Imagine taking all the stress out of Christmas shopping and supporting some amazing independent brands while you’re at it. Well, we bring glad tidings of great cheer by doing just that, with our seasonal round-up of indie goodies from some of our favourite independent British brands.
THE GIFT OF GOOD SKIN
Willowberry skincare
If we may begin with our own independent British brand: our Willowberry nutritious natural skincare (loved by top make-up artists) gives the gift of good skin and who wouldn’t want that?
The Willowberry Mini Skincare Christmas Gift Set, £39.99, provides the perfect introduction to our nourishing and reviving skincare for grown-ups. Beautifully packaged, it contains a complete 3-step skincare regime in mini size with our Nutrient Boost Cleansing Balm (30ml), Nutrient Boost Face Oil (10ml) and Nutrient Boost Day Cream (30ml). It comes packaged in a festive solid gift box, so you don’t even have to wrap it. Saving wrapping paper and time that could be spent watching Love Actually for the millionth time.
Our latest product, Willowberry Christmas Indulgent Hand & Body Lotion, £29.99, would make a stylish addition to any bedside table or bathroom shelf in its beautiful amber glass bottle and is available in limited edition Christmas packaging, for the perfect Christmas gift. Luxurious and moisturising with a gentle, spa-like fragrance, it is quickly absorbed with no residue. A winter skin saviour and indulgent treat in one.
SECRET SANTAS AND STOCKING FILLERS
Sloane Stationery
Divine notebooks with a Smythson vibe, witty (sometimes cheeky) embossed slogans, gilt-edged paper and a grosgrain ribbon page marker. Elegant, colourful and sustainable, the notebooks are made from vegan ‘leather’ and are handmade in England by classically trained craftsmen. The Pocket Notebooks, £15, make the perfect stocking fillers, but check out their website as the range is huge.
Willowberry
The perfect size for Secret Santas and Stocking Fillers, gift one of our Willowberry products: Willowberry Nutrient Boost Cleansing Balm, £29.99, Willowberry Nutrient Boost Face Oil, £26.99, or Willowberry Nutrient Boost Day Cream, £27.99. Your colleagues, friends and family will benefit from your exquisite taste and receive a gift they will want to keep!
WELLBEING WONDERS
The Bee’s Knees
This British brand with a heart has collaborated with other indie brands this Christmas to offer ‘a box of wholesome and simple moments to carry you through winter’. The beautifully packaged Limited Edition Luxury Winter Box Of Bee’s Knees Moments, £49.99, contains: a mini Bee’s Knees journal; gingerbread, nutmeg and clove candle; enamel mug; hot chocolate coin; cosy winter socks; luxury biscuits; bookmark; Winter Bee’s Knees moments bucket list and relaxing Spotify playlist. And breathe…
Mollie & Sky
Set up by Katie and Millie to fill the need for post-lockdown self-care, Mollie & Sky specialises in natural, sustainable products designed to relax, calm, soothe and revive. The Winter Rituals luxury candle gift pack, £35, contains two candles: Aurora conjures up a opulent Autumn evening while Ember is reminiscent of crisp winter nights. Each candle comes in a white gift box with a hand tied ribbon and snowflake and star clay keepsakes.
Rebecca Tracey
Based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Rebecca Tracey creates pure and organic handmade scents in perfumes, candles, reed diffusers and aromatherapy room fragrances. Treat a friend (or yourself) to the Festive Candle Trio Gift Set, £38, hand poured using GM free soya wax, to evoke the season of mulled wine, woodland walks and roaring fires. Also check out the beautiful Glass Aroma Diffusers, from £63, which dispense a soft fragrance and ambient light to give your home the sense of an expensive spa.
Spacemasks
There are eye masks and then there are Spacemasks. Incredibly relaxing, these masks contain a thin layer of iron filings that heat up when they meet oxygen molecules in the air. Legions of fans swear by their power to help with sleeping, headaches and tired eyes. Spacemasks Box, £15.00 for a box of five, with current Christmas offer: buy five boxes and get one free. (While you’re at it, give yourself a gift by following Spacemasks on Instagram. Founder Harriet’s off-beat everyday observations are a treat in themselves.)
LOOKING GOOD
Love, Sweat and Tees
A gift that upgrades those lockdown sweats, with designs glamourous enough to wear on a night out without compromising on comfort? Win win! No mass-produced, fast fashion here: The feel-good designs are made with 100% organic ring-spun cotton printed in the UK with environmentally friendly paints. We particularly love the ‘Où Est La Discothèque’ and Christmassy ‘Étoile’ sweatshirts, £49, and the White Wing Dove rolled sleeve tee, £32.
One Hundred Stars
Small family run business One Hundred Stars makes the most beautiful kimonos, shrugs, silk scarves and gowns which are hand screen printed and ethically produced. They boast a glorious array of prints, some designed in collaboration with The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. The Headbands, £15, make a wonderful present. In a bid to reduce waste, they are made from the off-cuts of the kimonos and gowns, meaning each one is unique.
UNIQUE IDEAS
Junie Poonie Designs
June – AKA Junie Poonie - is a ‘Creator of Utter Loveliness’ who works from a garden shed in the middle of England. We love her Brave Poonie Pants, £15, which are just the thing to give to someone in need of a little boost of confidence - and a laugh! Not necessarily intended to be worn (they come in one size), you can carry them in your bag as a talisman to bring you superhero vibes whenever needed.
The Karry London
Such a simple yet genius idea, The Karry, £49.99, contains all you need to safely transport your skincare when you travel, whether you’re jet-setting or going to the gym. The premium quality, sleek and stylish cosmetic case contains a range of airport security-compliant mini glass dropper bottles and jars in 5ml and 10ml sizes for you to decant your favourite skincare into. It would make a beautiful gift for frequent travellers or those dreaming of a sun-soaked holiday (everyone).
Willowberry is nutritious natural skincare for grown-ups, for your best skin.
A favourite with top make-up artists, Willowberry's luxurious award-winning products protect skin’s natural barrier function, to nourish and revive grown-up skin without telling women to be 'anti-ageing'.
As seen in Vogue, Independent, The Telegraph, This Morning and more.