As the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. It also appears to fly when you’re all locked down with nowhere to go and find yourself obsessively focused on anything that means a break from the norm. Over the past nine - NINE FFS - months, I’ve found myself obsessively focused on Schitts Creek, online shopping, luxury food items on any day of the week (even Mondays), bistro style restaurant takeaways and wine. Lots of wine. Now, as we move into the festive season, I am obsessively focused on Christmas. That includes, but is not limited to, mince pies for breakfast, stollen, minute detail wrapping plans, decoration curation and extensive discussion as to where the Christmas tree will go. It has also included gift guides. Every year for the past four years, I’ve listed my 30 favourite gift finds from independent stores for under £30 and this year, I’ve gone a step further. As well as the best homeware gift purchases (click here to read), last week I published gifts that are suitable for family and friends far away; subscriptions and deliverable loveliness that will make even the coldest of hearts sing (again, click here to see). And this week, for my final gift guide, I’m going all out for art - glorious prints and art inspired products from independent stores that are perfect for spreading the festive love.

Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc - one day I will swim in this pool. With a bikini top on.

Art, in my opinion, is always an excellent gift. It’s a great way to introduce artists and print makers to the receiver, who might not have encountered that particular artist before. It’s a personally chosen gift that shows that you’ve really thought about the recipient, a sure fire way to get massive brownie points from sister in law through to Granny. And on top of that, it’s also super easy to send in the post and easy to wrap if you’re handing it over direct. Everyone’s a winner. It’s also an excellent gift to give your partner. I am a VERY big fan of giving Joe prints for any occasion, in fact, I’ve been known to buy prints even when there’s not an occasion and say they are for him simply because I want them myself. For his 40th birthday, I bought him the Anthony Burrill Work Hard & Be Nice To People print - self gifting at its finest.

Jokes (not actually a joke) aside, buying art for special occasions means that every time you see the art on your wall, you’ll remember why you received it. Years ago when I was having treatment and needed a boost, Joe bought me a huge canvas of Slim Aarons Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc - I had lusted after this photograph for years and it was the best present ever. Every time I look at it, I remember how happy I was to receive it and how good it made me feel when I was feeling quite rubbish - every time I look at it, it feels like summer sunshine. That, for me, is a winning piece of art. For a wedding anniversary, he once announced he was booking it for a weekend break, before discovering the average room rate was an eye watering £2,000 a night. This time next year, Rodney.

Anyway, back to my final gift list and this week, I’ve pulled together an excellent array of affordable art and art related products that would work well as a Christmas present whether your friends and family are near or far. I’ve also upped my game for one last grand hurrah to 40 for £40 and under as there were FAR too many lovely things to include. Here’s my picture perfect list of picture perfect gifts from independent stores and artists. As always, if you see something you like then PLEASE do share - every click is a possible sale for a small business. And if you like what you see, then please shout to the rooftops about these smaller stores on your social channels! PS: The eagle eyed amongst you will notice there are actually 41 on this list as they sat far more neatly on the page than 40. See, I told you. Obsessed.

The Independent Store Gift Guide: 40 For £40 & Under (Part 3)