That’s Not My Age

Gift wrap by Molly Mahon

Enough with the Black Friday and Cyber Week craziness, already! Unless there is something you’ve been after for a while, don’t get sucked in. Admittedly, my Christmas gift list is much reduced these days, exchanging presents has come to a natural end for many of my friends. And for those I do see over the festive period, I’ll take something simple, something I can buy locally, like a small foodie gift, a bottle of wine, or a lovely book or houseplant.

Fortunately, it’s now easier than ever to shop thoughtfully, ethically and affordably. From supporting charitable initiatives and social enterprises, to shopping locally, here are a few gifts that give back so that you’ll feel even better about giving (or receiving).

Fine Cell Work cushions

Support a social enterprise

More than a bag. When Madlug founder Dave Linton learned that most children in care have their personal belongings moved in a bin bag, he set out to do something about it. For every Madlug bag purchased, a pack-away travel bag goes to a child in care, and so far 102,000 have been donated. The designs are practical and no-nonsense, check out the Roll-Top backpacks, laptop sleeves and cross-body bags.

If you’re looking for hand-stitched and embroidered cushions, accessories and homewares, Fine Cell Work is a British charity that runs rehabilitation projects in prisons by training prisoners in paid, skilled needlework. The needlepoint cushions are brilliant!

Socks are an inexpensive gift to give, and both Stand4 Socks and Leiho support people experiencing homelessness with their buy-one-give-one socks.

Keep the foodies in your life happy with a cracking box of chocolates from Harry Specters. The family chocolatier provides employment and free work experience for autistic people. For hot chocolate melts and baking kits, take a look at Refuge Chocolate, a social enterprise which supports survivors of modern slavery by working directly with anti-human trafficking charity Flourish NI.

Coffee aficionados should check out Fairshot, a cafe in Covent Garden that trains adults with learning disabilities to become baristas, through paid employment. This season, for the first time, they’re selling pouches of their ‘inclusive blend’ coffee and decaf through their online shop.

Fat Macy’s is another fantastic initiative helping people to move on from temporary accommodation by providing culinary and hospitality training and job skills. The cardamon shortbread (£4) was my gift of choice last Christmas, and the jars of harissa are what I’ll be dropping round to local pals.

Photo: Refuge

Rally around your favourite charity

If your friends like a good, old charity shop-rummage, the charity shop gift card could be the ideal present. It can be used in multiple shops nationwide, including chains such as Age UK, Marie Curie, Shelter and Crisis.

For keen home-cooks, These Delicious Things cookery book contains recipes from acclaimed chefs such as Andi Oliver, Angela Hartnett,  Jamie Oliver, Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson. A portion of the profits go directly to Magic Breakfast, a charity providing breakfasts for children and young people living in food poverty in the UK.

If you prefer to give a good deed, consider donating a Christmas dinner at Single Homeless Project or a safe bed for the night at Centre Point. Give money to Refuge’s Christmas gift list for women and children escaping domestic violence. Or, Thrive is a charity that uses therapeutic gardening to help improve physical and mental wellbeing.

This winter, there’s a Choose Love department store at 245 Regent Street, London. By donating most-needed items, such as warm winter clothing and toiletries – or buying a slogan T-shirt – I’ll be supporting refugees (Choose Love xx also online). For families living in vulnerable places, Concern Worldwide’s charity gifts are divided into four categories: education, emergencies, health and livelihoods. Donate a school kit for £12, a bicycle for £22, midwife essentials for £67, or a goat for £35, and make a difference.

Shop Local tote bag from Dandy Star.

Shop small, shop local

The 7 December 2025 is Small Business Saturday, a feel-good alternative to Black Friday, which shines a spotlight on small-scale local sellers. Every item you buy is a vote towards a more diverse marketplace. And since many small labels in the UK are founded by women, often operating on tight budgets, your purchases are likely to have a much larger impact. Many may rely heavily on Christmas sales to stay afloat.

We often mention small, female-founded labels on That’s Not My Age, so do have look through the archives and Creative Women at Work features for some inspiration. And don’t forget to check out the TNMA Edit. All items are a collaboration between Alyson and some of her favourite independent designers. There are still a few TNMA x Mimi Berry leather tote bags in stock in brick and navy, and who wouldn’t want to find this cosy hand-knitted neck warmer from Kate Jones under the tree?

Genevieve Sweeney’s knitted crackers

Friend of TNMA, Genevieve Sweeney is using repurposed, end of production yarn and compostable ribbon to create knitted, reusable Christmas crackers. How brilliant! They cost £35 and £45, are filled with either a mystery pair of socks or a luxury knitwear care set and can be used from one year to the next.

Start with the small businesses in your neighbourhood, or bookmark local craft fairs or Christmas markets to support independent traders. If you’re based in the North of England, Community Clothing has just launched a collection of blankets, all spun, woven and stitched in Pudsey in Leeds by AW Hainsworth (one of the oldest and best woollen mills in the world).

Patrick in a blanket

Choose  planet-friendly gifts

If the thought of adding to the UK’s landfill problem leaves you feeling cold, then, consider vintage, recycled and upcycled gifts. Pri Pri creates accessories, homewares and Christmas wreaths from second-hand saris. Tree decorations are always a good stocking-filler, so take a look at Honest Love Our Planet Baubles. The company works with skilled artisans from Kashmir to produce hand-painted, plant-based baubles and decorations, priced from  £9.99. Elsewhere, the Recycled Candle Company make their candles entirely from recycled candle wax, saving 40 tonnes of wax from landfill every year – and the fragrances are lovely.

For fashionable friends, Audra’s Brooches sells the finest selection of vintage pins out there. I’d be thrilled to unwrap a lizard brooch this year. For upcycled beaded necklaces, Marianna Virgili the founder of Luneta Creations makes jewellery from vintage pieces, and The Sona Girl reimagines vintage components into artful accessories. I particularly like her necklaces and handbags. And don’t forget about Drift jewellery, lovely pieces made from sea glass found on the coast (read more about the founder Fiona in the Creative Women interview).

Audra’s Brooches

And there are lots more stocking fillers in our Christmas gift guide.

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