Shop Independent - Small Business Christmas Gift guide

Shopping with independent businesses brings joy, creativity and uniqueness that you just don’t find with bigger brands.

We’ve put together a small gift guide, including this years most popular goods from Ruth Holly and some of our other favourite designer makers.

Hopefully you will find some inspiration and choose to champion small business again this year.

Thank you. x

Stylish Handmade Christmas Stocking £26.95

Starting us off with the super special completely unique Christmas stockings, that have been sustainably made using offcuts of our textile favourites. A pre-Christmas gift that keeps on giving every year!

2022 Abstract Art A3 Wall Calendar £16.95

A great gift to keep you organised the whole year through, you can even cut out and frame each print to keep!

Cedar | Yule - Large Essential Oil Candle, £30

We love Cedar candles, and this one is just so Christmassy! A cosy lush gift for special friends and family members.

Duo of Travel Bags, Golden Ochre with Charcoal Grey, £45.95

So bright and cheerful! Really bringing joy and creativity to everyday life. These zip bags are the perfect size to fit in your handbag, or to store your travel-sized essentials.

AMATI SMALL EARRINGS SILVER, £70

Made with such care and consideration, these earrings from ANUKA are ethical, sustainable and handmade in the UK.

Organic Textures Wall Art Print, £30

Add colour and texture to someones life by gifting them a piece of art! A beautiful harmony of subtle tones, bold pattern and striking texture, make this art print truly unique.

Set of Four Pink and Blue Rectangle Placemats, £44.95

A forever favourite, these pretty pastel placemats are timeless. Creating a beautiful dining experience for whoever shall receive them!

Gift Guide 2020: A selection of our favourite goods

And sigh….. This year has been like no other right!? - meaning we are all wanting, and needing, to squeeze all the joy we can out of Christmas this year.

Feeling those warm fuzzy vibes that are so important for well being, and mental health, the real message of Christmas, we know, is not about gifts, or material things but about those we love. This year lots of us will be unable to see and spend time with our tribe, so although not fundamental, sending cards and gifts this year will feel extra special.

With limited opportunity to visit the high street, we have all been able to relax in our own homes and search online for gifts and goodies. Finding the perfect present for your mum, partner or friend takes time and consideration, so I thought I’d help out and share a selection of our favourite goods, sure to put a smile on your loved one’s faces when they unwrap on Christmas day.

**Remember we can send parcels directly to your chosen ones, just add a gift message at the checkout and we will gift wrap and send a special card with it, cutting out the middle (post!) man.**

For the style conscious: Limited Edition Wool - Cashmere Scarf £63

These beauties have been incredibly popular this season. In a choice of 3 designs, featuring abstract prints from our classic Signature Collection, our limited edition scarves are made from a luxurious wool cashmere blend, a stylish statement piece delicate enough to be worn all year round, making a luxury gift.

Shop all Scarves HERE

For Mr or Mrs Organised: Wall Art Calendar £14.95

We all know that one friend who has it all figured out, their secret? A 2021 Wall Art Calendar by Ruth Holly, featuring beautiful abstract textures. Each month has a unique art print which you can cut out and frame after use. The abstract surface pattern prints have a luxury, fine art feel, and are inspired by ‘nature’s own art’.

Shop Wall Calendar HERE

For the Art Lover: Soft Grey and Yellow Ochre abstract wall art print from £25

Creative friends or interiors obsessed family. These wall art prints are from our current Nomad collection, active designs evoking travel nostalgia and inspiring creativity. Stunning art prints for your home, office or gallery wall. Available in 2 sizes and delivered to you safely flat packed.

Shop Wall Art Prints HERE

Lord or Lady of the Kitchen: Abstract Textured Cotton Tea Towel £12.95

Don’t touch that one, it’s just for show! Ahh those kitchens that are just pristine, one can never have too many tea towels darling! 100% cotton, digitally printed using reactive inks, ensuring rich & vibrant colours that last.

Shop Tea Towels HERE

Interiors obsessed: Baked Yellow Ochre with Charcoal Cushion - 'Nomad Texture' - from £48

Scatter cushions galore! Bring a little sunshine to someone’s day with our Nomad Texture design made from OEKO-TEX® cotton, inspired by the hidden beauty of natural textures, across Great Britain.

Shop all Cushions HERE

For the ‘Selfie’ Queen: Red abstract pattern Pocket Mirror - 'Earth' £7.95

The perfect postable gift. Small and compact, yet with a striking pattern sure to make an impact!

Shop all pocket mirrors HERE

For the Foodie: Set of Four, Charcoal Grey and Yellow, Round Placemats - 'Nomad Splash' £44.95

Found in the kitchen or at the dining table, for the person who knows the way to your heart is healthy, wholesome food with wonderful company. Striking, original designs to give your table the extra wow factor! Wipeable matt laminate face, with a cork reverse.

Shop all placemats HERE

* Don't forget, to make sure your Christmas post arrives on time, the last day to order this year is December 17th*

Why shop small, and how to support independent businesses during lockdown.

Wow! - the last few weeks and months have been incredible. The power of the people is starting to really shift, and the support for small independent businesses is becoming stronger every year. It’s no secret, this year has been one of the toughest yet for small business, including at Ruth Holly, but with the support of lovely loyal customers and the flurry of likeminded conscious consumers, we’re thriving!

Shopping small and choosing independents means you are choosing to think outside the box, you are thoughtfully curating your life, consciously picking goods that will mean something to you and to your loved ones. It’s true, it takes a little more time, but with anything that takes time, the results are a whole lot sweeter.

But how do I shop small and support independent if I can’t go outside? Our all important high street is of course, one of the first places to visit when wanting to support independents. Our local greengrocer, butcher, gift shop, all rely on us to bring them custom. Walking to purchase locally with a stretch of the legs and some fresh air, not only does you good, but helps our communities thrive. However, during lockdown, we really have been limited about where we can physically visit, making it all too easy to jump onto Amazon and other large retailers.

There are loads of online platforms now who support small independents; makers markets and small business finders, all it takes is a little time and goodwill to search the web, and you’ll be sure to find a hidden gem! There are a few links in my blog from last year.

We do also understand as independents, that sometimes our goods are possibly not in your budget, and thats fine! You can still support by not spending a penny, simply by engaging with us on social media, good old fashioned word of mouth, and leaving reviews.

You can follow Ruth Holly on Instagram and Facebook, or please review on Google here.

Small Business, Big Difference. #SmallBizSatUK

Top 3 Sustainable Small Businesses

An ever more pressing concern, how long will our planet continue to withstand the detrimental effects humans are having on the natural world?

As a creative wholly inspired by our natural world, it is imperative my values are mirrored in my goods and services. Known for making decisions using my heart, I continue to practice responsible sourcing, sustainability and eco-awareness where possible. Sourcing and selling with integrity.

I learn from other businesses larger than mine, and practise what i preach by making the majority of my purchases from thoughtful, sustainable businesses.

Alongside Ruth Holly of course, here’s a brief run down of some of my favourites, happy browsing!

Zero Waste Club

The Future Kept

The Kind Store

BEYOND A BRAND

something different, something special...

Hello friends, my new tableware is now available and LIVE on the website. Table runners, napkins and a tea towel refresh! 100% cotton, with wide hem detail, using prints from both Signature & Aspect collections. Celebrate everyday dining.

My tableware collection was born out of a desire, and growing trend to really slow down and take care and attention when dining. Creating a community spirit with your family and friends, coming together & feeding your soul with nourishment.

Sitting at the table to eat was something my mother would always encourage as a family, and it's something that I actively try and do for at least 2 meals a day. Sitting down, dressing the table and caring for your environment, automatically creates an air of calm, allowing you to respect your home and in turn, yourself. x

https://www.ruthholly.co.uk/shop-kitchen-dining

SUPPLIER VISIT

Hello and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and rested well.

It’s January and with that come all the pressures of a new year - new you! I have started the year writing a ‘done’ list rather than a ‘to do’, this allows me to feel satisfied with what I’ve achieved and accomplished throughout 2018 rather than filling me with dread about what needs to be done in 2019. That said, there is always the promise of new adventures, new treasures to be found and more wonderful connections to be made.

Speaking of connections, last week I visited my fabric supplier, a company in Cheshire where I get all my designs printed. I email these guys regularly and rarely get to see them so it was great to put faces to names and re-connect.

The afternoon started with a catch up and discussion about new developments, costings and problem solving. Mum came along too to meet everyone, we enjoyed a cup of tea and a brainstorm.

We then had a tour around the factory, I got to see the machines where my designs are printed, the cutting room, the sewing department (where each item is machine sewn by hand!) It was a really inspiring afternoon and was great to get involved and really see how and where my products are made.

I had a chat with the daughter of the business about environmental issues and how the company are doing all they can at the time to reduce impact. There was water recycling from the dying process, cardboard and fabric core recycling, along with the fact that everything is done under one roof, reducing the need for transporting the goods by van, ship, plane. They even carry heavy rolls of fabric across the car park by hand each day!

Below you can view some photos of the day, if you have any questions about the process or anything else to do with how your wonderful goods are designed and produced then please do get in touch. hello@ruthholly.co.uk

SUSTAINABLE GIFTING

I have done the majority of my Christmas shopping online this year. I am continually aware of shopping small and shopping independent, but equally I’m more and more interested in sustainable, responsible companies who put thought and care into their process, as well as their finished product.

As promised, here’s a peek (without giving too much away for xmas!) at my top 6 responsible businesses. I hope this helps you in time for your Christmas gifts, but if not, maybe it will encourage you in 2019 to really think about where your purchases are made, how they are made and most importantly why.

Thanks for reading. x