The #buybritishthischristmas Gift Guide: Part III

Good Evening!

Todays #buybritishthischristmas will be the final instalment, but please do not let that put you off using the hashtag! Hopefully, the suggestions which have been complied on The Mibber over the last three weeks, will have helped you decide what to get you're loved ones and with two weeks to go, will give you plenty of time to order in time for Christmas.

Last week saw, Small Business Saturday (another, and more welcome American import), so I hope it has encouraged you to explore your high street beyond the homogeneous destinations. I certainly have pursued the smaller stores in my quest for handmade and unique. My quest for Washi tape has so far proved futile though!

Ever the mixed bag, this weeks suggestions come far and wide!

I might as well be surgically attached to my brushed cotton PJs at this time of year, so much so, I attempted to persuade the boy to buy brushed cotton bedsheets. But even I admit, I may be going a step too far. So my first suggestion this week has to be this longer length brushed cotton night shirt from PJ Pan. Teamed with a luxurious cashmere hot water bottle as suggested by Jolly Lovely.

I'm a bit of a fitness nut, my sister is a bit of a fitness nut and a pretty sure all of my friends will miraculously turn into fitness nuts post Christmas. So for the sporty in my life, I love this yoga mat bag from Nomad Design who ethically source their Ikat prints and manufacture in England. My second suggestion comes in the form of new faves, Lexie Sport. From their new collection 13.3, these leggings (top or even the Norman Walsh Trainers) would excite any fitness lover.

If you're still struggling for your Dad, Uncle etc etc, how about these tweed print mugs as suggested by William Edwards available from Wolf & Badger. Alternatively, this bi-fold wallet suggested and by Holdall & Co would we warmly received.

My final gift guide suggestions this Christmas go to the prints. Perfect for joint presents, awkward to shop for, homeowners, they are gender neutral and I think the gift of print is one of the most thoughtful gifts to give... although maybe I should hastily add, if you get it right! The first print was suggested by Emma Higgins and is a lino cut coastal print. The second by and suggested by Toasted Crumpet is this wonderful illustration.

A huge thank you to everyone who got involved with #buybritishthischristmas, what was a whim has turned into an actually genuine hashtag, we can now haul out EVERY Christmas to come, so thank you so much for all your suggestion and helping me get it off the ground!

Read the rest of the Gift Guide here. Or follow it on Pinterest. Or Twitter. Or.. well just about anywhere else you can hashtag!

Merry Christmas, and I cannot wait to see all the wonderful gifts people will receive this year!


Andrea xx

The #buybritishthischristmas Gift Guide: Part II

Another week and the hashtag grows! As the guide evolves into some more sensible order, I thought I would include my top picks and get some categories in the mix!

Don't forget, everyone has the chance to be included in the gift guide! Just use #buybritishthischristmas.

-----

GENTLEMEN

Let's start off with the boys and men in your life. I share a bathroom with two men, our 'shared' cabinet has more man scrubs, mattifiers, face masks, stubble softeners and manly man stuff that I can just about place a kirby grip in there. So for me it makes a lot of sense to buy them even more man face stuff. It's a winner. Something that recently cropped up in the cabinet is Scarmouche & Fandango, so when they tagged this Christmas Cracker I just had to include it.

Run & Fell have ran away with the tag (sorry, sorry, terrible pun). I really love this Organic Silver Foil Tee, but they have so many designs, I'm sure if this isn't your thing you certainly will find something for him.

The man in my life, like many, is a cook. Obsessive. So it's hard to ignore Netherton Foundry's vast range under #buybritishthischristmas. I would pick this smoker out for him. He's always wanted to give it a go.

My suggestions for the boys this week is this Dereks Everyday Backpack. Boys need bags too and this would be ideal for the commuter or adventurer in your life.

LADIES

I fell head over heels for these slippers from Arthur Sleeper. Shoes shouldn't be boring and when these appeared on my insta feed I had to suggest them. 

How could I pull together a Christmas Gift Guide and not include Stella + Alf, hurry though, there's only a few left of their Easy Tee.

If it's stocking fillers or gifts for the best gals then a budget selection seems necessary. We have Knickers by Kinky Knickers, Make-up bag screenprinted in England by Betty & Brice and a luxurious eye mask by Ayten Gasson.

I'm a little obsessed with these quirky Lou Taylor spider planter earrings, I know just the person. 

I bought a their poppy candle in Center Parcs and it smelt SO good we've already gone through it. So I'd be happy to spread the joy with a Christmas Tree Candle by Stonesglow. And you get some lovely seeds to sow. 

Finally why not Personalise a Milk Token by Brit-Stitch. Carry your public transport pass of choice in style.

home

If, like me, you and all of your friends, are starting to buy and rent their own space, homewares becomes a much more welcome present. As suggested by Wyckoff Smith, the perfect spoon for the ice-cream lover in your life. Suggested by Beyond the Fridge, for the sewer in your life a appropriate notice board! A recent follower, Cornishware offer classic style, and I'm sure would take pride of place on many of my friends kitchen counters. My choice for home would be this Tori Murphy wide striped cushion to adorn mine or any of the sofas of the houses I frequent.

Finally, some festive suggestions to get you and your home in the spirit. Like this throw by Chapman House and some festive bunting by Betty and Dodge.


Part III will be live next thursday, make sure you carry on tagging your gift idea with #buybritishthischristmas.

Andrea xx

The #buybritishthischristmas Gift Guide: Part I

Edit 01/2/2014

I had a few troubles with my ability to post my gift guide last week, a weekend condemned to work gave me very little opportunity to rectify, but the weekend that proceeded was Black Friday Weekend. Apparently named so because it’s the day of the year the brands go back into the black; a stolen tradition from the biggest consumerist on the planet, USA. It’s uncomfortable viewing. Scenes of brawls, fights and crowds, snatching items off the shelves. It’s made me question my own self, a temptation here, a temptation there (I resisted, I was working after all) but it’s made me wonder how we’re all wired. Wired with this almost primal instinct to grab a bargain, how and when did this happen. If I could take one thing to encourage you to shop this Christmas, if it’s not already too late, is not to over buy. Spend you’re hard earned cashed on the right people in the right places. Spend more time than money with your loved ones.

Cue epiphany from A Christmas Carol.

------

When I incidentally hash tagged my gift guide tweet with #buybritishthischristmas, it hadn't even crossed my mind that such a saying wouldn't have been already utilised. Of course, it seems so obvious. I was just adding to the no doubt huge outpouring of tweets encouraging people to Buy British. But after a curious click I discovered it hadn't been tweeted out in over two years.

The synapses were probably not working up to scratch at 8 am on that Friday. But later on I had a light bulb moment. I'm a huge fan of hashtags. As in I actually use them. They’re like a filing system. You can find exactly what you’re looking for under a #. Numerous, if not the vast majority, of Made in Britain merchandise and brands, I have found searching the internet filing system. And whilst they are often abused (#girl #me #duh #yeah #pout #smile #happy #lfl), when used right, it’s like striking gold.

So I seized my opportunity to use a hashtag to create a collaborative modern day gift guide. All that was needed was a brand or shopper or wish-lister to tweet a link and or picture and the hashtag.  I could then easily find it and hey presto, gift guide.

What I wasn't, and rather naïvely, anticipating was just how relevant the hashtag would be. It’s not just about pushing more consumerism down people’s throats. It’s about the livelihoods of the little guys, the makers, the doers, earning their living. Not just the bag makers, the clothes makers, the jewellery makers etc. Not all the pretty things I often wish upon on these blog pages. It's also about the farmers, the food producers and even the indie shop owners! There’s an awful lot more to Buy British This Christmas.

Anyway, every week, I’ll be rounding up the best of the hashtag gift guide, and sharing on The Mibber. All you need to do is tag your picture, product link and I’ll find it!

 The first suggestions came from Ink and Thread, an indie based in Derby but also have an (Online store, take a gander!). This Striped jumper from Nancy Dee would be well received wrapped under the tree. As too this wonderful Scarf from Karen Mabon, fun and bright, sure to cheer up those grey days we have ahead of us.

Knitwear really is a recurring theme and the lovely Hilary Grant hashtagged this print on Instagram.

For the beauty lover in your life, perhaps not the most obvious answer, how about a hand-woven face mitt, from Minor Goods, I know, what am I suggesting? But seriously, any beauty nut would love a decent first step in the routine, it’s all about the double cleanse these days, and you can’t move for hot cloth facials. So you should probably get them a luxurious clensing oil too, like this one from AS.AP via Content Beauty.

Jewellery as a gift for Christmas is as essential as the box of miniature chocolates, so these delicate heart earrings by Nicola Hurst are a great choice and at a greater price point too. Alternatively this ceramic necklace from Luna and Curious would be a lovely addition to anyones jewellery box. 

It’s no secret I love Rianna Phillips use of print and it's has expanded to include small tech accessories. An abstract iPad case is ideal for fashion techy people. Yes, that’s a type of person. In contrast, Grace Gordon suggested this fab pinky nude backpack, clean lines and simple design add class to the school style shape, elevating it to a must have and we all know how practical one is.

The only suggestion this week for the men comes from Sweater Co. Their Trinity Sweater  made from cotton is affordably priced and comes in a variety of colours.

Finally, the other Gift Guides! Let’s face it, I am cheating, little leg work from me, so it seems only fair to link these great Made in Britain guides. Make it British, has something for everyone you could possibly need to buy for. Although not strictly a Christmas gift guide, Being Content, a beauty boutique, round up their MIB faves here.

Make sure you follow my Pinterest board which I'm updating daily with hashtagged suggestions and my own wishlist. And don’t forget to use #buybritishthischristmas. Please buy as much British as you can this Christmas. Next post goes live on next Thursday (EDIT as in 4th December!)

How many times have I said hashtag in this post.......

Andrea xx