Christmas Gifts from Derbyshire Small Businesses

[AD – Contains occasional affiliate links] Welcome to this year’s edition of my guide to a Derbyshire small business Christmas, bursting with brands with heart and soul offering thoughtful gifts that are guaranteed to delight this festive season.

Shop small and local this Christmas

This is my fourth year of writing such a guide. This year I wanted to dig a little bit deeper into the incredible stories behind some of Derbyshire most loved small businesses and the people behind them. From small start-ups to established artists, most of the brands featured are female founded with a strong commitment to operating ethically and with sustainability in mind.

Because of the time it takes me, I’ve had to feature a smaller range. Still all fabulous, and still at a range of price points but this is a deeper dive into the people and stories behind the brands.

This article is designed to sit alongside last year’s Derbyshire Christmas gift guide (jam packed full of numerous more ideas) and a guide to the best festive shopping in Derbyshire. Both of which will be fully updated as soon as I get chance. I would recommend reading all three for maximum gift buying inspiration.

So grab a cuppa, cosy up and let’s explore some of Derbyshire’s best small businesses to support this Christmas.

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Lovely, local, independent Derbyshire brands to support this Christmas

Park Designs

Park Designs sells a wide range of quality, considered artwork and giftware inspired by the outdoors. Founded by Peak District artist and author, Si Homfray. The brand is rooted in values of care, kindness and understanding – all things the world needs more of, now more than ever.

Set up after a lifetime working in graphic design with many of the UK’s most loved outdoor brands, every piece of art and subsequent product is thoughtfully put together around themes of the great outdoors and wellbeing.

Heavily inspired by the beautiful landscapes of our country’s National Parks, there are thoughtful gifts for lovers of the outdoors and specific pursuits e.g. the wild swimming mug or the vibrant print of Hathersage outdoor pool which is also included on a beautiful calendar.

There’s a wide range of fine bone China mugs from Stoke on Trent, I love bold design of the iconic contour lines range but there’s every gift imaginable, from washbags to aprons to cosy fleece blankets.

In addition to his vibrant artwork, Si has recently written his first book, The Magic Forest and the nature of wellbeing. The book is a DIY guide for optimum physical, mental and emotional health. Beautifully succinct and instantly accessible, this is the type of book that deserves a place on everyone’s shelves. Also available on Amazon (affiliate link).

Lisa Swift

Another artist heavily influenced by a sense of place is Lisa Swift. As owner of Chesterfield’s Shop Indie, Lisa is a fellow champion of independent businesses and also has her own design range.  

Living just north of Chesterfield, Lisa has a number of pieces inspired by the town including its much loved crooked spire. One of my favourite pieces is a print featuring The Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill complete with peregrines.

Molly Designs

Molly of Molly Designs is a Derby based illustrator specialising in plants and pet themed prints and giftware. The collection developed from her love of her own house plants and her little black cat Winston. Molly is firmly committed to sustainability, only using eco-friendly materials and striving to be as low-waste as possible.

Molly now has an array of products suitable for stocking filler ideas such as pin badges, coasters, prints, notepads and more. Her work is stocked in a number of independent shops including Design at 44, local markets and Etsy (affiliate links).

Peaklass

Peaklass is a talented photographer who captures the timeless beauty of the countryside in the Peak District National Park, from its sweeping landscapes and ancient woodlands to its peaceful villages and quiet lanes. She shares the most beautiful images and eloquent captions daily via her social media channels, inspiring others to visit, explore and appreciate this wonderful place. 

Peaklass sells a wide range of photography products featuring scenes from all corners of the national park, including calendars, greeting cards, prints, canvases, notebooks, notepads, coasters and tote bags. I particularly love her Christmas cards They are available via her online shop and at Haddon Hall’s beautiful Christmas Artisan Market, from 16th to 19th November and 23rd to 26th November.

Click here for the most festive Christmas events in Derbyshire in 2023.

Wesley Kristopher

Another Peak District photographer I like to support is Wesley Kristopher (People of the Peak on Instagram). As well as his work featuring on the M&S shortbread tin (admittedly not local, but it is very good shortbread), he also has an online shop where you can order a range of prints of his beautiful landscape and wildlife photography.

Emma Britton Decorative Glass Designer

Emma Britton is an independent and award-winning glass designer. Back in 2010, Emma revolutionised kitchen design with her idea of applying floral patterns to glass for splashbacks. Her unique designs now bring colour and personality to kitchens and bathrooms across the UK and have featured in a range of prestigious publications.

Emma has since diversified into designing complementary glassware collections, both in-house and to commission. The beautiful floral glassware is designed, decorated and hand finished at her Derbyshire studio.

Emma is best known for her pattern repeat designs for glass inspired by British flora and fauna. Her signature, optimistic floral style is contemporary, yet rooted in nostalgia. Shop her Christmas gifts online.

Greenwood Gifted

Derby based, Greenwood Gifted sells a range of homeware and jewellery. Founder, Rachel Greenwood’s strapline is ‘bed bound to bossing it’ she describes the business as a lifeline after struggling to find permanent work for many years due to POTS.

Rachel’s unrelenting positive attitude and love of drawing ultimately lead to her creating the giftware brand. She used her hard won physics degree to fine tune a laser cutter to design and make everything from wooden jewellery to personalised homeware. Today, one of her most popular products is her Highland cow cufflinks, the design of which is also available as earrings or a necklace.

I love the concept behind Rachel’s Engraved Hand Written Message – this would be a really sweet way to capture a child’s handwriting or drawings (as the Mum of a daughter who is growing up far too fast, I can’t think of a lovelier keepsake).

Flossie and Small

Flossie and Small sells handmade gifts and keepsakes for life’s special occasions. Named after founder Rachael’s childhood nickname from her Dad (who sadly passed away just before starting the business), and what her husband calls their little girl, the brand is full of heart and sentimentality.

Drawing on her degree in Illustration, everything is handmade by Rachel using wool felt and cotton fabrics in her home studio in Derbyshire. Many of the items can be personalised to make them extra special (so order early!).

Alice Harman

Alice Harman is an award-winning children’s author, editor and author coach. She’s written more than 40 books for kids, about everything from climate change to outer space. She loves creating fun, thoughtful books that inspire curiosity and imagination.

Alice’s latest book, Mona Lisa and the Others is a witty introduction to the Louvre’s many masterpieces, told from the perspective of the subjects themselves – including resident superstar Mona Lisa. Full of fascinating stories, written in a light-hearted and contemporary style and illustrated with the iconic artwork of Sir Quentin Blake, the book will entertain children and adults alike.

Alice also offers author coaching, which would make a very thoughtful gift for aspiring writers.

Grandela Artisan Treats

Grandela Artisan Treats is based in Chesterfield and was founded by my NCT pal, Andela in 2019. Inspired by her passion for health and fitness, good quality ingredients and popular flavours, Grandela sells a range of handcrafted cheesecakes, bliss balls and during the winter months, artisan hot chocolate. The brand is focused on offering dairy free products, and most are gluten free and vegan friendly.

Grandela Artisan Treats can be found at a range of artisan markets and is also available to shop online.

The Wild Flour Bakery

The Wild Flour Bakery’s unique signature style is the use of seasonal, fresh, British blooms to decorate its decadent cakes and brownies. Whether you’re looking for a show stopping centrepiece with the luscious richness of buttercream and ganache, or delicious edible flower brownies for the perfect postal gift, the finest quality ingredients are used to ensure exceptional taste and texture, with flowers sourced from local, sustainable, and pesticide-free UK growers.

Based in Heanor in the Amber Valley district of Derbyshire, the brand was founded by Sarah, whose love for baking and creativity has blossomed into something truly extraordinary. 

Elsie Moss Botanical

Elsie Moss Botanical is an award-winning botanical skincare and wellbeing brand. Named after founder Lisa’s Grandma, the ethos of kindness is fundamental to the brand. All the products are cruelty free, vegan and for every order placed a tree is planted in partnership with Tree Sisters, a UK-registered charity who co-ordinate ethical, community-led projects with women and community at their core.

There’s a strong commitment to being as low waste as possible and Lisa’s labels, packaging and parcel tape are entirely plastic free, earning the brand Plastic Free Champion status.

In addition to the popular natural soaps, founder Lisa has expanded the range into quality, mindful skincare and aromatherapy. All the products are handmade by Lisa in her home-based workshop in Chesterfield from plant based, naturally derived ingredients such as pure steam distilled essential oils and mineral rich clays and botanicals.

There are a range of natural, plastic free gift sets sure to delight your favourite human.

Peak District Candle Co

The Peak District Candle Co make delightful hand poured soy wax candles that are stylishly presented in environmentally friendly glass jars. Founded by the lovely Anna, this is one lockdown project that has had stratospheric success and is now stocked on Not on the High Street! The 100% soy wax is a completely natural product which burns slower and more evenly, ensuring a long lasting product.

There’s always a brilliant range of seasonal scents and gift sets. Advent calendars are available now and the full Christmas range will be dropping soon! Also available on Etsy (affiliate link).

Give the Gift of Memories

I’m a big fan of a gift voucher and gifting experiences rather than ‘things’. This is also a great opportunity to support your favourite café/restaurant/hotel/museum.

In our hectic busy lives, what could be more luxurious than time away to slow down and reflect? Bonus points for stunning scenery and a fantastic location. For instance, vouchers for The Little Green Hut and Little Cottage in Eyam offer cosy and calm getaways oozing in character and charm. The cottage boasts original beams, a real fire and deep window seats, perfect to relax and unwind. What could be better?

For more experience based gift ideas, head to the Derbyshire Christmas gift guide.

Sign up to the Lovely Local Indie newsletter to enjoy some very special seasonal offers from the best Derbyshire independents.

If you run a Derbyshire small business and you’d like to see your brand included in future gift guides, please join my mailing list for small businesses.