Journal: Our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide. Days 1 - 4

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Dec 6, 2024

Our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide. Days 1 - 4

Here it is, our Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Guide, Days 1 - 4.

We each talk about some of our favourite pieces from the collection in a little detail and try to pique your interest -in the subtlest of ways- in our beautiful goods as perfect Christmas presents. So, here goes.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

The Icons of Britain Mugs.

These mugs are special for many reasons, the first being their tactileness. Thin but not too delicate, with a handle that’s just right and a size that’s perfect for your morning tea or coffee, every detail has been thought through. The mugs are crafted by a small manufacturer in Stoke-on-Trent, picked out by me, Caroline, and each one represents a true icon of Britain.

We commissioned British artist Sam Scales to create three icons synonymous with British nature; the Lurcher, the Osprey and the Oak Leaf. I personally can’t start my morning without my Lurcher mug, which reminds me of my beloved dog, Flash.

Find out more here.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

1lb of Hawarden Honey.

There’s honey, and then there’s Hawarden honey. This stuff is magic: it’s grown on the estate, from bees that live down by where the apples, the blackberries, the pears, the pumpkins and the wild flowers grow. Lawrence, the beekeeper, keeps about 25 different hives across the estate and he’s been doing it for about 7 years.

I don’t think you’ve really tasted honey until you’ve tasted this stuff; it’s phenomenal.

We’ve jarred it up in these 1lb glass jars, which are actually made from British glass, which I think is pretty rare. The label is a photograph taken of flowers at Hawarden by Julian Broad and it’s conceivable, we like to think, that this flower played a part in making your honey.

Honey is the perfect Christmas gift and to be honest, a brilliant self-gift, too.

Find out more.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

The Welsh Blanket.

The Welsh blanket holds a place in all of our hearts but there’s something about Welsh blankets that particularly hold my attention. I’ve always dreamt of working with Melin Tregwynt, who are legends in British manufacturing because of their attention to detail with weaving. This is an heirloom piece; something that you’ll have at home – on your sofa, bed, in your children’s playroom, in the back of your car for spontaneous adventures – forever, and that you’ll pass on and on. I gave the traditional St. David’s Cross design a modern twist and, of course, had to use bright and bold colours. I love that it’s reversible too.

The colours have been set up on a traditional warp and weft loom, so the fabric has a different leading colour on each side – so each has a very different look. We also made this as a cushion cover, which I love as a way to weave colour into a bedroom or sitting room. And watch closely, as we’re launching a scarf in this fabric and print early next year, too.

Find out more.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

The Sheffield Penknife.

I don’t believe that there are many things as beautiful as this penknife. With the steel blade made in Sheffield (perhaps the most famed place in the UK for steel) and stag antlers for the handles, I regard this as a modern heirloom. It’s something that, if looked after properly, could be in a family for generations – and that’s one of the many things that makes it special.

I love the idea of having a penknife like this in your back pocket – both literally and figuratively – to help you solve all kinds of daily tasks, like cutting the cheese, opening your post, getting that pesky label off your new shirt.

Find out more here.

Next up

The work of Florence Reekie

If you noticed Florence’s portraits of two of our founders Caroline and Charlie in How to Spend It, you’ll have spotted the work of a talented portraitist. Florence possesses the ability to complet...