We’re all looking forward to Christmas as a welcome injection of joy and fun at the end of what has been an absolute stinker of a year… Which means that minds inevitably turn to Christmas pressies… and I’d love to combine this with supporting independent makers during these tough times by sharing some ace independent Christmas gifts!

Of course it’s always better to support independents rather than lining Jeff Bezos’ already massive pockets… But in this catastrophic year more than most, with so many small businesses having been hit disproportionately hard, I wanted to get together a little list of some ace independent makers, many of them local, with unique products who have some absolute belting goodies for Christmas pressies. Fill your Christmas boots and get a big hit of the feel-good factor too!

 

 

CHECK THESE OUT!

 

Camera Crew – just casually plugging my own thing here lol – amateur photography course so you can make some magic with your camera without getting tangled up in the tech

Underdog Print Shop – unique art prints from up and coming independent artists and designers

Saraband – independent publisher doing special Food Bank Book Bundles

Izzy Williamson – linocuts

Still Small Pottery – handmade pottery from Lancashire

Baba + Boo – planet-friendly baby boutique specialising in cloth nappies with unique designs

Greg Meade, Habitats – Manchester-based bold, graphic linocut and risograph print-maker

Knot & Twig – macramé wall hangings, plant hangers & wedding macramé

Ancoats Pop Up – DIY creative gift boxes

East End Press – colourful, sustainable homeware and stationery, including Christmas decorations

No Lobe Lost – original design minimalist statement clay earrings

Catkin & Co – craft kits for nature-loving kids

Acorn + Pip – sustainable, organic, design-led clothes, toys and nursery products for little ones

Pin Head – enamel pins designed in Liverpool

Abby Sumner – bright risograph prints, stationery & gifts

The Happy Colour Shop – colourful stationery

Solu – scented, clean burning, soy-wax candles, melts and diffusers

Yuk Fun – independent, illustrative cards, clothes and accessories for people who like colour, animals and fun

Kelly Clarke – iconic cities available as framed prints and canvases, plus personalised prints designed using your favourite photographs sent straight from your phone

Frilly Industries – illustrative, statement, laser-cut jewellery, design, and other curiosities

Haynes Gourmet – family-run business selling all-natural, vegan-friendly sweet and spicy candied jalapeno condiments

Tay and Bear – original artwork, photography, prints and designs including handmade cyanotype prints

Beth Pegler – rope / textile jewellery

Bookishly – literary gifts for book lovers

Vida & Style – artisan Christmas decorations

Misshandled – colourful, marbled homeware and jewellery

Just Clayin’ – clay jewellery

Oxenden Soap House – natural, handmade traditional soaps made with 100% cruelty-free, vegan ingredients and certified Orangutan-friendly sustainable palm oil.

Jamin & Sons – gorgeous handmade live edge wooden serving boards and tables

Millie Rothera – colourful prints and fabrics

Niche – unique homeware, kids’ stuff, jewellery and gifts you can’t find on the high street

Brownies by Laurel – gooey, homemade, Belgian chocolate brownies delivered direct to your door

Mockup Goods Co – Liverpool-based illustrator and designer

We Made A Thing – craft kits for kids

 

 

LOCAL IDEAS

 

Some other places local to yourself that are worth checking out for incredible gifts:

Local farmer / deli – see if your local farmer, deli or farm shop has anything tasty on offer – they often do amazing hampers or crates

Local book shop – support your own local bookshop by buying online via Bookshop.org. Our local ones in Chorlton and Urmston are ace.

Local classes / clubs – see if there are any local classes or clubs that your loved ones might enjoy – lots offer vouchers

Local pub / restaurant vouchers – we’ve all missed drinking and dining out so much, and owners of local pubs and restaurants have taken such an awful hit this year – let’s help them get back on their feet and give ourselves something ace to look forward to by getting vouchers for a tasty meal or some drinks!

 

 

COLLECTIONS / DIRECTORIES

 

For ultimate ease, these websites conveniently curate a large selection of independent suppliers all in one place:

Etsy – loads of handmade, vintage, custom and unique gifts

Indie Roller Indie Made By Hand Market – absolutely heaps of gorgeous handmade products

We Buy Small – gift guides full of independent suppliers

Shop Facebook group – a place for independent makers to promote their goodies!

Brighton Unwrapped – loads of local makers from Brighton

Not On The High Street – loads of independent suppliers with a lot of personalised gifts too

 

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I really hope this is helpful to you and that you manage to discover some ace new stuff that you or your loved ones will be thrilled with!

Do you have any of your own independent suppliers you really rate? Please share them in the comments below, I’d love to see them!

Anna 🙂

 

SOME OTHER STUFF FOR YOU 🙂

 

FREE PDF: 5 TIPS FOR TAKING GREAT PHOTOS OF YOUR KIDS

A little pdf I put together containing some simple techniques to get better photos of your kids – these are relevant no matter what camera you’re using, phone, DSLR, compact, anything 🙂

 

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY E-BROCHURE

Of course if you’d like to treat the Mum in your life to something particularly special – some precious family memories recorded, so that in years to come she can look back at what a great mum she is – please feel free to download my family photography e-brochure if you think you’d like me to come and capture a bit of your own family’s magic. I do offer gift vouchers too 🙂

 

OTHER ARTICLES

If you liked this article you might also like:

My free Facebook group for families, Our Everyday Stories – a little project set up to encourage us to regularly record, honour and enjoy images of our own family’s precious everyday stories.

What Age is it Best to Photograph my Baby or Child?

Finding Time To Connect With Your Kids

Staying Sane as a Working Parent: 10 Top Tips

Is My Home Ready for a Photo Shoot?

5 Reasons I Love Family Photography

My Top 10 Productivity Tips