December is upon us again, and with it commences the annual challenge of choosing thoughtful gifts for those who don’t want for anything.
This year, we’re showcasing beautiful gift ideas from brands with an inspiring story to tell, be it philanthropic or sustainable, because we believe in championing purpose-driven brands, who are making a positive impact no matter how big or small. We round up our top picks to suit every recipient and share the story behind the gift.
FOR THE CITY-DWELLER
36 hours bag for effortless Parisian style & practicality
The ultimate travel companion for a short trip, Lundi’s 36 Hours bag is perfect for the metropolitan traveller. Lundi is an innovative Parisian-based leather brand, reinventing business casual by combining smart design with a high-fashion aesthetic; taking functional leather accessories and tailoring them to suit the digital working age. The 36 Hours bag is designed to hold everything you need for 36 hours away, with a clever structure to keep your business and play pieces separate. Driven by a desire to build sustainable products which will stand the test of time, the materials are carefully selection for their quality, flexibility, colour rendering and mechanical properties. The vegetable tanned leathers, for example, are synonymous with durability and have a much smaller ecological footprint than conventional leathers.
£595 | bombinate.com
The smartest electric bike for urban riders
The new sleek Cowboy 3 is the next generation of connected electric bicycle for the most efficient and stylish way to get around. Cowboy offers riders a whole new cycling experience merging tech, automatic assistance, and fine design together. The bike is controlled via the Cowboy app featuring auto-unlock, theft alert, crash detection, air quality mapping, GPS tracking and live dashboard with ride stats. At only 16.9kg, this is the world’s lightest electric bike with removable battery, and the absence of gears offers an intuitive ride experience as the bike adapts automatically to the power and speed you need.
From £1,990 | cowboy.com
FOR THE HOME-BODY
A sleek and sustainable way to stay hydrated
Forget the plastic soda makers of the past – sparkling water has had an elegant upgrade. The Aarke Carbonator 3 is designed from the inside out to be the most compact sparkling water maker. With its quality-centric design, it will elevate the look and feel of your kitchen counter for years to come. When it comes down to performance, environmental impact, and standing the test of time, there is no competition. The Carbonator 3 embodies the Aarke mission from form, to function, to make it simple to remove unnecessary plastic or glass bottles from your everyday.
From £199 | arke.com/carbonator
Rare books to take centre stage in the library
Rare, antique, and first-edition books are a gift to be treasured for a lifetime and passed down through generations. Internationally renowned Shapero Rare Books has a vast collection, to suit every recipient. Their collection of classics ranges from Charles Dickens’ greats, to Daphne Du Maurier’s thrilling Rebecca. For adventurers, gift a rare edition of Shackleton’s book about his early Antarctic expeditions; or for romantics, how about a first edition of Jane Austen or Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
FOR THE ONE WHO ENJOYS A TIPPLE
An iconic Scottish whisky making a global impact
Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired single malt whiskies; “the single malt against which all others must be judged”. The Sherry Oak 18 Years Old is matured exclusively in hand-picked sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, offering a full-bodied palate of mature oak, ginger and raisin flavours complimented by a light mahogany natural colour. The Distillery blends effortlessly into its surroundings of The Macallan Estate – a designated area of special conservation, home to more than 70 species. The estate is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030, but Macallan’s commitment to sustainability extends far beyond its Scottish Estate. The company cultivates a global community of artisan craftspeople, who share the same values of achieving sustainable luxury through innovation, knowledge and craftsmanship. This means over 95% of the materials used in packaging processes are recyclable and the team has made a commitment to achieve 100% recyclable or sustainably sourced materials by 2025.
£295 | themacallan.com
Fine aged rum from across the globe, blended & bottled in Devon
Hattiers is sourced from the very best rums across the world and blended with soft water from Dartmoor, Devon. Uncompromising on quality and taste, Hattiers applies this same high-standard to its approach to sustainability. It is the first British B Corp Rum (and the only second in the world), has been plastic-free from day one and mitigates its carbon footprint by planting a woodland on its own-land. Perfect for sipping, Hattiers Egremont Premium Reserve Rum is a fine-quality Christmas gift for the connoisseur but also smooth enough to appeal to those new to rum. Blended from a mix of rums from Barbados, Dominican Republic, Panama and Guatemala, it boasts aromas of caramel, cacao and spice. Fruity and luxurious cream notes result in a long and elegant finish.
£42 | hattiers.com
FOR THE CHILDREN OR THE EXPECTANT PARENT
Animal-themed kids winterwear made from recycled plastic bottles
In celebration of the great outdoors, Dinoski was created to help parents get kids off screens and instead get them outside enjoying nature to keep them wild at heart. Every Dinoski coat and ski suit is made from recycled plastic bottles, the hoods are made from faux fur and faux shearling, and the dyes are eco-friendly too. Each suit or coat comes in a beautiful sustainable gift box and by the end of this year, the Dinoski team aim to have cleaned the planet of 100,000 plastic bottles. Their Patch the Panda Snow Suit helps protect pandas and their habitat through a 5% profit contribution to WWF’s panda conservation programme.
£185 | dinoskiwear.com/shop
Beautiful Moses basket, handwoven by Burmese artisans
Kalinko sells homeware directly from tiny villages in Burma, with the mission of keeping traditional industries alive, providing skilled work for talented people and filling homes around the world with beautiful objects that make a difference. Without middlemen, the purchase costs of each product go straight to the makers, so you won’t only be gifting a beautiful authentic basket, but also giving back to Burmese artisans, helping provide income for an improved standard of living, health and education to drive them from poverty. This beautiful Kalay Moses Baby Basket will have a life after your child outgrows it, doubling up as a garden trug, interiors feature or blanket basket.
£220 | kalinko.com
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
The gift of adventure that the family can cherish for a lifetime
With holidays largely put on hold this year, the yearning to explore is beating strong within those wild at heart. Is there a greater luxury than the thrill of adventure, cultural discovery and memories to last a lifetime? Scott Dunn has more than 30 year’s experience creating tailor-made holidays all over the globe and their Scott Dunn Private team are ideally placed to help you plan the perfect travel experience to enjoy in the new year. Imagine jetting off to a luxury eco-paradise… Overlooking the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea on Turkey’s west coast, Six Senses Kaplankaya is built into rock formations and designed with green roofs and biophilic walls to preserve the raw beauty of the natural landscape, home to many of Turkey’s botanic species. A programme of activities will keep the little ones and adults alike endlessly entertained and appreciating their natural surroundings. After a day of hiking, cookery classes, yoga and paddle-boarding, you will refuel with the goodness of organic farm-to-table cuisine. Victor members earn Alto points when booking a Scott Dunn holiday to redeem on future jet travel.
From £4,500 (based on a seven-night stay for a family of four) | scottdunn.com/kaplankaya
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