This gift guide has been a lot of fun to pull together as it includes some of my favourite things. It’s been tricky at times to limit it to a reasonably sized article because there’s so much choice out there. Anyway, enough of the preamble and onto with my choices.
For those that would appreciate a personal stylist
For those who like something bespoke
Sumissura are an ethical fashion brand that produces made to measure garments for women. They’ve been doing this since 2013 and are developing new products all the time. At the website, women can design their own clothes, choosing from more than 150 fabrics and picking every single detail. It’s really easy to do and it’s fun to pick out the colours and styles you want. You can see more here https://www.sumissura.com/en-uk/. Having an item of clothing made for you is a special experience: it fits you like a glove: the sleeves are the right length, the hemline is spot on, it’s not too tight, it’s not too loose. Then there’s the fact that you have chosen the style and the colours, the fabric too. It’s just so personal. A gift card for Sumissura would be a welcome gift for any woman. Gift cards are available from £20 and a casual shirt costs from £42.For the eco-friendly
Modibodi, is the UK’s leading leak-proof underwear brand whose undies protect against periods, pee and sweat. Their products make a great stocking filler and are a brilliant sustainable alternative to pads and tampons. I love how comfortable they feel (the main fabric is bamboo) – they are so easy to wear. The underwear features a three-layer component: the top layer quickly wicks away moisture, fights bacteria and stops odours; a middle layer quickly absorbs fluid and locks it away; and the third bottom layer gives you extra leak-proof protection. Priced from £15.50 and sizes range from 10 to 26 in the women’s range (there’s also a teen range and men’s undies).
For makeup lovers
I’m really loving the new Shanghai Edition from Artistry Studio. There’s a great range of products to choose from and there are plenty of Christmassy reds in the collection. For me, makeup starts with the base and a primer is key to a well groomed look. This 2 in 1 Perfecting Matte Finish Primer is oil-free and lightweight prepping your skin for make-up application, creating a smooth, matte canvas and ensuring urban protection. My absolute favourite from the collection though is the Soft and Silky Eye & Cheek Pop Trio. Each trio comes with two eye shades and a cheek colour or all-over highlighter. They snap together and would be great to pop into your handbag when you are out and about. I love how creamy the colours feel when I apply them to my skin. The primer is priced at £34.65 and the Pop Trio at £30.25.
For those who enjoy being pampered
This Baylis & Harding Urban Barn Lime, Basil & Mint Candle Giftset is a great way to create a spa experience in your own home. There’s a body cleanser and cream wash gently cleanse the skin. After washing you can apply the body cream and your hands get pampered too because there’s a hand cream with vitamins A, B & C moisturise and delicately fragrance the skin. To create a spa-like mood there’s a beautiful scented candle presented in a decorative glass votive. All the products feature a restorative lime, basil and mint fragrance. Available from Amazon for £13.54.
For those whose skin needs a bit of a boost
This Hydrating Serum combines four types of hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. Combined with aloe vera and other skin-loving ingredients such as white tea, mimosa bark, tamarind, and snow mushroom this hydrating serum helps shield against environmental stressors, and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is an intense skin moisturiser that holds 1,000 times its weight in water. Combined, all four types of hyaluronic acid work together to replenish water on the surface of skin and retain moisture from the inside, whilst also improving elasticity and resulting in the appearance of visibly plump skin. Price £34 for 50 mls available online https://shopnow.foreverliving.com/gbr/en-gb/products/618-HYDRATING-SERUM
For those who love natural products
Lavera’s aim is “to produce natural cosmetics geared to the customer desires” and I rather think they have succeeded. My pick for a Christmas gift is the Sweet Moments gift set. The Sweet Moments duo (body wash and lotion) is scented with organic plum and organic vanilla. The body wash gently cleanses your skin. The quickly absorbed body lotion then cares for your skin and moisturises it for pure suppleness. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of plum and vanilla, which is a treat for your senses. Priced at £15.95.
For those always on the go
If you’re always on your feet, it pays to take good care of them. Anyone who is on their feet all day, will appreciate a bit of a foot pampering. I’ve picked out Palmer’s Foot Magic Scrub which revitalises while exfoliating tough skin on feet, especially rough dry, patches on heels and soles. The unique formula simultaneously moisturises, smooths and soothes tired feet. I’d follow this up with Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Heel Repair Stick, specially formulated to soften & smooth dry, cracked heels and callused feet.. Both would make excellent stocking fillers. Priced at £3.32 with Amazon, but also available from Boots and Superdrug.
This would make a perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa if you like a bit of fun. Poo-Pourri has packaged its pure blend Cinnamon, Vanilla & Citrus Secret Santa scent in a festive hanging Christmas Tree Ornament. Spreading eco-friendly Christmas cheer and festive aromas this season, the Poo-Pourri Secret Santa Ornament is the gift that keeps on giving. Decorate and spritz your Christmas tree with Poo-Pourri Secret Santa to bring nostalgic festive smells that captures the magic of Winter, and everyone’s favourite holiday season into your home.
More and more of us are gardening with wildlife in mind. One way to do this is to use the right plants in your garden. Native species are a good way to start, but if you want to cut out some of the research, you could use a specially created kit. Seedball aim to help increase the abundance of British wildflowers and wildlife that depend upon them. 
Peach Perfect have a wide range of gifts from crafty and creative, to wildlife friendly kits for nature lovers. I’m loving their range of art umbrellas though. Some of them are inspired by great art and the images have been transferred to the canopy of the umbrella. There’s this 
I have teamed up with Peach Perfect to offer one lucky reader their choice of art umbrella. Enter via the Gleam widget below.
So this first picture is of my elderly cat. He used to sleep on this cat’s cradle a lot, but had stopped doing so. I hadn’t realised that it was a bit broken – it looked ok, but was unstable when you stepped on it. It was a simple fix once I realised and he loves sleeping in it again now, especially now it’s cold enough to have the heating on, plus it gets the sun for part of the day too (if there is any).
I’ve been working a lot lately on the blog. I am busy with gift guides mostly, but I have some other bits to do too. I’ve had to take a few pictures too.
