Three years ago, when I started my blog, I had no idea about the kind of work that goes into starting, growing, and maintaining a business, and I take my hat off to anyone doing the same. As a Mum, juggling a business alongside raising a family, I try my hardest to support others doing the same and, in a world where there is always someone waiting to bring you down, I think it is incredibly important that we all help to raise each other up. And one of the easiest ways to do just that  is to support small business’s this Christmas.

I’m sure we all know someone, a family member or friend, who runs a small business from home: trying their hardest to get their ideas and products out there, battling against the ever changing algorithm on Facebook, coming up against hurdles and working hard to overcome them. This Christmas I wanted to share with you ten wonderful and talented ladies whose products I really believe in, and I urge you to check out their sites and support them where possible.

1. Karma Cactus

2. No Boys Allowed Fashion

3. Lola Pops

You may remember back in September I worked with the wonderful Debbie at Lola Pops where we reviewed her gorgeous handmade children’s clothing, here. Debbie, a Mum of three, makes the most amazing custom made outfits in bright and quirky prints to really make your child stand out. From birth to 12 years there is a style, and design, for everyone and Debbie is always open to ideas if you have something specific in mind.

I am a huge fan of Lola Pops having seen first hand how comfortable they are to wear, can be personalised on request, and durable enough to survive even the most boisterous of adventures. Lola Pops clothes are amazing quality, fantastically affordable, and would make the perfect gift this Christmas. Make sure you pop over to the website here.

4. D & B’s Waxy Wonders

Christmas is the perfect time for scented candles and D&B’s Waxy Wonders have some of the best I have ever smelled. Partners Beth and David started off selling their 100% soy wax melts, candles and burner sets, to save money to take David’s son on holiday and yet, given how popular they were, launched D&B’s Waxy Wonders and the Facebook business has gone from strength to strength.

In just over a year their products have received all 10/10 reviews from satisfied customers. Together they have developed the most creative designs and scents, including the most amazing unicorn range which my girls went crazy for! They also have a Vicks VapoRub range which are perfect for this time of year and help everyone in the home to breathe more easily – so necessary when the germs strike!

Their Christmas range does incredibly well with scents such as Cinnamon Snowflake, Gingerbread, Pine Tree, Mulled Wine, and Cinnamon and berry. Beth and David can provide custom made gift sets which are perfect for Christmas or, at just £2.50 a bag, the wax melts make the perfect stocking filler.

Having tried the wax melts for the last couple of weeks I can honestly say that they smell incredible and everyone who walks into our house asks where they can get some! Make sure you check them out over on their Facebook page here.

5. Made At Midnight

Made At Midnight is the most gorgeous business, ran by one of my oldest and best friends Joanne alongside a friend. What initially started out as Dear Santa plates last Christmas has fast expanded into a whole range of beautiful and personalised items.

Their ring dishes are incredibly popular and can be personalised for family members, weddings, and as thank you gifts for teachers. I absolutely adore their on-line store and how the products are all hand created, high quality, and yet hugely affordable. Check out their Facebook page here.

6. Patacake-Parties

Suzanne is another amazing Mum who created Patacake-Parties at home in Ilford, selling cupcakes, cookies and cakes. I am always in awe of how beautiful her cakes are, and how delicious others say they are, and very proud of what she has achieved with her cakes going from strength to strength.

Suzanne has a large menu of flavours including traditional vanilla with jam & buttercream; chocolate sponge with a vast range of buttercream flavours to choose from; zesty lemon sponge with lemon curd buttercream; chocolate orange sponge filled with layers of orange curd and chocolate buttercream; champagne & strawberry; coconut & lime; rich fruit cake; Baileys… the list goes on and on…

Although Suzanne cannot post cakes, she can post out cookies and has done previously as far as USA and Canada. That’s a sure sign of how delicious her cookies are! Please do check out her Facebook page here and her website here.

7. Teacup Doodles

As a child Toria loved to doodle and so, after a career in TV production, she decided to launch Teacup Doodles with a clear mission – to create fun bespoke artwork to make you smile.

Every doodle is created and illustrated by Toria from her Victorian terrace ‘Teacup House’ in Manchester. She creates the most amazing family portraits, perfectly capturing every members personality, likes and hobbies. Her doodles are brightly coloured, beautifully drawn, and the most unique present for someone special. Toria is also running a series of children’s Christmas illustration Workshops which sound amazing! You can find her on Facebook here.

8. Emily Pike Jewellery

With a BA Hons in Designed Metalwork and jewellery, Emily has always had an interest in creating jewellery and now, as a Mum of two, she creates the most beautiful and unique contemporary silver jewellery at Emily Pike Jewellery.

Working from home and selling her jewellery at local craft fairs, her designs are stylish and elegant, and make the most beautiful gifts for Christmas. You can check out her Facebook page and place orders here.

9. Are We There Yet Travel Bags

For anyone planning any Christmas getaways, Are We There Yet travel bags, created by the lovely Holly, are a must!! As a mum of five, Holly and her family love to travel and she would spend ages looking online and hitting the shops with the mission of finding activities to see them entertained on their travels. Disappointed not to find a one stop shop she would put together a bag for each of her children, hiding them like Christmas presents so they had maximum impact on their journey’s.

​She soon realised that there was a real market for ready made travel bags and, using her experience of what children, and parents, want from an activity bag, Are We There Yet was born! 

Holly kindly gifted the children one of her travel packs each for our recent holiday in Cornwall and they were a huge hit! With bags for children of all ages, they contain a whole host of exciting little crafts, toys and treats – perfect for keeping children entertained when travelling or away.

My children were over the moon with their travel bags, getting so excited over each perfectly thought out item. And, as a parent, I loved that the children had age appropriate activities to entertain them on a 10 hour drive and during our stay.

For Christmas you can buy the most fantastic Christmas activity boxes and travel packs, filled with festive crafts, activity and sticker book and a festive story. Not only are they great for travel but they also make the perfect ready made Christmas Eve box! Please do pop over to the website here, and the Facebook page here. We definitely recommend them!

10. Purple Plum Gifts

My lovely friend Claire creates the most fantastic personalised gifts for children and adults over at Purple Plum Gifts. With her range including clothing, custom frames, key rings and water bottles, there is something for everyone and particularly this Christmas!

Claire has gorgeous personalised Christmas Santa Sacks for little ones for just £10, way cheaper than you’ll find on the high street! I also love these sparkly personalised journals, perfect for older children and adults who love a little bling!

One of Claire’s most popular items are these elf water bottles – the ultimate addition to any Christmas Eve box! Personalised with your child’s name they can be packed in lunch boxes for a festive feel and even used all year round for those who just love Christmas! I want one! Make sure you check out Purple Plum Gifts Facebook page here!

So there you have it, ten wonderfully talented and inspirational ladies who have worked so hard to create a whole range of fantastic business’s with so many gorgeous gift ideas for this Christmas. Happy Shopping!