A Small Business Christmas Gift Guide

- If a product is marked with a * it is a PR sample, but sent under no obligation to review. All links in this blog post are affiliate links. -

Now feels like an important time to support small businesses more than ever, but I know how hard it is to find the best pieces for the perfect gift. I've picked out a variety of products with something for everyone, from the bookworm to the green fingered, if you're looking for inspiration this festive season then look no further. 

First on the list has to be Soak Sunday, a beautiful business that offers up bath and body care. Their Body Oils and Bath Salts are definitely their stand out products and the packaging is so beautiful - perfect for those who are gifting a bath time lover! Similarly, Coral and Moss is a business I just stumbled across accidentally, but they have a range of great gifts to choose from including this Sleep Ritual Luxury Gift Set and Mindfulness Ritual Self Care Box which I think would be a good option if you're unsure on what to get someone this Christmas. 

There's lot of jewellery and accessories on the market, but I personally love how cute Fable England* are. They have a variety of woodland animals to turn into a bracelet, earrings or a necklace, as well as scarves and bags too! The Tartan Blanket Co. is another company I've loved supporting over the past couple of years and one of their Plaid Oversized Scarves was actually gifted to me as a present from someone last year. 

If you know someone creative, then I would recommend checking out a Beginner's Modern Calligraphy Set as they're such a great gift if you know that someone would like to learn a new skill. I gifted myself this set earlier this year and I've got so much use out of it, so I know it's something that would actually get used. 

Small businesses are absolutely golden if you're buying for a bookworm as there's so many unique pieces on offer. Well Read Co offer up Book Bags with the choice of a variety of the classics, whilst this Personalised Library Stamp would go down a treat for those who are starting their very own at home library. 

If you've got a plant lover in your life, then I think these Ceramic Garden Labels would be a great stocking filler. I think they're so cute! I also spotted this Save The Planet Candle which doubles up as both a candle and a plant pot as it comes with your own seeds to grow after you've used it up - what a great idea. 

I knew as soon as I decided to do a small business gift guide that I had to include one of these - a Garlic Grater Dish. Although pretty random in this line up when it comes to gifts, if there's a garlic lover in your life, then I'm sure they'll appreciate one of these in their stockings! 

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Etsy UK Christmas Finds

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It's that time of the year again - my annual quest to find the best Etsy Christmas finds. I personally like to get in there early to make sure that I have enough time to get them before the festivities begin. From home decor to jumpers, I have something for everybody this festive season. 

You know I love anything excuse to hang up decorations and this Christmas Pudding Garland is just so pretty, but it's actually this Gingerbread Felt Garland that has me absolutely smitten - it instantly went onto my saved list. 

I've been browsing the cushions on Etsy for some time now, trying to find the best picks - something I think I've managed! This Gingerbread House Cushion is absolutely adorable and perfect if you choose to pair it with a Candy Cane Cushion too! If you prefer a simpler Christmas theme, then I'm sure Holly and Berry Cushion Covers will be perfect, plus the seller has many other options too if you want to mix and match. 

I personally love putting these Bottle Brush Style Christmas Trees throughout the house as they can easily fill sparse spaces, something I normally struggle with. I think sometimes it's the little touches throughout the home that I cherish the most. I love the switch out my mugs from Halloween to Christmas this time of the year, by opting for a option like this Ceramic 'Merry and Bright' Hand Stamped Mug which is great if you love neutral decor or this Christmas Tree Glass for those who prefer something novelty. 

To jazz up my kitchen further, I have been looking at getting an Embossed Rolling Pin to help decorate my Christmas biscuits this year. I have also been looking at these Handpainted Christmas Dinner Candles which would be great for decorating the table on the 25th. 

I find Etsy great at finding simple Christmas jumper so if you don't like wearing novelty ones then this Whoville University Embroidered one, a Gingerbread Bakery one or this North Pole Stamp Sweater would be great for you. 

Have you spotted anything on Etsy recently? 

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Christmas Kitchen Decor Ideas

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The countdown to Christmas is on! One of my favourite, yet underrated places to decorate during the festive season is my kitchen. As a collector of mugs, I love hanging up my seasonal favourites, whilst creating a cosy area to bake in. If you're similar to me, but unaware of where to go to find the best Christmas kitchen decor, then you've come to the right place. 

Starting with mugs, I absolutely love the look of this Christmas Tree Mug, but I'm currently trying to convince myself out of it as I do have quite a few. Gingerbread houses are definitely a huge trend this year, popping up in tea light holders as well as cushions, but I found this Anthropologie Cosy Home mug and thought it was perfect for those who like pink Christmas decor. 

I'm currently looking for more ways to present food over the festive period and I feel like this Christmas Tree Board would be great for cheeses, whilst this Tree Shaped Bowl would be good for nibbles. 

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Autumn Outfit Ideas

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It'll come as no surprise that Autumn fashion is my favourite. I love the cosy knits, plaid patterns and the chance to layer up. It's currently not as cold as it usually is for November, so I'm making the most of showcasing my Autumn outfits before they start getting covered up by a thick coat! 

Soft browns and forest greens are my favourite tones to wear this time of the year. This Hollister Cable Knit Sweater is giving serious 'Rory Gilmore' vibes and would look great dressed down with a pair of leggings or tucked into a skirt with tights. I also really like shackets on a down day in Autumn, so this Apricot Plaid Shacket is also great as the rust brown hues will work throughout the rest of the season as well as fitting perfectly in Winter too. 

I've been on the hunt for a cosy cream cardigan and when I spotted this Joanie Oversized Cardigan I knew that it could be the perfect wardrobe addition. I'm rather picky when it comes to knits as I like to make sure their soft and fit right. After finally owning the KJP Flannel Dress (and wearing it to death!), I've now added their sweaters to my wishlist - this Evergreen Jumper is top of my list. 

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Pumpkin Loaf Cake Recipe

If you're trying to get in the Autumn spirit or you're looking for a way to use your pumpkin up, this pumpkin loaf cake is perfect for this cosy season. It's pretty simple, deliciously moist and incredibly moorish. The good thing about this recipe is that you can easily add chocolate chips if you'd like or swap out a spice like cinnamon if you're not particularly fond of it. 

I was actually inspired to do this recipe after I picked up my Autumnal Loaf Pan and seeing as I've got a couple of pumpkins left over after Halloween, I thought it was the perfect time! Making a pumpkin purée is super simple and you can freeze the leftovers and use it to make a pie, curry or soup at a later date. Don't forget to save the seeds for roasting! 

Although this recipe calls for fresh pumpkin to be used, if you're looking to make this out of the Autumn season, then I'm sure that substituting with canned pumpkin would suffice - just remove some of the sugar if yours comes sweetened already. 

Ingredients 

230g Plain Flour

1tsp Baking Powder

100ml Vegetable Oil

60g Brown Caster Sugar 

3 Eggs

180g Fresh Pumpkin Purée

1tsp Cinnamon

1sp Ginger

1sp Nutmeg 

Vanilla Extract  

Ready Made Vanilla Icing (or make your own!)

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200c. Take a small cooking pumpkin, cut the top off and slice in half. Remove the seeds and place on a baking tray and cook until soft for 30 minutes. 

Once cooked, scoop out the pumpkin and blitz with a blender until smooth. If you have excess pumpkin purée to use after this recipe, just freeze in an ice cube tray and use at a later date. 

Pre-heat the oven to 180c and line your loaf cake tin with parchment paper. 

Mix together your brown caster sugar and oil in a bowl. Add half your eggs and then half the pumpkin, alternating between pumpkin purée and an egg each time helps to keep the cake moist. Stir until combined. 

Slowly fold in your flour and baking powder to the the mixture. 

Add your spices and mix. 

Pour your mixture into your loaf cake tin and bake for an hour. 

Leave to cool on a cooling rack and then top using vanilla icing. 

Enjoy!

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