Since starting my author social media pages earlier this year, I have come across and connected with so many fantastic children’s brands and it’s great that lots of them are local and independent. I don’t have my own children yet, but I’ve always loved shopping for children’s clothing for friends or family – especially baby shoes! There’s just something about them being so small and adorable!
Now that we’re on the run up to Christmas, many parents and grandparents will be looking for gift ideas for their little ones, so I thought I would share some lovely products that I’ve come across online. All of these are from independent businesses, many of which are local to Cheltenham, so not only will you get some fab presents, but you’ll be supporting small brands at the same time! The links to all the websites are underlined.
Cotswold Baby Co
The ‘At the Farm’ collection from Cotswold Baby Co has some seriously cute items! From these gorgeous Piggy Leather Shoes and t-shirts with farm animals on, to pyjamas and slippers – if your little one loves animals, this is the place to look for new clothes. The website has lots of other brands too, including well-known Blade & Rose, so you’re bound to find a style that suits your children.
Eco Able
Over the last couple of years I’ve become increasingly conscious of my environmental impact, and I think it’s something that children need to be taught about from a young age. That’s why it’s great to find local businesses like Eco Able that offer a wide range of sustainable products, with a dedicated section on the website for ‘Eco Kids’. Whether you’re a new parent looking for reusable nappies, or need biodegradable plasters for those ‘oopsy daisy’ moments, there’s lots of options online. My favourite pick for a stocking filler is the eco friendly play dough!
Peaches Bambino
This brand has been on my radar for a while as it is run by Ruby, who is my cousin’s girlfriend’s sister. I’ve loved seeing her collection grow from the adorable headbands and clips, to now include tie dye clothing, bibs and shoes. I really like this polka dot blush headband, and the tie dye socks are adorable. You can see lots of pictures on Ruby’s social media pages, which show just how cute the products look on her customers’ children. Check out the whole range here.
Nom Nom Kids
Another environmentally friendly business, Nom Nom Kids offer a selection of reusable food pouches, snack bags and sandwich bags. Suzanne initially designed the pouches in a bid to combat the amount that are sent to landfill each year, with the added bonus of being able to fill them with foods her children enjoyed, and she has since introduced snack and sandwich bags. What I love about these snack bags is that they’re not plain and boring – they’re fun and colourful, and I’m sure kids will love them.
Phonics Dice
A relatively new business, Phonics Dice started with a set of dice that parents could use to help their children learn sounds and begin to read and write. In just a couple of months, their product range has exploded to include number and letter discs, yoga dice, and emotion discs. Mental health is such an important topic, especially with young children, and these discs offer parents an opportunity to talk to their kids about how they’re feeling in a less formal manner. They’re also great when paired with a story book, as children can recognise emotions in the characters.
Gingerbread Fox
This company was founded by mum of five, Vikki, who hand selects children’s clothing, bespoke items and quality wooden toys from other small brands. The kitchen wooden play sets are lovely, and I particularly like the soft toys – I’m sure lots of children will fall in love with Jasper the Giraffe! And, if you’re on the hunt for a main children’s Christmas present, you have to check out their handmade Teepees – with complimentary personalisation and free fairy lights in each order, they’re definitely worth taking a look!
Busy Little Bears
If you’re looking for sensory toys for your baby or toddler, Busy Little Bears has a great selection including wooden kitchen sets, firetrucks, educational games and messy play. These products have been designed to spark imagination and encourage development, and my favourite stocking filler idea is the Hippo Natural Rubber Teether. It has an easy grip for little hands and an internal rattle, which will keep your baby entertained!
Just Add Milk
From cosy nursery décor to beautiful clothes, Just Add Milk is the go-to website for baby, home and lifestyle. I love the nursery decorations, but my stocking filler pick is one of the sound books. There’s Moo, Cluck, Baa! for farm animal lovers, Vroom Zoom! Here Comes the Fire Engine! for an exciting story time, or Hush Little Bear for a calmer bedtime. And with this business, it’s not just about the kids! They have a whole section dedicated to mums including books, candles and home accessories. Perhaps one or two things may end up in your stocking, too!
Dave and Darcy Go to the Beach
Well, I couldn’t do a stocking filler list without including my own book, could I?! Books are great gifts for children with so many benefits, from developing vocabulary to letting them explore their emotions. When you buy Dave and Darcy Go to the Beach, you give another little gift, as 10% of my profit will be donated to Cotswold Riding for the Disabled. Click here to get your copy!
Hopefully, you’ll have found lots of inspiration in this article for stocking fillers – I hope you enjoy browsing the websites to see what else these fab businesses have to offer!