Reviews by Brian, Matthew Clarke, Alice Ellerby, Saffia Farr, Fiona, Jess Hazel, Alyson Reid, Rachel Stein, and Emma Tribe
Christmas Activity Pack
Mud & Bloom designs forest school, Montessori and Steiner-inspired activities, and delivers them to your door. We really enjoyed this Christmas Activity Pack, which includes instructions and materials to make felt ball pine cone decorations and an evergreen wreath. I love it when the first instruction is “Go for a walk.” It’s easy to get my children – 7 and 3 – out into the fresh air when we’re foraging for craft materials. The materials that come with the pack are really high quality: the felt pompoms are made from 100% natural wool, there’s natural hemp twine to hang the pine cone decorations, lovely jingle-bells to attach to the wreath, and a sturdy metal ring for the wreath’s base. The crafts turned out beautifully and my children were really pleased with their creations. AE
£12.95 mudandbloom.com
Body Bar: May Chang & Cocoa Natural Moisturiser
I love this moisturiser bar! It’s easy to use, practical and comes with a tin (always a favourite with me), which made it helpful for travel. The solid zero-waste bar is created from a blend of organic cold-pressed oils (including shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter) that are full of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and rich in vitamins C and A. You use the bar by gliding it over your skin after you have washed. The warmth of your body means a little of the moisturiser is applied across your skin. I found it worked best by rubbing it once over my body then using both my hands to distribute it evenly everywhere. It’s really moisturising without feeling thick or sticky and has an amazing, light and citrus smell that lasts all day. The bar is made on the Isle of Wight, and is plastic-free and vegan-friendly. SF
The Gardener’s Gift Box
I absolutely love the hand salve in this gift box! I am a mosaic artist and when I am grouting my pictures, my hands get sore and irritated by the process. I didn’t buy the hand salve with this in mind, but I have found that my hands have had no irritation at all and have been super smooth since I got the salve. They’re normally very rough! The set also includes a Sweet Grapefruit Lip Balm that comes in a lovely tin. The scent is addictive too... in fact, I’m just off to put some on! F
£18 nevesbees.co.uk
Roald Dahl x Ducky Zebra ‘Storytime’ Pyjamas
My daughter loves Ducky Zebra clothes! She is now 4, dresses herself and always picks them out from her wardrobe. It is lovely to see her enjoying all the colours rather than just pink. I also have a boy (2). I’ve wanted to get them matching PJs for a while, but I’ve struggled to find anything that isn’t overly gendered. I’m so happy I discovered these. They are beautifully soft and the playful Quentin Blake illustrations are perfect as my little ones are obsessed with stories. My boy was starting to count the monkeys on his PJs, when he saw all the monkeys on his sister’s as well. They are warm and comfortable, and because they aren’t Christmas themed, they can wear them around the season. I particularly like the cuffs on the legs and arms, which mean I can buy a size up and they’re still a good fit as I can roll them up. I just need a pair for myself now! ET
£29.50 duckyzebra.com
Oscha Bairn Carrier
Taking care of my children is my absolute priority, but things need to get done too. I love Oscha’s newly released Bairn Carrier, as it lets me snuggle my little one to sleep on the front, or wear her safely on my back while cooking or playing a game of catch with my toddler. It is easy to adjust the straps and has cushioned shoulder straps for extra comfort. The Bairn Carrier is designed ‘apron style’, so there is no bunching at the waist, and there is a built-in hood for sunny days. My husband and I both use it daily for little cuddles or long naps. I love the colourful and classy fabrics and patterns that the Bairns come in, as it turns a babywearing item into a fashionable accessory! Even when I’m just preparing breakfast, I feel glamorous in my beautiful Oscha Bairn. AR
From £146 oschaslings.com
The Mouse and the Mushroom Blooms
When the little mouse in this story by Sophie Bresnahan struggles to find her own special magic, her mother suggests she looks to the wisdom of forest mushrooms to guide her. Deep in the woods, she encounters the hidden wonders of the fungi kingdom: a hat thrower fungus that’s faster than a cheetah, mycelium that connects plants and trees, a humongous honey fungus. Through her adventure, the little mouse learns to look within to find her special magic. Perhaps it’s been there all along. There are few things as magical as wild fungi, which never fail to delight children on woodland walks, and it’s fun to learn more about their magic in this delightful tale of discovery. AE
£10.99 looploop.co.uk
An Illustrated Treasury of Dragon Tales
This beautiful story collection by Theresa Breslin, illustrated by Kate Leiper, retells dragon legends from cultures around the world – Poland, India, Japan, Mexico, Scotland and more. The illustrations, created with chalk pastel, ink and watercolour, are detailed and epic and capture the energy of these fantastical creatures – shape-shifting water dragons, feathered serpents, seven-headed fire-breathing menaces. There’s an introductory passage before each tale that describes how dragons fit into the culture from which the story comes. As much as this collection dazzles us with fearsome beasts, it also reveals how the human spirit can rise up to quash the threat they represent. A wonderful, illustrated gift anthology. AE
£16.99 florisbooks.co.uk
Misty Mountains Yoga Mat
For me, a huge Tolkien fan and collector, and someone who enjoys working out at home, Middle-earth Yoga makes the best yoga mats, hands down! My wife and I have owned many yoga mats, and on using this mat for the first time, we immediately noticed the premium-quality material. The cushioning is just the right softness, the grip really holds you in place, and there’s real weight to the mat. But what I love most of all is the gorgeous Middle-earth design. I use this yoga mat in my office, which doubles as my collection room, and everything in there is carefully curated. This yoga mat sits at the centre of the room as I exercise and adds to the overall Tolkien theme. I can’t recommend this yoga mat enough. It’s made this hobbit very, very happy! B
Skin Food Nourishing Night Cream
I really enjoy using Weleda skincare, and I feel confident knowing that all the ingredients are natural. I’m a big fan of the Wild Rose Day Cream – I have used it for years – but I was keen to experiment with other products. I particularly wanted something heavier for night-time. This is a very rich cream and I have been using it as the last step in my routine. I find that my skin feels hydrated and silky-soft when I wake up and I’ve not had any breakouts with the switch. My skin seems to respond well to products with shea butter; it’s one of the main ingredients in this cream and it feels gentle and nourishing on the skin. I also like the consistency – it’s thick and applies beautifully, and a small amount goes a long way. If you’re already a fan of the Skin Food smell, then you’ll like this – it’s a more subtle version of the same scent. JH
£14.95 weleda.co.uk
Hand-drawn Family Portrait
I ordered a custom hand-drawn portrait to commemorate my late mother, and I am very happy with how it turned out. The ordering process was really easy, and I received a proof within four days of ordering. The portrait arrived well packaged and in mint condition. I am glad to have such an artistic reminder of my mother in my home, that also works well with the decor. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a personal and meaningful way to capture a happy memory or to remember a loved one. MC
From £37 gooseandpebble.com
Cocoa Butter Cleansing Bar
This is a fantastic bar of soap. Made with just four plant-based ingredients, I found it worked as a cleanser for both my body and my face, so I didn’t need to take an extra product with me when I travelled. This Cocoa Butter Cleansing Bar provides the nourishing benefits of vitamin A and healthy fatty acids, helping my skin feel moisturised after washing. The bar is also fragrance-free – great for those who find fragrance overwhelming. All Friendly Soap bars are hand-crafted in the UK and accredited by Cruelty-Free International and The Vegan Society. They are also 100% plastic-free, palm oil-free, and completely devoid of harmful chemicals such as SLS and parabens. At under £3, this an excellent product, which is versatile and great value for money. SF
£2.99 friendlysoap.co.uk
Borro Gift Card
We discovered Borro after falling in love with cloth nappies and eco-friendly brands for our youngest son. Shopping for affordable, stylish children’s clothes has always been a challenge, with many budget options coming at a high environmental cost. Renting clothes from Borro gives us access to a high-end, eco-conscious wardrobe at a fraction of the price, while knowing the items will be reused, reducing waste. And there’s so much flexibility. We can easily swap to a thicker coat as the weather changes or adjust sizes without the guilt of overconsumption. Clothing is available up to age 4, making it a sustainable option as your child grows. At around £3.50 per month for a high-quality coat, it’s a service we couldn’t be happier with! RS
Gift cards from £5 borro-it.com
