Well, it’s been quite the year. Whether your 2020 has been stressful, monotonous, emotionally devastating, or all of the above, we’re all in desperate need a bit of joy to lift our spirits. This gift guide is all about unique items that will surprise and uplift your loved ones – it’s an eclectic mix, for sure! But the idea is that when they open one of these gifts, they won’t be expecting what they find, and they really will be delighted.

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Adventurous foodie gifts

Anyone who loves to try new foods and explore different cuisines is bound to be taking 2020 pretty hard, with cancelled travel plans and closed restaurants. So give their palette the treat it deserves, with this glorious 9 World Spice Blends from Spice Kitchen (£24.95). Chilli honey is probably one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted, so this Welsh Hot Honey (£8) has truly got my mouth watering. This Ultimate Cheese Board (£45) contains deliciously unusual British Cheeses, including ash-rolled goat’s cheese and truffle cheddar. Lastly, for the plant-based foodies in your life, how about this gorgeous Vegan Chocolate Discovery Box (£14.99)? With unusual flavours like coffee & cardamom and almond & rosemary, this is guaranteed to delight anyone who loves gourmet chocolate, vegan or not!

Hugs in mugs

Did did you know that studies have shown that drinking hot drinks actually reduces stress and releases endorphins? Amazing right? Whatever their drink of choice, these selections are sure to delight. For coffee lovers, this Deathly Strong blend (£10) will undoubtedly raise a smile (and a heart-rate), or for something equally as impactful but substantially more mellow, what about this 5 Bag Organic Coffee Gift Box with personalisation options (£39.95)? I also love the idea of these Flavoured Sugar Spoons (£8.50), which I imagine you could use in tea and hot chocolate as well as coffee! For tea lovers, I think this blossoming tea (£9.99) is a fantastic idea, it’s so unusual, and so, so pretty! However, this Wild-crafted Tea Taster Set is also bound to astonish any tea-enthusiast. Using ingredients native to the Scottish Highlands, these teas also help support a woodland regeneration project.

A nature lover’s dream

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So many of us have spent 2020 finding solace outdoors, surrounded by nature. Help your loved ones bring nature inside in a sustainable, effortless and beautiful way with a dried flower bouquet. I got a couple for my birthday this year and I’m honestly obsessed. They bring colour into your home without looking artificial, and it’s so easy to find dried flowers to fit in with any decor style! From left to right, shop these gorgeous bouquets here: rustic maroon and orange (£26.70), beautiful browns (£16), festive colours (£15.95) and pretty in pink (£15.95).

Gorgeous gifts for gardeners

Whether your loved one has a whole open space to grow plants in, or just a sunny windowsill, a gardener is a gardener, and these gifts will delight anyone with a passion for plants, nature and growing things. A Bug Hotel (£34) is essential for any garden. This one is particularly gorgeous, and can be personalised if you act fast! These Slate Plant Tags (£5.29+) are a fantastic gift because most gardeners will go for something much cheaper, much uglier for marking up their plants – treat them and make their garden that much prettier! When it comes to houseplants, air plants are some of the hardest to get right, so when one thrives, it needs to be celebrated. This Cork Panel (£15+) is a fantastic way to display air plants, and is a truly unique gift for anyone who likes to grow unusual plants. And here’s another brilliant gift for an indoor gardener – a Cactus Wax Burner (£10)! How adorable! Pair it with some all-natural, botanically scented Wax Melts, and you have a thoughtful gift for a plant lover, that doesn’t require you to actually know anything about plants!

The ultimate relaxing gift

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Bloomtown are one of my favourite skincare brands, with absolutely wonderful, unique scents and incredible product formulations. Their products are vegan, natural and palm-oil free, and I can’t think of a more perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a good self-care sesh. These gift sets have different scent options, all of which smell wonderful – natural, subtle but really impactful. My personal recommendation would be The Meadow but you honestly can’t go wrong. These pictures are obviously quite ‘feminine’ looking, but if you’re buying for someone who wouldn’t like that, go for The Grove which is citrusy, or The Woods which is fresh and woodsy. Get the set on the left here, for £33.50, or go all out and really treat them, with the pamper box on the right here, for £70.

A crafty gift without the faff

Starting a new hobby is undoubtedly exciting – researching, buying all the bits, waiting for it all to arrive. But sometimes that part can be overwhelming and off-putting. So do your loved one a favour and cut out the prep with a craft kit! Etsy is full of options, from a lovely beginner’s embroidery kit (£19.95) to a brilliant DIY lipbalm kit (£25), or an absolutely adorable pottery kit (£30). I also love this polymer clay earring kit (£19.50+) and this macrame plant hanger kit (£15).

What about the kids?

One thing you may have noticed while browsing this post is that I haven’t really included anything for kids – and there’s a reason for that… I have no idea what they like! I don’t have kids, don’t know anyone who does (I know a few babies, but no one older than a year) so I decided to defer to the experts at Etsy for that side of gift buying – if you’re looking for gifts that will delight the children in your life – click here!

Wishing you a safe, calm and joyful time this festive season.