With Christmas now rapidly approaching, we've done all the hard work for you and found some incredible gift ideas - for all budgets.
We've also ensured that we have included a brilliant mix of independent brands so you can shop small and local, but from the comfort of your sofa.
So grab yourself a mince pie and glass of mulled wine and join us as we take you through your Christmas Gift Guide Life And Soul style!
Beauty & Wellness
Any of these would be a welcome addition to our make up bags or skincare collections. We've sourced some great brands, cult classics, new innovations and unique gift ideas to help you put a smile on a loved ones face.
Vegan Collagen
The gift of collagen! Yes please. This comes from independent and ethical brand, Raw Beauty Lab.
A 100% plant based blend of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, fruits and superfoods proven to build collagen and protect skin from premature ageing from within.
£34.95 for a 30 day supply via Raw Beauty Lab.com
Subscriptions available too.
Magnetic Lashes
Natural or dramatic, vegan, cruelty-free and easy to apply; Dollbaby London’s lashes are as close to eyelash extensions without the damage!
They have been helping A-list celebrity clients including Cardi B, Poppy Delevingne, Victoria’s Secret supermodels Karolina Kurkova and Doutzen Kroes dazzle on stage and on the red carpet for years.
Lashes from £14.75. Magnetic lash kit from £44.95 via DollbabyLondon.uk
Aura Box
Set aside some much-needed quiet time every month and focus on channelling peace, relaxation, balance and cleansing your energy.
The Aura Kit experience provides you with a healthy variety of natural materials every month including, Sage smudge sticks, natural incense, natural candles, Himalayan pink bath salts, healing crystals, relaxation tracks and quick easy to follow information and guidance in meditation, salt baths, positive visualisation, and affirmations.
Subscription from £25 per month via AuraKits.co.uk
Authentic Haircare
Authentic Beauty Concept uses carefully and purposefully selected ingredients for their beautiful haircare range. They believe what they leave out is as important as what they put in. They made the conscious choice to remain free from silicones, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil or artificial colorants.
They produce products with integrity and since 2017 have supported the Sustainable Guar Initiative – a programme that enhances the livelihoods of thousands of small holder guar bean farmers in India with a transparent value chain.
Prices from £6 for a hair mask to £57 for a gift box via MewiesandCoShop.co.uk
Silvan Skincare Radiance Duo
Your ultimate relaxation duo of vegan beauty products beautifully wrapped and ready to gift. Featuring the Rejuvenate Massage and Body Oil 100ml and Radiance Balm 60ml to boost your natural radiance with a light and nourishing blend of plant based oils.
Rejuvenate Body Oil contains regenerative rosehip and apricot oils and a woody aroma from restorative frankincense, sandalwood and bergamot perfect for dry, mature or scarred skin. Multitasking Radiance Balm can be used as a cleanser, treatment mask or as a moisturiser and its uplifting rose geranium scent feels is the ultimate mood enhancer.
Silvan Skincare Christmas Duo, £38, via BlommaBeauty.com
Luxury Organic Gift Set
The ultimate luxury at home spa experience for your organic beauty lover. This high quality, beautifully presented trio of certified organic skincare from Casa Mencarelli contains everything you need for radiant healthy skin.
Gift set includes Honey & Orange Toner (100ml) to gently exfoliate, condition, tighten and tone your skin while minimising pores and evening your complexion
Sole e Mare Sea Buckthorn Serum (30ml) which is is rich in anti-oxidants like Beta Carotene, vitamin E and essential fatty acids Omega 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, to help repair and regenerate damaged skin. Sicilia Green Clay & Lemon Mask & Scrub (80g) a perfect combination of a delicate yet effective detoxifying mask. Vegan Mask Brush for effective application.
Casa Mencarelli Organic Gift Set, £85, via BlommaBeauty.com
Olverum Bath Oil Travel Set
You know we love to travel here at Life And Soul and we also love to take a little bit of luxury with us wherever we go. Thats why this Olverum travel set is our choice of gift. Unique and luxurious aromatic blend of essential oils which combine to ease stress and relax tension in both mind and body, bringing you back to your complete and natural self. Olverum Bath Oil is highly concentrated and only half a capful (5ml) is needed per bath. Accordingly, virtually all the oil is absorbed by the skin leaving no greasy residue in the bath after use.
This dinky trio travel set is enough for 9 baths.
Posted Gift Box
If you can't visit family or friends this year, take a look at SupplyDrop who send a gift box directly to them. Founded in 2020 by Jedidiah Francis and Angeline Francis Khoo, SupplyDrop is designed to bring joy and put a smile on you and your loved ones faces with gift boxes for all ages and tastes.
They have over 25 boxes suitable for almost every occasion - including The Pamper Box, The Special Birthday, The Manper and The Break Up!
Prices start from £19.99 for a 'Little Box' via SupplyDrop.me
Luxury French Haircare
French luxury brand Ella Mae was founded by a brother-sister team who had become concerned they were unable to find hair care products that addressed their specific needs, such as slow-growth and thinning. Launched in 2019, Ella Mae uses sustainable, organic ingredients sourced in Provence, and after much success in France, has just launched for sale in the UK.
The range was created to be experienced as a treatment to address common problems like brittle and thinning hair, slow growth and dry scalp. Offering more benefits than an everyday hair-washing routine lit leaves hair feeling softer, shinier and more hydrated. If used twice a week, Ella Mae products will result in at least 30% less follicle breakage. Shampoo and Mask sets £59.95 via EllaMae.com
Morphée have hit gold with their sleep solution and we love them here at Life and Soul!
Morphée comprises eight different relaxation and sleeping exercises, for a total of over 200 combinations of sessions, including body scanning, breathing, movement, visualization, and heart coherence. The aim of each is to disconnect from the day, relax the body and soothe the mind; these three elements form the pillars of a fast, deep and restorative sleep. And all sessions are led by a team of sleep experts, supervised by Florence Binay, a sleep-focused sophrologist. Buy yours on Amazon here
New Year always rings in a fresh chapter for going to the gym or exercising from home.
A barbell is a great addition to any home gym set up, but few of us have room to store a barbell along with all the separate weights. Now, thanks to Bowflex, setting up your own gym is easier
than ever with the SelectTech Barbell which incorporates seven weights in one.
It offers seven fixed-weight barbells and seven fix-weight curl bars within one piece of equipment. Perfect for anyone limited on space at home.
Bowflex range of equipment is available on Amazon here
Breathing fresh air may seem like a basic but with all the pollutants we are surrounded with, air purifiers are in high demand. Purify your air on the go with Sciaire Portable. This handy little number brings the process of air ionisation into your space, keeping air clean and smelling fresh. The technology generates positive and negative ions to remove airborne bacteria and viruses. It also reduces allergens, pollutants and deodorises indoor air whilst looking slick and modern.
Next day delivery right up until Christmas Eve too! Shop the full range here
Fashion & Accessories
With so many options available we've selected brands and independent shops that you may not have shopped at before.
Anine Bing Sweatshirt
One of our favourite womenswear brands. If we're going to wear sweatshirts, lets make it 'fashion'! Perfect with jeans, joggers, skirts and heels. One for someone who is a huge fashion fan.
Have a look at their whole range - their underwear and leather pieces are perfect for a special gift and their recent collaboration with supermodel and photographer, Helena Christensen, offers a 90's inspired capsule collection.
Tiger Sweatshirt, £164, via AnineBing.com
B.Young Peacock Coat
This classic check coat is from Boutique Planet, who stock a great range of brands, including B.Young - a Danish fashion brand with a focus on design, quality and value for money.
With 30% wool content this will keep you feeling warm and looking stylish.
B.Young Coat, £115, via BoutiquePlanet.co.uk
The Ultimate 'It' Bag
The Mulberry Alexa is back and it's a classic. First launched in 2010, the iconic satchel-style bag was inspired by Alexa Chung’s carefree confidence and the timeless style of Mulberry’s Postman’s Lock accessories. The relaunched Alexa has been refined in style and reflects Mulberry’s commitment to responsible innovation. The range is made with leather from gold standard, environmentally accredited tanneries and has been crafted at the brand’s carbon neutral UK factories. Available as an oversized and mini version too. They have also introduce a beautiful Neon range, which are the ultimate statement! We could fill the whole Gift Guide with these beautiful bags, but have settled for sharing their classic Alexa in Neon Pink.
Prices from £895 for the mini Alexa via Mulberry.com
Powder Blue Wrap Top
Patti is a beautiful wrap blouse with long balloon sleeves from local Bedford boutique Anorak Shop. It is made with a textured flower weave with a hint of glitter.
The blouse can be tied either the side of the waist or at the back, making this a really versatile piece that would suit a lot of body shapes.
Moves Floral Chiffon Wrap Top, £55, via AnorakShop.com
A Tie Dye Christmas
Bring the rainbow this Christmas with tie dye fashion from independent brand Ava May. Renowned for candy coloured rainbow loungewear, their signature hoodies and sweatshirts are the perfect gift to get your loved ones through the long, cold winter.
Their tees have been seen on Lisa Snowdon, Zara Martin, Rosie Fortescue, Roxie Nafousi and Rachel Stevens. All items are handmade, bespoke and available in children’s sizes too!
Prices start at £25 for a bespoke tee, via their Instagram account AvaMay
The Monogrammed Star Sign Pouch
From, Elizabeth Scarlett, this is your new everyday essential, ideally sized to fit in your handbag, suitcase or to use as a clutch. The beautiful Constellation Collection features a glittering a gold zodiac symbol, and delicately embroidered constellation pattern on a deep indigo velvet base, this design captures the natural beauty of a starlit sky. The pouch can also be monogrammed with up to three initials making it the perfect personalised gift. They make life a little more organised and a lot more luxurious!
Velvet Travel Pouch, £28, via ElizabethScarlett.com
Christmas Disco
Change up your Christmas top this year and have a kitchen disco wearing this fun t-shirt from Disko Kids.
They create original designs inspired by music - all hand screen printed on a great quality t-shirts and sweatshirts, along with a range of prints and greetings cards.
Christmas Disco T-Shirt, £25, via DiskoKids.co.uk
Food & Drink
We are always huge fans of any gift that includes food or drink! There are so many fantastic independent brands offering clever present ideas that will be devoured before you get to Christmas Dinner.
Cookie Subscription
Independent artisan bakery, Bakery Number Eight deliver freshly baked letterbox cookies, brownies and cakes UK-wide - and offer a cookie delivery subscription! Flavours to date have included gooey NYC triple choc-chip; Japanese matcha; vanilla and white chocolate; stem ginger and dark chocolate; and spiced apple.
We have been lucky enough to sample these delicious treats and you will not be disappointed! A really great gift idea!
Prices start from £14.00 and include free delivery via BakeryNumberEight.com
(Image credit: Lia Zuhri)
The Easy-Drinking Scotch
Copper Dog Whisky is a unique blend of eight single malts inspired by the idyllic Scottish Highlands.
Leading with fruity flavours that move through fresh, orchard, dried and citrus, and with hints of vanilla and aromatic spices.
Copper Dog Whisky, £29.95, via Amazon.co.uk and GetItInkd.com, where you can personalise your bottle with a name or message of your choice.
The Winter Vodka
Add a touch of style to your celebrations this Winter with CÎROC Black Raspberry, the most sought-after limited-edition flavour from the ultra-premium vodka brand.
A unique taste of ripe black raspberries with notes of red berries and a balanced sweetness gives a lasting finish of forest fruits with a touch of citrus.
CÎROC Black Raspberry Vodka, £35.90, via GetItInkd.com where you can personalise your bottle with a name or message of your choice.
Jewellery
Our jewellery gift ideas are only from independent brands this year - we want to showcase some of our favourites out there.
The Curated Ear
Bedford brand, Helix & Conch, offer a beautiful range of earrings: huggies, studs, cuffs and more - all designed to enable you to mix and match to suit your own style and budget.
Prices start from £16.50, via HelixandConch.com
Ear Candy
Set up by a mother and two daughters, each with their own individual style, the mission behind NUE Hoops is to create jewellery that has a sustainable concept, is easily personalised and fun, as well as created to a high quality at an affordable price point.
All charms are available in silver and gold. Prices start from £12 for charms and £25 for hoops via NueHoops.com
Beautiful Bangles
Buckinghamshire based Onuka Grace, offer a range of French jewellery bangles, with a distinctive and unique signature look: enamel bracelets lined with fine gold and decorated with pop colours and custom graphic prints.
Prices from £30 via OnukaGrace.com
Laidback Luxe
These incredible looped pearl earrings from Blanc Edit, are the perfect statement. Hand threaded pearls on a 925 sterling silver zirconia encrusted horn, with 18k gold plating. Incredibly lightweight, and a very special gift.
Looped Pearl Earrings, £145, via Blanc-Edit.com
Glamorous, yet accessible
Fashion forward jewellery brand, Farrow Low, offers glamorous yet accessible pieces that can be worn from day, through to night.
These Rainbow Halo Hearts and Rainbow Wheels would add a splash of colour to any outfit - and are lightweight and easy to wear.
Rainbow Halo Hearts, £20, Rainbow Wheels, £18, via FarrowLow.co.uk
Art & Homeware
We've selected some of our favourite independent brands that create beautiful art and homeware, that will bring the recipient much pleasure for years to come.
The Coolest Artwork
If you like bright, colourful, often clashing colours and sausage dogs then you are almost certain to love Hannah Carvell.
This business offers a range of the coolest screen prints around to add a beautiful splash of colour to your walls. Framing also available.
Prices from £35 via HannahCarvell.com
Hand Poured Candles
Independent candle brand, Libby Lavender Cotswolds, make beautiful hand poured scented candles and diffusers.
Offering a range of incredible smells, including Winter Spice, Sandalwood and Cedar, and Vintage Champagne and Strawberries, which are all lovingly made by a mother and daughter team.
Prices from £25 for a small candle via LibbyLavender.co.uk
Reclaimed Gifts & Furniture
Bucks based business, Outhouse, makes reclaimed wood industrial style furniture along with reclaimed homeware and gifts. Including the most useful bath caddy we've ever seen!
With a space for your wine glass and slot for your phone or iPad - that's our kind of bath!
Prices start from £9.99 for reclaimed wood gifts via Outhouse-ByHand.com
Cocorose London have come up with four brand-new fragrances to select from, you can create the ideal scent-infused atmosphere in your home, whether you’re looking for an autumn, winter or Christmas vibe.
The perfect mid-season scent to bridge the gap, as summer fades and autumn begins, is the new Strawberry and Rhubarb candle, which will infuse a room with sweet fruity notes, reminding you of long, balmy summer evenings, even on a cool autumn night.
The new English Pear and Vanilla candle, with its delicate fruity notes and warming tones of vanilla, is a great addition to your bathroom, creating a soothing, tranquil atmosphere for those long soaks in the bath. This vanilla with an orchard scent twist, finds just as perfect a home in the living room, creating a calm and cosy ambience, when all you want to do is kick back and relax on the sofa. Check out all their fragrances and treat yo self!
Hand Embellished Art
Bedford based business Pearl & Clover, creates incredible hand embellished wall art prints.
As well as a fantastic range of personalised hand decorated greeting cards and Christmas baubles.
Prices start from £4.20 for a personalised card and £25 for wall art via PearlandClover.co.uk
Geometric Art
We Are Lunarium, create geometric wall hangings and a range of unique home decorations.
Bespoke designs and sizes also available.
Prices start from £4.95 for Christmas baubles and £8.95 for a small wall hanging via their Etsy store WeAreLunarium
Sustainable Homeware
Using eco resin and recycled mussel and oyster shells from the restaurant industry, Badger & Birch, create unique and beautiful homeware, jewellery and bespoke surfaces.
They use natural minerals, gemstones and crystals to add luxurious texture to their homeware design - collected shells, mother of pearl and natural hues all add character to each piece.
Prices start from £11.50 via BadgerandBirch.co.uk
Wildlife Designs
From the Buckinghamshire studio of Laura Ruffett Bespoke, are a range of wildlife and animal designs as prints, greeting cards, notebooks and gifts.
Bespoke designs are also available to book.
Prices from £8.50 for a print via her Etsy Store LauraRuffettBespoke
Christmas Decorations
You are more than likely to have lots of decorations already, but here are a few special ideas which would make a great gift.
Personalised Baubles
Independent brand, Merrie and Bright, creates elegant hand-lettered gifts, including these beautiful glass baubles. Names are calligraphed by hand, cut in vinyl of your choice and tied with a hand torn silk ribbon. They also have a wooden Christmas Eve box they can personalise - a beautiful way to begin a tradition in your family this Christmas.
We particular like Merrie and Bright's brand ethos - they are committed to helping women who have been trafficked and exploited, and donate a percentage of profits to Sari Bari, an organisation offering support to women trapped in the sex trade. Providing safe employment in a loving environment, Sari Bari trains women as artisans, giving them the skills they need to create beautiful, sustainable, handmade products.
Personalised glass bauble, £12, via MerrieandBright.com
The Conscious Decorations
THIE is a new brand offering conscious products, which are desirable, yet limit the impact on the environment. They have considered every detail from product development to packaging, ensuring products are kind to the environment and packaging is fully recyclable.
This Milk and Cookie set is a collaboration with The Blondies Kitchen - the milk bottle can be personalised and each set unique. They are crafted by hand, with each item mouth-blown, hand-painted, and finished with a black hanging tie and presented in a branded gift box.
Milk and Cookie personalised set, £25, via Thie.co
The Alternative Christmas Tree Topper
This Elephant Christmas Tree topper, from Hertfordshire brand, Miss Shelly Designs, would look amazing as an alternative decoration this year.
Made from felt, hand sewn and decorated with a knitted trunk, sparkly gold crown and silver wings. You use the ribbon attached to the wings to tie to the top of your Christmas tree.
Elephant Tree Topper, £28, via MissShellyDesigns.com
Stocking Fillers & Secret Santa
Affordable gifts that are perfect for Stockings or your Secret Santa present this year.
Personalised Smartphone Charger Stickers
From Buckinghamshire based, Nutmeg Studio, comes their personalised smartphone charger sticker. Compatible with Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod chargers. Never lose your charger again!
This decal is a fun and easy way to make your charger easily identifiable and keep it safe from other family members prone to 'borrowing' your charge for too long.
Personalised Smartphone Charger Stickers, £6, via NutmegWallArtStickers.co.uk
The Lavender Eye Pillow
A relaxing lavender filled eye pillow from Carol Tye, would be very welcome in our stocking! Each pillow has a cotton lining, which contains organic flaxseed, pure lavender essential oil and dried lavender, grown in her garden in Northamptonshire.
The outer Liberty fabric is removable so you can wash it. Can be used for Yoga, Pilates, Meditation, relieve headaches, or simply to relax after a tough day.
Lavender Eye Pillow, £13.50, via her Etsy store CarolTyeBags
Scented Candle
This Meraki scented candle from Anorak Shop will complement any room due to its green shade and warm scent. Use it in the living room to create the right atmosphere of peace and thoughtfulness - or in the bathroom to obtain a feeling of luxury and well-being in your own home.
Meraki Candle, £8, via AnorakShop.com
The Socks!
It wouldn't be Christmas without a pair of socks! This Jess & Lou pair from Boutique Planet are designed to be extra cosy, to keep your feet warm and toastie.
Jess & Lou Socks, £10, via BoutiquePlanet.co.uk
Wonderful Mirror Sticker
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if they could start every day with a reminder of just how wonderful they are? The ‘Wonderful’ mirror sticker, from Hertfordshire based Equipp, just does that, in gorgeous rainbow colours. It’s a brilliant way to show your support, love and admiration.
Equipp make simple but stylish gifts that your teenagers will love. They are also proud to support Hector’s House, a teenage suicide prevention charity, and donate a small amount from every sale to support their work with young people to end the stigma around mental health.
Wonderful Mirror Sticker, £7, via Equipp.co.uk
Toys, Games & Teens
We could have spent days sharing toys, but have chosen our favourites that you we know you'll enjoy as much as the kids will, as well as a literally really cool teen gift.
See the World Through Others' Eyes
What does the world look like if you are a baby? How does a cuttlefish see it’s underwater world? Just pop on these cool glasses, from Brainstorm Toys, and you will see the world through others’ eyes! 22 interchangeable lenses allow you to see in more than 17 different ways – or create your own!
See the World Through Others' Eyes, £14.99, via a range of stockist including SmythsToys.com
MoBot - Mimix
MoBots, are the the interactive robotic sidekicks from HEXBUG. Record your voice and make it sound like a robot, then change the pitch from high to low. Choose from three versions of MoBots - Mimix, Fetch and Ramblez. Capabilities vary from voice effects to remote control exploration. For ages 3 and up
HEXBUG MoBot, from £8.99, via TheGiftAndGadgetStore.com
Narwhal Fun
Build your own 3D models with this unique collectable from Eugy. Beautifully detailed yet simplified miniature animal figures with a couple of spoons of cuteness added in! Kids will collect and treasure them. Made from environmentally friendly, biodegradable card with natural eco-friendly ink and non-toxic glue. Simply glue the pieces together in numerical sequence, with assembly taking 10-20 minutes.
Eugy Narwhal, £6.29, via ToyStreet.co.uk
Light Up & Glow Astronaut
Transform your darkened room into outer space with this cosmic astronaut night light, from Brainstorm Toys. Simply hang onto a wall or door or stand on a bedside table. A cool accessory for space-themed rooms. Realistic styling is perfect for the young space enthusiast.
Light Up & Glow Astronaut, £9.99, via Waterstones.com
Micro Ant
The Micro Ant, from HEXBUG, has two whegs (wheel legs) to propel it forward. This bug skitters around bouncing off any wall or object in its path, and won’t be stopped. If you’ve never owned a HEXBUG toy before, this is the perfect super fast, erratic bug for you! These self-propelled, motorized, bug-like creatures are some of the smallest we’ve ever made! Available in multiple colours to collect! Ages 8 and up.
HEXBUG Micro Ant, £8.99, via MyMemory.co.uk
Kuhla's fantastic range of coolers and mini fridges are a great idea for any 'mancave' or teen den. Portable, energy efficient and effortlessly cool, these fit up to 10 x 330ml cans or 6 x 500ml cans, snacks or your cosmetics to keep them cool and long-lasting. With the flip of a switch they can be used for warming or cooling, to suit any need.