It's no secret that as a small (micro) business owner, I love to support fellow small businesses - you can see my recent post here on why shopping small is good for you as a consumer. I'm aware it's Small Business Saturday at the end of the month, but as it falls after Black Friday, I wanted to share some small business love before that! So I have put together a gift guide for the festive season featuring a few UK-based brands in particular, many of whom I've known for several years (and you can find a few more on this Instagram story). These brands share similar values around their commitment to offering quality products, respecting the environment and putting their customers first. They also happen to be owned by wonderful women! If you are able to support smaller businesses like these, please know that they'll appreciate each one of your orders! I've included a variety of inspiration to help you find the most perfect, thoughtful gifts this season, with prices starting from just £3 for cards / stocking fillers up to £40 gifts. I think you'll find something for everyone here!
Apothaka® - facial skincare and hand care with luxurious textures & scents
Of course, if you are looking for the ideal gift for the skincare or lover in your life, then I've got you covered! It's hard for me to pick favourites, but my skincare and handcare sets are a great introduction to my range, with something for everyone (even those with sensitive skin!) - prices start at £27 for my metal facial roller (also available as a set with one of my face oils or moisturisers). The SOS recovery set (£40) pictured below features my bestselling nourishing hand cream with tube squeezer key and award-winning nail & cuticle oil - packaged together in a cotton drawstring bag (both items also available to purchase individually). If you're not sure what to pick, then feel free to contact me for help (hello@apothaka.com) or purchase a giftcard in any denomination!
Buy here: Apothaka assorted skincare gift sets
Katy Webster Homeware - fabric homeware / gifts
Katy Webster Homeware is a Berkhamsted business born from Katy's love of home interiors, desire to work creatively. She makes beautiful fabric homeware items including table runners, draught excluders, door stops, wheat bags and many more!
She also makes these padded Kindle sleeves (£15) which make thoughtful gifts for book lovers and can be personalised with a gold initial for an extra special touch.
Buy here: Katy Webster padded Kindle sleeves
Candalia London - home fragrance
Candalia is a female-founded home fragrance brand from London dedicated to creating high-quality, luxury fragrances that infuse our homes with wellness and tranquillity. Candalia was formed in 2020 from a deep understanding of how challenging life’s pressures can be, the Candalia lifestyle focuses on the growing importance of mental health and wellbeing. We offer more than just beautiful candles – we offer a path to self-care.
For the perfect Christmas gift, step into the magic of the festive season with Candalia’s limited edition Christmas candle – Winter Wonder (£35).
Buy here: Candalia Winter Wonder bespoke candle
Rose & Wren - baby & kids handmade clothing
Rose & Wren is a baby and children's clothing company based in Nottingham. Founder, Emily started making children's clothes for her daughters as they have sensitive skin that was irritated by high street clothes. Not to mention that as a fashion graduate she was/am frustrated by the pink for girls, blue for boys options and the damage that fast fashion is doing to the world. Emily carefully select fabrics and colourful, quirky prints that are ethical, OEKO-TEX standard 100 or GOTS certified organic as well as supporting other small businesses. She features exclusive prints designed by both herself and other local designers.
Tinsel Town baby and children's handmade leggings would make the ideal gift this Christmas, using eco friendly fabrics to ensure the best quality for delicate skin. This print is colourful, Christmassy and above all comfortable. Prices start from £10 for newborn and sizes go all the way up to 6-7 years.
Creative H - hand drawn cards and creative kits
Berkhamsted artist Helen Dowley of Creative H has created some beautiful items this Christmas. Her Berkhamsted Christmas card (£3) featuring local hand drawn landmarks is available from &Quirky and The Berkhamsted Bookshop.
New for this year are her cute hand-painted Scandi houses (£4-6) and trees and if you fancy getting creative yourself she is also offering creative kits (£10-12) comprising wooden ornaments, paints and brushes. Perfect for a kids stocking filler to keep them occupied and a break away from the TV!
Buy here: Message Helen direct on Instagram or email her: creativeh1@outlook.com to purchase and get free local delivery too!
Hair Gain - vegan hair care range to support healthy hair
Hair Gain is a female founded hair care solutions brand who are passionate about creating innovative and efficacious hair products that are accessible, practical and easy to use. Collaborating with leading scientists, trichologists and nutritionists to formulate world class food supplements and topical treatments to support women's hair care regimes across the globe and truly make a difference to those who use them.
For this festive season, treat your girlfriends or yourself to a puff of magic this festive season with Hair Gain's delightful Christmas Bauble Hair Care Gift Set (£16.99)! Featuring their lightweight, dermatologically tested non-aerosol dry shampoo, packed with peptides and active ingredients including biotin and caffeine, it's the perfect way to care for your hair in between washes and great for those busy mornings or when you just need a quick pick-me-up. This dry shampoo absorbs excess oil, adds volume and body, and leaves your hair feeling and looking refreshed, revived and re-energised. Also included is their brand new vegan silk scrunchie in baby pink, which is gentle on your hair and perfect for anyone who loves to keep their hair looking fabulous with minimal effort. What's more, Hair Gain have offered Apothaka customers 10% off their whole range with the code: APOTHAKA10!
Buy here: Christmas Bauble Hair Care Gift Set
PiQi - water kefir for gut health
PiQi was born out of a simple idea to help people look after their gut-health on a plant-based diet. PiQi loves ‘living’ foods and the benefits they provide to bodies and minds. After all, over 80% of the immune system resides in the gut and so we better look after it!
Try their award-winning living kefir water, non-dairy and sparkling, it contains billions of live gut-friendly cultures to help you feel great from the inside out. Each PiQi bottle delivers up to 30 billion live cultures! Their kefir selection pack (£28.50) includes four refreshing and delicate flavours brewed with organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. It's lovingly brewed in Devon by a small team to help you feel your best inside and out. Packed with gut-friendly live kefir cultures. Always organic, raw & vegan. Female Founded, small batch.
Buy here: PiQi water kefir selection case
Mel Stephenson - beautiful prints & illustrations for heart-minded adults & children
Mel Stephenson is a painter, illustrator, and writer. Her illustrations explore spiritual and heart-minded concepts, bringing them to life through images and picture books for children (and adult children!) A former arts psychotherapist, her work blends the seen and imagined, capturing the essence of magic rooted in the real. Inspired by her exploration of how things work through the lenses of quantum science, spirituality and psychology, her wish is to touch people’s hearts, inspire wonder, and awaken the spark within.
Be The Light is a beautiful giclée print with archival ink, originally hand painted in acrylic to inspire children (and adults!) to shine their light into the world. Printed on 310gsm fine art Hahnemühle German Etching paper, characterised by its beautiful tactile feel and unique, velvety surface texture. It is available with or without text and comes in 2 sizes for you to choose from, with prices starting at £29 for 8x8" size with a white border (frame and mount not included).
Buy here: Be The Light giclée print
See?! I told you that you'd be spoilt for choice! Thank you for supporting small businesses like ours! Happy festive shopping!
Love,
Natasha xo
