Christmas often feels overwhelming, with endless things to buy, do, and spend money on. The societal pressure to take part in everything, do it all, and buy big, shiny gifts can feel exhausting. But what if we slowed down and focused on what really matters to us and our families during this season?
As a watercolour illustrator and small business owner, I’m passionate about creating thoughtful, sustainable gifts that people can cherish for years. This Christmas, I want to share a mindful gifting guide—featuring small businesses I love, alternative ideas, and more intentional ways to celebrate. Let’s explore how to make this season meaningful and mindful, while supporting independent makers and creators.
I’m going to give you some ideas of my own along with with lots of suggestions from others too, covering the following:
Choose a Christmas Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
Create a One-of-a-Kind Christmas Gift with Personalisation
Embrace Preloved and Secondhand Gifts for a Meaningful Christmas
Christmas gifts that go beyond Christmas - A Gift for the Future
Share the Joy with Experience-Based Christmas Gifts
Wellbeing Gifts for a Healthier, Happier Christmas
Delicious Food & Drink Gift Ideas for Christmas
Think Outside the Box with Creative Christmas Gifts
Choose a Christmas Gift That Lasts a Lifetime
Bespoke illustration
A bespoke illustration or unique custom house portrait decoration are both perfect examples of a thoughtful Christmas gift that will be treasured and bring joy for years to come. I have a whole blog post which explains why my hand painted house portrait decorations are the perfect sustainable gift that gives something back.
A Jumper Made for You
Lily Gray is another great maker creating pieces to last. Lily knits marvellous jumpers (and tank tops if you’re lucky enough to get in on those) for children and adults from her family farm in West Cornwall. She uses Shetland wool and talks passionately and frankly about the (almost magical) properties of wool. I have learned a lot and highly recommend her email newsletters.
Image courtesy of Lily Grey
The Stationery of Dreams
Tom’s Studio is one of my favourite companies. Tom and his team create ingenious stationery solutions and has a wonderful range of gifts for stationery lovers of every level. The Wren is a perfect entry point gift at just £35, a refillable pen with replaceable tip. The Lumos, a beautiful clever pen, is also refillable with 12 interchangeable tips making it hugely versatile. Then the glorious mechanical pencil, that feels just divine to use.
I use these three tools all the time for my illustration work and I am proud to be a Tom’s Studio ambassador. You can use my code ‘IMOGENPARTRIDGE’ to get £10 off orders over £30, for which I get a small amount back, so thank you if you choose to use it!
Image courtesy of Tom’s Studio
Natural Ethical Candles
Kerry at Whist makes a beautiful range of refillable candles. She sells the candles in ceramic pots, which once empty, you can order refills for. I love that this invites the recipient to make a conscious choice and continue supporting her in the future. All her products are inspired by nature and ethically created. I have also bought her Winters Song which is such a perfect scent for getting cosy and would be a wonderful Christmas gift time of year!
Image courtesy of Whist UK
Create a One-of-a-Kind Christmas Gift with Personalisation
Personalised Prints or Bespoke Illustration
Personalised gifts are just the thing to make someone feel extra special. I offer personalised versions of most of my prints, The Bell in Ticehurst is one of the most popular choices. Being able to add names or dates, or meaningful messages to something takes the gift to another level.
My custom house portrait and house portrait decorations sit perfectly here too, something unique to be treasured for years to come and so personal to the recipient.
Photo by Charlotte Knee Photography
Personalised Hand Written Recipe Ceramics
I love the idea of these personalised recipe ceramics from Alice Funge. There is a plate or a jug and you can have a wonderful treasured family recipe turned into a useful ceramic piece for your kitchen, I love that it can be in the original hand writing too.
Image courtesy of Alice Funge
Earrings to Tell a Story
Sarah Raad, a coach for creatives, recommended custom text earrings from Tiny Scenic who creates all sorts of joyful mid-century miniature jewellery which you have to have a look at. Something so personal and bespoke is a really unique keepsake for someone who likes their own stamp on things.
Image courtesy of Tiny Scenic
Embrace Preloved and Secondhand Gifts for a Meaningful Christmas
Some people shy away from buying second hand Christmas gifts, but it’s a wonderful way to gift. These are new-to-you and can still be incredibly thoughtful, sometimes even more so. If you’re buying for someone who is conscious of their footprint on the world, buying in a way they would appreciate is even more thoughtful.
Where to Buy Preloved Christmas Gifts
These can be from charity shops, which is also a lovely way to support good causes while doing your Christmas shopping. However there are also a lot of online platforms, Vinted, Ebay and Facebook Market Place offer really accessible options with so many brand new or hardly used items. (Of course being careful of scams and the like). Plan ahead and make the most of what is out there.
Pre-Loved Christmas Gift Boxes
There are also really carefully curated ways of shopping second hand. Claire Lacey, baby and family photographer, recommended One Little Acorn, who sell perfect baby gift boxes and their Christmas boxes are perfect for seasonal gifting.
Photo courtesry of One Little Acorn
Christmas gifts that go beyond Christmas - A Gift for the Future
Subscriptions are such a gift that keeps on giving, a gift of something wonderful for 3, 6 or 12 months to enjoy throughout the year and reduce the overwhelm and excess of gifts all in one day!
Gifting Post-Christmas Cheese
It could be an edible subscription, I have got my Dad a cheese subscription from Pong Cheese in the past, to start in January once the Christmas food is out of the way. I’ve also gifted this one from Neal’s Yard Dairy and there are plenty more out there. Bonus points if you find the most local to you!
Fruit and Veg
A fruit and veg box subscription from Oddbox, a really inspiring team who are combating food waste by working with growers and bringing food to your door. Starting the New Year health kick with fresh fruit and veg arriving whilst doing your bit for the planet is a gift that does good too!
Gifting Tea
Brilliant tea brand Mother Cuppa makes delicious balancing herbal teas supporting women’s hormone health, a really thoughtful subscription idea for women in your life who might just need them. Mother Cuppa also has some wonderful Christmas hampers this year.
Image courtesy of Mother Cuppa
Experimenting with Textiles
Jo McCarthy creative mentor recommended the No Rules Textile Society who offer a membership encouraging you to have fun with textiles whatever stage you are at in your creative journey.
Make Your Own Tiny Plants
A craft subscription for someone who loves to make. Nicole’s Jungle has the most unique teeny tiny paper houseplants you can make yourself every month. If you don’t fancy making them you can also buy them, but they’re such an amazing idea and perfect for someone who loves crafting and struggles to keep plants alive!
Image courtesy of Nicoles Jungle
Share the Joy with Experience-Based Christmas Gifts
Gifting an experience has so many benefits. You can gift something that the receiver has always wanted to do, you can gift something for them to do with someone else, or you can give the gift of your time with it, and make it something you do together. In an increasingly busy world, showing someone you care with your time is a really wonderful way to show how much they mean to you.
Watercolour Workshops
Watercolour workshops are just the thing. I run these throughout the year and you can purchase workshop vouchers by getting in touch directly. Sharing a calming and transformative afternoon or day of painting is the perfect way to reconnect with a loved one, or allow them some precious time for themselves. I’ve got one coming up in January at The Swan at Streatley, Coppa Club.
Pre Christmas Wreath Making
Wreath making workshops with someone brilliant like Amy of Delilah and Herb. This could be a pre-Christmas gift, where you decide to do something together, or for those slightly annoying people who have a birthday in December (love to all of the ones I know who do!!!). Bringing you together to create something beautiful to use for the season, and slowing you down to spend some time creating amidst the rush that is the end of the year. There are also make at home kits you can get or something a bit different like this make-your-own sari wreath kit from Pri Pri.
Image courtesy of Pri Pri
Learn to Repair
Some other great ideas include Simply Repair workshops in Cumbria recommended by Karen Bentley Brown. They offer a range of workshops throughout the year (as well as their regular repair cafe), including slow stitching and willow weaving. I think learning practical skills like learning to repair clothes would be perfect for so many people!
Creative Makes
Sarah Raad, recommended a workshop from Yvette Ja paper artist who offers bookbinding workshops which you can learn in your own home. Ursula Westwood runs felt making workshops from her shop in Warwick.
Foraging and Beyond
There are other unique ideas from people like Michael White who offers foraging courses, learning to make your own cider, hedgerow wine making, bee keeping and food smoking and curing.
Find Your Place
There are so many venues across the UK that offer workshops and you can find somewhere that is local to your recipient by searching, but recommendations are always the best. The Hay Barn in Hampshire got in touch with me about their workshops. They are a new venue and have started off with a bang offering a variety of craft and wellbeing workshops throughout the year.
Wellbeing Gifts for a Healthier, Happier Christmas
Depending on how well you know the recipient, you could gift a voucher for them to choose what will suit them the most, or you could go the extra mile and do your research and make it a carefully chosen ‘thing’ that you know they are going to love.
Gift of Massage
Emma Jefferey, personal trainer, suggested a voucher for Cosy Cunning Folk who offer holistic treatments, yoga and lifestyle workshops or Paula Hatfield massage therapy who specialises in ‘treating the whole person’ (yes please!!).
British Made Skincare
Emma also suggested a treat size set from British made skincare brand Husk and Seed, who create skincare to work with your skin not against it.
Movement for Health
I have actually gifted a month of Emma Jefferey’s Postnatal Plan program to a friend who I knew would benefit from it. She also has Smart Move for women 35+ and The First Six Weeks to help you ease back into movement after giving birth. For the right person, a way to look after your health and wellbeing is invaluable.
Image courtesy of Emma Jeffery
A Carefully Chosen Book
Books can be the best or worst present depending on how well chosen they are. I have a couple of great suggestions for books that might be just the thing for some precious people in your lives at this time of year to make them feel heard, understood or give them tools to feel better through the winter months.
First ‘Growing Brave’ by Donna Ashworth, another exquisite poetry book with some incredibly moving and wonderfully warm poems written to help you find strength and courage.
Second Suzy Reading’s ‘Self Care for Winter’ a gorgeous seven step guide to not just surviving but thriving in the colder months. Perfect for that person who finds winter tough and might need a little helping hand.
Image courtesy of Suzy Reading
Delicious Food & Drink Gift Ideas for Christmas
Shopping local here is always the best if you can. Choosing something local to gift is a great way to support your community but also share the fruits of your locality with others.
Local Wine
If you are fortunate to have vineyards nearby (we have lots in Kent!), there are some really exciting options and you can often pop in for a taste. Squerrys, Yotes Court, Chapel Down and Mereworth Wines are just a few that are down the road from where I live in Tonbridge.
Buns in the Post
Buns of Joy Cinnamon Buns or limited edition Spiced Latte Buns are heavenly (I’ve tried them). They can be delivered to your door with a gift message. Sending something like that in the run up to Christmas, or as a January pick-me-up is a wonderful way to spread joy.
Image courtesy of Buns of Joy
Zero Waste
Find your local refill shop and get creative. This is a great way to reduce packaging and tailor gifts to suit your recipient. You can fill jars and decorate with fabric or paper lids, just secure with a ribbon add a label and you’ve got a beautiful thoughtful gift. My local favourites are Zilch Zero Waste in Tonbridge and Buy The Weigh, in Ticehurst.
Think Outside the Box with Creative Christmas Gifts
Keep your eyes and ears open and remember almost anything could be turned into a gift, it’s just about listening and understanding what your nearest and dearest might appreciate.
A Photoshoot
A family photoshoot could be such a special way to capture some treasured moments together. Fellow illustrator Kendal Wright recommended Claire Roads Photography who recently photographed her family. This is a great one to find someone local to your recipient and make it really personal.
Brush Up your MakeUp Skills
Someone suggested a makeup lesson from Willow and Rose makeup , one I would never have thought of, but could be perfect to improve confidence with makeup or what products to use.
Children’s Shoes
Yes hear me out! Shoes for children. Until I had a conversation with Sam Chetwood, mobile shoe fitter who owns CeCe and Me I didn’t fully understand the importance of good fitting shoes for children - now I do (it’s important)! Gifting vouchers or the actual shoes (if you are able to do so and allow them to be fitted properly) is a brilliant idea!
Caroline Marshall founder of We Are UpSource and also hosts the Bump to Business Owner podcast recommended Zig and Star, who are a podiatrist endorsed children’s footwear brand. They have fit guides you can print off and that come with the shoes in a box, so you can check the fit yourself.
We are planning a trip to Sea Whistle in Hastings (the best shop for young children) so Nicola can fit a pair for our little two, which will then be gifted by a family member.
Image courtesy of Sea Whistle
The Gift of Confidence
Finally what about the gift of confidence (surely that’s priceless) Charlotte Lewis, public speaking consultant, said she has clients who have been gifted their sessions. If you know someone has something coming up or they struggle with public speaking but want or need to do it, then this could be just the thing. I would actually love this as I think it would allow me to improve in my workshops, speaking online (even just instagram stories) and in day to day conversations!
Or bringing out confidence by dressing in a way that suits you! I recently had a colour analysis with the wonderful Elisa Trayner Styling and it was SO empowering to understand what suits me and why, how that can effect my decisions and how that can help me shop more mindfully, especially when buying second hand. Elisa also offers shape and style analysis and these can all be gift options for the right person.
Image courtesy of Elisa Trayner
Making Thoughtful Gifting Your New Christmas Tradition
A non-exhaustive list with ideas on how not to make Christmas an excessive mountain of presents that are ignored, unwanted, or passed on (I refuse to say thrown away, please don’t throw things away if you can help it) before it’s January 1st!
This festive season, let’s focus on gifts that matter. Thoughtfully crafted, sustainable, and meaningful. Whether you choose a bespoke house portrait, a subscription, or a mindful experience, each gift has the potential to create lasting memories.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this guide and I hope it inspires you to find joy in gifting this Christmas. I would love to hear any ideas and suggestions you have to add to this, come and chat to me over on Instagram.