The Independent Store Gift Guide: 30 For £30 & Under (Part 2)
So if you read my blog last week, you will know that I am on a Gift Guide mission this year. 2020 has been one to remember and this year, we are all looking forward to the Christmas festivities, in many cases because we are sick to the back teeth of press conferences, social bans and in my case, waiting for the emails to land announcing that the children need to come home from school because someone coughed. From an economical point of view, small businesses have been the first to feel the effects of the restrictions and there has never been a more important time to support these independent stores. Last week, I posted thirty of my favourite gift finds for under £30 and it’s safe to say that these went down well. Extremely well, in fact. It seems that lots of you are combining your High Street with smaller, independent store purchases which is an excellently positive move in these difficult times.
Table for 17, anyone? Not this year. Bastard Covid.
As someone who lives away from the family - we are based here in York but all of our relatives are in London and Berkshire - Christmas is going to have a slightly different feel to it this year. Our original plans were to spend it at Judith, my mother in laws, house in Caversham, surrounded by a total of 17 family members, a joyous gathering involving many children, many a pig in a blanket, a significant amount of cheese and a hefty caseload of Sauvignon Blanc. My mother in laws partner, Barry, is always good fun and, like me, enjoys adding in some non traditional touches to mix it up a bit. A few years ago, he caused family uproar by serving rollmop herrings and a shot of Schnapps as a starter before adding cumin to the carrots. Those of you who follow me on Instagram may remember that last year, he sang a song to us all that he wrote with his guitar around the festive table to much acclaim.
This year, we will miss our families so I want to make sure that I send them something fabulous in the post. Notice at this point, I say ‘I’, Joe has absolutely no involvement whatsoever in any gift buying - it’s as much a surprise to him when the kids open their carefully thought out gifts on Christmas morning as it is for them. When I first met Joe, Judith had received a Dewberry Body Shop basket from Joe every year since he was old enough to visit the shops by himself. It’s far safer this way, believe me.
So what to focus on this week? With thoughts of families far apart, I’m talking about easy to send but interesting food and plant presents by post, out of the ordinary subscriptions and activity based kits and boxes for all members of the family (including the dog) that will give the recipients something to do in-between watching the Eastenders (socially distanced) Christmas special and Scrabble tournaments. I’ve included lots of ideas for post based treats for friends and family during lock down and gift boxes and packages curated with love that will bring smiles when we can’t all be together to celebrate. There’s lots of goodness from 30 lovely independent stores here on this page who would be super grateful for your support during these times of madness and not a Dewberry Body Shop basket among them. PLEASE share on your social channels, follow, like and save the small brands and don’t forget to tell your friends! I’ll be back next week with my top 30 art based ideas.
The Gift Of Cheese - £29 (serves 1, use code GDL10 for 10% discount)
THE GOURMET DINNER LADY
Makebox Monthly Subscription - £24.99 (use SHOPBOX5 to get 5% off two or more boxes)
Monthly Plant Subscription - £15
BARRYS CACTUS CLUB
Monthly Childrens Book & Activity Subscription - £22
BUMBLEBEE (who run free creative workshops for children from disadvantaged backgrounds who struggle with literacy)
Wellbeing Pack (alpaca socks, vegan bath salts and soap) - £27
Christmas Wishes Gift Box - £30
MARKHAM & CO
THE LONDON REFINERY
Flower Delivery Subscription - £25
Pizza Biscuit Baking Kit - £18.99
CRAFT & CRUMB
Restaurant Kits - Burgers, Bao, Curry, Pizza and more - from £13
RESTAURANT KITS UK
Spice Subscription Boxes - £29 (use code COVID19 for 19% off)
Virtual Gift Card - £28
Dog Treat Subscription Box - £22
FORSYTH & TEDD
Minijohn Self Watering Terrarium - £25
LONDON TERRARIUMS YORK
Childrens Gift Packs - £19.95
DIY Macrame Plant Hanger Kit - £18
THE MACRA LAB
Fudge Trio Three Month Subscription - £24.99
Teen Calm Box Subscription - £25
TEEN CALM BOX
PNEUMA PILATES
2021 Planner Package - £30 (use code LISASHOPSSMALL for 20% off until 1/12)
LUCY SAYS I DO