Musings// Lockdown Gifting Ideas

Afternoon! How you doing this gloriously sunny day? Yay to a sunny bank holiday weekend! Makes staying at home that little bit better.

Since lockdown started, we’ve had to miss celebrating friends and families birthdays face to face and get togethers. We’ve also missed going out and treating ourselves to meals out or little treats. So I thought I’d pull together a list of ideas of gifting ideas to treat your nearest and dearest  (or yourself!) in this weird time…

Send a painting:

If you’ve got the painting bug like me why don’t you paint a little picture and send it in the post as a little surprise for that friend who’s been finding this time a little uncertain/ stressful. I’ve found painting a way to unwind and I love thinking of things to paint for a certain friend. Here’s a selection of paintings I’ve done and sent out in the post:

They’re all A5 and can be trimmed down if the recipient wants to pop them in a frame! It’s a little intimidating than having to fill an A4 piece of paper.

If you’re not creatively inclined, then why not have a look at the following artists and send one of their prints? 

Annie Dornan Smith – I absolutely love her ‘La Peche’ and ‘British Bees‘ prints! Make sure to check out her botanical blooms collection too!

La Peche – Annie Dornan Smith

Jessica Smith Illustration – My fav has to be the blue swimming ladies (see here)

Send a card:

This one doesn’t take too much effort! I’m sure you have a pile of random cards in a draw somewhere, I know I do… Write a little note and pop it in the post. I don’t know about you, but I love receiving post and I’m sure you do. It’s always nice to think someone’s thinking of you J

The other day I found these cute little Hummingbird Bakery recipe cards which I’ve been popping in with the paintings I’m sending out – I love that they have a little recipe on the back

Here’s some other small businesses I’ve found:

Ricicle Cards – They have some super cute cards and also are currently doing a handwriting service where they write out the card and send it straight to the intended recipient. Or you can buy a ‘gratitude bundle’ and send them out yourself – I mean how sweet are these!

Gratitude Bundle – Ricicle Cards

Papier – I have always loved the designs from papier – they remind me of Rifle Paper Co in the US (so sad we don’t have them over here!). Check out their notecards for something a little different – these leave ones or these flowery ones have to be my fav! 

Martha Brook London – I’ve been following Martha for years on Insta and just love all the stationery and the fact that so many of them can be personalised. They have a lovely ‘Happiness’ Planning Stationery Bundle at the mo (see here) – I am a list maker through and through so this is perfect!

Send a tasty treat:

Send me a tasty treat in the post and I’ll forever be your friend!

Clapham Cakes – One of my good friends Mital has a London based cake business – she doesn’t have a website but takes orders through Insta (see here). She made our wedding cake which was a dream and over the years I’ve eaten many of her brownies and cupcakes.

Bad Brownie – These have to be some of the best brownies we’ve tried during lockdown – YUM! Each week they’ll have different flavours and you pick between ‘latest’, ‘bestseller’ or ‘limited edition’ in either 12 or 24 bite sizes. We went for a 12 latest and got salted caramel, oreo and white chocolate raspberry – omg they were so good and went in a flash! (See here)

Bad Brownies

Brownie Boss – Another great brownie company we’ve tried during lockdown. Stock is released each Friday at 4pm so you need to be quick! Each week the variety box changes – you get 4 brownies of different flavours so went for the 8 pack of course… Our fav had to be the biscoff brownie! (See here)

Café Cannoli – We first tried these cannoli’s at a food festival last year and were blown away by how tasty they were and like the proper ones in Italy. When we heard they were delivering to our area we jumped at the chance to try them! Currently they just deliver pre-made ones around Birmingham and Coventry but sell make at home kits for everyone. Perfect if you’re looking for something a bit different to try or have an Italy loving friend!

Cafe Cannoli

Biscuiteers – I love sending Biscuiteers biscuits as pressies and the past year we’ve send an engagement one and a baby one. They’re something a little different to your standard chocolate or bubbles as a treat. Currently they’ve got a rainbow letterbox biscuit of which 10%  of the sale price is donated to the National Emergencies Trust. I also love their ‘bee happy’ biscuits! Sure to put a smile on someone’s face J

Honeywell Biscuit Co – Another great biscuit by mail company. I love these flower inspired biscuits and this jar of hearts is super cute!

Other ideas:

Harper’s candles – I love a candle! If anyone is ever at a loss of what to get me then a candle will be perfect. My friend got me some Harper’s Candles for my birthday last year and I love them! They smell lovely and my fav is definitely ‘Raindrops on Roses’ – nice price tag too which helps…

Harper’s Candles

Don’t Buy Her Flowers – Send a thoughtful gift and let someone know you’re thinking about them and what they like. I love the idea that you can create your own package – send a pampering gift with ‘the unwind package’ or pick from the most popular products and send a tailor made ‘bestseller package’.

Bloom and Wild – sometimes there’s nothing better than getting some gorgeous flowers… Bloom and Wild always last for ages and I love that they have flower arranging tips. I’m loving all the peonies at the mo and ‘the Jessica’ has to be my fav!

Anthropology – sometimes you just can’t go wrong with something from Anthropology – like this rainbow ‘positive vibes’ mug or this ‘strawberry bar’ which they can grow their own strawberries from. I love strawberries – they’re definitely a great summer treat with cream and meringue yum!

So there you have it… a round up of lockdown gifting ideas! 

Let me know in the comments if you’ve received any other gifts during lockdown or what you’ve sent

Until next time,
Cathers xx

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4 Comments

  1. May 21, 2020 / 8:21 pm

    A great read! I love sending friends and family surprise gifts in the post, so I will definitely have a closer look at some of your suggestions. (Also I already know who will be receiving those bad brownies – me, myself and I!) Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Cathers
      Author
      May 21, 2020 / 8:43 pm

      Thanks! I can confirm the bad brownies are delish!! Definitely one of our favourite treats by post we’ve had during lockdown! 🙂

  2. Ej
    May 22, 2020 / 6:33 pm

    What a nice post. I would have never thought about sending paintings. My kids like to paint! That would make a great gift for their grandparents.

    • Cathers
      Author
      May 23, 2020 / 7:41 am

      I’m glad you like it 🙂 I think it gives that personal touch too and can be so meaningful to those we love!