Christmas this year will be unlike any other for several reasons. The way we celebrate with loved ones will change, with safety and care in the forefront of our minds, religious services will be limited and perhaps the most positive outcome, so will the way we shop.
This year the spotlight has been well and truly shone on shopping small. As we recognise the importance of supporting our community and the little guy, over the monstrous retail giants, who have made ‘$5.2 billion in quarterly profit’ this year, social media and marketplace sites have been inundated with new shops, artists, gift guides and advocates for shopping small and sustainable.
Whether you’re shopping for a friend or family member, or a much-needed gift for yourself, here is a list of 15 gift ideas from small businesses to support this Christmas.
*Ideal gifts for Women 16 -25 ( but we don’t discriminate here can suit older/younger people and Men/Non-binary individuals too!), who are into Y2K and 90’s fashion and style, spend a lot of time on Tiktok/Pinterest/Instagram, like pop culture, self-care and homeware*
1. Beaded Charm Necklace £12+ – Beads By Ast on Instagram
*Female Owned*
The beaded jewellery trend is here to stay and nobody does it better than Beads by Ast.
Founded by Asti Wagner, and launching amidst COVID-19, these beautiful personalised pearl charm necklaces are a nod to the y2k trend and add fun and colour to any outfit (work from home or socially distanced drinks).
Oh, and 25% of Profits go the COVID relief fund!
2. Illustrated Film and TV 2021 Calendar £15 – Tilliecm on Etsy
*Female Owned*
Have you or your loved one, watched every film/show under the sun? Does Netflix ask YOU for recommendations? Then these illustrated calendars might just make your/their day.
Illustrated by 24-year-old Tillie Miller Crawford, these calendars are available with illustrations from popular TV series’, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s movie classics and Romcom and Coming of age specials. If a calendar isn’t for you or you want something smaller, make sure to check out her postcards and posters with the same illustrations available.
3. Animal Print Cushions £10.50 – Daisydoodling on Etsy
*Female Owned*
Spending so much time at home has a lot of us itching to redo our spaces. These funky animal print cushions, handmade by Linda Lloyd, call out to the Carole Baskin in all of us and add the perfect touch of personality and cosiness to any bedroom.
4. A3 Print £15 – By Artist Rosa Kusabbi
*Female Owned*
One of the AOI’s Grads to watch 2020, Rosa’s vibrant, empowering, in your face artwork makes the perfect gift and addition to your home.
Inspired by 70’s female punk bands and filled with neon colours and iconic female figures her shop is a growing favourite! This print (above) is soon to be residing in my room along with this 2000s themed one.
5. Female Torso Candle (Profits to Rape Crisis UK) £12 – AFGByTallulah on Etsy
*Female Owned*
Candles a Winter Hygge essential… These, too pretty to burn, candles are hand-poured by Tallulah, using Vegan Soy Wax for her social enterprise AFGByTallulah. All proceeds go to support the work of Rape Crisis UK.
Available in a range of scents including Vanilla and Rose & Lavender as well as a variety of colours including skin tones, these candles are great for anyone wanting to decorate their homes and empower women at the same time!
6. Lash Serum and Lip Scrub Gift Set £15 – SweetLavender on Etsy
*Black & Female Owned*
Tried and tested by myself and over 300 others with raving 5-star reviews, Sweet Lavender’s Eyelash/Eyebrow serums all-natural blend of nourishing oils really work. Hairs appear noticeably thicker, healthier and longer after a couple of weeks!
In this set, their signature serum is paired with a handmade lip scrub, satin scrunchie and faux mink lashes (not that you’ll need them after using the serum) and is great value as the serum alone is almost half the price.
7. Brown Hearts Phone Case £9.59 – £12.79 (depending on model) – Luxury Hunters on Etsy
Brown is the It colour at the moment, just ask any Pinterest board, and there is no easier way to incorporate it than this sweet little phone case from Luxury Hunters. Designed and crafted in London (but shipping worldwide) they offer a variety of styles and personalised options, to suit anybody.
With a 5 star rating from multiple buyers, it’s safe to say your phone is in good, stylish hands.
8. Rose Geranium Body Butter 120g £16.99 – The Mindful Skin
*Black & Female Owned*
Founded by Medical Student turned part-time business owner, Praise Stephen, during Lockdown, The Mindful Skin offers a range of handmade, vegan, cruelty-free nourishing body butters that make the perfect addition to any at-home pamper or daily skincare routine.
The Rose Geranium Butter is ‘enriched with vitamins A, D, E and Omega 3 fatty acids’ and made with delicious shea, mango and cocoa butters.
A portion of profits is being donated to York Christmas Meals to spread the love this Christmas and support children who will not have access to free school meals during holiday periods.
9. Vegan Cookie Crumble Brownie £10 – Greedy Pig Food
*Female Owned*
Is Christmas complete without indulging your sweet tooth?
Greedy Pig Food offers a range of Vegan-friendly, handmade, baked goods fresh to your door nationwide! From decadent Biscoff Brownies to Festive Lebkuchen Biscuits and my personal favourite a classic Oreo, these delightful letterbox bakes are a great treat for yourself or a friend.
Let’s not forget to mention that this a university student-run business that also uses eco-friendly/sustainable packaging!
10. The Glow Kit Set £16.99 – Kukua Skin on Instagram
*Black & Female Owned*
The signature product of growing natural skincare brand Kukua Skin, ran by London based Law student Gita Mari, this Turmeric based powdered mask has worked wonders for her hyperpigmentation and skin flare-ups after using the formula for the past 8 months. This set comes with rose water to mix in the powder and a brush for application.
Gita suggests this mask may not be good for those with sensitive skin due to the use of Turmeric but the Vitamin E Serum also available in her store is universal.
11. Stop Raising Him Tote £25 – Florence Given Shop
*Female Owned*
This tote speaks for itself, need I say more?
Featuring artwork by the incredible Florence Given a proudly queer feminist, activist, artist and author of the best selling Women Don’t Owe Your Pretty (also available in Tote form), this bag is a fantastic gift, conversation starter and personal reminder for anyone and everyone.
12. Beaded Strawberry Necklace £13 – Skyer0berts on Depop
*Female Owned*
If Strawberry Shortcake were alive (and real) in 2020, I’m almost certain this necklace would be in her basket.
Another nod to the Y2k/Kidcore/Kitsch jewellery trend (because who can get enough) this delightful design, as well as many others, are handmade by Ruby in London.
13. Rainbow Dangle Hoop Earrings £17 – Golden Goose Jewellery
*Female Owned*
Another small business birthed during Lockdown 2020, Golden Goose’s founder Amber Wakeley craved simple, elegant jewellery without the non-student friendly price tag so she set out to source it herself.
These plated Huggies/ hoops are beautiful, bright and timeless worn on their own or jingling amidst an ear constellation.
14. Trinket and Ring Holder – Sarahandtheclaybabies on Etsy
*Female Owned*
Completely made of air drying clay (Cigarette and all) and hand-painted by Sarah in her kitchen, the trinket dishes on offer in her store are bright, bold and wonderfully outrageous.
They are customisable, to whatever colour palette your heart desires and also come in animal print.
15. Handmade Faux Fur Tote – SalviApparel on Etsy
*Female Owned*
Last but not least, another tote for your collection.
This satin lined, dreamy faux fur number is handmade by Evie and would make a wonderful catch all for those who carry the world in their bag and nicely doubles as a pillow for those of who end up falling asleep on the train…
P.S There’s an animal print one on her store too.
Be warned that due to the nature of these items being handmade stocks are limited, likely to sell out and take a while to arrive depending on order date…but it’s so worth it!
For more small businesses, especially those ran by Women, check out Gals Who Create on Facebook and for more finds by me follow me on Etsy to shop my likes!
the world by nana 