Rebecca's Handpicked Small Business Gift Guide 2020
These are my personal picks of unusual and high quality products from other passionate small and independent businesses. I've tried to select gifts that are suitable to a wide audience and can be easily posted (or emailed), if gifting from afar.
1. Batch 001 Salt & Oil Bath Soak
Batch001 produce products harnessing the power of beeswax and other natural products. With organic sweet orange and bergamot oils, this bath oil contains 84 minerals to cleanse, detoxify and soften dry skin. As well as offering a range of gift sets for easy gifting, their salt and oil bath soak caught my eye. Shop here.
2. Heloise O'Hagan Candles
With scents for around the home from bath, bed, living and beyond, these candles are a true delight. Lovingly handmade in England from bone china, the vessels have a matte finish which is simple but unusual. Your receiver can also opt to have the vessel refilled once empty. Available here
3. Seraphina London
Seraphina has the most beautiful collection of clothing, mostly dresses, with a romantic and timeless feel. Fiona has just launched her debut autumn/winter collection full of sumptuous, deep velvets - ideal for the festive season. A great gift for you and your mini me. Explore here.
4. Online Courses: Isla Simpson's Table Stationery Course & Rita Konig's Interior Design Course
My top pick for any keen entertainer is Isla Simpson's online design course (£140) for table stationery - think divine menus and placecards. It takes 4-6 hours and is self paced. The course teaches you how to use a digital drawing app called Procreate on an iPad (you need to have an iPad Pro). Isla will give you the skills you need to create your own designs, as well as teaching you how to make some of her most popular designs, plus insider tips on printing and such alike. This course is perfect for brides to be or keen hosts and hostesses.
I also think Rita Konig's interior design course looks incredibly insightful and engaging (rumour has it she notes Italian bed linen as a must which we have to agree with)!
5. Charlie Bordewich Antiques
Charlie curates the most beautiful selection of pieces. They are classic, timeless with a touch of novelty - in the best way. Keep an eye on her page as things don't hang around - I have previously missed an Art Deco Italian silver plated ice bucket which was very reasonably priced. She is my go-to for those "hard to buy fors". My particular favourite are the matchbox strikers (from £90).
6. AMLY beauty
AMLY's day light oil is fantastic. Formulated to rehydrate, tone and protect skin cells from daily sun exposure, it's not going be unwanted by many. The formula is created from the pure mineral-rich spring water based at one of the co-founder's organic farm. My other top pick for a foul proof gift would be their sleep spray. These would be a foolproof gift for many. Shop here.
7. Annafie
Annafie design and create the most beautiful hand smocked clothing for boys and girls. Ranging from silk to tartan and Christmas dresses to pyjamas but always incredibly sophisticated. Shop here.
8. Loom
Loom launched this year and offer pyjamas made from Irish linen. We are big fans of Irish linen, as you most likely know, so it's great to see another brand championing this heritage community in Ireland. Explore here.
9. Camilla Rose Millinery
Another one for any little girls (and ladies) in your life. With events not happening this year, Camilla has brilliantly pivoted her millinery business to offer luxurious hair accessories such as the bows below.
The bows pictured start from £32 which is fantastic value for such high quality, handmade hair accessories. Available in adult and mini me size. Available here
10. The Jacksons
I discovered The Jacksons very recently. They do the most charming, sustainable beach / summer / market bags in a huge variety of novel but classic designs. One will definitely be coming with me on my next hot holiday - whenever that may be! We all need a bit of escapism right now... See the full range here
