Christmas Gift Guide 2018 | Small Gifts for the Girls

That time has come around again, it will soon be Christmas and we need to decide what we are doing with our Christmas gift shopping.  This is the first of three gift guides I am sharing - and I posted another blog post prior to this one about the ethical shopping debate and being more mindful about her gifting - take a look here if you missed it.

I never recommend anything on my blog that I haven't tried and loved myself.  So I am sharing with you some things that I would love to receive or that I already have and that would make lovely gifts for mum, sisters, aunties, friends or daughters - for the women in our lives - and don't forget to share this post with your husband or partner!  In the photo above I am using my initial mug from WB Gifts and wearing two gold bracelets from Toria Lee Accessories - full details below.

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Inspire my Soul - Bespoke Silver Charm Jewellery

Karen Rosser from Inspire my Soul has featured on my blog before, she was the first business woman I interviewed on my Embracing Life (in Midlife) interview series.  I love her bespoke range of inspirational jewellery.  Karen designs initial and symbol charms to really resonate with you and your life and her designs make beautiful gifts for your loved ones.  Choose a charm or symbol that reflects who they are and their hopes and dreams.  May be an initial charm with a star to represent the star they are?  Or how about a word warrior charm, with your choice of inspirational text?  Or a symbol charm ...  a heart, angel wing, star, or feather maybe?  Karen also designs hand stenciled bags also with a symbol which can really complement your necklace or bracelet but also make beautiful gifts on their own.  But not forgetting the men in our life, Karen also offers a range of necklaces personalised with an initial.  If you cannot find what you want on her website, please give Karen a call, she is very helpful in making suggestions and helping you create the perfect jewellery for your requirements.  Or Karen is holding an Artisan Pop-Up Shop in Maidenhead on 29th, 30th November and 1st December - full details are on her website.

Below: my initial charm silver bracelet is available here and costs £25 including the personalised star charm.  You can add additional charms too!  The stencilled bags are £12.00 and are available here.

WB Gifts - Small Gifts, Candles and Accessories

I went over to see Jane at her cosy garden studio where she runs her beauty business alongside her gift business.  She really enjoys personally choosing the gifts she sells via her website and has a small display within her studio as well.  I loved her artistic flair and how she curated her stock to show off her selection.  Jane is offering a gift box service this year - so choose one, two, three or more gifts from her range - to suit your budget and Jane will gift wrap and display in a pretty box that can be reused afterwards - see the selection she put together for me below. Jane has recently launched her own range of candles.  She is working with a small maker in Wales and each candle is handmade using the finest natural ingredients.  They come with the WB logo, a silver lid and a ribbon and I can confirm they smell wonderful.  Everything can be purchased via her website here, or if you would like some more help choosing then give Jane a call personally,  alternatively if you live near Maidenhead then you can make an appointment and pop in to see her or Jane can be found in Windsor Train Station throughout November and into early December.

Above - gift box and small gifts from WB Gifts - small WB candle, initial alphabet spotty mug (also seen above) and fun soap/sponge.  Below - selection of gift ideas on display at Jane's studio in Maidenhead.

Spirit & Grace - Jewellery, Scarves and Accessories

Katie Topping has recently launched her new gift and accessories business Spirit & Grace and I am loving the selection of pretty products she has.  I met Katie for a chat over a cup of tea recently and really enjoyed hearing her story.  Every small business has an inspirational story behind them and what really strikes me is the time and passion it takes to make the business a success.  There are women just like us working really hard every day, juggling family life and their business and really believing in what they do.  Supporting each other and supporting small businesses especially at Christmas is so important and will absolutely be appreciated I promise.  So step away from the big stores and find the gifts with a real person and a real story behind them.  You will enjoy the giving so much more.  Katie writes a lovely blog on her website - get to know her and browse her products at Spirit & Grace.

Above - top left, right and bottom is this beautiful silk dragonfly scarf which is absolutely stunning and I will be styling it on future Instagram posts, all the gifts come wrapped in tissue paper with the Spirit & Grace logo.  I love the Love Inc This is My Happy Place candle, it smells divine!  There are different words available too.

Toria Lee Accessories - Bespoke Jewellery and Accessories

I originally found Toria Lee Accessories via Instagram and loved her range of individually designed earrings - they make a statement without being too big or too gaudy!  I was really keen to meet her which I was finally able to do at a Style Evening a few months ago.  I love what she has to offer and I popped into her home studio to take a closer look.  She hand picked this gorgeous selection for me to use and style at home with my own outfits.  Everything comes beautifully wrapped and is truly individual.  Toria also has a selection of clothing, accessories and scarves on her website.  Keep an eye on my Instagram and on Toria Lee's for more ideas and beautifully styled products.

Above - you can find a huge selection of Toria's designs on her website - this is just a small selection of what is available.

Gem's Natural Skincare

Gem from Gem's Natural Skincare is my niece and I keep borrowing a pot of cream to photograph it and then I keep it as it is so good and I need it for my feet!  Opps, sorry Gem. This really is a great natural dry skin cream - suitable for children and eczema prone skin but I use it on my feet and heels especially during the winter!  These little pots of 'wonder cream' come beautifully wrapped and make a perfect gift - and check out her lip balms too, great stocking fillers.

The Wendy House - Small Gifts and Accessories

If you live close to Maidenhead then I thoroughly recommend making an effort to pop into The Wendy House - a stunning attic room above Wendy's garage that is full of a huge selection of gifts, clothes and accessories, Wendy also stocks Tropic Skincare.  You can buy some items on her website and if you see anything on Instagram then she is quite happy for you to give her a call and she will post to you.  Check out her Facebook page for more details, address and opening times.

Above - this cosy fur scarf if available in a huge selection of stunning colours at The Wendy House as well as a lovely selection of brooches.  This brooch and jewellery is from Toria Lee Accessories.  Below - The Wendy House in Maidenhead.

Sweet Bea - scarves and accessories

No gift list would be complete without my favourite online scarf shop, Sweet Bea.  Kate has some lovely choices this year and her metallic scarves at just £12.50 with free postage and packing in the UK are a great choice for a small gift, secret santa or stocking filler.  Or just for yourself!

Below - red pom pom scarf is £22.50 and leopard animal print wool scarf is £25.50 both from Sweet Bea.

I hope you find some useful suggestions here - I am publishing three gift guides in total all in the lead up to Small Business Saturday which takes place on 1st December this year.

Love from
Michelle xx

Have you seen my other gift guides:

Christmas Gift Guide | Small Gifts for the Girls
Christmas Gift Guide | Stocking Fillers
​Christmas Gift Guide | Vouchers and Gift Boxes

And take a look at this excellent blog post from Jo another local small business who I am working with at the moment - Less is More - makes a lot of sense to me!

​Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, although some of the items shared have been gifted to me but I was under no obligation to feature them in a blog post, the opinions are entirely my own.

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