Gifts that are totally Christmas-centric have a really short shelf life – come Boxing Day it all feels like a bit of a commercial “the day after” hangover. And rather “flat”.
When I was living in an Airbnb room in France for a while, out of one suitcase, I bought myself a Santa mug which began to annoy me by February and by June I couldn’t stand the sight of it.
Anyway that’s just me – but Santa jumpers and holly berry pyjamas aside, I was looking for “under £20” Christmas gifts yesterday, specifically inspired by nature, and found these.
So in case you haven’t sorted your festive shopping list yet, here are a few ideas with light and breezy price tags.
THE BOOK
”The Magic and Mystery of TREES” by Dr Jen Green (couldn’t ask for a more apt surname) and illustrated by Claire McElfatrick – a children’s book from the RHS Gift Store that takes the reader on a magical journey into the life trees. £12.99
THE CHRISTMAS BEAUTY CRACKER
Pop open A Bit of Burt’s Bees Christmas Cracker – Original Beeswax (there’s also a vanilla version) and you’ll find a little tin of Hand Salve and an original Lip Balm (it’s minty, mint lovers).
Also a nice little gift for a gardener? And it rings in at under £10 at £8.99.
THE WINTER BLEND ESSENTIAL OIL
I literally could not love aromatherapy more and I keep having the same conversation with so many people about this modality, why isn’t aromatherapy more of a daily part of our lives? So much more than pillow sprays and room mists, and it’s such a beautiful way to bring nature inside.
The other day I felt so “in my head” – I’m looking at a lot of Excel sheets at the moment – so I put some Pine essential oil in the diffuser and it was just what I needed. Wintery, refreshing, safe and grounding. Peppermint’s also great if you feel slightly sick, fatigued or “eye fatigued”. I get this more and more now, working online staring at a screen. If you’ve got a long drive ahead, peppermint can help but just don’t get any in your eyes.
Tisserand Aromatherapy has launched three new diffuser oil blends for this Winter Holiday Season and “SEASONAL JOY”, a Christmassy trio of orange, nutmeg and clove, is one of them.
The other two are PEACEFUL NIGHT (frankincense, black pepper and mandarin) and WINTER FROST (black spruce, cedarwood and juniper berry).
Each one comes with its own little “cracker” £8. Lovely for making the most of those days off work, at home.
THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE (FOR YOUR FRIEND WHO MISSES SUMMER)
Summer-in-a-travel-candle (£16), hello!
Bring back the warmth of summer, at least for a while, with NEOM Organics’ Happiness Candle featuring 7 essential oils, including uplifting summer yellow notes of Neroli, Mimosa + Lemon.
Up to 20 hours’ burn time.
THE CHRISTMAS CARD BIRD MUG
Emma Bridgewater’s Robin 1/2 Pint Mug (100% English Earthenware, dishwasher safe) cosy cups of tea and catch-up chats in the kitchen when it’s frosty outside. £19.95.
THE NEW YEAR JOURNAL: V&W OWL JOURNAL (lined)
Freestyle your way through the holidays and into the new year without any fixed dates and let your ideas and emotions flow like the ink with the V&A’s OWL JOURNAL (it’s roughly 5 x 7 inches). Includes storage pocket for receipts and stuff and those little but important life souvenirs.
Journal: £8
Journaling by hand: priceless
THE RECHARGE & RECOVER BATH SOAK
Westlab’s 100% Natural White Willow, Eucalyptus and Arnica RECOVER Epsom Bath Salts are just the tonic after a long wintery walk through clumpy frozen fields – or if you just feel a little “tight” and achey.
Nicely in under the £10 mark at £7.99 but currently ON SALE, with a further 38% OFF at £4.99 on Westlab’s own site for 1 kg (2.2lbs).
You might also like…Mindfulness (Frankincense, Bergamot + CBD) or Sleep (Lavender, Jasmine, Valerian) – shown below.
Or get two varieties and add a travel candle and a canister of cheering Christmas tea for someone who’s in need of comforting and pampering, and perhaps alone, this season.
THE CARD GAME
De-glue the family from their mobiles (good luck) and test your memory alongside your nature knowledge with the MATCH A LEAF game. (Place cards face down and then pair them up…IF you can remember where the other half of the pair is!)
And add a new-found appreciation for the trees on your next winter walk.
£14.99 (Various retailers including John Lewis)
THE SPECIAL CHRISTMAS BREW
Tea or coffee? Nothing like a spicy throat-warming chai tea on a December afternoon when the sky seems to turn dark all too quickly.
OR…how about a cup of Whittard’s Festive Coffee, ground blended coffee flavoured with cocoa and orange?
Enjoy the brew, keep the pretty tin.
£12.
Last but not least, on a “the best things in life are free” note for those of edging deeper into winter right now, it’s only a matter of days until the days start getting longer and the evenings start to feel a little lighter and brighter.
When the bird matches the branch