Christmas Gift Guide 2023-A Guide to Supporting Small Businesses
Unique Gift Ideas for Your Loved Ones: A Guide to Supporting Small Businesses
When searching for gift ideas, it can be exciting and thoughtful to think outside the box and find something that shows your loved ones that you put time and thought into their present. As the holiday season approaches, streets become illuminated with festive adornments, creating a magical atmosphere. However, rather than getting caught up in the excitement of sales and promotions flooding our inboxes, it's crucial to take a moment and reflect on how we spend our money during this time. Sadly, many small businesses have closed their doors this year, and more are likely to follow in the coming months. That's why this year's gift guide is dedicated to British makers and small businesses that I admire. Each item on this carefully curated list has been researched and chosen with love, and I hope they bring a smile to your family and friends' faces as they unwrap them on Christmas morning.
1# Compton Marbling Notebooks.
These beautifully marbled notebooks joined the list this year following a new love for this gorgeous paper I used in my 20th-anniversary photo shoot for the Memoried collection.
Compton Marbling began making hand-marbled paper and products in the early 1970s in the garden shed of their founder, Solveig Stone. Inspired by an exhibition of marbled papers by Douglas Cockerell,
The business is now run by Solveig’s youngest daughter, Clementine, in partnership with Alex Lewis. The team now sees Alex producing beautiful papers using a friendlier water-based technique,
#2 Perfumer H Gold Scent.
This exquisitely elegant brand caught my eye some time ago. On my latest trip to London, I popped into their beautiful shop to indulge myself in the scents and discovered one made for AM jewellery. All my sales ship scented, and I have been looking for a scent to go with my brand for a long time. I love the immersive experience scent, and touch can have together. There is a plethora of choices here, but for a jeweller this was the obvious option.
#3 Choosing Keeping
35 Colours Japanese Watercolour set
The story of these paints caught my eye! So, I will simply share the description.
Enjoy 35 shades of Gansai in your art practice, the Japanese alter-ego to European watercolours - also similar to gouaches. These high quality paints, made in Japan by a 100 year old paint maker, can be used directly out of the box with a wet paintbrush - either thinly in translucent washes, or by layering for a bolder effect. These can also be used on darker paper bases.
This selection of 35 colours includes metallic shades of gold and copper. Presented in a gold Japanese fabric-bound presentation box.
#4 Woven Noa Dressing gown indigo
This is just a little bit of me. This kimono-style dressing gown is cut beautifully, the shape is stunning, and the colours are an AM go-to!
#5 Genevieve Sweeney Lambs Wool Knitted Vest
As a lover of all things wool and layering it would be a miss of me to not add something wooly to this years gift guide. The colours in this British made wool vest are gorgeous. I love that this is also brushed with dried thistles to create the felted finish. It is all in the detail.
My AM treasures for Christmas highlight.
Subtlety and delicate shimmer are my AM jewellery Christmas gift guide choices this year. Everyday wear that will bring a little luxury and glamour to each morning as you get ready to take on the day.
#1 The Contemplation bead is an elegant necklace designed for everyday wear and the perfect partner for layering.
#2 Gold and Christmas were made for each other, and the Artefact rings give me that festive feeling with their gold faces and diamond surrounds.
#3 Blues and gold truly are one of my favourite combinations. These little Tri sapphire and gold studs are simply one of my favourite everyday earrings—a little treasure to treasure.
I hope you enjoy this little selection of treats, and our Christmas Gift guide has given you some inspiration for your Christmas Shopping journey. This time of year is a fantastic opportunity for you to support local and small businesses around you, so don’t forget the little guys when making some of your present choices.
AMx