A Handcrafted Holiday: Small Business Christmas Gift Guide 2023
As the holiday season draws near, we all find ourselves on a quest to discover unique and magical gifts for our loved ones. This year, why not make your gift-giving experience more meaningful by supporting independent artisans, creators, and businesses?
In our Small Business Christmas Gift Guide, you’ll find a curated selection of gifts that span three enchanting categories: food and drink delights, bookish treasures, and mental health and self-care essentials.

Choosing to support local businesses and shop small not only elevates your gift-giving game but also fuels the dreams and ambitions of dedicated entrepreneurs. Plus, you're far more likely to discover unique, handcrafted items that simply can't be replicated by corporate giants!
Table of Contents
FOOD & DRINK
BOOKISH GIFTS
SELF-CARE

Rebecca’s Crumpets Gift Set from Bookish Bakes
If you’re looking for a cosy winter activity that also doubles as a delicious treat, look no further than our Rebecca’s Crumpets Gift Set! Featuring our bestselling Classic Crumpets baking kit, a pre-loved copy of Daphne du Maurier’s gothic thriller Rebecca, and a choice of tea or coffee, this gift set is the perfect immersive experience for any book-loving foodie.

Homemade Cookies from Bostin’ Bakery
Simply smashing cookies! Handmade by founder, Liz, and shipped directly to your recipient’s door from the Black Country, these thick and chewy cookies are a wonderful way to send a little homebaked love. Choose from a variety of indulgent flavours, including a few vegan options.

Handmade Chocolates from Annabel’s Patisserie
Perfect for the chocoholic on your Christmas list, Annabel’s handmade chocolates are one of a kind. Featuring unique and exciting flavours, such as stroopwaffle, caramelised white chocolate and mint, and pecan pie, Annabel’s chocolates are as much a delight for the palate as they are for the eyes.

Bookish Coffee Blends from Fable Grounds Coffee
Coffee addicts and bookworms alike will delight in discovering a bag of delicious Fable Grounds Coffee inspired by their favourite book in their stocking! From straight-up espresso to exciting flavour blends, each bag of Fable Grounds is freshly roasted in small batches and designed to evoke the world of a book. We think these would make a wonderful accompaniment to any of our baking kits for the ultimate immersive experience!

Personalised Apron from Jack Spratt
For the messy cooks and bakers, you can’t go wrong with a good apron. This handprinted one by the folks at Jack Spratt comes in a wide range of colours and allows you to personalise the bib with your recipient’s name and up to three additional lines of text. Incredibly thoughtful and practical!

Personalised Book Journal from Martha Brook
A beautiful and thoughtful gift for any book lover, this personalised reading journal is packed with useful content to inspire readers of all ages. Whether they use it to track their reading journal throughout the year or to reignite their love of books, this journal will quickly make itself at home on their bookshelf.

Book Lover Mug from Bookishly
We think it was Jane Austen who said ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a bookworm in possession of a good book, must be in want of a cup of tea’. Well, that’s how we see it anyway! Treat the bookworm on your list to a cheeky bookish mug like this one from Bookishly and they’ll never be in want again.

Bookish Holiday Jumper from Miss Bohemia
Cosy Christmas jumpers are a must around the holidays, so why not make theirs bookish as well? This ‘Deck the Halls’ inspired jumper comes in a range of colours and sizes and is so soft that they’ll want to keep wearing it all year round! (It also comes in a tea version for those who prefer it.)

Jane Eyre Candle from Vintage Book Candle Co.
Keeping with the cosy theme, literary lovers everywhere will enjoy one of these beautifully scented candles inspired by much-loved classical literature. Handcrafted in small batches using natural coconut/rapeseed wax and pure essential oils, these candles are eco-friendly and perfect for book collectors. We love the Jane Eyre candle featuring notes of juicy berries, wild moorland flora, peppercorns, and creamy musk.

Book Lover Phone Case from AekCovers
Give them the opportunity to shout about their love of literature everywhere they go! These book lover phone cases are a fun, trendy, and personalised way to protect their mobile device. Choose from 5 different designs and a wide range of devices for the perfect fit. It’s a great stocking stuffer idea for a bookworm!

Day of Gratitude Journal from Mal Paper
Gratitude is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health in as little as 10 seconds every day. This beautiful linen journal will help your recipient create a gratitude practice that they stick to. They’ll start each morning listing three things they’re grateful for and finish the day reflecting on positive moments that occurred to become more fulfilled, happier, and mindful.

Anxiety Card Deck from Her Inner Glow
Know someone who struggles with anxiety? This comforting card deck will help them manage their anxiety and calm overwhelming thoughts. By repeating supportive and encouraging statements, they’ll learn to be more self-compassionate and accepting, which will encourage them to be kinder to themselves when experiencing anxiety.

Mindful Moments Candle Set from Modo
This mindful candle set is a wonderful stocking stuffer for the overworked person on your list who needs to take some time to slow down and regroup. The set contains 10 handmade, honey-scented candles and a brass stand. Each mini candle burns for 20 minutes, encouraging them to carve out a small pocket of time for reflection and meditation every day.

Personalised Gardening Colouring Book
Colouring isn’t just for kids! Adults can reap the benefits of this mindful exercise too; colouring regularly helps calm the brain and relax the body, aiding in sleep and decreasing body aches and feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. For a thoughtful and meaningful Christmas present, we love this 28-page book featuring calming garden scenes that can personalised to your recipient.

Relaxation & Wellness Gift Box from Fernn Gifting
Want to send them the ultimate relaxation treat this holiday season? Gift them this self-care hamper filled with indulgent wellness goodies they’re sure to take hours of enjoyment from. This particular box contains a lovely scented candle, bath oil, natural soap, a sea sponge, cosy socks, tea, and biscuits so they can relax and enjoy a little self-love.
Note: All prices listed are correct at the time of publishing.
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