It’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you’ve got all your presents sorted that is. Otherwise it’s the most stressful as you rush to buy thoughtful, fun and imaginative gifts whilst trying to support lesser-known artists, brands and designers. We’re here to help you out though. Check out our festive picks for all the different people in your life.
The Cyclist
Smart U-Lock: Utah-based FŪZ Designs have created this beautiful U-Lock that easily locks, tracks and shares access to your bike with just a phone tap thanks to its in-built Bluetooth connection. If your phone battery dies you can manually click in a code to open the lock and better still, the lock also features an alarm should someone attempt to break it. After raising more than $400,000 on Kickstarter the lock is now ready to retail just in time for Christmas.
The London Lover
Our/London vodka: Off the back of its success in LA, Berlin, Detroit and Seattle, Our/Vodka was finally launched in England at the end of November by local partners Neil Chivers and Clive Watson. It's an international vodka, made to an exacting recipe, using ingredients local to London. We caught up with Neil recently in our Brand Case Studies and were bowled away by simplicity and beauty of the product. It’s a real treat for London lovers. Or for people who just love great vodka.
The Gardener
Microgarden Indoor Garden Kit: Brought to you by Infarm and Sweedish design group, Tomorrow Machine, this super-clever mini greenhouse is the first step in growing your own food. The kit comes with all you need to start growing microgreens, including a foldable green-house that’s completely recyclable, agar agar powder to create a gel-based growing medium and three varieties of organic seeds.
The Kids
OMY: We shared our love for OMY’s huge colouring posters a couple of weeks ago and since then we’ve been buying their huge city maps and fantasy lands in bulk. They’re the perfect activity for children and adults to do together. Though we doubt you’ll get much of a chance to join in. Check out their online shop, bursting with gifts you can colour in on Christmas day!
The Quirky Ones
Charlotte Mei: We love London-based artist Charlotte Mei’s ceramics, clothing, illustrations and more. From toast plates to tee-shirts, Mei’s designs strike the perfect balance between beauty and fun. Better yet, she offers a personalising service on some designs and illustrations including her, wait for it… ceramic selfie. Yes really, imagine unwrapping that.
The Foodie
Eating with the Chefs: ‘Tis the season to stuff your face. Hurrah. Eating with the Chefs documents the daily meal shared by chefs and front-of-house staff at eighteen of the world’s top restaurants including Noma, Le Chateaubriand and The French Laundry. Captured through Per-Anders Jorgensen’s beautiful photography and easy-to-follow recipes, this book provides a unique insight into the ordinary food served up inside the world’s best kitchens.
The Designer
Logo Modernism: What to buy for the person permenantly surrounded with beautiful things? Well Taschen’s Logo Modernism presents the distillation of modernism in graphic design through it’s exploration of logos over the years. The wonderful pages are organised into three design-orientated chapters: Geometric, Effect, and Typographic. It's guaranteed to make design hearts beat faster.
The Budding Bartender
Crispin Finn cocktail screen prints: Crispin Finn’s cocktail posters present everyone’s favourite tipple including the Espresso Martini, Negroni and Pisco Sour in the design duo’s iconic blue, white and red colourway. The hand-pulled screen prints come in A3 size on Matrisse 250gsm paper. A treat for thirsty eyes.
The Workaholic
School of Life treats: We love everything on School of Life’s online shop but their gifts for the ‘anxious, restless or bored’ is a genius idea for anyone not quite feeling the Xmas cheer. From books on How to Stay Sane, to Utopia Candles and Emotional Baggage totes they’ve got everything you might need to cheer someone up.
