A Slow Living Gift Guide

19th November 2023

By Shelley | Slow Bliss Living

As the colours of Autumn start to fade outside and nature is greeting us with a starker pallete, the colours of christmas are starting to appear inside my home.

Over the last 3 years, I have really adapoted a slower approach to the festive season despite the pressure pushed upon us to race through December with numerous shopping trips and a crammed social diary.

Like myself though, I know more and more people seeking a slower pace and a more intentional way of life are finding new ways to enjoy the festive season.

So if this is you or you know someone who is wanting to/already embracing slow living, I'll be sharing my 10 selected gift ideas to bring a mixture of cosniess, soul comfort and calm this Christmas.

Grab a hot chocolate, light some candles and enjoy reading through my slow living gift guide.

1. Lost Forest - Jewellery

“Her eyes became transfixed by a gleaming light emanating from a treasure lost amongst the litter of fallen leaves. She observed this found treasure, which was now hers to keep; a gift to her from within the depths of the Lost Forest." – Gillian Corcoran

Handpicked and handmade in Ireland, Lost Forest is the original Irish wildflower jewellery. Artist Gillian Corcoran creates art pieces in her little log cabin studio in Irelands hidden heartlands (I also adore her slow living style vlogs on youtube where you get to see snippets of her at work and the gorgeous landscapes surrounding the farmhouse she lives in).

"Lost Forest Jewellery is an ode to Irish folklore and Mother Nature's enduring artistry, and a lasting testament to the fine details, patterns and solitray characteristics that often go unnoticed in today's fast paced society." - Gillian Corcoran

Featuring dried flower artworks in golden looking glasses, fine silver necklaces made from real botanical curiosities foraged by Gillian herself, Lost Forest Jewellery makes a truly unique and special gift for those who seek solitude in mother nature.

I've included some of my personal favrouties from Gillian's collection below including 'Carnival of Flowers' - Gemstone Looking Glass™ and 'The Isle of Danu'. I think this is so beautiful as the bottle can hold a myriad of personal mementos or essential oils/perfumes.

Carnival of Flowers - Gemstone Looking Glass

The Isle of Danu

2. Loriest & Co - Candles

“Let the scent unfold… month by month… moment by moment…” – Loriest & Co

Loriest & Co are an artisanal scented candle company, carefully crafting home fragrance inspired by the British Isles. Featuring twelve beautiful candles that are hand poured in the UK, they are fragranced with notes inspired by each month to harness the emotive memories of the ever-changing seasons.

Aswell as being able to buy each candle as a stand alone purchase, you can sign up to a monthly subscription which I absoulotley love the idea of - a new candle being delivered right to your door, ready to light at the beginning of each new month is my idea of heaven!

For gift ideas, of course buying the December candle would be a gorgeous christmas present, rich with the fragnant notes of an evergreen forest, the lightness of sunlit woodlands, along with the subtle floral beauty of camellia flowers.

Another gift idea would be the January candle, ready for the beginnings of a new year and fresh start, with notes of vibrant evergreen garden herbs to invigorate and inspire clarity and renewal.

I can just smell them now wafting through my home, bringing joyous feelings of nostalgia.

Loriest & Co Candle

December Candle

January Candle

3. Treatbox - Cosy Gift

“A thoughtful gift for every moment” – Treatbox

In the words of Zoe Charlton, the founder of Treatbox, 'Life is fast paced and full-on & it can be all-too-easy to miss an important moment, celebrate milestones, and pass-by special occasions in a hurry'.

I love that the idea for this business was born from creating a gift for a loved one who was struggling, right from Zoe's kitchen table.

Treatbox is such a lovely concept and is a gorgeous way to send that warm festive hug to a loved one this December.

There's such a fab selection of different style treat boxes to choose from with varying prices so everyone can find something that suits their budget.

My 2 favourties have to be the 'Limited Edition Christmas' Box (how cute is the cosy christmas jumper and the little cottage!) and the 'Selfcare' Treat Box.

Limited Edition Christmas Treatbox

Self Care Treat Box

4. Hello Petal - Flowers

"With a focus on interior style and how flowers can completely transform your space, we deliver exquisite florals for a classic, timeless feel." - Hello Petal

Creating the most beautiful, classic & style-centric flowers for your home, Hello Petal delivers flower boxes, wreaths and DIY kits that are full of visual texture, soft palettes & subtle scents. 

What I absoloutley love about Hello Petal is the DIY pot kits. They are such a gorgeous thoughtful gift for someone special to you and I love the fact that it's also an experience as well as having something physical in your home or garden.

Each month Hello Petal choose the highest quality plants & the dreamiest terracotta pots & saucers to style your home.

Everything you need to pot up something beautiful is included in each kit & it's easy to follow as there are online tutorials which guide you through, step by step.

I especially love 'The Small Christmas Tree Kit' and 'The Candle Centrepiece Kit' which both beautifully add a rustic and charming touch of festive cheer.

The Candle Centrepiece Kit

The Small Christmas Tree Kit

5. Girl of Muse - Cosy Loungewear

"Designed to Keep you comfy and cosy all season" - Girl of Muse

I know for one that I love being able to cosy up in warm and comforting lounge pieces.

I love the earthy tones that Girl of Muse uses within their cosy collection to create that calming aesthetic.

My first favourite is the the 'Cosy Fleece' in chocolate - "Your cosy companion for feeling good and looking great. Lovingly made, it showcases a large COSY applique detail on the front, complete with convenient pockets to keep your hands warm and handy pull cords for that perfect comfy fit. Experience warmth, style, and ultimate comfort all in one beloved piece."

My 2nd favourite is the 'Cosy Mode' hoodie in the colour chai - "Switch into Cosy Mode and transport yourself to a cosy lakeside retreat in Northern Arizona. This oversized hoodie offers a relaxed fit for ultimate comfort. It's designed with a handy kangaroo pocket and finished with thick ribbed cuffs and hem. The brushed interior ensures a luxuriously soft feel against your skin, making this hoodie your new go-to for comfort."

I can already see myself cosying up this winter in these stunning pieces!

Cosy Fleece in colour 'Chocolate'

Cosy Mode Hoodie in colour 'Chai'

6. The Serene Soul Society

"In a society that promotes busyness to be worn as a badge of honour, the message behind my prints is the importance of slowing down and romanticising the everyday things." - Shelley | The Serene Soul Society

Of course I had to include my own little business in this slow living gift guide!

My interior prints aren't just wall decor, they are expressions of the small but important moments in life.

The moments that make your soul sing.

Those cosy nights curled up on the sofa at home. The joy of watching swirling steam from your morning coffee. The nostalgic scent of woodsmoke on a crisp winters walk. The feelings of inner peace from your morning yoga stretch. The connection to nature when you're strolling through the forest.

Choose from either my boho, slow living or seasonal collections.

The perfect gift for those who truly embrace the beauty of slow moments.

The Cosy Christmas Cottage Wall Print

The Slow Living Wall Print

The Inhale, Exhale Wall Print

7. Isle Soap Co

"Beautiful scents derived from nature." - Isle Soap Co

Using the most nourishing oils and butters, Isle Soap create natural and vegan soaps in Cambridge, UK.

Each soap bar is made by hand in small batches, gently fragranced with essential oils to uplift and bring a little sunshine to your day (or in this case, festive cheer!)

I fell in love with the packaging and the choice of scents when I came across Isle Soap.

For me, slow living really does include your senses, and introducing seasonal smells into your home (especially those beautiful christmas scents), is something that always brings me joy.

The 2 producs that really stand out for me are 'Soap Sleigh' (such a cute idea) and the 'Soap Salts Gift Set' which is a pefect gift for those bath lovers!

There are 10 beautiful scents to choose from (The spiced orange sounds devine).

Soap Sleigh

Soap Salts Gift Set

8. TeaTime Bookshop

"Makes the perfect gift for any book lover" - Teatime Bookshop

Reading is the ultimate way to slow down and indulge in some escapism.

Teatime bookshop was established in 2019 headed up by a small team of book lover's.

There are a range of different genres to suit your personal interests (if you're like me I love reading seasonal books so I've treated myself to a couple of christmas books already) or shop as a gift with personalised gift subscriptions.

I also love the fact they do gift hampers where a Tea Time take away mug, a book bag and tea, coffee or hot chocolate, Christmas bookmark, Christmas literary postcard, chocolates, a Christmas tree decoration and biscuits are all included in the price! Or you can pay extra for a festive tipple.

Of course the 2023 Christmas Book Lovers Hamper has to be my favourite. Such a fab gift for any book lover.

2023 Christmas Book Lovers Hamper

9. Lily M Beauty

"Inspiring Confidence with Natural skincare that makes a difference" - Lily M Beauty

Lily M Beauty is a natural skincare business based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

I love that the message behind Lily M is to help reduce stress and overwhelm for busy women by creating something simple, beautiful and natural - also vegan, organic and sustainable.

As well as gorgeous stand alone products and the option of purchasing a gift card, there is also the 'Skincare Gift Box' which includes everything you need if you are trying to look after your skin (especially through the winter season as we all know the drying impact it can have.)

Also a beautiful gift idea for someone you know who wants to start their skin journey but feels overwhelemed with all the producs out there, as this all comes as a package which is a concept I'm a huge fan of.

P.S After treating myself to one of her products earlier this year, I can confirm the glow prep oil feels & smells incredible!

Skincare Gift Box

Lily M skincare Gift Box

10. National Trust Gift Membership

"Some Christmas gifts are impossible to wrap. Dramatic views of coast and countryside. Tranquil moments in gardens and parks. Discovering hidden secrets in historical homes. When you give someone a National Trust membership for Christmas, they get all this and more." - The National Trust

I know for me personally, I love 'experience' christmas gifts. Creating memories, seeing new places and getting out in nature really is the slow living dream.

There are so many national turst properties throughout the UK to choose from which is why it makes it a great gift idea for someone special that you know wants to embrace a slower paced lifestyle.

National Trust Gift Membership

So there are 10 of my slow living gift ideas for Christmas 2023.

I hope afer reading this you feel inspired to gift something 'soft and slow' to those you love this festive season aswell as embracing a more mindful Christmas and 2024.

I'd love to hear what are your personal favourites or if you've added any to your shopping gift lists! Let me know in the comments.

Sending Love,

Shelley x