(AD) Disclaimer: I have been gifted the items which appear in this Berkshire Mummies Christmas Gift Guide. I have worked with businesses that have a * as a paid partnership.
I am very excited to share with you the first ever Berkshire Mummies Christmas Gift Guide which showcases 20 fantastic Berkshire Small Businesses. It is a privilege to be able to use this platform to support small and local businesses during this global pandemic and I am on a mission to promote Berkshire’s small businesses. If you would like to support small Berkshire Businesses please give the below businesses a follow on social media if you don’t already.
I have very kindly been gifted the products you see in this gift guide and have been so impressed with not only the quality but the business owners passion for their business and products.
I have categorised the businesses into Books and Education, Homeware and Decoration, For the Bathroom, Food, Gift Sets and Subscription Boxes and Jewellery and Clothing. I have also put a link to each businesses website so you can see what other products they offer.
Books and Education
Sophie Valentine wrote Believe in Pixie Hart which was written for her inspiration, her first daughter Lola. I thought the book was beautifully illustrated and my eldest was drawn by the colours and pictures which were appealing throughout the book and started many conversations. The story is based around Pixie and her class going on a school trip for a forest adventure, during which the class get lost but Pixie Hart helps them to find their way back to the bus… I will continue to read this story to my child as it has some great messages which I feel are important to take with us in life including perseverance, self-believe, individuality and confidence. This book would make a lovely stocking filler or Christmas gift for a child. Click here to purchase the book.
Elise Patrick Loves Books is a Berkshire based Usborne book seller. I used Elise during the first lockdown to help me purchase the right books so my eldest had plenty of reading during lockdown. Elise is very patient and wasn’t phased by the hundreds of questions asked until the right book boxset was found! Elise sells a whole range of books, so do head over to her webpage for plenty of Christmas book inspiration. Elise kindly gifted me ‘Santa’s Christmas Journey’ which is a board book which comes with a wind up Santa on a Sleigh and allows you to interact with the book and allow Santa to zoom around each page. There are also other wind up board books available including ‘Noisy Wind-Up Fire Engine’ and ‘Wind-Up Tractor book. Click here to contact Elise if you are looking for a book to gift this Christmas.
My Mood Stars are tactile toys and a highly effective developmental resource for children. There are eight My Mood Stars in a set which have a range of expressions on their faces including happy, sleepy, tired, sad, timid, silly, angry and surprised. The stars are great for imaginative play and a fun way for children to discuss and express their feelings. Alongside the stars you can buy a board for them to be displayed on and there is also a small badge which comes with the set of stars, which you can attach one of the star toys to for your child to wear. Click here to view the My Mood Star products.
I was kindly gifted a set of My Mood Stars and I have to say I am very impressed with the quality and soft tactile feel of the toys. I believe the My Mood Stars would make a lovely educational Christmas gift.
The Royal Windsor Colouring Book was produced by Berkshire based Jake Roche Books. The colouring book features 23 images to colour including key landmarks in Windsor taking a look at the history, architecture and landscapes of the historic town.
The colouring book would make a lovely gift for someone who lives in the town or visits regularly. Click here to purchase the colouring book.
Little Muddy Boots is a unique garden and nature club based in Warfield, Bracknell Forest and is now in it’s 6th year. Little Muddy Boots has inspired hundreds of Berkshire toddlers and pre-schoolers and their parents and grandparents to get outside exploring the world around them. During Lockdown 2020 Little Muddy Boots online was launched, allowing families to access online activities and downloadables to do at home and Little Muddy Boots continues online today. If you know someone who might love to join the Little Muddy Boots community why not gift them the opportunity by purchasing a Little Muddy Boots gift voucher, email Little Muddy Boots to order.
Homeware and Decoration
alexa and laura are a Berkshire based Mother and Daughter team who embroider and personalise gifts for toddlers and babies. As part of their range alexa and laura produce Gingerbread People. They currently sell their ‘Christmas Gingers’ which have great attention to detail and will look festive on any tree. Click here to view the full Christmas range by alexa and laura.
Jackaroo & Bug a children’s tableware brand was founded by Hannah, a Berkshire Mummy of two. Hannah produces a range of china tableware that is distinctive, modern and timeless. I was kindly gifted a diplodocus mug which is perfect for little hands and would make an ideal stocking filler. Head over to the Jackaroo & Bug shop to see a range of designs on plates, bowls, mugs and dinner sets. The range is charming and the mug I received was great quality.
Jennifer Kellett is a Berkshire based designer who works from her studio in her back garden with her rescue dog George for company. Jennifer’s designs are based on the natural world with many of the artist creations featuring animals. Jennifer loves bold and striking colours. I was kindly gifted a cushion and a tea towel, both of which were both excellent quality with such positive designs. They certainly make a wonderful gift that will bring a smile. Alongside tea towels and cushions Jennifer also sells notebooks, art prints, greetings cards, aprons and coasters – ideal for a range of gift budgets and ages. Click here to take a look at Jennifer Kellett Designs colourful shop.
Reading based Snow Windows was born out of a love story when Tom decided to surprise his wife Keri one Christmas with a Christmas scene on the kitchen window. Using Tom’s creative talents the couple have built a business decorating others windows during the festive season and now also stock a range of reusable sticker window templates so families can have a go at creating amazing festive windows for themselves. Snow Windows kindly gifted me their Halloween and Christmas stencils. There was lots of excitement in our house when we used the stencil to decorate for Halloween and we can’t wait to use the Christmas stencil. Click here to purchase a stencil and snow spray.
For the Bathroom
Kaboodle sell the most divine smelling authentic artisan made 125g Triple-Milled French soap. The soap makes the perfect gift for family members, friends, teachers and anyone more tricky to buy for. Kaboodle kindly gifted me some soap and the bars are just beautiful; in smell, size and quality. There are a number of different scents to pick from including Aloe Vera, Blackcurrant, Cleopatra’s Secret (Donkey Milk), Crushed Lemon, Coconut Milk, Lavender Flowers, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Seaweed and Wheatgerm. Kaboodle have also introduced to Christmas scents for Christmas; Gingerbread and Orange. The Gingerbread bar of soap is extra special as it comes with a gingerbread shape embossed on the back – perfect for a children’s stocking filler.
Kaboodle are kindly running an offer for Berkshire Mummies readers; 4 x 125g soaps in cellophane wrapped with raffia bow and information label for the special promotional price of £12.99 (if collected in person from The Old Grain Barn at Moss End Garden Village, RG42 6EJ) or £16.99 with postage. You can order online via Kaboodle’s Etsy page or via email, quoting Berkshire Mummies.
Perry’s Bath Bombs are made by Perry a Berkshire Mummy and beauty therapist. Perry’s Bath Bombs smell amazing and certainly fizz and bubble as you hope they would (there is nothing worse than a disappointing Bath Bomb!). I have tested out Perry’s Bath Bombs and they are brilliant. Perry also makes dinosaur bath dust which adds a fizz to the bath and then turns it green – this was such a hit with my children. They make a great stocking filler or Christmas gift so take a look at the different Bath Bomb designs over on Perrysbathbombs Etsy page.
Henley-on-Thames based Scrubbington’s was set up by two Mums on a mission to encourage children to wash themselves independently and care for their personal hygiene once old enough.
Karen and Emma have developed a range of products which are not only fun and foaming but also 98% natural as they understand the importance of caring for a child’s delicate skin.
I was kindly sent Subbington’s products to try and not only have they got a wide range of products, the packaging is engaging and awesome quality, the products smell good and are fun to use, especially the pump bottle! There are also refill packages available to buy of some of the products. You can buy the range online in the Scrubbingtons Shop and products include Scrub Up Hand and Face Foam, Scrub and Dub Bubble Bath, Pit Stop First Deodorant and Bug Off Hand Sanitiser to name a few. I believe these would make fab stocking fillers and presents for your children and their friends.
Food
*The Grazing Board Company are selling three grazing platters this festive season. Including The Children’s Christmas Eve Gift Box (£18) which includes a decorated Gingerbread Man, Make your own Hot Chocolate, Best Ever Cookies for Santa, Chocolate Snowman Bark, Chocolate Dipped Meringue Kisses with Sprinkles, Snowday Snack Mix, Candy Cane and Rudolf Brownie. There is also a special message from Father Christmas – great for any family wanting to build some excitement for the big day.
Other boxes you can order are ‘The Festive One (meats and cheese) and ‘Naughty or Nice’ (sweet treats) which are both available in small (1 person) £18, medium (2 people) £30 or large (4 people) £50.
All of The Grazing Board Company grazing boxes come with a red box, gift wrapped in Christmassy ribbon and the optional for a gift message. Delivery is throughout Berkshire. Pre-orders are being taken until Christmas Eve. Delivery slots on 24th December 2020 will be limited to 10am-12noon. Click here to order.
The Funky Cookie Company based in Maidenhead sell sugar cookies. Debbie designs, bakes and ices all of the cookies and they are stunning. I have worked with Debbie on a number of projects over the last year and have always been very impressed with the quality of the cookies. Do check out The Funky Cookie Companies website, who will be launching their Christmas Cookies mid-November. Debbie is happy to take pre-orders however. If you don’t already follow Debbie on Instagram, make sure you do. You can see the whole process of the cookies being made and it’s fascinating to watch.
Lemon Sweet Treats is a Berkshire based, family run business which offers a wide range of sweets and chocolates for many different occasions including Christmas. I have purchased a birthday sweet box from Lemon Sweet Treats earlier in the year as a gift and the service and product was excellent, as were the samples I was gifted for this gift guide. There are lots of options within the Christmas range which would be great for a Christmas Eve Box, stocking filler or gift. Click here to view the range.
Little Byrd’s Fudge is lovingly made in Laura’s kitchen at home in Berkshire. This is the second time I have tried Little Byrd’s Fudge and I have to say it’s delicious and moorish, so moorish in fact it didn’t last in the house very long!
Laura has a slightly unique way of selling her fudge and on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm via her online shop. She has limited stock and when it’s sold for the week it’s sold… so be quick as it goes within the evening! Laura announces the flavours of that week a few days before on her Instagram and Facebook pages (so keep your eyes peeled!).
Little Byrd’s Fudge offer a range of flavours, with bespoke flavours being added to the range. You can also purchase the fudge direct from the Robyn’s Nest Patisserie based at Moss End Garden Village, Ziggy’s Outside Catering at Lily Hill Park and Two Sisters Cafe in Crowthorne. Laura is taking pre-orders for Christmas soon so keep your eyes peeled as the date is about to be announced!
Click here to see the different fudge flavours which would make a lovely gift for someone who loves a little sweet treat.
The Robyn’s Nest Cafe Christmas Chocolate Browine’s are delicious, so gooey and certainly full of chocolate! The Brownie Box includes a selection of chocolate orange, Christmas sprinkle, gingerbread, candy cane and honeycomb and they taste good! Despite their being plenty of Brownies our gifted box didn’t last two days! The Brownie Box would make a great Christmas gift but would be equally perfect if you just wanted a tasty treat in the house during the festive season.
The Robyn’s Nest Christmas Boxes are £12.50 plus p&p as the boxes come with ribbon and a gift tag. You can also collect the Brownies from Robyn’s Nest Patisserie at Moss End Garden Centre in Warfield. Pre-orders are being taken from 7th November 2020, click here to order your brownie box.
Gift Sets and Subscription Boxes
Berkshire Boxx offer bespoke gift boxes made up of locally sourced gift items. You can build a gift box (a minimum of 3 items is required) or you can purchase a ready made box. Berkshire Mummies was gifted a Berkshire Boxx, the items were arranged on a nest of paper with a range of good quality products to enjoy. These boxes are certainly a treat and will bring a smile to the recipient. Click here to see the Berkshire Boxx’s range including their Christmas items which you can add into your box.
The Craft Box Club is a Eco Friendly Craft Box Subscription. The subscription includes a monthly plastic free craft box delivered to your door. The boxes offer a great chance to sit down and enjoy a different craft each month. Do take a look at the Craft Box Club website to see examples of pervious craft boxes. I was sent the Bees Wax Wrap Box and firstly loved the recycled packaging but the box also came with everything needed for the craft plus a step by step instruction card. This craft subscription would make a lovely gift for someone who loves crafting or someone who due to Covid-19 is finding themselves at home a little more and would appreciate a monthly project. Click here to pre-order The Christmas Craft Gift Box.
Jewellery and Clothing
Love Lula Bula this year celebrated their 30th year in business. Berkshire based Love Lula Bula is an online gift shop selling jewellery, clothing, bags, scarves, purses, mugs & coasters. Wonderful little extras are included with everything; a personalised card, gift wrapping and a wish bracelet to make every gift extra special. Perfect gifts for the Christmas season. Click here to view much more.
Happy Kids Clothes Company print personalised clothing for Christmas, women’s, children’s, pregnancy and new baby plus personalised mugs. The two Christmas t-shirts I was gifted are great quality and a good thickness. Click here to view the Christmas range.
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Disclaimer
Items you see in this blog post have been gifted. Businesses which feature a * I have worked with under a paid partnership. Click here to view the Berkshire Mummies disclaimer.
