Christmas will be here before we know it, I feel like this year all the months have merged into one and now suddenly, it's Christmas. I've been trying to discover new brands this year while shopping for Christmas gifts for friends and family, especially small businesses that I can support. Other people's gift guides have really helped me to find brands to buy from, especially with the difficult year and the impact it has had for so many businesses. I thought I'd create a gift guide for those struggling to find presents for their loved ones or those who simply want to change it up a little from the usual.
The Small Business Gift Guide
I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping this year with small businesses. I think it's so important to support people who have made the leap to start their own business, for these people, each order they receive helps them out and really makes a difference to their lives.
Here's a little bit of self promotion. This year I started my own jewellery business, selling polymer clay and gold plated jewellery on Etsy. Struggling with the confinement of lockdown in the spring and feeling I wasn't being creative enough led me to start creating unique and quirky jewellery pieces. They vary in price from simple and sleek designs to eye-catching Christmas wreath earrings so there really is something for everyone.
Since seeing people showing these stunning bubble candles on Tik Tok, I became obsessed with them. They're so unique and will be such a statement feature to any room or space. I'm definitely going to purchase these for a friend and I cannot wait for them to add it to their home. Choose the perfect colour for your home and the scent you adore and for just £10, it's yours!
Another item I've purchased for someone is this adorable Fox planter. So many people have spent time during lockdown working on their interiors and creating a happy space to live in, especially as we've been spending so much time indoors this year! Growing and looking after plants has become so popular and these small planters are perfect for small plants to get you started. I know this would be perfect for me as someone who can just about look after a cactus!
Stationery is such a great gift for a number of people, I bought this notepad for myself a few weeks ago because I needed a cute notepad for journaling and I've ended up buying it as a Christmas gift too. At the end of the day, who doesn't need a notepad? Perfect for shopping lists, making notes at work or writing your Christmas list!
Another idea I originally saw on Tik Tok were these custom song plaques. This would be perfect to give to your husband or wife with your first dance song on, to your mum with her favourite song or as a gift to yourself. I think they're such a lovely idea and a really personal and thoughtful gift for anyone.
As well as purchasing from small businesses this year, I've also been trying to limit the amount of clothes that I purchase and to buy from more sustainable brands. Sophia Sunday sells clothes that she makes by hand which is incredible, as well as the fact that all her pieces are completely up my street. I love the idea of having clothing that isn't mass produced and lining the pockets of huge businesses but are supporting someone creating these beautiful pieces by hand.
The Beauty Gift Guide 
Have
you got someone in your life like me who is obsessed with beauty? I
feel like this year there are so many options, so many gift sets that
are ideal for the beauty and skincare obsessed person in your life.
A new brand from Jamie Genevieve that I just couldn't wait to get my hands on so I purchased 3 minutes after it was released. This is a great palette to get as a gift, it has really neutral colours so it would be perfect for everyone. Each eyeshadow is huge so you'll definitely get lots of uses out of the palette.
Who doesn't love Pillow Talk? The classic and iconic lipstick shade from Charlotte Tilbury that has been adapted into lipliners and eyeshadow palettes. This kit combines the beauty of Pillow Talk into a set full of beautiful lip products that are perfect for Christmas.
This book is currently on my Christmas List! Skincare can be overwhelming, knowing your hyaluronic acid from your niacinamide can be daunting so it's great to have all the information in one place. I can't wait to get my hands on this book for some no nonsense information.
I've mentioned Becca highlighters before, they're stunning and I'm obsessed with them. In this kit you get a liquid version and their powder version so it's perfect if you want to mix it up a bit with either. The powder is in the shade 'Opal' which is my all time favourite shade from them, it's so versatile and works on so many different skin tones.
In this set you get their Suede Shade and Glitter and Glow. Even after about three years, I still absolutely swear by their Glitter and Glow. It is the best glitter I've tried, it's in a liquid form so it doesn't fall onto your skin like powder glitters. Even though Christmas parties are very different this year, these are still absolutely ideal for a zoom party in your living room!
Some of my favourite eyeshadow palettes are from Anastasia Beverly Hills, the consistency is beautiful and they blend like a dream. Their Soft Glam palette is a staple in my collection and in the set with it you get a mini mascara and a lip gloss too.
The Luxury Gift Guide
Is there someone who you want to treat this year? Someone who deserves the gift of all gifts? These gifts are very extravagant and I would definitely not complain if any of these were sat under my Christmas tree!
Is there anything more luxurious than receiving a hamper for Christmas? This hamper contains everything you could possibly need to get yourself in the festive spirit, wine, chutney, chocolates and so much more. This would be the perfect gift for that difficult to buy for family member.
I have been obsessed with this bag for months. I adore this colour, it's so subtle and chic and I also love the forest green version. It's such a simple yet chic cross body bag that screams classy and elegant. If anyone has a spare £1000, feel free to get one for me.
My favourite jewellery brand is Monica Vinader. All the pieces are classy and look so much more expensive than they actually are. These come separately, as gold huggie earrings and pearls so you can wear the gold earrings on their own for a simpler look or add the pearls for a more dramatic look. The more I look at these, the more I must have them.
I ask for pyjamas almost every year, my dream one day is to have a really fancy silk set. These are simple, stunning and look so so comfy. Everything The White Company sells looks so expensive and decadent.
Does anything feel fancier than Jo Malone Candles? This set of three contains their 200g festive home candles in the scents Frosted Cherry & Clove, Roasted Chesnut and Sweet Almond & Macaroon. With the addition of the lids, these would look beautiful displayed in the home, adding a really classy feel to any space.
The detailed green watch face stood out to me immediately. The emerald green colour looks so extravagant and it also has a gold plated bracelet strap to make it more feminine and the addition of small jewels around the watch face.
The Stocking Filler Gift Guide
Have you got a stocking to put together for someone? A secret santa to buy for? Or just need a small gift for someone to show you care for them? These little affordable gifts are small but mighty!
I have become completely obsessed with hot chocolate bombs. They're a chocolate ball you place in your mug, add hot milk and wait for the ball to melt. This pack of three contains mini marshmallow which will release when the bomb melts. A really affordable but enjoyable gift.
A mug is always such a fail safe gift to buy anyone, any gender, any age and it's ideal. I love these bistro style mugs from Anthropologie, I have a 'bonjour' one and definitely have my eye on an initial one too. If you like this style, it's also worth browsing their other bistro style home items as they're stunning.
This is another item on my personal Christmas list. Florence Given is a Sunday Times bestseller, this is the perfect book for those wanting to "challenge the out-dated narratives supplied to us by the patriarchy." I think this would be ideal for any female in your life.
I've bought this gift for my niece, it's the perfect size for a little toiletries bag or as a makeup bag. You can personalise it with the recipients name which I know my niece is going to absolutely adore. Again, this is from a small business that I'm so happy to support and it's also incredibly affordable!
Got someone really difficult to buy for? You can't really go wrong with chocolate! These are American chocolate bars so they're something a bit different to give someone something new to try!
I saw these in store about a month ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about them since! They also do soaps in the most adorable designs too, a beautiful front door design with a wreath, a set of skis on the top of soap and a Christmas tree on top of a car illustration!
Have you bought any great gifts this Christmas? Let me know in the comments!
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