From a luxurious bath oil to a lavender-scented hot water bottle, these gifts will bring comfort and joy to your loved ones.
There's no denying that 2020 has been a difficult year for most of us. Our worlds have been turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, and many of us are still adjusting to our ever-changing 'new normal'.
If you have a friend, family member or loved one who has had a particularly difficult year, try our handpicked selection of festive gifts to hopefully bring a little cheer to their Christmas.
Pyjamas by Nightire
Everything feels better after a good night’s sleep, and there’s nothing nicer than nestling into bed wearing a crisp new pair of pyjamas. With that in mind, why not gift a beautiful set of pyjamas from Nightire Sleepwear this festive season?
The London-based brand was founded by Nina after a period of sleepless nights led her to researching cures for insomnia. After discovering that wearing the right sleepwear can help control our body temperature, which in turn can help us fall asleep and stay in a deep sleep for longer, she decided to launch her own brand of sleepwear. Each piece is made with vegan and eco-friendly organic bamboo, which is both soft to the touch while helping to regulate body temperature at night.
From £52. Shop here
Notebook by Katie Leamon
What better way to start a new year than with a fresh new notebook? Help someone welcome in 2021 with this smart version from Katie Leamon.
All A5 notebooks are handmade in the UK and come complete with blank pages, ready to be filled with words, drawings or whatever your friend desires. We particularly love the colour of this subtle rose notebook.
£21.95. Shop here
Tei Necklace by Eclectic Chique
Treat a friend who’s had a tough year to this precious necklace, skillfully handmade by artisans in Nigeria, West Africa. The Tei necklace took two years of testing before being released on sale, and each delicate piece takes 26 hours to produce.
More than just a piece of jewellery, the necklace stands for what a woman represents: both beauty and charisma. Buy your gift at Eclectic Chique, a sustainable brand based in Nigeria and founded by AllBright member Teni Majekodunmi in 2012.
£110. Shop here
Bath Oil by Olverum
There’s nothing more soothing after a long day than sinking into a hot bath. Treat your loved one to an evening of relaxation with a beautiful little bottle of Olverum bath oil, a cult product loved by everyone from A-listers to three generations of the Royal Family.
The highly concentrated formula contains no less than 10 pure essential oils, blended to relieve stress and aid a blissful night’s sleep. We don’t blame you if you press ‘add to cart’ for a bottle for yourself, too…
£36.50. Shop here
Festive Manicure at AllBright Mayfair
Cheer your loved one up with a day of pampering at AllBright Mayfair. Head to our soothing salon for a festive manicure, and continue your day of indulgence with a glass of fizz on our winter rooftop terrace.
The fun doesn't have to end there - why not join us for dinner at one of our stunning restaurants, too?
Prices vary. Book here
Christmas Hamper by GAIL's
If you truly want to make someone’s day, spoil them with a GAIL’s Christmas Hamper. A mega selection of some of the bakery chain’s most delicious products, there’s more than enough food in the hamper to keep the celebrations going until New Year’s Eve.
Featuring mince pies, shortbread, a lemon drizzle loaf, coffee, a candle, the bakery’s famed sourdough, and much, more, this is bound to be a present they won’t forget.
£150. Shop here
Hot Water Bottle by Chilcott
Give a little comfort and joy with a super soft hot water bottle from female-founded, sustainable British lifestyle brand, Chilcott. Made with a luxurious blend of alpaca and British wool in the Brecon Beacons, each hot water bottle comes with a little lavender pouch tucked inside. As the bottle warms up, the relaxing scent of lavender is released, infusing a lovely sense of calm into the room.
£45. Shop here
Scented Candle from Platinum Dot
Who wouldn’t love to be gifted with a scented candle?! Treat someone special to a luxurious candle from Platinum Dot’s new home fragrance range, which also includes a range of diffusers and room sprays.
Inspired by African/British heritage, Platinum Dot is an independent home and lifestyle brand that aims to celebrate life, people and special moments. Candles are available in a range of delectable scents, including cedarwood & vanilla and blackberry & bay.
From £25. Shop here
AllBright Digital Membership
Give the gift of knowledge this festive season with AllBright's digital membership. Anyone you sign up will gain unlimited access to our 170+ expert-led Academy courses, daily digital events and thought-provoking articles.
Plus, we've just launched Sisterhood Matching, our unique programme providing tailor-made connections between members. Anyone with digital membership can now network and connect with our global sisterhood, providing a strong community at a time when we need it the most.
£100. Sign them up for a 14 day free trial here
The Yaa Bag by FLO London
Guaranteed to bring a smile to your recipient’s face, this beautiful, brightly coloured tote bag is part of FLO London’s first collection. FLO London is a lifestyle shop celebrating the beauty of African prints.
Founded by AllBright member Maawura Totoe, a British-born Ghanaian, the shop features a selection of tote bags, placemats and scrunchies made in Ghanaian wax fabric. The first collection is dedicated to the Ahwenepa Nkasa fabric, and all the products are durable and sustainable, meaning this is a present that will truly last.
£25. Shop here
Christmas Mystery Box by Mighty Small
There's never been a better time to support small and local businesses, and the Christmas Mystery Box from Mighty Small means you can do your bit for small businesses while also treating a friend.
Packed full of a selection of the company's bestselling snacks, drinks, cooking ingredients and more, all produced by British startups, each box also comes complete with a handwritten card. Even better, for every box sold, the female-founded company will donate one meal to FoodCycle, a charity working to feed the most vulnerable people across the UK.
£32. Shop here
Believe. Build. Become by Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones
Inspire hope for a better 2021 with Believe. Build. Become, written by the co-founders of AllBright. The book offers a step-by-step guide to help readers refocus their mindset, establish their goals and build their confidence to create the work-life of their dreams.
Based around the AllBright Academy courses, hear Debbie and Anna share their own stories to success, from the start of their journeys until now.
£11.99. Shop here
Ceramics by Léa Vaisselle
Brighten someone’s day with a unique piece from Vaisselle Boutique, handmade by a family of artisans in Spain. The brand was founded during lockdown by London-based French designer, Léa, after she was made redundant twice.
“I’ve been passionate about ceramics since a young age,” Léa tells AllBright. “My grandma used to take me to flea markets in the villages around my hometown in France, which I didn’t enjoy at all as a kid - but now it’s turned out to be my obsession.
“My main inspiration is travel and discovering new cultures. I was lucky enough to be able to travel the world with my parents until the pandemic hit. My dad lives in India and my mum is in Spain, which are two of my favourite cultures.
“The best moment of my business so far was when a customer bought from me three times. Everything I do is to please people and make them smile with my pieces, so when someone loves them enough to come back regularly, that’s the best feeling!”
From £24. Shop here
Chunky Chocolate from Temprd
Chocolate might not cure everything, but it goes a small way towards making our day -especially when it comes in the form of a chunky slab bursting with flavour, like a bar of Temprd chocolate.
Launched just last month by a family team based in Essex, Temprd offers 12 sumptuous flavours, from Dark Honeycomb to a classic Maldon Sea Salt and Caramel. We can't wait to taste them all.
From £3.25. Shop here
Donation to The Girls Network
Finally, why not help spread love and hope this festive season by gifting your loved one a donation to The Girls Network?
A charity with a mission that is very close to our hearts, The Girls Network aims to empower and inspire girls from disadvantaged communities to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be. The charity connects each girl with a mentor and a wider network of professional female role models, which is particularly valuable during these uncertain times.