An Alternative Christmas Gift Guide: 8 Fantastic Indie Sellers

This is not just a Christmas gift guide. This is Not Dressed As Lamb’s Christmas gift guide.

[Reading time: approx. 8 minutes – excludes time spent perusing external links!]

For the third year in a row (well not quite – I missed out 2017, but let’s ignore that fact), I’m passing over the high street retailers and department stores and concentrating instead on indie sellers for my Christmas gift guide. There are less than six weeks to go till the big day (eep)!

I thought I’d get in long before Black Friday has us all wanting to hit our heads repeatedly with our laptops and phones shouting LEAVE ME ALONE, BLACK FRIDAY EMAILS…!! So, for (hopefully) your Christmas shopping pleasure, here are eight indie sellers that I’d love you to consider for some of your gift shopping instead of the usual high street retailers.

 

Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (at no cost to you) and any brands listed as* have gifted me something within the last 12 months under no obligation. Full disclosure

 

Shopping with indie sellers means your gifts will be far more unique. Disclosure: four of the eight have sent me gifts this year and I’ve been impressed enough to want to recommend them. A fourth I’ve shopped in a LOT in person because it’s amazing (and I can vouch for how delicious their =ahem= chocolate wares are). And the last three are brands I’m desperate to shop at for either myself or for loved ones.

Therefore overall, every one of them comes highly recommended by me.

I’ve included as much info as I can regarding prices, delivery, discounts, etc. – but please remember as independent sellers selling their pieces online they already have very tight margins, so you’re already getting a very low/good value for money price if they don’t have any discounts. It’s important to support small businesses whenever we can – and even better, many have been set up by/are run by female entrepreneurs so they deserve our support even more.

But if you know of a discount I haven’t mentioned, please let me know. Also if you buy something as a result of my recommendations let me know that too!

Happy Christmas shopping ♥

What indie sellers do you know that you want to share with us? Any you see here that you’re considering shopping with? Comment below…!

Pin for later!

 

8 Fantastic Indie Sellers for Your Christmas Shopping…

1. Bold, luxury faux fur accessories

HELEN MOORE*

Top left – Mono Faux Fur Honeypot Bag
Top right – Coral/Gold Cashmere & Faux Fur Pom Pom Beanie
Middle left – Autumn Faux Fur Slim Vixen Scarf
Middle right – Wildcat Faux Fur Slipper Boots
Bottom left – Pink Faux Fur Asymmetric Scarf
Bottom right – Sea Green Faux Fur Coin Purse

I’m wearing the faux fur pom pom beret that Helen Moore kindly sent me in this week’s outfit post – a friend of mine has gushed about this brand for a while and I can see why. Appealing to my love of bold colour, there’s an almost endless supply of fabulously bright (as well as classically neutral) faux fur on this site. I also have a beautiful burgundy buckle collar that I’ll be wearing on the blog soon. The quality is second to none, and the prices are actually very reasonable.

You can choose from long scarves, stoles, collars, cushions, throws, rugs, bags, slippers, wedding accessories and more. There’s even a Design Your Own Scarf option to create a multicoloured scarf with four colours of your choice.

I mentioned the no-bubble-wrap part of my gifting policy to them and I’m happy to report that the brand is eliminating plastic bags from their factory, and my order was sent in recyclable cardboard packaging. Plus they’re based down the road from me: a proper local-to-me brand!

PRICE RANGE: £23.00 – £99.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: free UK standard delivery. International shipping: £7 – £10.
DISCOUNT: Sign up for newsletters at https://helenmoore.com and receive 10% off your first order.

 

 

2. Super functional, problem-solving, stylish bags

MIA TUI*

Top left – Samantha Shoulder Bag (fully inclusive bag – all the zips have easy-to-pull zip tabs, D-rings allow the mobility clips to be used with walkers and wheelchairs)
Top right – Jennie Travel Bag (fits over suitcase handles)
Middle left – Jess Backpack
Middle right – Sarah Laptop Bag (fits over suitcase handles,)
Bottom left – Alex Folding Travel Bag (fits over suitcase handles)
Bottom right – Megan Across Body Bag

Anyone who saw my post about my Mia Tui travel bag the other week will know how much I loved it – but did you see how many other bag styles they make?

From the shoulder bag that can be used with walkers and wheelchairs to the laptop bag and others that slip over suitcase handles, there is an endless selection in a huge number of colours.

Don’t miss my discount code below – and that’s despite the prices being super reasonable to start with. Anything from this brand would make a practical, very stylish gift for someone (or yourself).

PRICE RANGE: £16.00 – £55.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: £2.50, free UK standard delivery over £25. International shipping: £5.99.
DISCOUNT: 15% off full-price items with code NDAL15.

 

 

3. Hand-iced biscuit gifts for every occasion

BISCUITEERS

Top left – The Snowman™ Letterbox Biscuits
Top right – Safari Luxe Biscuit Tin (£5.00 goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity)
Middle left – Chocolate Happy Christmas Luxe Biscuit Tin
Middle right – Personalised Christmas Pudding Letterbox Biscuit
Bottom left – Christmas Jumper Jolly Ginger
Bottom right – London Luxe Biscuit Tin

I’ve had this company on my radar for a while because if ever I’m stuck for a gift for someone then I know this will be my go-to. The hand-iced biscuits they have – some in gorgeous tins that can be kept and used afterwards – look absolutely incredible. They have gluten-free options, personalised options and biscuits for dogs as well as letterbox options. There are Christmas-themed tins and ones suitable for birthdays and almost any other occasion, no matter what the age of the recipient.

They’ll even deliver next day if you order before 1pm. Very classy gifts, even for the person who has everything.

PRICE RANGE: £9.95 – £45.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: From £3.50 or free UK standard delivery over £100. International shipping: POA.

 

 

4. Beautiful, everyday jewellery with meaning

DAISY LONDON

Top left – Estée Lalonde Rising Sun Frame Charm Earrings 18ct Gold Plate
Top right – Estée Lalonde Octagonal Necklace 18ct Gold Plate
Middle left – Aphrodite Gold Necklace (£10 goes to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust)
Middle right – Tusk Wrap Ring Silver
Bottom left – Stacked Huggie Hoops Sterling Silver
Bottom right – Estée Lalonde Sunburst Stacking Ring 18ct Gold Plate

If I were given £1000 and was told I HAD to spend it only on myself and on something very indulgent, I think I’d go mad at Daisy London. Another brand I’ve been eyeing up for a while, it’s the perfect place to go for the layered gold necklaces look as well as endless earrings, bracelets and rings in gold, silver and rose gold.

Prices are high but they’re not crazy high – cheap gold jewellery always looks cheap after just a few wears anyway, so spending a little more is a better investment. A really great place to find something for yourself that you can then drop hints about later…!

PRICE RANGE: £35.00 – £139.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: £3.50 or free UK standard delivery over £75.00. International shipping: £10.00 or free over £100.

 

 

5. Ready-to-hang, panel effect wood wall art

WOOD PRINTZ (via Etsy)

Top left – Custom Pet Portrait Print on Wood
Top right – City Travel Map Wood Wall Art (any city in the world)
Middle left – Book Cover Wood Wall Art (choose your favourite book)
Middle right – Movie Posters Wood Wall Art (choose your favourite movie)
Bottom left – Personalised Night Sky Wood Wall Art (any time, date or place)
Bottom right – Movie Posters Wood Wall Art (any movie)

I stumbled across this seller on Etsy and thought I’d include it here as again, you could get something here for the person who has everything or is really difficult to buy for. Rather than just buy a print, you can request just about anything to be printed onto wood (personalised gifts are SUCH a good idea for people who are difficult to buy for).

Know their favourite book or film? Get the artwork printed onto a piece of wood wall art. Have a special date that means something to them? Get it printed onto a piece of wood wall art. Do they have a connection to a specific city? Get a map of the city printed onto a piece of wood wall art.

I’m even thinking about getting one of these for myself, it’s just a case of what to choose.

PRICE RANGE: £19.50 – £41.99 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: free UK standard delivery. International shipping: POA.
DISCOUNT: 20% off your order when you buy 3 items.

 

 

6. Luxury loungewear for all shapes and sizes

EDDI CLOTHING*

Top left – Jo Set
Top right – Alice Set
Middle left – Di Set
Middle right – Lyndsey Set
Bottom left – Dee Jumpsuit
Bottom right – Viv Set

Luxury jersey separates, jumpsuits and sets are utter bliss to wear. Although I’ve yet to take a picture of myself in it, I have a Viv set – bottom right as seen above – in that same Latte (taupe) colour that Eddi Clothing kindly gifted to me. And oh my WORD do I love it… it looks SO good on.

The quality is beautiful: the fabric was wonderfully soft, it was cut and made very well and it’s smart enough to wear out of the house as well as indoors as loungewear. It’s basically the most luxurious ‘pyjamas’ set I have, but I wouldn’t feel embarrassed to answer the door wearing it (unlike PJs or a onesie). There’s a combination of trouser style, neckline, sleeve, etc. to suit everyone’s tastes and shape, and sizes come in Extra Small to Extra Large. All sets are available in the perfect set of neutrals: black, grey, khaki, navy and latte (cream).

I would be truly overjoyed to receive a set like this for Christmas…!

PRICE RANGE: £55.00 – £70.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: £3.99 UK standard delivery. International shipping: £12 – £18.

 

 

7. Delicious hand-crafted individual chocolates, novelties and bars

ILFRACOMBE CHOCOLATE EMPORIUM

Top left – Chocolate Box With 48 Handmade Chocolates (Extra Large Size)
Top right – Deluxe White & Milk Swirl Chocolate Bar
Middle left – Chocolate Shells With 3 Chocolates
Middle right – “Chocolate” Chocolate Box Medium Size
Bottom left – Dark Chocolate and Cherry Slab
Bottom right – Deluxe Milk Chocolate With Raspberry Bar

If you want to get the ultimate in chocolates for someone for Christmas, you HAVE to get them chocolates from the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium. It’s in the North Devon town where I go on my detox retreat (and yes, I do get the irony in that)!

All the chocolate is hand-made on site, and the flavours and choices are endless. Each time I’ve been to the retreat I’ve visited the Emporium and spent a TON of money in there – all of it was saved for afterwards (I promise none was eaten during the detox week), or I had it packaged up and shipped back home. What I do is always buy the large selection boxes for our family at Christmas (SO much more delicious and more special than Ferrero Rocher or boring Quality Street) and lots of small, dark chocolate selections and slabs for eating a little at a time at home.

And this is absolutely true: I bought a lockable trunk that Keith keeps the key to, and that’s where we store the chocolate. So I can’t indulge when I’m at home working, and I have to ask – weekends only – if I can have a bit!

If you go to Ilfracombe – GO TO THE CHOCOLATE EMPORIUM. If you don’t get a chance or you’re far away – BUY ONLINE FROM THEM NOW. I can’t tell you how amazing the chocolate is.

PRICE RANGE: £3.50 – £25.99 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: POA, international shipping offered – the proprietor will weigh your order and quote you standard postal rates.

 

 

8. Stylish, comfortable wide-calf wellies

THE WIDE WELLY COMPANY*

Top left – Inky Octopus Wellies
Top right – Brilliant Butterfly Wellies
Middle left – Stunning Stripes Wellies
Middle right – Posh Paws Wellies
Bottom left – Ditsy Daisy Wellies
Bottom right – Scandi Leaf Wellies

Last but not least: wellies for anyone, but especially those (like me) who have wide calves and usually find that standard wellies are too tight – forget trying to tuck jeans in them as well. I featured my striped beauties back in April and they’ve been getting a lot of use during this ridicously wet autumn we’ve been having.

This is a lovely brand, they do a very specialised product but they are FABULOUS. Perfect for anyone who’s ever said “Ohhh I can’t wear wellies, they’re just too tight for my calves…”!

PRICE RANGE: £39.00 – £59.00 (of those items pictured).
DELIVERY: free UK standard delivery. Shipping to some EU countries: £13.00 – £17.00.