Inspiration

This is the friend who would always rather spend their winter evenings tucked up at home. Surround them with cossetting textures – our Bailey wool throw or a lambswool or cashmere jumper from Sims Wear (though technically a British menswear brand, a smaller size works just as well for women too). And, make sure they always have something warming to wrap their hands around, whether that’s a Tussock sheepskin hot water bottle, or our Lulworth jumbo mugs. Or, help them hunker down with a cosy read (Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan is evocatively set in the weeks leading up to Christmas) and light their way to bed with our Heddon candlestick. And if you're looking for something really unique to adorn their walls, a private commission from artist Esmay Luck of their home, four-legged friend or initials will no doubt feel extra special.

Winter’s the time when gardeners take stock, settle in with their seed catalogues and prepare for the year ahead. So, to help your green-fingered friend get ready, fill their stocking with seed packets that look as lovely as the flowers themselves from The Newt in Somerset, wrap up (carefully) the very best Japanese tools from Niwaki, and be sure to include an ever useful tin of twine. Then, tide them over until spring with hyacinths, paperwhites and cyclamen planted in one of our terracotta pots or lined baskets.  And if their green fingers prefer to stay inside, we're big fans of Prick LDN, a London based boutique that's dedicated solely to succulents and cacti (not to mention some lovely books you can gift, too).

If you know someone whose favourite room in the house is the kitchen, then oven-to-table pieces will always be a welcome gift to find under the tree. Falcon Enamelware’s pie set will appeal to those with a 'contemporary meets vintage' sense of style. Proper chef’s knives (like Opinel’s beech-handled set) are also always on every cook’s wishlist, while bakers can never have enough mixing bowls, like these from Leach Pottery. And of course, an all-encompassing cookery book will never go amiss - The Flavour Thesaurus by Niki Segnit is the ideal companion for any budding chef with a playful palate. 

There’s always someone on your list whose gift is more of a puzzle. Which is where a gift card comes in. Whether they’re too far away to post a present or they’re well-known for being a little more choosy, it won’t feel like an afterthought, and rather, will give them the chance to choose something they’ll really love. If you’re worried though, be sure to send along a handwritten letter too, tucked inside a card that’s anything but run-of-the-mill, like Choosing Keeping’s traditionally-printed designs.