Christmas gift guide 2023
Penned on the 27th November 2023
The magic of the festive season is drawing near and you may still be looking for a special gift for that special person. In this blog, we have put together a selection of our favourite independent brands that offer a range of lovely, thoughtful gifts. From divine candles to funky prints and pretty plants to Scandi inspired homeware, these are brands we love at Unique hideaways and they make the loveliest gifts to go under the tree this Christmas.
Prints & homeware
Wall art is the perfect way to add a pop of characterful colour to a space. Hayley uses simple clean lines and bold abstract shapes with a tropical blend, creating effortlessly beautiful designs. Palm and Wild started as a passion project during lockdown and has since bloomed into a creative, fun brand. Whether it's a minimalistic neutral toned, bold beachy surfer vibe or bohemian animal print that you're after, there is something for everyone's home, and if you can’t decide, a gift card is always a great option.
Teppi has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing brands. If you’re looking for a gift for that friend with the clean, minimalistic aesthetic, they will absolutely adore a gift from Teppi. The brand itself celebrates the simple, cosy moments, encouraging a less is more kind of approach, welcoming the Scandinavian lifestyle into your homes. Their values and ethics shine through, using zero plastic throughout their packaging and producing quality over quantity. Their homeware is simply gorgeous, but it doesn't end there. Their bath and body range, handmade ceramics and well-being journals all make a lovely gift. Once selected, Teppi offers a range of beautifully simplistic Christmas cards, gift wrap and ceramic tags to complete your special gift.
No matter their style, you are sure to find a fabulous print perfect for that special someone. Love my print offers a range of artistic, minimalist prints to complete someone's home, from pretty botanical prints to cocktail recipes for the kitchen. Their Christmas collection warms the soul, adding a touch of magic into the home. We love the personalised family stocking print and the festive bouquet art. They even have cute quotes from the most loved Christmas movies! Many of their prints are made into Christmas cards, perfect for accompanying any gift.
Jewellery
Niki collects sea glass from the south coast beaches in Cornwall, turning them into beautiful creations. These dainty pieces of jewellery make the most thoughtful gift for the friend that loves Cornwall or just being by the sea! Her jewellery brings with it a sense of calm, just like being by the ocean, listening to the lapping waves with sand beneath your feet. Wrap up a little piece of Cornwall to give to a special friend or family member this Christmas.
For the friend who appreciates the first bloom of spring and stays hopeful to spot a cluster of snowdrops in winter, a gift from Romilly will be just perfect. You can shop through their Etsy shop or browse on Instagram to see the gorgeous array of handmade pressed flower jewellery. Made to a high quality with both sterling silver and gold plated jewellery, this is the loveliest gift that is sure to last. Give a forget-me-not pendant, such a beautiful flower with a sentimental meaning or baby’s breath teardrop earrings to show everlasting love. Whichever design and flower you choose, it will be a gift that is cherished forever.
Stationery
This colourful, creative journal is super unique and quirky. It would be a fabulous gift for someone who has just moved to a new area or loves exploring where they live! Hannah has designed this gorgeous journal that is sure to bring joy into someone's day. Filled with over 100 creative exercises to help inspire mini adventures, mindfulness, connections with nature, sustainable living and community spirit, this journal is not only good for your personal journey and growth, but it boosts a community feel and connection to the area in which you live, which is great for your overall wellbeing. So much thought and care has gone into designing this journal and it shines through in every page.
These astrological planners and journals are full of magic, the most enchanting gift for the aspiring astrologer. The planners are packed full of moon phases, retrogrades and general holiday days to bring an organised sense of calm into someone's life. Kerry’s art and designs focus on the unseen energies that govern our world. If the person you have in mind wants to delve deep into the magic of the universe, whilst staying on top of their daily tasks, they will love the astrological planner. The Magic of I also have some gorgeous journals and a majestic moon phase calendar, which we absolutely love!
Outdoor adventures
Connecting with the sea and being by the water allows us to feel at peace. This idea aligns with us at Unique hideaways and the founders of Stay Wild Swim, Natalie and Zanna. They are extremely passionate about respecting and protecting the ocean, creating swimwear using regenerated ocean plastic through the most sustainable practices possible. It is a premium brand with a focus on slow fashion, creating sustainable pieces that are sure to last! Their designs are simply gorgeous, made to flatter every body shape. So, stay wild, pack your swimwear and encourage your nearest and dearest to delve into the world of wild swimming with you, by giving this thoughtful gift.
SHO creates eye-catching, reusable bottles and flasks. Their bottles are “12 hours hot, 24 hours cold” so are perfect for accompanying you on a blustery beach walk or keeping you hydrated at a morning yoga session. We love the feeling peachy and dance it out flask, adding a pop of joy to your morning coffee ritual. It is important to do our bit of the planet and using a reusable bottle is a step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. You can read more of our tips for a mindful Christmas here to be a little more conscious this year.
This seasonal guide to 2024 is the loveliest gift for an outdoor enthusiast. It includes key-dates, tide tables, garden taste, constellations, moon phases and of course some delicious seasonal recipes. You know this gift won’t get dusty on the bookshelf, it's a great companion guiding you through each season. Every season brings with it something new and beautiful, The Almnanac appreciates and utilises these seasonal changes. Not to mention, it is a gorgeous book with lots of lovely illustrations along the way. Perhaps it might inspire some seasonal foraging? You can buy the book here and in the meantime take a look at our seasonal foraging guides. Whether it's spring, summer, autumn or winter, this is how to live more in tune with the seasons.
Plants
“Bringing joy to the everyday” ... Whether you are after a bright, colourful bunch or something more muted, these real, everlasting dried flowers make such a wonderful gift. Pampas & Bloom have such a gorgeous range of flowers, we wish we could buy them all! Dried flowers are the most sustainable way to have real flowers in your home, bringing so much joy for years to come. To make the gift extra special, you can make the bouquets yourself at a private workshop or go along with a friend to one of their dried flower wreath making classes which include all your materials, prosecco and some sweet treats!
We believe you can never have enough plants! They are our botanical babies and bring a sense of calm into every space. Leaf Envy has so many gorgeous indoor, outdoor and plant pots to choose from. Their plant subscription is the perfect gift for a plant lover. Gift a three, six or twelve month subscription this Christmas to receive one high quality plant and a bespoke planter each month. We also encourage you to buy from your local plant shops and florists on the highstreet. Helping to support small businesses and local communities is the best way to spread festive cheer this Christmas!
Self-care
Complete self-care Sundays with some delicious products from The Glowcery. Playing on its name, all ingredients in these products can be found at your local greengrocers, in your fridges and smoothies, as they are completely plant based and cruelty-free. Roshanne hand makes all the products in small batches from her artisan lab based in Bedfordshire. Her creative flair shines through her brand with vibrant coloured packaging and super-food ingredients. The Glowcery also won the best facial oil of 2020 and the best cleanser of 2021, so it definitely will not disappoint.
Essential oils evoke positive moods through scent. They have been used in aromatherapy practices for years to help our mental and physical wellbeing. The literal meaning of the word ‘merak’ is to create a sense of oneness and fulfilment. Meg strives to do just that. Select a citrus scent for energy in the mornings or a soothing lavender to help with sleep. And if you’re not sure what scent to choose, the blended bundles make the perfect gift to start experimenting with essential oils, along with her beautiful ceramic diffusers. Or treat a friend to a monthly subscription this Christmas. Read our blog to find out a little bit more about essential oils.
Unique Gifts
Celebrations and cocktails often go hand in hand. With Drinks by Post you can enjoy the fun experience of cocktail making at home, and what a better time to do this than at Christmas. The Buffalo presents to you their cocktail shop with classic cocktail collections and tasting experiences to warm the soul. There is something for everyone, no matter their preferred taste. Our favourite has to be the classic winter collection, including a spiced cognac old fashioned and maple whisky sour to get you in the festive spirit (pun intended!) As these are delivered straight to your door, drinks by post are the perfect gift if you can't be with a loved one this Christmas.
Looking for a gift for an aspiring star baker? Give the unique gift of a baking workshop or chocolate making master class. Workshops are held at the Artisan Bakehouse in West Sussex, with its traditional wood-burning stove for making various breads from around the world. Alternatively, gift an online masterclass and bake in the comfort of your own home. Perhaps West Sussex is a little far to travel for one of these classes. The Bakers Hut is on site and makes for the perfect getaway to the Sussex countryside. Experience gifts make great presents, other ideas include theatre tickets, a pottery workshop or yoga class!
Add a touch of magic to your gift giving this year with a personalised gift from Darwin & Gray. They have lots of cute, quirky banners and mugs. Their merry collection is wonderful and they offer DIY banner painting kits, making the perfect festive activity for a cold winter day. We love a cup of coffee just as much as the next person and their class mug collection comes in plenty… and who says it has to be coffee? They also make for the perfect mulled wine mug to warm the soul on a festive eve.
At Unique hideaways we simply adore the festive season and all the magical cheer along the way. If you know someone that would love to escape to nature and truly relax and unwind in the wilderness, then give the gift of a Unique hideaways glamping experience. Whether you'd like to give a gesture or pay for the whole experience, the sentiment is just the same and is sure to be gratefully received. They can then choose from our selection of bespoke hideaways. From magical houseboats on the water to treehouses with alfresco bathtubs, it doesn't matter if it's spent on a solo getaway or family adventure in a safari tent… there is something for everyone!
You could also make a donation to an environmental charity like Friends of the Earth or The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, this allows you to support their work or adopt an animal. For more ideas on how to have an eco-friendly Christmas, you can read our blog here.
All of these brands are loved by us at Unique hideaways and are guaranteed to put a smile on that special someone's face. We hope you feel truly inspired by our Christmas Gift guide and hope you have a wonderful Christmas full of magic and joy! With love, team UH x