Small Business: Stocking Filler Gift Guide

2020 - what a year it's been.

We've baked, we've binge-watched, we've 60-day challenged, we've decluttered our cupboards...as best we can. And now we wait, wanting to end the year never having to look at banana bread again.

Since this year has been a total shocker, its no wonder everyone is feeling extra for Christmas. I decided this year, I wanted to buy most of my Christmas gifts from small businesses in the UK - just to help support them where I can. I have come across some amazing gifts that make the perfect stocking fillers, which I just had to share with you!

So without further ado, here is my small business stocking fillers gift guide, that will help support independent businesses in the UK. 

Grab your cups of tea (+maybe a pen/notepad) and enjoy!

Festive Lips

I mentioned in my Getting In The Festive Spirit post that changing your lipstick shades to red and purple can help get you in the mood for Christmas. Following on from that post I've decided to share with you's what lip products I have been reaching out for this season.

Chanel Lipstick 'Arthur' | A Chanel lipstick is the crème de la crème of all lipsticks and owning one of their classics is amazing. This creamy lipstick is definitely worth the splurge as the pigmentation is incredibly long lasting. Not too dark of a red, but not too light either and the consistency feels very moisturizing. This is perfect for both day and night.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain 'Crush Begian' | I absolutely love Revlon's Balm Stains, the pigmentation is so long lasting and I find these a lot easier to apply than a lipstick. I always carry this in my bag for on the go in case I want something dark on my lips but don't want to be spending ages perfecting them. They are quite moisturizing as well which is a bonus for this time of the year.

Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream 'Rioja Red' | If I want something a bit more dramatic and bold I tend to reach for the Sleek Matte Lip Creams. I like the application of these lip creams, you have a lot more control on applying them. These are so long lasting to the point I have to scrub my lips to remove the product.

Mac Lipstick 'Rebel' | Not the biggest Mac lipstick fan, but one of the few I like is Rebel which is this deep, purple shade. This lipstick really defines my lips and gives them an amazing shape, which lasts all day long. What I like most about this lipstick is how moisturizing it feels.

Nars Lip Pencil 'Cruella' | Saved the best till last, Nars lip pencils are literally amazing and well worth the price. Pencils definitely give you more control and help give your lips an amazing shape. These lip pencils do not budge from my lips, I always reach for this shade around this time of the year.

What is your favourite winter lip??

Getting Into The Festive Spirit

I don't know about anyone else, but this year I'm not really feeling as Christmassy as I'd like to be. This time of the year is hectic and stressful with deadlines, work, present buying and whatnot, so it's often quite difficult to feel prepared for all the festiveness. I've recently been doing simple things to get me into the festive spirit and shake off the bah-humbug attitude and decided to share them with those of you who aren't feeling it this year too.

1. Baking | Whether it's baking shortbread shaped stars or building your own gingerbread house, it definitely helps to get you in the festive spirit. Pop a Christmas playlist on the background, maybe grab an extra pair of hands and spend a cold afternoon baking delicious treats.

2. Christmas Movies | Netflix has a few I believe and I know some channels are starting to pop some on, but watching a Christmas film can definitely get you in the mood. Some of my personal favourites are Disney's Christmas Carol, The Polar Express and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Can you tell I like animated movies?

3. Change Makeup | Guys probably won't follow this tip so much, but for those beauty addicts simply swapping your lipstick to red or purple and your matte eyeshadows to glitter, can really help. I always like to change my makeup routine up every now and then, plus this is the perfect time of year to be able to go bold with makeup.

4. Visit Markets | There are loads of festive markets on at the moment, so it is worth checking some out and stuffing your face with burgers and churros. I love markets at this time of year you find some really quirky gift ideas too.

5. Games | Christmas is all to do with family and spending time with loved ones, so what better way to bond then playing some games? I have a puzzle book from The Range, filled with Christmas crosswords, word searches, Sudoku and colouring in. These are great for relaxing as well if you are feeling overwhelmed with Christmas shopping.

6. Ice Skating | Not much of a skater myself, but it is good fun to wrap up in hat, gloves and scarf and go ice skating with a couple of friends.

Similar posts:

Gift Guide: Beauty Addicts

What have you done to get into the festive spirit??

Christmas Gift Guide: For Beauty Lovers

Can we all just take a moment to let it sink in that Christmas is only 4 weeks away, like what on earth? Panic mode is setting in now. This year I seem to have brushed Christmas shopping aside, thinking I've got loads of time and it's only until my friends and family have almost finished, that I realized, shit.

I presume 90% of you who've clicked on this post are in need of some Christmas inspiration, so I've created a little gift guide for those beauty fanatics you have in your life.

Skincare Sets

Skincare sets aren't for every beauty lover, but if you know someone who really cherishes taking care of their skin then why not? Brands such as LUSH, Kiehl's, Clinique, Elemis, Origins all do amazing gift sets that save you so much money. I've picked up The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish from Boots, which comes in this cute pouch along with two Muslim cloths retailing at £15.50. Everyone either wants or has C&P and I think this little beauty would make a lot of girls very happy, plus it's used by women of all ages, so perfect for your mums, sisters etc.

Makeup

If you know someone who is looking to start out with makeup or who just wants to add to their collection, then here are a couple of bits worth checking out. Boots currently sell a set of four Sleek Mini Matte Me Lip Liquid Lipsticks for £5.00 and considering one full sized would cost you the same price, it's worth picking up and saving £15. Could even split them up and pop each one in a stocking. I bought this for myself (don't judge me) but I thought it was a bargain worth mentioning. Other makeup brands to look into with great sets are Benefit, NARS, Makeup Revolution and Too Faced.

If you are buying for the more mature women the Lipstick & Powder Compact Duo by Joan Collins* is worth checking out. This compact comes with a cute powder with a sponge applicator, a lipstick of your choice and a mirror, perfect little handbag compact. The packaging looks very elegant and luxurious, I just think this would make the perfect little stocking filler.

Haircare

Toni&Guy do some amazing deals around Christmas on their hair electrics and one that looks incredible is the Toni&Guy Limited Edition Illusions Styler* retailing at £40.49 at the moment at Boots and was £90! This style is perfect for not only straightening, hair but curling, and waving too, so if you know someone who is in need of a brand new all in one hair styler definitely check this amazing bargain out. Other hair care brands to check out with amazing deals on are Bumble&Bumble, Tigi and Moroccan Oil.

Bodycare

Brands such as Soap&Glory, LUSH and Dove always stock some amazing Christmas gift sets for pampering your body and are so affordable and easy gifts for people. I've thought outside the box and included a Coffee Body Scrub by the brand Grounded available at Boots. These coffee scrubs have been popping up everywhere on social media this year and I figured they would make a lovely little gift for someone you know who enjoys the pampering. If you are wanting something more luxurious Laura Mercier do some amazing gift sets for pampering.

Fragrance

Something a bit more affordable to look at buying is the Soap&Glory Body Mists, Jack Will Sprays, Zara Perfume or even Impulse Body Sprays. I always receive an impulse set in my Christmas stocking because they are so easy to pop in your bag for freshening up throughout the day. At the moment Impulse* have a gift set of 3 full sized Body Sprays and a lovely black clutch bag retailing at £8.00 at the moment on Amazon. Which is such a good steal and makes the perfect little gift! If you are looking at perfume gift sets Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Ted Baker all do some great sets that aren't massively pricey either.

What are you buying that someone who loves all things beauty??