Hello festive friends and Merryyy Christmas to all! December is here already and I just cannot believe how quickly it has arrived and now comes, what I think is going to be, the very quick countdown to Christmas day! I'm quite the lover of being organised and always enjoy trying to start my Christmas shopping early and this year I was very much on the ball as I wanted nothing to stress about come the festive month and to just enjoy all I can of the special season as much as possible this year.
Searching for presents to treat my loved ones to I wanted to shop as locally and independently as I could. Even despite everything going on in the world, supporting small independent businesses I love, be it friends or places from my vegan ventures, is something I've always loved to do. As I have amounted quite the collection and variation of small independent businesses I adore I was most excited to purchase presents for my loved ones from as many of these little companies I could this year. Shopping around, be it online or in store,
Yes, I did visit the garden centre twice and went around the entire store a grand total of 3 times,
and trying to devise the perfect little gift for each of my loved ones I found myself stumbling upon the frequent thought, "I actually really like this myself; I'd love this as a gift"! I am a great enjoyer of gift gifting, nothing outrageous, I simply just enjoy the happiness of treating those I love in a small and thoughtful way and I have said to both my partner and my mum I do not want anything for Christmas this year. Thus, although I fell head over heels for some gift ideas I'd love, I haven't asked for anything. Nor is this wish list a hint to my loved ones. I simply thought, if I adore all these things so much why don't I share them to help others who might be present hunting for a likeminded loved one to find the gift they're searching for and celebrate and share my list of my most favourite products and small business I am adoring.
Thus with a mix of little products, brands and businesses I adore, suitable for anyone looking cruelty-free and vegan gifts*, and some other little things I've been wanting or make fabulously helpful gifts, I give to you...
My Christmas Wish List for 2020
1.) Hand Cream
Hand cream is something I use every day without fail and having a little stash of hand cream is the biggest help for my very dry, cracked, bleeding hands. As I've talked about in blog posts before, I am quite susceptible to painfully dry and broken hands and thus I like to keep them together, soft and supple by keeping a little hand cream in all places - my bedside, car, desk and dressing gown pocket. At the moment my hands are currently cracked and bleeding as they contend with all forms hand cleansing in work. I'm down to my last tub of Soap & Glory Hand Food and nothing else so I really need to stock up as regularly applying hand cream throughout the day really does help fix my hands and stop the pain (it can be quite painful sometimes). I reviewed a fair few hand creams in my latest Huge Beauty Empties 2020 | Vegan, Drugstore and Disappointments post but some of my most favourites include, Soap & Glory Hand Food, The Wright Gift Hand & Nail Lotion, Soaper Duper Deluxe Shea Butter Hand Cream, Natura Brasil Hand Cream and LUSH hand creams.
Hand cream is something I use every day without fail and having a little stash of hand cream is the biggest help for my very dry, cracked, bleeding hands. As I've talked about in blog posts before, I am quite susceptible to painfully dry and broken hands and thus I like to keep them together, soft and supple by keeping a little hand cream in all places - my bedside, car, desk and dressing gown pocket. At the moment my hands are currently cracked and bleeding as they contend with all forms hand cleansing in work. I'm down to my last tub of Soap & Glory Hand Food and nothing else so I really need to stock up as regularly applying hand cream throughout the day really does help fix my hands and stop the pain (it can be quite painful sometimes). I reviewed a fair few hand creams in my latest Huge Beauty Empties 2020 | Vegan, Drugstore and Disappointments post but some of my most favourites include, Soap & Glory Hand Food, The Wright Gift Hand & Nail Lotion, Soaper Duper Deluxe Shea Butter Hand Cream, Natura Brasil Hand Cream and LUSH hand creams.
2.) The Wright Gift Shop Traditional Recipe Triple Whipped Body Butter
I just feel good with body moisturiser applied!
My most favourite of all body moisturisers are body butters - they're just rich, thick and creamy and don't skimp on any nourishment - and my most favourite of all body butters I have tried is the The Wright Gift Shop Traditional Recipe Triple Whipped Body Butter. Naturally ingredient focused, homemade by a small independent business, thick rich and full on with nourishment and the best thing about them is their collection of dreamy scents. Plus I've found they give the most beautiful, spa-like warming feeling when applied. ❤ I believe Claire has been taking a break from her shop this year but if this sounds like a gift you'd like to give, give The Wright Gift a message on social media. I hope to see Claire back soon and can't wait to treat myself and stock up on her products.
3.) Compression Tights*
This is something that might not be on many a person's Christmas list but it's one I've really been wanting for a long time. In my old career I learnt a lot about the importance and benefits of compression for circulation in your legs and not only do I want to look after my wee circulatory system and avoid varicose veins but I just bloody love the feel compression tights give. Ideal if your on your feet all day like myself in work, my legs feel like feathers after a day wearing a good compression tight! Especially lovely if your prone to the achy leg feeling after a long standing day too. Now I've starred* this one as, to my knowledge, I am not aware that animals are involved in the process of making compression hosiery however I cannot speak for the other medical products compression hosiery brands make so this is a 'as far as I'm aware no animals involved in the production of the product but cannot say for other products made by the companies'. In my eyes, making a cruelty-free and vegan choice, even if it's accidentally vegan and cruelty-free, makes a positive impact regardless in showing brands the options we prefer. I've been eyeing up some L&R pairs on the Extra Pairs website (now known as Day Long), a website which I was shown by one of the hosiery reps in work. Now this is just my personal choice and preference, I'm aware compression hosiery can be medically prescribed and this is in no means medical or clinical advice, just my opinion, preferences and likes. I'd recommend consulting a professional first before purchasing any compression hosiery.
4.) Jewellery from Port Sunlight Garden Centre
So on my three-round trip to Port Sunlight Garden Centre I ended up making a mental list as long as my arm and ooo'd and ahhh'd my way all around the shop, discovering gems I adored around every corner. There were a couple of things I just couldn't say no to treating myself too for Christmas as they're one of a kind and truly beautiful and all things me in every way! Hop to my Instagram @elliebowsandsparkles here to see my fairies, wreath and tree! (My mum actually very kindly treated me to my angel on the tree!). One of the items that I was head over heels for was the jewellery selection at Port Sunlight Garden Centre. There was so many brands of the daintiest, most cutest yet chic jewellery, from golden bumble necklaces; to dainty bracelets with tiny little quotes encapsulating a beautiful quote for someone you love; gold seashell earrings and all kinds of little stars in every style of jewellery. They truly had an incredible selection of dainty jewellery, to rival Pandora and other popular jewellers I'd certainly say! ~ Picture by @portsunlightgardencentre
5.) Vintage Headbands Port Sunlight Garden Centre
Next up at the garden centre that took me head over heels were their beautiful vintage style headbands. Like the big chunky satin and velvet jewelled headbands that have been popular over the last year, they had pink satin headbands with extravagant crystals and green satin ones with pearls. They also had some other colours too, like baby blue. Very on trend and absolutely gorgeous; similar to the likes you might have seen in Topshop or New Look but small-independent-business-supporting, beautiful quality to the feel and some of the most gorgeous I've seen of the big headband trend! I very almost bought myself one but was good and saved my pennies for everyone else's Christmas pressies!
I don't believe that Port Sunlight Garden Centre do online shopping but if you're in the area or local to Merseyside I'd highly recommend paying a visit, even just for the pure delight of their absolute grotto of Christmas decorations throughout their store (I can eyeball two of their baubles on my tree next to me - which are exceptional value for money and affordable if I do say so!). ~ Picture by @portsunlightgardencentre
6.) Enjoy The Little Things T-Shirt Blooming Skull Coffee
Next up in the gems of the small businesses of the North West, an ode to my heart, Blooming Skull Coffee. Blooming Skull Coffee started off as a small independent coffee shop, serving homemade cakes and incredible vegan options. They still are a small independent coffee shop but with popularity, and rightly so, they began making their own merch and started selling some key little coffee shop items in their wee store. Connor actually introduced me to Blooming Skull Coffee, about a year after I went vegan, as he saw they did vegan options. We went together on a date and since, the rest is history. We've celebrated anniversaries and valentines there and I've taken almost every family member and friend at some point too because my oh my, their coffee and cakes are just AMAZING. See their Instagram here if you don't believe me! I missed their first original release of Blooming Skull Coffee merch but now they've started it all up again and I've been eyeing up their Enjoy The Little Things T-Shirt ever since (and even more so the new Enjoy The Little Things Sweatshirt they have brought back! ❤ ). Specialty coffees are something the Bloomies girls have also sold since day one in their little shop (and the bamboo teaspoons!) and it is the one thing they are most passionate about. During this year they have expanded their business and now sell their own retro style Blooming Skull coffee and tea tins, which I bloody adore, and also sell quite the hefty collection of house plants and secondhand vintage, one of a kind items. Perfect for the passionate coffee lover in your life, plant enthusiast our vintage retro dreamer, like myself. They now have an online shop so don't hesitate if your not in the North West. Throughout the restrictions they also remain open for take out so if you're in the area I'd HIGHLY recommend paying a visit, with options for both vegans and non-vegans! ~ Picture by Blooming Skull Coffee
7.) Blooming Skull Coffee Black and Gold Mug
As I touched on above, Blooming Skull Coffee holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Me and Connor also love their design and aesthetic. I think it would be so cool to have one of their Black and Gold Skull Mugs in our cup collection. The perfect blogging desk hot beverage holder of choice! For similar aesthetic fans alike this would be a lovely stocking filler. ~ Picture by Blooming Skull Coffee
8.) Enjoy The Little Things Prints Blooming Skull Coffee
Again, me and Connor have also swooned over Blooming Skull Coffee's aesthetic and prints and they are something they've had on display to buy for a very long time in their little coffee shop. I very nearly almost bought Connor one for his birthday but either missed it or it was actually not for sale. This year they've done their own prints. - Pink Enjoy The Little Things Screen Print and Green Enjoy The Little Things Screen Print - I adore their motto, just like the little inspirational quotes they used to have in the coffee shop on their little blackboard, and I'd love one for my envisioned print wall in my office. ~ Picture by Blooming Skull Coffee
9.) To The Moon Candle
Next up is another incredible vegan company Connor showed me. He heard from a friend that a fellow Liverpudlian was starting a vegan candle company and being vegan and a fanatic of scented candles he showed me To The Moon on Instagram. Jess creates the most stunningly gorgeous soy wax vegan candles, with such beauty, and the most insanely delicious scents you could imagine! Not only are they beautiful, soy wax, handmade and vegan friendly, the name 'To The Moon' holds a special place in my heart for other reasons but also has a beautiful, emotional but truly special story behind it. Currently some fragrances have been unavailable due to COVID and Brexit, like Cafe au Lait, however there's not a scent in the shop I don't adore the sound of! Jess also has a couple of new Christmas candles arriving early this December (I think they are out now!) so keep your eyes peeled. If you're looking for beautiful vegan friendly soy wax candles, with incredible scent creations like Jo Malone (and wax melts and read diffusers), and are looking for a special gift for a candle lover I'd highly recommend checking out To The Moon. Take a read about their story too, I assure you it will move you and touch your heart. ~ Picture by Jessica Sharpe
10.) HemulenPress Minnie & Mickey Mouse Christmas Print and Jiji From Kiki's Delivery Service Illustrated Print
HemulenPress was a small Etsy shop I found by the sharing of it on Twitter, by a fellow old blogger Bry @sewtotes. HemulenPress' Disney and character prints just looked too cute not to have a nosey at and oh my did I find something made for me. My heart fell in love when I found Hanni's (the artist) Jiji From Kiki's Delivery Service Illustrated Print. Being from one of my most favourite treasured films, Kiki's Delivery Service, shown to me by my best friend and being a typical cat, just like our Tasha (rest in paw peace heaven ❤ ) it is everything I could dream of in a print. For Christmas Hanni has also produced a selection of Disney prints and oh boy did I spot a gem. I've already got both prints saved to my favourites bar and did actually give my mum a little hint about the Minnie and Mickey one incase she really wanted to get me one little thing!
Me and my mum both always say the same thing every year, "don't get me anything", but we still always end up getting each other a least one little something!
If you hop over to Hanni's Etsy here at HemulenPress you'll be able to see her full collection of prints, perfect for your fellow Disney, Animal Crossing or print lover! She also has free UK delivery on all her prints!
11.) Supernova Star Coin Cendant Necklace and Celestial Space Pendant Necklace Constellation Co UK
Next up is another Etsy gem and another old fellow, long loved beauty blogger, Cally, owner of Constellation Co UK.
The beautiful jewellery I've found this year is a never ending list!
12.) Bumble and Eden Classic Woodwick Candle (Sea Salt and Sage, Rock Salt & Driftwood, and Slumber)
Another natural soy wax candle company I've found and adore since going vegan is Bumble and Eden, of whom I had the pleasure of meeting at one of the Liverpool vegan food fairs. They are another small independent, natural, vegan friendly candle company who create an array of the most beautiful scents! If you or someone you love who your looking for presents to buy for is a lover of all the extraordinary scents other well known candle companies create I think Bumble and Eden would be right up your/ their street. I've included three scents I adore that Bumble and Eden make above but I love the sound of practically all the candles they have on their website. I've purchased their wax melts before and they have the most insane lasting power, including their scents. I have also purchased these as a gift for a special candle lover in my life for this Christmas.
13.) The York Candle Company Soy Wax Candle (Bonfire Night, Campfire Roasted Marshmallow, Gingerbread, Pina Colada, Pumpkin Spice, White Chocolate)
Another scent incredible natural soy wax vegan candle company I found at the Liverpool vegan food fairs! The York Candle Company have the most dreamy selection of delicious scented candles (and wax melts) and some of the most incredibly imagined seasonal and other scents. My top six favourites are listed above and being a vegan friendly candle company I am especially intrigued by and adore the sound of their white chocolate candle.
14.) Eden Perfume from Waste Not Want Not Shop
Vegan friendly perfumes and naturally-based perfumes were something I found really tricky to come across when I switched to vegan, more natural beauty. Again, attending one of the Liverpool vegan fairs I came across the absolutely mind-boggling, perfume heaven that is Eden Perfumes. All vegan and cruelty-free perfumes that seemed to have one of the biggest collections under the sun of all the beautiful, elegant perfumes you could think of. These, 479 and 68 as pictured, were two I snapped to remember as I loved them but I'm intrigued to try so many of them. Originally they were only easiest to get in person for me up here in the North West when they came to the Liverpool vegan fairs as their one and only store is based in Brighton (I'm pretty sure the home of my soul though) however, since the grand reopening of the new shop, one of my most loved stores in the North West, Waste Not Want Not Shop - the zero waste shop, now stocks Eden perfumes! This is ideal if your in the local Merseyside area and have been wanting to try Eden perfumes but would really like that in-store experience to admire the scents first. If your not local to the area Emily (Waste Not Want Not Shop owner) is hoping to re-launch and have her online shop running again soon so there is always that option if you are looking to purchase an Eden perfume or if your a local but want to save a trip popping back to the shop if you weren't quite ready to purchase one when you visited.
15.) Zao Aloe Vera Mascara from Waste Not Want Not Shop
Another gem I have also discovered from the Waste Not Want Not Shop is Zao makeup, a more natural, zero waste, vegan and cruelty-free makeup brand, and, more specifically, their Zao Aloe Vera Mascara. Let's just get straight to the point for you beauty lover Christmas present hunters, this is HANDS DOWN my most favourite mascara of ALL TIME! When I picked up the Zao Aloe Vera Mascara to give a try, when I was looking for a new mascara last year, I really wasn't sure it was going to do much being a natural mascara although Emily's lovely lashes swayed me and I thought it would be worth giving a go. I didn't expect much luck with my pin straight stubborn lashes though. Alas, I had my bloody socks blown off! The Zao Aloe Vera Mascara gives volume but separation and curl and length, that all lasts the day, even on my temperamental eyelashes! Gentle and natural, I think it's the perfect gift for any beauty/ makeup loving fanatic or vegan and cruelty-free loved one who likes a touch of makeup. It'd always be a grand help to receive for me as it'd stock me up for the year in the mascara departmenttoo! ~ Picture by Waste Not Want Not
16.) Chlos Vegan Botanicals Soaps (Candy Cane, Birthday Cake, Hot Apple Pie and Cinnamon and Coconut and Himalayan salt)
On Christmas's gone by I have very gratefully and most excitingly received many the selection of gorgeous body care products to try and one that is always a most incredible gift for the year ahead is soap and body wash. It has been a huge and very, very gratefully received gift many times in the past as it helps me save my pennies over the year and is the most exciting treat as a beauty lover getting to try some many different beautiful scented body washes over the months. This year I've been struggling to find more natural vegan and cruelty-free body washes, especially having to rely on my local Supermarket during lockdown and quick picks from Superdrug, passing by on the weekly shop or way to work. Late this year however I saw that a lovely lady on Instagram, Chloe, who I've been following for a very, very long time (hop back to floral Instagram 2014 almost) has started her very own vegan & SLS free handmade soap shop, Chlos Vegan Botanicals Soaps! Taking one look at her Etsy I fell immediately in love as she makes the most incredible selection of dreamy scents - my four most favourites as noted above. It would truly be a treat to try Chloe's soaps for Christmas. They tick all my vegan and natural beauty boxes and have such incredible dreamy scents. I've actually just purchased a handful to gift to all the lovely ladies in my family this Christmas. I think in the new year I'll sure be treating my self to a few too! They'd also make for the perfect little stockering filler in my opinion too! ~ Pictures by @chlosveganbotanicals
17.) Liberty Bell Boutique Adventure is out there Sweatshirt
Another lovely I followed many the way ago on Instagram is Liberty and oh my, oh my, during lockdown she has begun the most incredible little shop. Like Cath Kidston but all things pink, Disney, girly girl, princess-worthy and just gorgeous gifts. Her shop, Liberty Bell Boutique, sells Disney inspired clothing pieces - chic pieces you could wear in your everyday OOTD, not just Disney World appropriate -, every variation of Minnie Mouse ears you could envision and cute gifts like makeup bags and purses. Ever since she opened her Etsy store I've had my eye on some of the sweetest pieces, including the Up! inspired Adventure is out there Sweatshirt. I just think it is the most beautiful little quote and adore the little Up! hot balloon house to go with it. The perfect gift for any Disney lovers or those real life Disney princesses who you know would be sentimental for a heart warming Disney inspired quote. ~ Pictures by Liberty Bell Boutique
18.) Liberty Bell Boutique Mouse Gingerbread Man Christmas Jumper
One of Liberty's new items she has brought out for Christmas is the Mouse Gingerbread Man Christmas jumper and I just adore everything about it. A cosy Christmas jumper, featuring a Micky Mouse gingerbread man. Can it get any cuter? I can see this perfect paired with beautiful collars - a big trend right now I talked about more in my latest blog post My Favourite Fall Winter 2020/21 Trends | What I'm Wearing - and Christmas warmers for the festive season. ~ Picture by Liberty Bell Boutique
19.) Liberty Bell Boutique A dream is a wish your heart makes T Shirt
Another pick I adore from Liberty's shop is her A dream is a wish your heart makes T Shirt. It's such an inspirational and beautiful quote to me and has Cinderalla's carriage on, my most favourite Disney princess. A beautiful and magical piece to add to your everyday ensemble! ~ Picture by Liberty Bell Boutique
20.) Flowers at the Door Pink and Orange Rainbow Earrings
Flowers at the Door is another small shop I came across this year and fell absolutely head over heels for her, Susie's, designs. I'm not usually a specific branded jewellery follower although I do have some close to my heart that I really love, like Pandora and Estella Barlett. Flowers at the Door is a one of a kind homemade jewellery brand that I've fallen head over heels with and one of Susie's designs I absolutely swooned over this year was her Pink and Orange Rainbow Earrings. I love everything that the rainbows signify, whilst they also hold a special place in my heart for other reasons, and the pink and orange colour combination is both dreamy and a beautiful bright touch, especially for Spring and Summer. I'd love to treat myself to them one very special day! I also quite love her pink, black and white polka dot hoop earrings as they very much remind me of my Ello and look perfectly 50s style. Pictures by @flowers_at_the_door
21.) Pura Cosmetics Lip Balm
Round up, round up, present searchers for beauty lovers, here is another beauty and skincare gem sure to make the perfect gift for any loved beauty junkies in your life! As I mentioned in my recent Huge Beauty Empties 2020 post, I discovered Pura Cosmetics at one of the Liverpool vegan food fairs. They speciailise in an incredible selection of all variations of sweet scented lip balms and lip scrubs, a dream to my sweet scented loving heart. Their lips balms are some of my absolute most favourite and really nourish and actually fix my dry lips. They also make the loveliest pre-lipstick application treat! Last year I bought a few to keep me in stock for daily lip balm application throughout the year and it was the perfect little gift to myself.
22.) Pura Cosmetics Lip Scrub
Lip scrub is also another little indulgence I love to use, mostly when I have the chance to savor and relax with my skincare routine before bed and pre-lipstick application for the perfect pout. I am crazy for all the incredible scents Pura Cosmetics make and a little lip scrub is a very generous gift I often receive from either my mum or Connor at Christmas. I'm still part way through my LUSH Cookie Dough lip scrub but I'm most excited to try Pura Cosmetics' after I've finished this one.
23.) Sew Totes Tote Bag
Early on this year, another of my long loved persons and fellow old blogger I've followed for quite some time, Bry, also began her own independent business Sew Totes, designing her own tote bag, tee and clothing embroidered designs. Some of her early totes included animal crossing tote designs (how can you not want Tom Nook on a shopping tote!) and she's gone on to create cute captioned quotes and embroided hoodies. My most favourite was her "spooky" ghost hoodie she made for Halloween (still available at the time of writing in tote form I believe) and other's I currently adore are her "Just Peachy", "Be a nice Human", "Let is snow" and "gingerbread latte" totes. I'd really love to purchase Bry's "spooky" ghost hoodie/ sweatshirt for Autumn and spooky season next year. A tote is also the perfect gift for me as I often use them for shopping and likewise, they'd create a great gift for anyone doing the daily commute maybe to uni, work or coffee shop laptop tripping or anyone trying to be a bit more zero waste conscious. ~Pictures by Sew Totes
24.) iTunes Gift Card
And last but not least, not a small independent business but something I always put on any wish list if my mum asks me if there's anything I'd like for my birthday or Christmas, an iTunes gift card. These are one of the absolutely most helpful treats I have received for birthdays and Christmas' of years gone by as it means I can add my favourite songs of the year to my iPhone's collection, something I never think to treat myself to. Although there's a lot of music I love I'm not a constant music listener like the likes of Connor for example, who has Spotify on at ever opportune moment in any which way. Getting my car I also found I started to listen to my music less and less not doing the daily commute and the radio being much easier to hand. With that being said, I've never really wanted to sign up to a music subscription like Spotify or Apple Music as I'm much more of a 'listens to a few select favourite songs on repeat every now and again' and just don't feel it'd be worth the cost when I can pay once for just the songs I love. If I could treat myself to a little iTunes gift card this year I'd be merrily completing my up to date collection of Blossoms and Lewis Watson's releases from over the past year and curate my perfect Christmas tunes list, easily to hand on my phone too, to stop Spotify cutting off my Christmas playlists! The perfect idea for anyone not into a music subscription service or who has a car that connects to their Apple iPhone.
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So there you have it, an insight into want I, Ellie, has on her personal Christmas, or be it general, wish list. 24 things I absolutely adore. Helpful treats and little indulgences I'm currently loving and lusting. I'd love to know what you yourself may have asked for this Christmas, especially if your a beauty lover like myself, so do comment and tell me below. Also, if you've discovered any new brands of products from my wish list or have even purchased something from my wish list I'd absolutely love to know! Again, let me me know in the comments below or even tag me and share on your socials too!
Until my next festive themed post, merry Christmas gift shopping!
Ellie Xx
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