Christmas Gift Guide 2020

Every year I get to December having had wonderful ideas on what I could buy people all year round but then draw blanks. If I was wonderfully organised like fellow Brightonian Anna I would be putting all these ideas into the calendar under their birthdays for the ultimate friends and family gift ideas but my Virgo tendencies aren’t quite that strong!

Also the dreaded question from others ‘what do you want for Christmas?’ Oh you know: peace among men, the end of animal cruelty, the end of toxic media, a cure for cancer… the usual stuff. For years my sister and I have swapped list through a very well known online shopping company (you know who!) but this year during lockdown I cancelled my fast delivery (coughPrimecough) subscription and vowed to use them in only extenuating circumstances but that wishlist was flipping handy. I did a bit of digging about and found Things to Get Me that also has an app - it’s a great solution to it and also doesn’t restrict you to items on that one store.

So, what do you get someone who loves the outdoors, is vegan or eco conscious for Christmas when you’re all out of ideas? An internet search throws up bamboo cups, recycled backpacks and all the other things we all already have or are incredibly twee. So I’m here to help and championing some small businesses that I’ve worked with or discovered through other means and all of the products I’ve tried and tested but most importantly LOVED. All of them are contemporary businesses that are doing good AND have great style. I don’t know about you but I’d be thrilled to receive any of these things! Not all of these tick all eco/vegan/outdoors boxes in one hit but you know the person you’re buying for so pick and choose as you will 😊

As you probably know by now suggestions on this blog are NEVER powered by commission, just an honest recommendation and while I do use affiliate links they are linked directly to the small business (so don’t run through corporations) and if money is earned it goes straight back into the running costs of this blog.

For the Vegan: Skincare from Evolve

I absolutely love Evolves offerings. Everything I’ve ever used from them has been incredible and my Mum is always absolutely delighted when I buy her an Evolve product as a gift. I can’t see who wouldn't like some beautiful, all natural skincare as a gift for Christmas. They use recyclable glass and card packaging, their PET bottles are made of 75% recycled plastic and are recyclable, the products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and the natural and organic ingredients are as local as possible to the company and from fair-trade and sustainable sources. So make a perfect gift for vegans, the eco conscious, nature lovers and just about anyone else.

For the active and happy campers consider some of the travel sizes - my personal travel faves are the miracle facial oil and the daily detox facial wash. A great introductory product to Evolve is the Daily Defense moisture mist, especially perfect for city dwellers to protect their skin from pollutants. Once the product has been used the spray bottle can be used for spraying house plants.

For full size products the 360 Multi Peptide and the Daily Renew Creams both come highly recommended by me and my Mum. The Hyaluronic Serum is EPIC and will brighten skin beautifully.

For Natural Scent Lovers: Body oils and room sprays from Made By Coopers

These lush, all natural products are vegan and made from therapeutic grade essential oils. The products are always free from Parabens and synthetic ingredients and they make such great gifts as the scents are universal (nothing to sweet or sickly) and who doesn't love an all natural, luxurious product for their home or skin? While I gift the oils and room sprays there might be other products that you like to give too. Check out their full range here.

For The Charitable: Treats with a heart from SevenSeventeen

If you want to buy beautiful eco conscious gifts while also doing good then SevenSeventeen are your pals. SevenSeventeen have a range of products that so many would appreciate - there’s something for everyone from sleep masks to vegan natural wax candles scented with incredible oils. What’s more, for every purchase you make 10% of the profit is donated to a mental health charity.

I adore this sleep set for nights in the tent - the pillows spray is a bit of calming luxury and the sleep mask fools my brain into sleeping past sunrise. So it’s great for campers and van life folk. This year they have got a great selection of gift packs and frankly, I’d be happy to receive any of them 😀.

Their candles are beeee-yoot-iful. I love the Clarity (grapefruit and tobacco) one for working from home, the Happy Home (Nag Champa) for yoga and the Nest (lavender and bergamot) for journalling and baths.

For the Eco Conscious: Garment Care from Attirecare

Perfect for any eco conscious clothes lover! These beautiful woody scented, all natural products look amazing on a shelf and prolong wear between washes. They come in glass bottles with wonderful trading so make a great gift for those with stylish homes.

For the Journallers: The Ultimate Soft Cover Journal

I have tried so many free writing journals in my time and I have never loved any more than these recycled journals from Undercover. The colours are so beautiful (my current fave is the caramel).

For the Self Employed: The Goal Setter from Mal Paper

Having tried many goal setters I can confidently say this is one of the best out there. I really like the soft cover and the daily pages are just right for setting goals and planning out your days. I wouldn't be without it. Perfect for self employed people who want to feel a bit more focused. Get 20% off one by following this link.

When all else Fails: Poems by Post

I spotted this in a Facebook thread and I love it! Who doesn’t love receiving a poem through the door? It’s really affordable and you can buy someone a 3 month subscription for under 30 quid - you’ll also be supporting independent poets and a percentage goes to charity too. Such a great idea and would make a wonderful gift - I would made up if someone gifted me poems!

For The Eco Conscious Hiker: The All Natural Boot Care Kit

Anyone who owns a pair of walking boots would appreciate some good quality, natural boot care stuff! Liquiproof do really effective products and are made with 100% natural ingredients - the cleaning and protect kit contains everything you need for walking boot care. They have a bit of a cool factor too so their products are great for teens to look after trainers and clothing.

For the Vegan Beauty Lover: Vegan Nail Polish

These beautiful colours are non toxic, vegan, cruelty free and last really well. Perfect for any human who likes a dash of colour on their nails but is also conscious of the impact the beauty world has on animals, the world and our health. Get them from one of my favourite shops here.

For the Readers: LED Book Light

A friend bought me one of these last year and it is the best gift anyone has given me! I use it in the bathroom to read while taking a candlelit bath, I also use it for camping - it’s so much softer than lanterns and other portable LED lights plus you have the option of sitting it open or using the magnet on it to open it up completely for a 360 use. It’s also super light and compact, smaller than a notebook.

For the Nature Lovers: The Nature Box

I came across this wonderful subscription box scheme on IG - Robin & Rose provide a quarterly nature subscription box for women that includes a nature themed book, seeds, a print, a curated magazine and lots of other gems including a donation to a charity. Such a lovely idea. You can gift a box to someone and they can continue the subscription if they want to.

For the Nature Lover/Mental Health Aware: The Wild Remedy Book

I adore this book and have bought it for at least 5 people in my life. The author, Emma Mitchell, is beautifully honest about her mental health and her writing about nature is luscious. Starting from spring Emma writes about her observations about nature and teamed with intricate and detailed illustrations this book is a winner for all nature lovers.

For Those that Need Self Love: Feel Good Daily Check Ins for All Ages

The Positive Planner is such a wonderful company - essentially they make books and journals for maintenance of mental health. The books contain positive affirmations and tips and cues to change the mood of thought. I love all their books but for me the Wellness Journal is the one - perfect for anyone who struggles to put themselves first. The Positive Doodle Diary is so wonderful for kids aged 5 -8 - encouraging them to celebrate the unique things about them, what makes them brilliant, mindful practices to check in with their emotions and lots more.

For Everyone: Recycled Wool Blankets

No-one can have too many good quality blankets! These beautifully soft, recycled wool blankets (mixed with a little bit of rubbish saved from landfill) are so useful - picnics, over the knees, on the bed, for the camping kit, in the car. I’ll have three please. Particularly wonderful with the leather picnic strap for the non-vegans.

A few Indies to support

Every year I rely on a couple of local shops to buy my gifts in so wanted to link to them here if you need more inspiration:

From Victoria - a beautiful shop in Lewes that handpick gorgeous things that would be welcome in any home!

NOLA - if you’re looking for garment care, scents or accessories Rhonda is the one to buy from

BIRD Creative - makes gorgeous clay earrings and there’s something for everybody!