Every year, I make it a point to buy as many gifts as possible from small businesses, and I also love including homemade creations. There’s something truly special about giving or receiving an item crafted with care, thought, and love. This Christmas, I’m excited to share a curated selection of my favourite small business treasures alongside simple, thoughtful gifts you can make at home. Each present is beautiful, meaningful, and perfect for anyone who appreciates quality, creativity, and the heart behind what they choose.
Supporting small businesses matters because every purchase directly supports makers who pour their passion and care into what they create, while homemade gifts show that same love and intention from your own hands.
Homemade and small business gifts carry something that mass‑produced presents often lack: a personal touch. When you give a ceramic mug shaped on a potter’s wheel, a pen or a jar of homemade jam, you’re giving not just an object, you’re giving time, effort, creativity and care.
Also edible homemade treats or handcrafted keepsakes also tend to be more sustainable, often reusing jars or natural materials and reducing waste compared to many commercial products.
With that spirit in mind, here are ten gifts some handcrafted by small businesses including some of our products, others homemade that make wonderful presents this Christmas.
1. Handmade Ceramic Mug: A Cosy Touch from a UK Potter
There’s something inherently comforting about a handmade ceramic mug, especially when it’s been shaped by hand in a small pottery studio somewhere in the UK. Whether it’s glazed in a rich wintery hue or decorated with a subtle pattern, every sip of tea or cocoa feels that bit more special.
This kind of gift works beautifully as a standalone present or combined with a small bundle: a sachet of hot chocolate, a few biscuits, and a festive tag. It’s personal, practical, and carries the warmth of thoughtful gifting.
2. Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix or Cookie Mix in a Jar
Layering hot cocoa mix, marshmallows or chocolate chips in a jar.
Alternatively, you could fill a jar with your own original cookie mix (just add butter and eggs) or spiced biscuits both practical and comforting treats that suit the festive mood and are likely to be enjoyed on cosy evenings throughout December.
Add a ribbon and a little instruction tag (“Just stir with milk and heat gently & enjoy!”), and you’ve created a thoughtful, ready-to-go gift set that’s easy to prepare even at short notice.
3. Handcrafted Scented Candle, Warmth & Cosiness in a Jar
Few gifts capture the cosy spirit of winter like a scented candle made by hand. You can make your own using soy wax and essential oils, or purchase from a small artisan candle‑maker. DIY candle kits allow you to customise scents, think cinnamon, pine, vanilla or winter spice and giving the gift a warm, seasonal character. Just in case you missed it, we now offer a beautifully crafted collection of hand-poured scented candles.
Wrapped in rustic paper, tied with twine, and accompanied by a note, such candles can evoke images of quiet moments by the fire, making them perfect for friends or relatives who love slowing down and taking time for themselves.
4. Necklace from an Independent Jewellery Designer
Jewellery from a small designer often carries more charm and meaning than high‑street pieces. A delicate necklace such as the one from A Weathered Penny can make a lovely seasonal gift for a friend or loved one. It shows care in choosing a piece made with attention, rather than opting for mass‑produced jewellery.
These pieces tend to be unique or produced in limited numbers. Gifting jewellery like this feels personal and a keepsake that can remind the recipient of you every time they wear it.
5. 2026 Planner & Stationery Gift Set
For anyone who loves to stay organised or enjoy planning, a thoughtfully curated planner set makes a perfect gift. The 2026 Planner + Affirmations cards + Pen & a candle a cosy Stationery Gift Set and personalised with their names or initials.
Shop: 2026 Planner Stationery Gift set
It’s the kind of small business gift that feels personal, purposeful, and beautifully curated.
6. DIY Herb Garden Kit or Small Planter
For those who enjoy cooking, gardening or simply love a bit of greenery indoors, a small herb garden kit makes a lovely homemade gift. Use small pots, seed packets (e.g. basil, thyme, rosemary), and a handwritten care note. As many DIY gifting guides suggest, this is a lovely way to combine creativity, practicality and thoughtful presentation.
This kind of gift is great for urban gardeners, kitchen cooks, or anyone who relishes the idea of growing their own herbs, a gift that keeps giving long after Christmas.
7. Homemade Chili Jam: A Fiery Twist on Festive Treats
For the foodie in your life, a jar of homemade chili jam is a deliciously unique gift. Sweet, spicy, and full of flavour, it’s perfect for spreading on crackers, pairing with cheeses, or adding a kick to winter meals. Making it at home allows you to adjust the heat to taste, creating a truly personalised present.
Packaged in a glass jar with a festive ribbon and a handwritten label, chili jam becomes more than just a treat. It’s a thoughtful, handcrafted gift that shows care and creativity. Pair it with a small cheese board or a loaf of artisan bread for a festive gift bundle that’s sure to impress.
8. Personalised Recipe Book or Card Set
Collect your favourite recipes or family recipes and create a small, handmade booklet. You can handwrite them on cards or print and bind them. Include notes about why each recipe is special.
9. Handmade Ornaments
Simple clay, felt, or wooden ornaments can be customised with names, dates, or designs. They’re thoughtful, decorative, and create lasting memories each Christmas.
10. Novelty Christmas Sweater: Festive Fun for Loved Ones
For a friend or family member who enjoys a bit of festive fun, a charming Christmas sweater like a “Dogs under the Mistletoe” jumper from an independent designer is a fun, light‑hearted choice. It blends humour, personality and the Christmas spirit itself.
Presented alone or paired with a cosy scarf and some hot cocoa mix, it can make for a gift that feels seasonal, thoughtful in the best way.
Choosing gifts from small businesses and independent makers adds extra meaning to Christmas. With planners, stationery sets, jewellery, homeware, and handmade treats, this guide makes it easy to give thoughtful gifts that delight both the giver and receiver.
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