Exactly a year to the day, I wrote in the introduction to my Christmas gift guide, “It’s a funny old year 2022 and a very strange time to be a maker trying to make a living doing what they love.” Somehow nothing much has changed, and it’s still very complicated to be a small business; our customer’s attention is scattered, and, patience is frayed; everything feels rushed and yet also impossibly slow. There is another war, another mess and more insane weather, so drumming up the necessary enthusiasm for Christmas is tough.

However, here I am again, in another mad year with a gift guide. Why? Because you’ll probably buy a gift or two this year, some of them might be from Jeff’s online superstore or perhaps you’ll head to the Choose Love online store, but what I hope is that this gift guide is a nudge to buy a little bit less but buy it from a small business.

It might not be any of the businesses recommended here, but take this as a reminder to go to your favourite independent shop or have a look on the instagram account of that maker who's reel you saved in July. Your money means they are more likely to be here next year, and in a world where everything feels a little out of control where you spend your money can help shape the world you want to live in. You might have your own list of businesses you’d like to support, which is fantastic, pop them in the comments below and consider this a friendly nudge to go and say hello.

So without further ado a few beautiful things to whet your appetite for the season ahead…

Beautiful Pasta bowls from Speckled Grey - pre-orders open for these beauties on 17th November. I love pasta. I think I might love it even more from a pink bowl, so I’ll probably have one (or two) of these on my list!

I am wearing these socks from Raw Colour as I type & can confirm they are great. The pattern on the back corresponds to predicted sea level rises in the next 30 years, a beautiful and sobering message on a Christmas stocking classic.

A moment for a real shop with a front door on a high street - Present Catford opened its doors in September and is a brilliant shop. Something for everyone (genuinely), all of it beautifully curated, and prices starting at £2 - run, don’t walk!

If you have ever been to one of my embroidery workshops then you’ll be familiar with this product because I talk about it a lot! It is the A-Z embroidery kit from Stitch School it is a brilliant winter project and a great way to have all of your stitches stored in one place when you’re in need of inspiration.

I own three orange hats already, BUT when the moths have munched their way through them and I am ready for a new one this is the one I am going to get! Available in seven delicious colours from Hilary Grant

I thought I had finished hunting for gifts and then I spotted this new addition to Anna Wiscombe’s range and I couldn’t possibly leave it out. I love the scale of the flower heads contrasted with the delicate stem, perfect for an everlasting winter table setting.

Soon I will have a new kitchen table in a new home and I plan to fill it with candles at all times. I love the idea of different scales of candle so this holder from Carla Murdoch would be the perfect addition to the candle stick holder collection I haven’t started yet.

A few ideas for you, maybe you’ll buy them, maybe you won’t. But whatever you do remember: it is always better to buy direct from a maker, if you can buy early then do so (postage is stressful) and if you can buy in person then that’s the dream!