2016 has been the year of succulents, subscription boxes, sleep and all things good for the gut. I've rounded up some of my favourite discoveries from the year which will hopefully make your Christmas shopping a little easier.
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1. Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Hand Therapy
Just what dry, chapped hands need in the colder weather. This all natural, organic and cruelty free skincare brand is my go-to; it’s so gentle on sensitive skin and does exactly what it says on the tin.
2. Lumie Aromatherapy & Light Alarm
Aromatherapy combined with a light emitting body clock alarm, this clock wakes you up with a gradually brightening light to mimic sunrise or sends you to sleep with a gradually fading one to mimic sunset, both supporting your bodies natural circadian rhythm. Its two aromatherapy chambers allow you to load it up with essential oils to further enhance relaxation or stimulation.
3. Neal’s Yard Aromatherapy Blends
To go with the above, these would be my oils of choice - one for the morning and one for the evening.
4. Black & Blum Charcoal Filter
If you know anyone who is conscious about the quality of the water their guzzling, these charcoal sticks filter the chlorine from water and absorb the impurities. Pop them in a water bottle and fill up from the tap with peace of mind.
5. Berkey Water Filter
A bit of an investment, this is one for a very special person in your life; most probably someone you share your home with. It might seem like an odd gift but for the health conscious, it’s likely to be on par with a Kitchen Aid.
6. London Tea Club Subscription
For the tea lover in your life, give the gift of a little box of teas arriving through their postbox each month. Delightful.
7. Lifebox Food Co Subscription
I’m all about the subscription boxes this year. Lifebox Food Co round up the best of healthy treats, snacks and drinks and deliver them, beautifully wrapped, to your door. An advent calendar for life, not just for Christmas.
8. Lifefactory Water Bottle
I’m working hard to greatly reduce the amount of plastic I use, so buying a plastic free water bottle was a must. It’s stayed firmly by my side since it arrived and would make a fab gift for the eco-conscious.
9. Simplicious
This book has got everything from how to use your leftovers to how to make the most delicious sugar free desserts to how to make a meal out of the dregs in your fridge. It’s earned its place on my bookshelf, tenfold.
10. The Cultured Club
The Cultured Club book would make anyone eager to get into the kitchen, like only the best cookbooks do. Dearbhla certainly knows her (fermented) onions and it really shows. Buy this for anyone interested in fermenting and/or gut health and you’ll earn serious brownie points.
11. Living Tea
Louise has created a little masterpiece in this book. It’s the most straightforward and easy to understand ‘how-to’ kombucha book I’ve read. The photography is fabulous, recipes delicious and most important of all, if you buy it your mate who’s always sipping on ‘booch, it’ll get used very often.
12. Geo Fleur Plant Subscription
Last subscription box on the list… For the green-fingered in your life, receiving a plant or two every month will be sure to put a smile on their face.
13. Ombar Gift Box
Delicious raw chocolate in a variety of flavours. Enough said.
14. IKEA Sprouter
If anyone can make sprouting stylish, IKEA can. If you have kids keen to grow cress, beansprouts and other wonderful things on your windowsill, but aren’t so happy about looking at a saucer holidng soaked kitchen paper and some hairy things every time you do the dishes, pop this under the tree and smile whilst they sprout ‘til their heart’s content.
