Shopping small this Christmas & the under-the-radar brands on our list
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and the busiest! We've asked a few of our favourite ‘industry insiders’ – people well-practised in the art of making the festive season truly special – for their pearls of wisdom to help you get Christmas sorted.
Here we talk to Petra Palumbo, designer and founder of Petra Palumbo homeware, on the benefits of shopping small at Christmas, and we share some of the under-the-radar brands on our wishlist.
What's the best artisan gift you've ever received?
PP: The way to my heart is delicious marmalade. I once received a beautiful wicker hamper filled with every kind of marmalade. A friend had been to a Christmas fair and found a stall offering a ‘build-your-own-hamper’ with locally sourced produce. The jars were decorated with beautiful vintage fabric and little labels with descriptions of the types of oranges used. You could tell how much love and thought had been put into it; the whole experience was really special, and I still use the hamper!
This really sums up the benefits of shopping small...
PP: It illustrates exactly why it’s so rewarding to shop with small businesses at Christmas. They’re a breath of fresh air in terms of originality, and you’re more likely to purchase a gift that’s been made with lots of love and dedication to the craft. I’m really excited for our Mini Delft Christmas Charms to be hanging on people’s trees. They’ve been crafted with so much thought and care, and I love the idea that they’ll be used year after year after year and might even be passed down the generations.
Mini Delft Charms Blue
Where do you shop at Christmas?
PP: I shop locally as much as I can in the run-up to Christmas – these businesses need our help to thrive, and it’s a small yet impactful way to contribute to the economic health of your community.
I absolutely love Books for Cooks in Notting Hill – the perfect place for any food lover, with every cookbook under the sun. Ceramica Blue is on the same street and is ideal for last-minute tableware and accessories that have been sourced from all over the globe by owner Lindy. Paul Rothe & Son is a hidden gem that I love to visit, especially at Christmas time. It's been run by the same family for 119 years. Their sandwiches are renowned – a cheese lover's dream come true – and with its café-style chairs, vintage Formica tables and jam-filled shelves, it transports you back in time. A feast for the eyes and senses!
Favourite finishing touches?
PP: Last Christmas, I wrapped all my presents using newspaper and brightly coloured ribbon to tie them. It was a cost-effective and unique way of doing it. I am a stickler for presentation, and when it comes to gift wrapping, I’m a firm believer that the first impression is the last impression. This year, I’m going to wrap our gifts using off-cuts from our first ever wallpaper collection – it’s such a lovely way to minimise waste.
Anna + Nina
Late Afternoon
Petra Palumbo
Bohemia Design
Studio Simone
Tate & Darby
Woven Rosa
Amuse la Bouche
Matilda Goad
Woven Rosa
Maison Flaneur
Colours of Arley
Matilda Goad
Maison Flaneur
Dar Leone
Colours of Arley
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