It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn't it? 

As a small business ourselves, we know the importance of buying from independents. We love supporting people who put every thought in to how a product is made. When they're the ones packaging the products up, delivering them to the post office and answering emails, let alone being a one-man band marketing team, we whole-heartedly think that this is what makes a product extra special this Christmas. 

We've featured products from a range of businesses that we love below. So if you're still looking for that special something for that special someone, look no further! 

Made By Maika 

Maika is an enthusiastic artist from Kent, UK and is now based in London.

Pyrography has become the focus of her work and she produces hand crafted wooden gifts; from beautifully illustrated wooden spoons to wall art. 

Maika takes bespoke orders, such as this one in the photo above! So why not give a personalised gift this Christmas? We particularly like the bath shelf which has a wine glass holder! 

Pieces Of The Puzzle 

Did a family member get into jigsaw puzzles throughout lockdown? Well, you're in luck! 

Pieces Of The Puzzle sells modern jigsaw puzzles designed and produced in the UK, using FSC certified paper sources. They often collaborate with female artists on new designs and they're working on a range of pocket-size puzzle books! 

Sign up to their newsletter to receive 10%  off your first order. 

Gooseglitters 

Making new art from old, used, sometimes ripped and stained, scribbled on, gorgeous papers makes Laura from Gooseglitters' heart truly happy. Reusing and repurposing what is already with us - celebrating the life they have lived, the conversations they've been part off, the households they've lived in. She seriously believes these books and mags need to be seen again by creating special pieces of artwork in a collage-style. 

Her bespoke, often quirky designs are a gem to look at and would make someone's bedroom or living room wall very happy! 

Bare Bones Chocolate 

Bare Bones Chocolate is a micro-batch, bean to bar chocolate company based in Glasgow created by Cameron and Lara. As chocolate and speciality food enthusiasts, they wanted to create our own brand that was built on incredible chocolate with impeccable detail through every process. Even their packaging is made of recycled coffee cups! 

Their chocolate has been reviewed by the renowned Paul A Young who said he couldn't live without their Bare Bones Dominican 68 Percent Salted Chocolate! If it's good enough for one of the best chocolatiers in the world, then it's definitely good enough for a chocolate fanatic in your family. 

Yougi Botanical Candles 

Emily Lynam started out as a home accessories and beauty buying manager for top retailers. After traveling the world developing products, she decided it was time to launch her own new venture. Emily formed the idea for Yougi when in India doing a yoga training. Yougi brings the beauty of fragrance and ritual to every moment at home.

As well as her range of already made candles, you can give someone a candle kit so they can get creative in the period between Christmas New Year! 

Hermit London 

Hermit is built on the discovery that 10 million tonnes of bed linen is thrown away every year in Europ alone.

Hermit London take high quality bed linen, destined for landfill beyond all sense, and transform it into individual, characterful and comfortable pyjamas for a good night’s sleep with one less environmental worry on your mind. 

Shell Flower Store 

Homeware lovers look this way! 

Shell Flower curates the coolest of brands with a focus on sustainability and handmade products for your home and self. You'll find limited edition collaborations with some of Shell Flower's favourite brands, as well as slow design items handcrafted by emerging, independent designers.

They also actively support women owned brands and makers.   

They hope that each brand found at Shell Flower will bring a little bit of fun and colour into your homes, inspire interior creativity or simply brighten someone's day.

Lauren Aston Designs

Lauren Aston Designs (LAD) creates super chunky goodies; soft furnishings, knitwear and Christmas pieces as well as selling kits so you (or someone special) can have a bash yourself.  Lauren always wanted to hand knit but knew she needed to do it quite quickly, so using chunky yarn seemed a great solution to that.

The beautiful giant merino wool she uses for her blankets and home furnishings is so big that the knitting itself is speedy, but the time consuming part comes after, when she hand process each item to help bond the fibres.

Each of her products is designed with both style and comfort in mind so if you know someone who is uber cool and stylish, then why not buy one of LAD's products?

The Lismore Food Company

With a family history in fine food and drink that stretches back some 200 years in both Cork city and Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Lismore hampers are filled with the most delicious treats, continuing a tradition of delivering excellence and all packaged up in exquisite hand-made orange coloured hat boxes.

Perfect as a special gift or to share with family and friends.

M.Y.O

M.Y.O is London’s favourite creative studio for grown ups so it was only natural for the company to launch their workshops in kit form during the pandemic. 

M.Y.O have helped 10,000s of guests and 100s of companies like Monzo, LinkedIn, Virgin and Google get creative. With one of our creative kits, anyone can try out a new skill at home and every kit comes with a full set of instructions and a link to an online video as a guide. 

Perfect for gifting to someone special or to keep for yourself, why not try something new . We know you have you creativity, we're just here to help!