As rising bills force Brits to cut back on luxuries, Rosie Greenaway shops for gifts to lift the nation’s spirits this Christmas – from plantable cards and reusable fabric wrap to vegan beauty advent calendars, men’s skincare sets and indulgent foodie treats
If you haven’t yet discovered plantable wildflower cards from Brighton-born brand Loop Loop, you’ll soon want to – especially since Sir David Attenborough is already a fan.
Sophie Bresnahan, founder and illustrator of Loop Loop’s unique designs, posted her cards to Attenborough in 2019 and was ‘very chuffed’ to receive his handwritten letter a week later, commending her efforts to ‘help in the struggle to protect our poor, stressed planet’.
“The man, the myth, the legend himself sent me a card. Amazing! It was very encouraging for carrying on my journey,” says Bresnahan. So what is it about these cards that Attenborough – and 100 UK stockists – loves so much? Loop Loop is about looping old, recycled materials back around into new products: the plastic-free cards use earth-friendly inks and are embedded with seeds, so recipients can grow wildflowers after they’ve finished admiring them; the lino art prints use recycled lokta paper from a sustainable bush in Nepal; and the notebooks have been upcycled from old saris. Via a partnership with Tree Nation, a tree is planted for every card bought online, furthering the positive impact of the range.
“The whole concept of the business was born out of trying to help the declining bee population. I start with the environment in mind, and I build creative products around that,” she explains.
Loop Loop’s ethos also attracted Selfridge’s which, for about a year, sold the cards – but Bresnahan says she favours independent stockists. “It was amazing to be recognized as the first plantable wildflower card that they’ve ever had in their shops [but] it’s really tricky to work within their parameters. I much prefer working with smaller businesses where I have that personal connection and people know me by name. That is much more valuable to me than working with a large, faceless brand.”
Inspiration ‘can come from anywhere’ but Bresnahan frequently finds it on trains –“The movement moves my thoughts along. I scribble lots of things – books, films, music” – before turning her sketches into vibrant, joyful watercolours on Brighton Beach.
Under the tree
Gifting without eco-guilt means that what surrounds and adorns a present is just as important as what’s inside. So along with five new Christmas card designs about to land, Bresnahan will be offering plantable gift tags – ideal for zero-waste gifting. They pair nicely with FabRap’s new reversible, festive fabric wrapping designs; on one side the gold and purple semicircles of ‘Good Moons’, and on the other the art deco-inspired ‘Plum Diamonds’ print. These opulent reusable fabric segments do away with the need for single-use paper, tape and even ribbons, since the corners can be tied together to secure what’s inside.
Against a backdrop of the cost of living crisis, with many consumers forced to forego luxuries and make tough decisions this winter, indulgent treats could make perfect presents. The natural products sector, as ever, has risen to the occasion, launching a raft of ethical goodies for retailers.
Offering a plant-based twist on a seasonal Italian favourite, Seggiano’s artisanal Vegan Panettone is expertly crafted with cocoa butter, candied fruit paste, natural vanilla and turmeric ‘to add fragrance, moisture and colour to the dough’.
On the cocoa front, a Chunk Chocolate Gift Set from Divine Chocolate is a solid way fight exploitation through the nation’s favourite melt-in-the-mouth sweet treat.
Baubles have never looked so good since Rhythm 108 launched its Swiss Vegan Chocolate Festive Tree Decorations – organic, gluten-free spheres to adorn any tree.
For family-style sharing, The Christmas Edit 2022 from Roots & Wings has all bases covered – from All Butter Shortbread to Cranberry Sauce with Orange & Spices.
And if winter indulgence resembles a movie marathon on the sofa, Popcorn Shed’s Christmas Gift Tins, Baubles and Crackers come in a selection of festive variants – from Christmas Pudding to the more unusual Cheese flavour.
December delights
Advent calendars have come a long way; once the preserve of chocolate-hungry children, they’re now a respectable gift – especially for anyone with a November birthday.
Tea lovers are well catered for by English Tea Shop’s White Ornaments Advent Calendar Puzzle, containing flavours such as Gingerbread Treat and Post-party Refresh – a handy recovery aid after the work ‘do’.
SOiL Aromatherapy’s calendar enhances wellbeing and brings the scent of an ‘authentic winter wonderland’ into homes; behind each door are 1ml vials of organic essential oils and blends.
Jurlique’s calendar is abundant with premium beauty products, bursting with luxuriously pampering treats such as Rosewater Balancing Mist and Herbal Recovery Signature Eye Serum.
Even retailers are creating advent calendars; vegan site Greener Beauty has curated, for the third year, a vegan edit to delight plant-based shoppers throughout December and beyond. “It is a plastic-free beauty advent. I already have people on the waiting list for it!” says founder Vic Wood. Included are 24 full-sized and two mini vegan beauty products. With ten trees planted for each calendar sold, Wood describes it as ‘good for you, the animals and the planet’.
And finally, if you’ve ever had a customer complain about the difficulties of buying gifts for the men, benecos has the answer: its Men’s Care set contains the multitasking 3 in 1 Body Wash, ‘bursting with organic ingredients’, and the Face and Aftershave Balm, which soothes irritation and nourishes against winter weather.
NEW TRUFFLE GIFT BOXES
Booja-Booja
Tel: 01508 558888
E-mail: [email protected]
www.boojabooja.com
Multi award-winning chocolate producer Booja-Booja has launched two stylish new gift boxes featuring two of its most popular chocolate truffle flavours. The much-loved classic Fine de Champagne, winner of 23 awards, and Chocolate Salted Caramel, the most popular of the new truffle flavours launched last year, are both now available in 16-truffle single flavour boxes. The format of the new boxes echoes the design of the hugely successful selections, The Signature Collection and The Award-Winning Selection. Together the four create a sensational, contemporary range of luxurious yet affordable gift lines. Just £11.99 RRP.
benecos BIO Tis’ The Season To Be Soapy Gift Set
Pravera Ltd
Tel: 01557 870203
E-mail: [email protected]
www.benecos.uk
Get into the Christmas spirit with a range of benecos BIO’s delightful shower gels! benecos have selected five mini shower gels to make celebrating Christmas as easy as lather, rinse, and repeat! Each bottle is formulated with only the best, certified COSMOS Organic ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, and dermatologically tested to work with your body without the need for synthetic ingredients or harmful chemicals.
Do you want to shop sustainably? Nature has the answer, and that answer is organic. benecos BIO cares for you whilst benecos cares for our planet!
Cinnamon Bath Soap
Friendly Soap
Tel: 01422 400282
E-mail: sales@friendlysoap
www.friendlysoap.co.uk
Probably Friendly Soap’s most festive offering. The sublime scent packed into this handy, plant-based cinnamon soap bar is described as warm, full, slightly fruity, peppery and vanilla-like. Perfect for a relaxing bath or shower. Offering classic, cleansing and soothing qualities, it’s handmade in the UK without the use of preservatives, plastic or sulfates.
Friendly Soap are a living wage employer and are registered with Cruelty Free International and The Vegan Society. A feel-good gift on every level.
Antipodes Healthy Gift Sets
Kinetic Natural Products Distributor
Tel: 08450 725 825
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kinetic4health.co.uk
Antipodes Scientific Green Beauty’s bestselling skincare regimes have been curated in three limited edition gift sets: Age Healthy Collagen-Boosting Set – nutrient rich scientifically validated formulations to nourish and soften signs of ageing; Glow Healthy Skin-Brightening Set – certified vegan vitamin C-rich ingredients to brighten dull skin; and Hydrate Healthy Skin-Hydrating Set – a trio of water-based formulations to refresh and revitalise skin. Each set features a full-size product accompanied by two minis, and comes beautifully packaged in a recyclable eco gift box adorned with scenes from nature, illustrated by New Zealand-based artist Catherine Marion of Folklore & Flora.
For more information visit www.kinetic4health.co.uk or email [email protected]
Dirty Cow Plant Based Cre*m Liqueur
Dirty Cow Chocolate Ltd
Tel: 07732 295851
E-mail: [email protected]
www.dirtycowchocolate.com
Dirty Cow, the Grocer Award winning chocolate maker, are excited to announce the launch of their Plant Based Cre*m Liqueur in two new flavours.
“Sooo Vanilla – who knew simple could be sooo sexy.”
“Loaded Chocolate – bringing the sauce so you don’t have to.” Both of these innovative liqueurs are dairy free, vegan and made with real whisky. The perfect festive gift with an RRP of £25. Available in 70cl and 5cl format. Launching in John Lewis, Vegan Store, Amazon as well as directly from the Dirty Cow website. dirtycowchocolate.com | @dirtycowchocolate
Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit
Sweet Cecily’s
Tel: 01947 602346
E-mail: [email protected]
www.sweetcecilys.com
The perfect Christmas gift for anyone who likes to get creative whilst learning how to make their own skincare. The Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit provides everything you need to make five of your very own natural lip balms, including 5 blank labels ready for your own designs – show off your creative flair! Suitable for and enjoyed by adults and children alike. Kits available in a variety of flavours including Mojito, Gin & Tonic, Strawberry, Orange, Spearmint & Unscented. A fantastic product for independent health shops, making a great Christmas gift with excellent retail margins available.
SOiL Organic Aromatherapy Advent Calendar
Pravera Ltd
Tel: 01557 870203
E-mail: [email protected]
www.soilorganics.co.uk
Countdown to your best Christmas yet! Enjoy holiday happiness with the SOiL Organic Aromatherapy Advent Calendar. This advent calendar will enhance your wellbeing and get you in the spirit of Christmas. With 24 exciting vials behind each door, containing SOiL’s finest organic essential oils, carrier oil, blends, and massage oils you can create an authentic winter wonderland scent in your home – all certified COSMOS Organic, vegan and not tested on animals.
Pukka Festive Collection
Pukka Herbs
Tel: 08459 640 944
[email protected]
www.pukkaherbs.com
Back with a brand-new design in rich maroon for 2022 is our beautiful Festive Collection, a wonderful gift to send your loved one some herbal cheer. It contains 30 tea sachets across five of Pukka’s favourite festive blends to create the perfect assortment of festive flavours and warm spices – from sweet cinnamon and apple, warm ginger, chai and turmeric, and citrusy orange. The new 2022 version includes an intricately designed leaflet to outline the wellbeing benefits of each blend. The updated card tube format has been chosen to be more sustainable than the original metal kilner and is made from fully recyclable card. EDLP £9.99
SENSES MASSAGE OIL
PURA VIDA ORGANIC
E-mail: [email protected]
www.vida-organic.com
Many of you agree that the smell of Christmas is the best smell in the world. Filled with holiday spirit, we want to feel Christmas wherever we go. That is now possible with Pura Vida Organic Senses massage oil.
Nourishing almond, apricot and jojoba oil will moisturise and protect your skin so it stays silky soft, while vigorous blend of cinnamon bark, cacao extract and vanilla will awaken your senses and make you the main character in your Christmas fairy tail. Gift your loved ones with PVO Senses massage oil and spread Christmas spirit all the way.
Plantable Festive Cards
Loop Loop Ltd
E-mail: [email protected]
www.looploop.co.uk
Make your Christmas more sustainable by sending plantable festive cards!
Loop Loop plantable greetings cards are made from 100% recycled materials and are all embedded with wildflowers seeds. Your customers can plant the whole card in the ground and grow wildflowers from the paper. All the flowers are pollinators too, which is great for the bees. Every card is 100% plastic free, printed with vegan inks and comes with a recycled envelope. With over 10 festive designs, as well as other occasions, to choose from, your customers will love this sustainable addition to add to their stockings.
