With only twelve shopping days till Christmas, the race is on to get those gifts in before the big day. If you’re anything like me, then the easy presents have already been bought. It’s those difficult people to buy for that I’m still struggling with. So I’ve delved into the wonderful world of independent shops and businesses to try and find the perfect gifts.
To make it easier to follow, I’ve split my guide into categories. First up, is Home Fragrance.
Home Fragrance
Millie & Green – beautifully simple candles of the highest quality, which ooze style and understated sophistication. My favourite, so far, being Fresh Fig, but I also love Sea Salt. I have a special discount code: JP10, which you can use at checkout. https://www.millieandgreen.co.uk/
AHLT – James and Ky from A House Like This have created truly beautiful fragrances for their candle and diffuser range. My favourite so far is Damson, plum, rose and patchouli. I also love their new hand care range. The Black Fig, Cedarwood and Tonka fragrance is amazing! I have an exclusive discount for you all – use: JPLOVES for 15% off until midnight 21.12.20. Hooray for Christmas!
JOGB – luxury handcrafted in England using essential oils, I love Slojo, which smells of lavender, geranium and patchouli. I have a discount code for 20 % off, which is: JOGBFAM20. https://www.jogbliving.com/
Sudley Scents – quality and luxury on the inside as well as the outside. With natural wax blends, premium fragrances and luxury packaging, finished by hand with love.
Lower Lodge Candles – my favourite scents being Wild Rhubarb or Grapefruit for summer and Green Fig and Walnut for winter. www.lowerlodgecandles.com
Sophie James Mayfair – These scents are sublime and the sumptuous packing is art in itself. High end, luxury products with stockists including @harrods and @harveynichols but you can also buy them direct online. I love their “Coin” candle and their “Moth” diffuser. I have a discount code, which is: JP15.
Ubiety – which means being grounded in the moment. Vegan natural therapy for body and mind. Plant-based, body and home fragrance formulations. With all of Ubiety’s profits going to Dorothy House Hospice Care, every purchase is an act of kindness- to you, to others, to the environment.
Homewares
The Future Kept – Jeska & Dean Hearne, husband & wife, seek out beautiful and useful items for life and the home that are made with love, thoughtfulness and detail. Items with timeless qualities created by people with a passion for what they do, and a care for the future of the world we live in.
Mushroom London – owned by Tina Benson Foster, this wonderfully eclectic homeware store has something for everyone. This is a great place for that unusual gift!
Nordic House – Relaxed Scandi style for your home. With the purchase of our Deckhouse and, hopefully, our main home soon, I’m all about channelling my inner Scandi vibes. Nordic House is the perfect place for gifts and beautiful, yet simple, home furnishings.
If you’ve been a reader of my blog for a while, or you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know that my favourite colour combination is blue and white. One of my favourite homeware and lifestyle companies has taken that to the next level and created Blue & White Company.
Life of Riley was the vision of Sarah Kocher who set up her business in 2007 after more than a decade in retail management at John Lewis Partnership. Sarah wanted to design a classic leather gift range that would stand the test of time and be admired for generations to come. With the addition of her traditional personalisation service each piece is carefully embossed by hand adding value and sentiment.
The Basket Company – Located in Ringwood, on the edge of the New Forest National Park, The Basket Company has a rustic collection of superb quality wicker baskets proudly inspired by the natural, timeless charm of country interiors. The bottom photograph shows their stunning baskets in my master bedroom revamp of 2020.
Camperdown Lane is three sisters, Michelle, Kate and Sarah, who have been running their interiors business together since 2016. They have a bricks and mortar shop in Hereford and a website where you can buy their hand picked range of beautiful home interior products.
Design Vintage started life as a small store on the outskirts of Brighton offering original vintage furniture pieces alongside modern homewares and gifts. Founded in 2012 by interiors addict Lisa Brass, it has grown rapidly to become a much loved online store with three showrooms and a cafe.
Heima Lytham – Jo is the loveliest lady and a fabulous vintage dealer. She has recently started selling all of her amazing finds online. Check out her Instagram page: @jo_at_heima
One.World – Run by Jason and Jamie Benson, One.World has always stayed true to one very simple idea; Love what we do, with people we love. They truly believe in homes and products that invite people to engage with them, and with each other. These kind of items work to enrich relationships with friends and family – and the spaces in which we live. They make everyday life a pleasure and enhance those special moments with loved ones. I have a special discount code for you for 15 % off: JP15.
Chalton Interiors – Beautiful vintage homewares, based in Petersfield, Hampshire.
Home Linens
Linenshack – Patricia sells some of the most comfortable bed linen I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping on. Beautifully made and of the highest quality. She also sells super comfy towels too. I have a 20 % off discount code available until 21.12.20: christmas20.
Chalk Pink Linen Company – Incredibly beautiful bed and table linens and some of the best silk eye masks money can buy!
Crafts, Art and Wreaths.
Whoa-mama – ANNA SMITH is a British designer and printmaker living and working in the Surrey Hills. WHOA MAMA’s distinctive lino prints, use only the finest quality and environmentally responsible papers and linseed oil inks. Limiting editions to strictly 20, 50 or 100, WHOA MAMA’s art prints and cards are all individually signed, numbered, stamped and embossed; creating a strong identity and an original, highly collectable brand.
The Big Door Wreath Company – I’ve worked with Alison on quite a few projects now. Her wreath making is second to none and she has something to suit every taste. If you are looking for a showstopper of a wreath, then look no further!
Jennifer’s Studio – we bought one of Jennifer’s beautiful original artworks earlier this year to form part of our master bedroom makeover. Her artwork is simply beautiful and she’s extremely talented. She sells original works as well as prints, so something for everyone.
Isabella Millay – Luxury Faux flowers. I recently showed one of Isabella’s stunning wreaths on the door of our deckhouse. Not only does she sell her designs, but she also hires them out for events.
Gardening Gifts
Mind, Body & Soil – A selection of seasonal plants & produce emphasising the importance of self-care through plant care, delivered to your doorstep for just £29.99 per month. At the end of every month you will receive your bundle. Inside you will find everything you need to grow personally and find your moment of calm. Their boxes will teach you what you should be doing & when through curated plants, candles, tea, wellness products, books and more…
I have an exclusive discount code for 40% off your first box: JP40.
Armadillo Sun – Luxuriously made from a tried and tested, (almost) indestructible fabric that’s water, mould and fade-resistant. Armadillo Sun bean bag chairs, bean bag loungers, tablet stands, faux fur bean bag chairs and faux fur bean bag loungers, tables and cushions are lightweight and portable, perfect for any setting. Designed and made in the UK, enjoyed around the world.
The Suburban Succulent – Sally Seymour is a grower and seller of succulents, but she also makes beautiful fresh, dried and faux wreaths.
Jewellery
India & Albert is an artisan handcrafted jewellery brand based in Brixham led by English/Italian jewellery designer, Penny Albertella. Inspired by nature, heritage and beautiful Italian styling. She works in recycled sterling silver some of which she plates with luxurious gold or rose gold. Her jewellery is all about ‘slow, sustainable fashion’.
“I love the idea that my pieces may be dug up in a hundred years or they may still be being worn by generations that came after those who bought or were given them.”
There is currently 20% off using code: LOVE20
So, there you have it, my guide to some of the best unusual gifts from independent brands. Hope you’ve found it helpful.

This post includes a couple of affiliate links, which means that I could earn a small commission. However, the vast majority of links are not affiliated and this post was created purely to promote independent brands that I love, totally free of charge.
Other Christmas posts from jpslifeandloves.com:
Best Ever Christmas Dinner Tips.
Many of my favourites here JP. Thanks for such a comprehensive guide which I know takes such a long time.
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Hank you so much for saying that darling.