you through some serious adventures.
V2 Suilven Womens by Anatom £120.00
The very stylish new Suilven V2 hiking boot from Anatom is a lightweight and incredibly comfortable boot, that doesn’t sacrifice anything in the way of performance. A great all-rounder with superb grip and shock absorption thanks to the signature Vibram outsole. Give the gift of the great outdoors this Christmas.
In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara £16.99
It’s good for our muscles and posture; it helps to protect and repair organs and can slow or turn back the ageing of our brains. It reduces stress levels and has been shown to have an incredibly positive effect on our mental well being. Notwithstanding the fact, it enabled us to walk from Africa to the far reaches of Alaska and Australia. This book is everything you need to know about walking and why we need to stop sitting and get back out there.
The Christmas Tea Gift Box by Bird & Blend £22.70
Blazing a trail in the tea blending stakes and bringing a whole new dimension to the humble brew, Bird & Blend is one company you should look to for a unique and impressive Christmas gift. This festive gift box is jam-packed with wonderful blends, from Mulled Cider to Salted Caramel Lebkuchen. A winter warmer of a present for tea lovers everywhere.
Mini Moët Christmas Cracker by Moët £20.99
Mum or indeed the Mrs will be delighted at the sight of this mini Moët Champagne cracker nestled under the Christmas tree. Moreover, if you’re feeling really indulgent why not kick off the main event (Christmas Dinner) with a bang and add a selection of these to the dining table. If nothing else they’ll be a glamorous distraction from the overcooked turkey.
Wrist Warmers in Flannel Grey by Kate Box £30.00
Kate Box has been creating colourful knitwear solutions from her small but perfectly formed studio in the South Downs for some time now, handcrafting each delectable design. If you haven’t got onboard yet, then form an orderly queue, hand-made traditionally crafted garments take time, but the result could be a pair of these beautiful pencil stripe lambswool wristwarmers. Winter’s long and hard, so revel in the joy you’ll be bringing with these each and every day.
Enamel Studs by Honeybourne Jewellery from £20.00
If you want to give a gift that’ll keep on giving then jewellery is a no brainer and will delight the lady in your life this Christmas. Of course, then comes the minefield of where to shop and what to buy? Allow us to help you out there. Sophie Honeybourne has created an elegant range of enamel jewellery like these beautiful studded earrings. Inspired by the deserted beaches and un-spoilt woodland from the place she calls home on the Isle of Wight. Simply stunning.
Darya Sunglasses by Pala £75.00
If you want to go the extra mile this Christmas, then look no further than a pair of PALA sunglasses. For every pair sold the company gives back to eye care programmes in Africa that provide screenings and solutions for the visually impaired. With a business model that puts people and the planet first, PALA is a company with a big future, not least because they make a stunning range of shades, like these circular khaki tortoiseshell bad boys.
Samara Cashmere Women’s Socks by Pantherella £32.50
Listen there’s getting socks for Christmas and there’s getting a pair of the finest luxury cashmere socks in a pleasant eight stripe colourway made by England’s finest sockmakers Pantharella. Consider yourself tipped off.
Edel Bitter Cranberry Chocolate by Vivani £2
We’ll all share something in common this Christmas, eating too much of anything and everything. A friend of ours once ate potpourri from a glass bowl on a side table, thinking he was being polite. If some sweet stuff takes you or your loved ones fancy, then we highly recommend Vivani and their superior organic chocolate. Made from sustainably certified cocoa (no child labour). It’s delectable and there’s every imaginable flavour from bourbon vanilla to this sumptuous bitter cranberry.
On Flowers by Amy Merrick £27.99
Artist Amy Merrick knows a thing or two about flowers, that is to say, she’s a bonafide, if also accidental expert. This anthology of floral inspiration looks at the beauty in nature and is filled with incredible insights and stunning imagery. The perfect Christmas gift for those that after a touch of inspiration will know how even the humblest blossom can create a breathtaking bloom.
Deep Relax Nourishing Body Treatment by Aromatherapy Associates £49.00
Look, we’re giving you some serious help here in the Christmas gifting department. Not only are you purchasing something unique and thoughtful, but a gift that will get some serious use and actually bring a warm, happy glow to the recipient. That’s exactly what the Aromatherapy Associates are experts in, warm, happy glows. This nourishing body treatment is as luxurious as it sounds.
Lip Cream by DHC £8.78
Iconic and innovative Japanese grooming skincare pioneers DHC have been producing world-renowned grooming solutions since the 80s. This lip cream containing vitamin E and aloe will leave you mistletoe ready and is the perfect stocking filler surprise.
Daily Detox Facial Wash by Evolve £15.00
This delicate and detoxifying facial wash promises to rebalance the skin thanks to an array of goodies like organic aloe vera and goji berry extract. Evolve, for those that don’t know, handmake their products in small batches, which ensures they maintain their integrity, like all the organic natural ingredients that go in the pot. All hail our eco-friendly artisans!
Hair Growth Serum by Grow Gorgeous £30
What better gift for the lady in your life this Christmas than the present of beautiful hair, all thanks to those clever people at Grow Gorgeous. This easy to apply densifying serum uses their signature complex blend along with a little helping hand from Caffeine and Allantoin to reinvigorate those roots and deliver thicker, healthier-looking locks in as little as 4 weeks. Plus like all their other products it’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free and formulated without Parabens, Sulphates and other nasties, so your conscience can feel as good as that hair is going to look.
Balance Shine-Enhancing Overnight Mask by Grow Gorgeous £25
Imagine a product that gives your barnet a treatment while you sleep? Well, imagine no more as this shine-enhancing mask from Grow Gorgeous nourishes hair overnight giving healthy, frizz-free loveliness come morning time. This AHA mask fortified with Pataua and Acai Oils, gives smooth, soft, silky results. And who wouldn’t want that come Christmas morning?
Photography by Simon J Evans
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