Contemplating thoughtful gifts for those 'hard-to-buy-for' loved ones this Christmas? We've done the thinking for you! Read on for our ideas …

Image of a men's gift box with shave grooming products, hand salve and chocolate covered coffee beans

It’s that time of year again - Christmas season is a time of celebration but it can also be stressful finding the perfect gifts for our friends and family. For many of us, we want to find thoughtful presents but not contribute to consumer waste with unwanted or unsustainable gifts. And there's always some loved ones who leave us stumped for ideas. 

Fear not – we’re here to help you with sustainable and luxurious ideas for those special but tricky-to-buy-for folk!

We’ve done the thinking for you … and the searching, testing and curating of a diverse range of wonderful gift sets with something for everyone. 

Our passion is seeking out gorgeous West Country artisan products and putting together creative, eco-friendly and beautifully presented gift boxes. 

Packed with the finest products from creators, makers and small independent businesses across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset – our thoughtful and sustainable gift boxes are designed to make it easy for you to deliver happiness this Christmas!

Stuck on gift ideas for men?

Now we don’t mean to stereotype, but it’s no secret that many of us find it challenging thinking of great gifts for the men in our lives. But we have lots of fantastic men’s gift ideas to share with you! 

Shave and beard grooming gift boxes

For anyone who enjoys that little bit of hand-crafted luxury when shaving or caring for their beard, these gift boxes hit that sweet spot of being both practical and indulgent. 

The all-natural shave and beard products from the fabulous Clovelly Soap Company in Devon will make grooming a pleasure.

The box includes an incredibly concentrated, nourishing ‘farm hand’ hand salve from Filberts of Dorset will protect and repair hard working hands and is great for all those who work or play in the outdoors, or are generally finding their hands feeling dry as the colder weather sets in.

And topped off with some delicious dark chocolate covered Colombian coffee beans from Dorset based artisan chocolate creators, Chococo, we think that these special gift boxes crammed with luxury are sure to be a favourite with men!  

Coffee lover's gift boxes

Many of us like to kick our days off to a good start with a delicious coffee, and the rich, smooth, hand-roasted and sustainable coffee from Devon based Voyager Coffee in our coffee lover’s gift boxes won’t disappoint.

Choose from beans (for those coffee connoisseurs who like fresh ground) or pre-ground (for those that like the convenience or are not equipped to grind beans themselves).

Couple this with a box of scrumptious dark chocolate covered coffee beans from artisan Dorset chocolatier Chococo and you’re set to deliver a coffee lover’s paradise. We can almost smell it as your gift box is opened and hear the “mmmmm” as the aroma surrounds your lucky gift recipient. 

Give them something to keep long after the coffee and chocolate treats have been devoured by selecting the gift box option that includes a premium reusable cup made from stainless steel and organic bamboo from the Cornish Sweet Bamboo. 

Outdoorsy Gift Boxes

This is a great and customisable gift box for all those outdoorsy people who love adventure, sports or simply soaking up nature whether it be at the beach or on land. 

Tailored to your choice and your budget with various options including a premium, stainless steel and organic bamboo thermos bottle or coffee cup from Sweet Bamboo, or a Cornish designed and made reusable cup made from disposable coffee cups (how cool is that!) from the multi-award winning Circular and Co.

Packaged up with a luxurious, soothing muscle rub from Cornwall's B Skincare, Clovelly Soap Co's ‘ocean breeze’ soap on a rope and hand crafted Zed Clay sun block for all those future trips camping, hiking or out door adventuring. Topped off with delicious Cornish artisan chocolate bar from Josh's Chocolate and this makes for a pretty fabulous package. 

 

What about sustainable gifts for children?

Why should grown ups have all the fun? There’s a lot to love about gift boxes for children, the excitement of the unboxing and the delight of a package of carefully selected treasures (all tried and tested by Sand & Sparkles' young advisers!).

Our range of children’s gift boxes provides a great option for those looking for fun, popular and sustainable gifts. 

Children’s Accessories Gift Box

Accessories are often a hit with young children and this box is sure to please. Featuring a lovely sea glass bracelet from Cornish jewellery maker Gemweyth Sea Glass Jewellery, fun ‘bangle bands’ from Devon based Coral and Mint, a generous bag of delicious and huge chocolate buttons from Josh’s Chocolate in Cornwall and topped off with some special edible flower ‘seeds for bees’ from Filberts of Dorset

 

Children’s Pamper Gift Box

Clovelly Soap Co, ‘bangle bands’ from Coral and Mint, a fun and delicious hot chocolate spoon from Josh’s Chocolate and a bag of mouth watering Devon Cottage organic fudge to complete the treat. 

 

 Children’s Chocolate Gift Box

Want to play it safe? Check out our children’s chocolate gift box. There’s plenty of children out there that enjoy a sweet treat and this irresistible box of local, artisan chocolate goodies from has been created specially for the younger chocaholics among us. 

 

Finding gifts for teenagers can be tricky

Teenagers can be challenging to find gifts for, with their interests varying and changing so much as they grow up. But that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a beautiful, thoughtful gift to make them feel special. 

Relax and Unwind Gift Boxes

Life is busy as a teenager and this lovely relaxation gift box is an invitation to stop and take some time and out to focus on wellbeing while enjoying some lovely treats. 

This gift set includes a 100% natural lavender and orange and matching bath milk from Devon's Soapdaze, some beautiful Cornish made B Skincare lavender hand cream, a relaxing ‘sleep’ blend essential oil roll on from Holly Botanic in Devon and a box of delicious Westcountry Tea Co's chamomile.

 

Pamper Gift Boxes

If relax and unwind isn’t quite hitting the right note, maybe a bit of pampering is what you might be looking to gift this Christmas? 

Our pamper box has wide appeal including for teenagers with a gorgeous range of all natural products including Soapdaze’s beautiful ‘New Rose’ bath mylk and body oil, a very special facial scrub from B Skincare made with crushed walnut shells, a ‘cleanse’ Holly Botanic herbal tea and topped off with a bar of Cornish artisan Josh's Chocolate. 

Outdoorsy Gift Boxes

Does the teenager you're buying for love the outdoors? Perhaps a surfer, a hiker, a climber or cyclist? Take a look at our Outdoorsy Gift Box

A great range of items that are sure to get a lot of use including your choice of sustainable thermos bottle or reusable cups from Sweet Bamboo or Circular and Co, B Skincare's all natural soothing muscle rub, Clovelly Soap Co’s ‘ocean breeze’ soap on a rope, Cornish hand crafted Zed Clay sun screen and of course a delicious bar of artisan chocolate from Cornwall's Josh's Chocolate to be enjoyed. 

 

Chocolate Gift Boxes

Who doesn't love pure decadence? If indulgence is what you’re seeking to share this Christmas then our Chocolate Heaven gift box might be what you're looking for. 

Chococo's chocolate covered treats, organic traditional chocolate fudge from Devon Cottage Organic Fudge, artisan Cornish chocolate and a hot chocolate spoon from Josh's Chocolate and even a highly nourishing coffee and raw cacao natural soap from Soapdaze, it’s hard to go wrong with this gift box. 

 

Seeking a gift for a teacher, colleague or neighbour?

Choosing a gift for someone that you perhaps don’t know as well as closer friends or family can leave many of us stumped – you want to share all the right sentiment with a thoughtful gift but need something with broad appeal that's sure to be loved. Here are some great gift ideas.

Tea Lover's Gift Boxes

Tea - the world’s most widely consumed drink (except water!) - and one that we are quite partial to in this country!

Our thoughtful tea gift box includes a box of premium Tregothnan classic tea blended with English tea leaves grown in Cornwall, paired with a delicious pack of shortbread biscuits from Devon’s Foxcombe Bakehouse and completed with a Jennifer Armitage Cornish illustrated ceramic coaster featuring stunning Cornish inspired designs.

This gift set is bound to appeal to many and is a great choice for a tea lover close to you, or for someone who you’re just not quite sure what to get!

Happy Hands Gift Box

B Skincare, that may just become the giftee's new favourite hand cream, is a pretty lovely gift to give or receive.

Coupled with a delicious Moorish Mint blend from Somerset based Exmoor Tea and a gorgeous bar of artisan chocolate from Cornwall’s Josh’s Chocolate and you’ve got yourself a lovely gift that you can share with confidence that it will be well received!

Treats and Time Out Gift Box

A little box of happiness packed with Exmoor Tea’s ethical ‘Moorish Mint’ blend, absolutely mouth watering organic, crumbly and traditional sea salt fudge from Devon Cottage Organic Fudge and a beautiful mini lavender and orange natural soap from Soapdaze. A special and popular combination of treats for a wide range of recipients and occasions!

 

Well, that’s a wrap on our gift boxes for those hard-to-buy-for people this Christmas! 

However please check out our full range here. And as always, if you're finding it tricky to nail that perfect gift and would like to discuss a custom order please reach out to us, we'd love to hear from you. 

Back to blog