Gift-Wrapping Hampshire...

06 April 2020

With non-essential shops shut, it is hard to source gifts for Easter, birthdays and thank yous. The solution is to buy online from a local producer/maker. Such gifts are special. Not only will the recipient be treated to a carefully considered gift, but these items are born out of a personal passion, feature local and natural ingredients, and you will be supporting a local independent, at a time when markets and retail outlets have closed.

Here are a few ideas. With the surge of interest in quality soaps, take a peek at Cyril's Soap Shed for award-winning handmade natural goat's milk soaps. These creamy, moisturising soaps come in a range of lovely fragrances such as Lemongrass and Chamomile, and Rose and Geranium. Or there are lavender lotions, washes, soaps and solid shampoos available from Lavender Fields who grow, and distill the lavender for their products. In addition, lavender not only has a soothing scent, it's also known for having anti-bacterial qualities and boosting wellbeing.

Debbie Mulkern, the aromatherapist and natural perfumier behind New Forest Aromatics, sources as many ingredients as possible from within Hampshire to create scented candles, room fragrances, hand and body washes, gardener's hand scrubs and more. She's also the consultant behind luxury spa brands and collaborated with John Geden of Sinah Common Honey (Hayling Island) to produce natural healing skin and lip balms - as honey products are known for their healing qualities,

A Basket of Bees offers a selection of honey soaps, shampoos, shower gels and hand creams all available online. Bee Good have a wide range of natural skincare products made using British bee ingredients and British botanicals. These include natural exfoliators, moisturisers and serums available individually or in gift packs and they can often be found in Waitrose supermarkets.

Alternatively, what about a jar (or two or three) of glorious sunshine - otherwise known as local honey. Jars and combs can be ordered online from small beekeeping businesses such as Mrs B's Bees,  Becky's Beezzzs and Three Hares Honey. Honey is known to help soothe sore throats and provide some protection against allergies and hayfever - as well as being the perfect addition to your breakfast table spread on toast or drizzled over natural yogurt or porridge.