After my recent post all about the treasures that I am lusting after for Christmas, I thought I should redress the balance by offering up ideas for some lovely things to give others, because did you know that Christmas is also about giving?! Nope?...Me either! :D
Gifts for your sister or girlfriends:
Lush do some srummy body and beauty products and always indulge in some festive cheer! The EggSnog lip balm (£5) - made from walnut oil, hazelnut oil and shea butter - will have lips prepped for cheering in the New Year in no time. Oh and its vegan friendly too!For friends that have flown the parental nest, charity shops are a mine of kitsch and retro housewares such as vintage cake stands, dessert dishes, dainty tea sets, decanters (which I think are due a comeback!) and casserole dishes. Create a mix-and-match dinner set or seek out a stylish vase. Just make sure you have a good idea of your friend's taste otherwise your present may end up adorning the shelves of the cupboard under the stairs! They are also great for weird and wonderful books; for one friend's present I sourced books featuring heroines of the same name.
If you are feeling crafty, perhaps make some cushion covers, an apron or some napkins. For an apron pattern, simply draw round an existing apron, add extra width for hemming and hey presto! I used wide ribbon to make the waist and neck ties and am going to use the excess material to make some pockets.
Gifts for your Mummy dearest (or aunty for that matter!):
Marks & Spencer has a good selection of fairtrade flowers online, many with a free box of chocolates if you order before the 21st November. If you want a more sustainable option, then a rose plant or orchid will last longer; team with some fairtrade chocolate and job is a good'un! Alternatively, The Body Shop is often a great place to find something to pamper her with. For something a little different, why not organise a nice girly day out at an eco-friendly spa? There are a few to choose from including the Yu SPA, Dundee, the Monart Destination Spa, Ireland, and the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa in Cornwall.
For your Dad:
When it comes to buying for dads it is often easy to just pick up the latest gadget or novelty toy (another comedy bottle-opener anyone?) This Christmas I am going to make a real effort to find something that my dad will appreciate and enjoy. I think a nice food hamper always goes down well. You could make your own chutney or jam, bake biscuits or make chocolate truffles. For dads that like to cook, you could make some infused oils and salts. There are lots of recipes online. I am going for some nice wine, such as an organic Bodegas Palacio Rioja as well as some cheese, gingerbread and dark fairtrade chocolate.
For your boyfriend:
If your man is anything like mine, the topic of him wearing eco-friendly clothes etc is not even worth broaching. Its not that mine is against the ideas behind it, but as someone that only buys new clothes when the old ones literally fall off his body, (he is probably more eco-friendly than I am without even trying!) any new clothes have to be meticulously chosen and are bought purely based on their looks.
The only way I think I can get my very fussy boyfriend into planet-friendly threads is if they are even more appealing than what is already out there. Fortunately I have found one brand. Spunky's range of organic clothes feature some pretty wonderful off-the-wall designs from independent artists. I particularly like this Cat Zapp design, available on a t-shirt (£24.99) or a hoody (£49.99). Spunky's green credentials are second-to-none, from only using organic cotton to manufacture the t-shirts and hoodies, to banking with Tridos and cycling to work!Crafty ideas:
Why not make your friends and family personalised Santa stockings? Use some felt, velvet or perhaps thick cotton and finish along the top with something white a fluffy! You could opt for a country stocking with a check pattern and lace trim, or something modern in an unconventional print. You could add a further personal touch by embroidering or gluing the recipient's name on. Fill clean old jam jars with layers of their favourite penny sweets or chocolates and top with some cute fabric and an elastic band.
Instead of giving cards to my colleagues this Christmas I am instead going to save on the paper (which generally just gets binned or am I being cynical?) and make Christmas cupcakes. If cupcakes don't appeal, you could make cookies, mince pies, gingerbread men or chocolates! For more information visit:
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