All They Want For Christmas
Do your bit to support London’s designer makers and independent traders, and earn yourself a well-deserved reputation as the festive season’s best gift-giver in the process.
For stylish loungers
Young Double is the go-to for cool slogan sweatshirts and t-shirts that are perfect for anyone, big or small, with a hankering for leisurewear. All muted shades and relaxed fits, they’re handprinted and dyed in London on ethically produced cotton.
For kind-hearted bread lovers
If there’s a greater gift in existence than a bread subscription then we’re yet to find it. Breadwinners is a grassroots charity that supports refugees and young people seeking asylum by offering them work and a supportive community, so do your bit by signing someone (or yourself) up to a weekly delivery of artisanal loaves, cinnamon buns and Fair-Trade coffee. breadwinners.org.uk
For discerning drinkers
O’Donnell Moonshine serves up delicious-sounding flavoured liqueurs – Roasted Apple, Sticky Toffee, Bitter Rose – in prohibition-style mason jars. There’s even a moonshine-filled advent calendar in the line-up, which would definitely make getting through December a little easier. odonnellmoonshine.co.uk
For considered homebodies
From hand-poured, small-batch candles and vegan, cruelty-free soaps to thoughtfully chosen home accessories, Homework is just the place to help boost anyone’s interiors game and pick up something that will make staying in a more sweet-smelling, luxurious proposition. homeworkstore.co.uk
For strong girls and powerful women
Illustrator Sakina Saidi creates irresistibly colourful prints interwoven with empowering slogans that are uplifting and mood boosting as well as the perfect finishing touch for any wall. A percentage of the profits is donated to Plan International UK, too.
For plant obsessives
Satisfy your green-fingered friends and family courtesy of South East London’s Bam Botanics. Stock up on handcrafted, graphically painted pots and kits for making macrame hanging holders, as well as an exotic array of houseplants to put in them.
For fun-loving magpies
We defy anyone not to fall for Kate Gwilliam’s irresistibly sequin-heavy ornaments. The embroidery designer will whip up everything from ketchup bottles and cacti to personalised initials to order, and if you’re feeling crafty she has kits for creating your own colourful rainbows and embroidered letters.
For playful pet owners
Pet Hates Toys’ tongue-in-cheek dog and cat toys are styled as caricatures of some of Britain and the US’ most notable pawliticians – sorry, politicians. From Boris Johnson to Keir Starmer and newly added Donald Trump and Joe Biden offerings, there’s enough timely silliness to satisfy every political leaning.
