A Social Distancing Gift Guide
What. A. Year. It’s hard to believe we’re sliding into mid-July next week! As things start to open up again, many of us are emerging, blinking into the sunlight like post-COVID19 mole people, but “normality” still feels far off.
Throughout lockdown it has been so hard to feel present for those around us, and to give proper weight to life’s best moments. Not just the big, important milestones like birthdays and graduations but the small, every day highs and triumphs. Even the most mundane domestic kindnesses like making a cup of coffee for someone you care about or a spontaneous hug for no reason have been unthinkably out of reach for many of us.
I’ve put together my own social-distancing gift guide featuring some of my favourite independent brands (and some better known ones too), with thoughtful ways to treat your loved ones from a distance. Whether you are congratulating a student sibling on surviving the weirdest school year in living memory, or want to make your granny laugh, or tell an old friend you are really proud of how they’ve coped.. there are so many creative businesses and makers out there who have pivoted and adapted to life in lockdown.
If like me, you’ve struggled with not being able to show how much you care IRL, here are some lovely ways to spoil your friends and family until we can throw humungous parties again.
Skip ahead to thoughtful little gift ideas, stationary, flowers, delicious treats, boozy gifts, personalised prints, self care, themed boxes & kind acts.
Don’t Forget To
The Gift of Words: Stationary
The Positive Postcard Club by Ella Masters. Ella has also created Buddy Boxes - filled with postcards for you and your child to write from the comfort of your own home.
Sent With Love by Laura Nevill. Laura’s beautiful printed and handwritten cards come adorned with an assortment of vintage stamps so it looks as inviting as possible when it pops through the letterbox.
Positive Post by Book Block.
Papier Personalised Notecards. I love these monogrammed notecards by Matilda Goad. Use my referral link for £10 off your first order (this gives me a £10 credit to use too! Merci beaucoup xoxo)
Imperfect Post by Jade Fisher. For £1 (to cover p+p) Jade will send a handwritten card from her imperfect stock direct to a friend.
Oh Squirrel Letterbox Cheer.
Coronavirus Days by The Curious Pancake. A card section dedicated to our collective experience and feelings about the Coronavirus.
Alice Gabb Calligraphy Starter Kit to beautify your pen-pal endeavours.
Flowers
Thoughtful Little Treats
Botanical Posy by Flowerbe. A tiny posy that fits in a water glass - perfect for brightening up a home working desk.
Pocket Hug by Kutuu.
Leather Keyrings by MW Makes. Michelle’s handmade leather goods are my go-to gifts - beautiful quality and she can include a handwritten note with your purchase.
Hug Ring by Posh Totty Designs.
Oh No Desk Pad by Sighh. I love Sighh’s beautiful designed products with purpose.
Love From Afar Candle by Kindred Fires. My sister sent me one of these beautiful personalised candles in an apothecary style jar during lockdown, and I adore it.
The Magic Key by L’Occitane. The magic key is a godsend that allows you to squeeze every bit of product out of tubes - a frugal gift for frugal times!
Scrunchies by ELN. Handmade scrunchies that come with an accompanying “Miss You A Bunchie, I Hope You Like Your Scrunchie” note.
Kindness Pocket Coin by Yves Print Co. An enamel 'kindness' coin and series of 6 x mini Risograph prints to brighten someone’s day.
Delicious Treats
Chocolate Dumbells by Choc On Choc. Complete their home gym!
Naked Marshmallow Toasting Set. The gift of an indoor campfire.
Nuages Dorés Cloud Tea Bags by Tea Heritage
The World is Your Oyster Chocolates by Fortnum & Mason
Berto’s Brownies. Luxury brownies handmade in Glasgow, available in boxes of 4 large brownies.
Afternoon Tea Kit by Letter Box Hamper
Movie Night in Popcorn Box by Joe & Seph’s
Baked Goodies by Sweet Nothing Bakehouse. Mail order treat boxes by an independent artisan bakery based in South East London.
Chocolate Lover Gift Box by Postboxed. An assortment of Coco chocolate bars, handmade in Edinburgh.
Letterbox Biscuit Decorating Kit by The Biscuit Barn.
Letterbox Bakes by Whisk and Slice.
Tony’s Chocolonely (my favourite flavour is the purple - Dark Milk Pretzel Toffee).
“Chin Chin”
The Lucky Pineapple Bar Cocktail Club
The gorgeous Lucky Pineapple Bar have just launched their beautiful, bespoke cocktail boxes! A complete cocktail party experience perfect for date nights, drinks with friends, dinner parties and making cocktails at home really, really special. Each box comes with everything you need to make three different drinks each - including stylish recipe cards, spirits, tinctures, mixers, syrups, bitters, fresh fruit & thoughtful garnishes. Hayley has curated a really special array of ingredients and the theme of the boxes will evolve each month - starting with the Garden Theme pictured above, with suitably gorgeous Bloom Gin.
The Gift of Whisky by Whisky Me
Letterbox Cocktails by The Cocktail Man
Know Your Cocktails Tea Towel by Crispin Finn. I also love his Champagne Cocktail Screenprint.
Ready-To-Pour Cocktails by Nio Cocktails. Use my referral link for 10% off your first purchase.
Champagne Coupe Gift Set by Not Another Bill
Regions of Scotland Tasting Set by Drinks By The Dram
Bottled Cocktails by Forty Liquors
Edible Cocktail Gummies and Instant Cocktail Fizz Set by Smith & Sinclair
Personalised Prints
Photobook by Papier. Use my referral link for £10 off your first order (this gives me a £10 credit to use too! Muchas Gracias in advance.)
Painted Custom Portrait by Rachael Presky. I absolutely love Rachael’s custom portraits finished with pencil details - 1 and 2 person paintings available (this would make a beautiful engagement gift)!
Photo Strips by Inkifi.
52 Aperture Framed Print by Inkifi. Choose 52 of your favourite photos for this incredibly beautiful frame that arrives already printed and ready to hang.
Self Care
Delicate Rebellion Magazine. The Powerful Little Storm issue features some of the best artists, writers and creators. Inspiring and beautifully put together.
Happy Space Candle by Aery Living
Girlfriend Collective. Hands down the best leggings I’ve ever owned - made from recycled plastic bottles!
Ridiculous Stress Swan Thing x David Shringly. Who doesn’t need this atm? Sold by one of my favourite shop of all time, MAGMA.
Space Masks. Self-heating interstellar eye masks - the perfect remedy for fuzzy eyeballs after a day in front of a screen.
10 Minutes Aroma by Hibi. I am completely obsessed with these Japanese incense-stick matchsticks for a divine pause on the go.
Wild Paws Mat by Yogi Bare. The best yoga mat I have ever used! For each green mat sold, a tree is planted with HOMETREE.
Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee. A reminder of the unmitigated power of Joy!
Calavera by Lush. Few things are as simultaneously relaxing and reviving as a Lush bath bomb!
LSW Mind Cards by LSW London. A pack of 45 individually designed cards each with a tool or task to help improve your wellbeing and boost your mood.
Be Here Now Bamboo Yoga Block by Yogi Bare.
Gift Boxes
Care Packages by The Calm Club.
Buddy Box by The Blurt Foundation.
Scottish Care Packages by Tartan Blanket Co.
Create Your Own Gift Box by Book Block (you can also build your own gift box with Brown Paper Packages)
Curated Letterbox Gifts by Postboxed
Build Your Own Box by The Fempowerment Box.
Wanderlust Candle Gift Sets by Lost in Scent
Also definitely check out Isle20 - a not for profit directory of over 300 super cool, small independent businesses in the Scottish islands who have been hugely impacted by the massive drop in tourism due to the Coronavirus crisis.
Kind Acts:
I know it’s a tremendous privilege to be in a position to buy gifts, and so many people don’t have a circle of friends or family support network to buy gifts for. I so urge you to support local food banks, charities and shelters in any way that you are able. Here are some simple kind acts that can make a big difference:
If you must shop with Amazon, use https://smile.amazon.co.uk - just by replacing the www. with smile. Amazon automatically donates 0.5% of your purchases to a charity of your choice! Mine is Refuweegee here in Glasgow. Products cost exactly the same and the site is identical (with Prime delivery).
Beauty Banks believe that being clean is a basic human right, not a luxury and not a privilege. The organisation exists to make 'hygiene poverty' history while supporting those living in poverty in the UK - those who can't afford to be clean - with personal care and hygiene essentials.
The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and passionately campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.
Little Village is like a foodbank, but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of 5, to help alleviate material poverty in London. Vital things like nappies can be ordered via their Amazon wishlist or you can make a financial donation where the volunteer staff will purchase the products on your behalf.
Women’s Aid: Within the first two weeks of lockdown, Women’s Aid saw a 41% increase in users visiting their Live Chat page for vital support. There are a huge amount of survivors relying on the charity while their homes are not safe places to be.
Age UK: The coronavirus pandemic has changed life for everyone, but some older people are among the hardest hit. You can sign up for telephone befriending - a weekly call with someone lonely or vulnerable, that can make all the difference to their quality of life.
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*Disclosure: This gift guide contains some affiliate links for products on NotOnTheHighStreet.com & Postboxed.co.uk. I have carefully chosen each product featured and if you click through and choose make a purchase, will earn a (very small) commission, at no additional cost to you. I truly appreciate your support in this way, Merci Beaucoup xoxo.
Read more from my Life in Lockdown series including a list of Stylish & Attractive Face Masks, The Best Things to Do in Lockdown This Week, Ideas for a Socially-Distanced Birthday & A Guide to Local Food and Drink Deliveries in Scotland.
My blog will always stay free and accessible, but if my words, ideas & tips have been useful and you would like to, you can buy me a cup of coffee via Ko-Fi (a fantastic, secure platform to help you support writers and artists online). Thankyou in advance lovely human. xx