A gift guide from European women run and owned small businesses. Including ceramics, home goods, & non-material gifts for the holiday season.
Since there are many readers here from Europe and the UK, and I live here, too, it feels fitting to have a gift guide from European makers this year. We also did a Canadian small-business gift guide at Baked if you’re reading from Canada. There are loads of these from American bloggers so I won’t link to any here.
You’ll find one household gift idea list, one that’s just pottery, and a small non-material gift list. This year I also ordered some fruit from crowdfarming to be shipped directly to my omi and plan on doing that for a couple friends too.
I love ceramics and have pieces from most of these women – you’ll see many of them scattered through my work. Most of them are doing shop updates within the next week or so, so if you see something you like, check their websites! They’re probably updating soon and sell out quickly.
The household gifts include art pieces, kitchen and living items, and a couple books from authors I really love. Many of these are based in the Netherlands but offer Europe-wide shipping.
I think that all of these gifts are from women makers and/or small business owners. Several birds, one stone – small, local(ish), eco-friendly, and supporting women! And no sponsors or affiliate links here, I just love all of these.
Household Gifts
(From left to right)
1. Tuinkas by Liekeland
2. Wild Food Prints by Saga Mariah Design
3. Vases by Grain and Knot
4. Olive Wreath by Blomsterkrans
5. How to Grow Your Dinner Without Leaving the House by Claire Ratinon
6. Gold Beeswax Candles, By Mölle
7. Linen Tea Towels by MagicLinen
8. Three Hares Linocut by Melanie Wickham
9. Natural Jute Basket, By Mölle
10. Spicy Soap Package by Botma & van Bennekom
11. Feasts of Veg by Nina Olsson
12. Maple Peg Rail by Design Studio Nu
Ceramics
(From left to right)
1. Small Milk Jug with Gold Dots by Zirka Keramik
2. Minimalistic Mugs by Katja Ceramics
3. Medium Milk Vase by KJA Studio
4. Teapot by Imre Bergmann
5. Black Miniature Vase by Naked Clay Ceramics
6. Sandscape Vessels by Emporium Julium
7. Snack Bowl with Drips by Aku Ceramics
8. Bowls by Esther Ceramics
Non-Material Gifts
Adopt a donkey at the donkey sanctuary in Ireland – this is a particular favourite of Graham’s.
Make a donation in someone’s name or in your own for Justice for Animals in Finland, an organisation seeking to improve conditions for animals there.
This is close to my heart – this women’s shelter helped my grandmother when she fled an abusive husband, and of course I also lived in Oldenburg.
There are lots of food gifts to consider, too – these vegan and gluten free gingerbread cookies are a good one as they’re pretty allergy friendly.
The only one not based in Europe (but I am from Canada!), this acoustic concert/fundraiser by Devin Townsend. Half the proceeds will go to the food bank, I’m assuming in B.C..
This year in particular is an important one to donate if you’re able – food banks are struggling more than ever to keep up with demand now, women’s shelters need all the support they can get, and there are, of course, the ongoing issues surrounding the environment and racial injustice (in Europe, too).
Happy holidays <3
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