I was in danger of waffling on forever and a day with my sustainable Christmas decorating post, (scroll down to find it after this one). I love decorating for Christmas but find like most busy working mums that I have to try and set time aside to do it and enjoy it.

Anyway, I forgot to mention Christmas gift shopping while I was getting lost in sustainable decor. I cant deny that online shopping on sites such as Amazon makes life so easy, but it is so important to support local retailers if you can. If we lose our local independents all of our high streets will look identical. This year my little mantra in my head has been ‘shop local, shop handmade’ Obviously this doesn’t work for every gift but where I can I’ve bought from small independent shops and individual makers. My top finds have been Starling Pots lovely little bowls, (you can find them on Instagram). Soap Folk’s gorgeous organic soaps and candle and co rapeseed wax candles.

For my sisters in law, I’ve made big grain sack bench cushions - after we saw them at the vintage car boot sale in the Isle of Wight in the summer. My daughter and her friends are doing handmade gifts this year, could be food, something sewn or drawn - they seem to have tonnes of ideas.

Two of my favourite stocking fillers from our Christmas gift guide are Daisy’s Handmade Vintage Rose Brooches and our lovely Oilcloth Zip Purses which are big enough for cards, keys, lipstick and all of your receipts but still fit in your pocket. with just £8.

One of the most popular things I sold at the recent Amberley Artisans event was our Little Parcels Of Possibility, we always have so much fun putting these little packages of offcuts together. This year we’ve added a little insert with a link to our Scrapbaggery Pinterest board which is full of ideas for gifts made from little scraps of fabric.

images clockwise from top left Caroline Zoob, Sarah Hardaker, BHLDN.com, Minty House,