If you are a regular 91 reader, you may have noticed that we LOVE independent business! We are an indie magazine ourselves and we champion small businesses in pretty much everything we do. Today is what a lot of people know as Black Friday, but here at 91, we reject the idea of over consumption, where big corporate brands try to dupe us into buying things we don’t really need just because they seem cheap.
Instead we want to encourage a more thoughtful, mindful way of Christmas shopping that supports the small business community and allows you to give gifts that are special and will be enjoyed and cherished rather than shoved to the back of a drawer (you know you’ve done it!)
To give you a helping hand, 91 contributor Alena Walker has gathered together a lovely selection of gift ideas from small brands that we hope you might love, or at the very least, guide you to discover what else this wonderful collection of indie retailers have to offer…
FOR WOMEN
Furoshiki Wrapping, from £5.25 – Furoshiki Wrap Company
This beautiful 100% cotton reusable fabric wrap is an ideal zero-waste alternative to wrapping paper for the eco-conscious. Pair with a sprig of winter herbs for classic gift wrapping made sustainable.
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Interior Design Kit, £49.99 – Stylemongers of Bristol
Make the task of redesigning an inspiring process with these kits from an experienced interior designer of award-winning studio, Stylemongers of Bristol. Each kit is perfect for anyone who loves getting creative, wants to improve their interior design skills or is embarking on a new project at home. Comes with a scale ruler and templates for furniture layout and colour pairings.
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Palm spears, £2.50 – Harp Studio
For those who like to forage for treasures from nature’s bounty, Harp Studio stock a range of finds from pink sea urchins to giant allium seeds. These dried palm spears would be a gorgeous addition to any nature table and their delicate folded pleats call to be stored in much-loved earthenware.
Artisan woven tray, from £27 – Karakorum
This intricate grass-woven tray has been handmade and naturally dyed by women in a rural community in southwest Uganda. Sourced by a female-led, ethical homeware brand specialising in fairly traded products, this gift makes a stunning statement piece for any table or wall display.
Stoneware clay mug, £31 – Glaze me Pretty
Beautiful details make the smaller moments in life all the more special. This hand-thrown stoneware clay mug from Glaze Me Pretty is finished with a mix of two crystalline glazes in a one-of-a-kind pattern of white, blue and amber. Sanded by hand and smooth to touch, this is a mug to cherish.
Macramé plant hanger gift set, £47.99 – Stitch Happy
This macram̩ gift box offers creative flair for cold, dark nights. Each kit is personalised with the choice of Harth hot chocolate and a mug for cosy company Рgive the gift of self-care with a crafty touch.
Watering globe, £17 – Dowse
Take the leg work out of plant care with these delicate glass orbs that make watering an indoor jungle a stylish affair. Perfect for plant lovers, each globe can be filled with water to drip feed plants so they never go thirsty.
Seaweed press kit, £23.95 – Berylune
For beach combers and ocean lovers alike, this seaweed press kit can turn seaside forages into forever treasures by perfectly preserving them. Includes waxed paper to prevent moisture damage to the press.
Flourish Female Embroidery Kit, £13.99 – Stitch with Skye
Celebrate female beauty through hand-embroidery on 100% organic cotton fabric. Each of the five stitches have illustrated instructions in a ‘how to’ booklet making this kit ideal for all experience levels.
Botanic Body Oil, from £16 – Londe Botanics
This original blend is made from 100% UK grown natural botanical oils, including blackcurrant, rosemary, lavender and poppy. Hand blended and bottled in England, this is an uplifting and nourishing scent for mood-enhancing massages.
FOR MEN 
Recovery Salt & Oil Bath Soak, from £29 – Batch 001
A treat to soothe tired or achy muscles, this salt and oil bath soak has a zesty natural scent with anti-inflammatory botanicals to relax tight muscles. Dead Sea salts and pink Himalayan salts are blended with Juniper beery and black pepper to deeply moisturise, calm and relax.
Dog Walking Kit, £20 – Norfolk Natural Living
For man’s best friend, this kit contains everything needed to pamper a well-loved pooch. Includes a cotton cleansing cloth for muddy paws and botanical shampoo perfect for post-walk soaks.
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The Wes Anderson Collection, £35 – Berylune
The Wes Anderson Collection is a fan favourite for any lovers of this inimitable filmmaker. Explore Anderson’s work through unpublished photos, artwork and ephemera alongside a book-length interview between Anderson and award-winning film critic Matt Zoller Seitz, who offers insights into Anderson’s creative process.
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Into The Woods Gift Set, £58 – Homework
This limited-edition gift sets contains best-selling products that evoke an escape to the forest through woody, smoky scents. Includes a candle, bath soak and charcoal soap with notes of nettle leaf, pine and Chinese cedar.
Handcrafted Mug, £28 – Barton CroftÂ
For the coffee crazed, this handmade ceramic mug makes for charmingly styled sips. Designed by Barton Croft and handcrafted in Portugal from stoneware clay, it’s wide, comfy handle will quickly make it a go-to mug.
Organic cotton pouch, £29 – UStudio
Roomy in size and earthy in tone, this organic cotton bag is a practical and stylish travel companion. For those on the move, it gives amble space for carrying self-care oils or multiple work gadgets.
Cedarwood Soap, £22 – Fold Brighton
Cedarwood has long been used for centuries in restorative rituals and celebrated for its grounding and calming effects. This soap has been handcrafted with cedarwood oil so it has an earthy scent blended with shea butter and calming oils of olive, coconut and castor.
Gardening gloves, £18 – Maze
Keep hands safe from thorns and brambles with these protective suede gloves. Thick yet nimble in a light dove grey, they make the toughest of garden jobs look stylish with ease.
Chocolate mince pie caramels, £13.50 – The Chocolatier
Indulge in the season’s flavours with chocolate crafted specially for Christmas. For lovers of sweet treats, this luxurious collection of chocolate and biscuit coated mince pie caramels will keep tastebuds happy right into the New Year.
Fine garden rattan snips, £49, Niwaki
Seasoned gardeners require the hardiest tools and these snippers do just the job. The blades are made of Japanese steel and the handles are hand wrapped with Wisteria rattan for a chic addition to the toolbox.
KIDS
Pyjama Set, £26 (on sale) – Sleepy Doe
Boardgames in the evening or movies in front of the fire call on PJs for extra comfort. These 100% organic cotton pyjamas are soft to touch and classic to the core.
Doctor’s play set, £24.64 (on sale) – Small Kins
Bring make believe to life with a doctor’s bag kitted out with the real deal diagnostic set. Contains 4 patches, thermometer, syringe, ointment tube, stethoscope, reflex hammer, sphygmomanometer, otoscope, and doctors cap.
Eco activity kit, £9.50 – It’s Our Planet Too
This eco toolkit is full of activities to connect children with the natural world, including recipes, activities, fascinating facts and tips for exploring the outdoors. Choose from different themes such as Tremendous Trees, Brilliant Blue Whales or Plastic Isn’t Fantastic. As a social enterprise, Its Our Planet Too are donating 50% of their profits to a conservation charity.
Play Tea Set, £39 – Small Folk
Tea parties to be enjoyed by all ages, with silicone cups for real or imaginative play. Designed to help little ones develop motor skills and encourage cognitive development. Includes a teapot, 4 teacups with saucers, a sugar bowl and 4 spoons.
Bunny beret, £29 – Acorn & Pip
A beret cute enough for adults to covet. Made with 95 percent wool, with a knitted mouth, rabbit ears, nose and eyes.
Rainbow Abacus, £14.99 – Mabel & Fox
A stunning FSC certified wood abacus shaped like a rainbow in pale pastel tones. Nostalgic yet modern, this is an educational toy with the added bonus of being stylish addition to any playroom.
Wooden Ice Cream Van toy, £15 – Bellwoods
This wooden toy truck is inspired by vintage American food trucks and we love it’s retro style! Easy to handle for little hands to play and after they’re all grown up, we reckon it will live on as a cool retro object for your shelf.
Origami Fairylights Kit, £30 – Origami Est
For older kids fond of crafts, this kit explores the world of origami but with a spin. Create 20 origami shapes to shade 20 individual fairy lights – perfect for cosy bedroom nooks.
Solar System Craft Kit, £15.95 – Cotton Twist
Eager space explorers can travel to outer space by creating their very own solar system with shimmering planets made of eco glitter and assembled into a pop-up display stand.
Personalised Linen Crowns, £27 – Mia Moo via The Mamahood
For princes and princesses, these linen crowns are reversible, ribbon fastened and personalised with a hand-stitched name on the front. Made to order and available in 8 colours as a regal prop in any dress up box.
