This year, we decided not to partake in our usual Black Friday sales after reflecting on how damaging it can be on us small, independent businesses and to the environment - to read more on reasons why, check out our post on Instagram here.
This year we want to celebrate Small Business Saturday on the 3rd December 2022. A day started ten years ago to help encourage shoppers to support small businesses and their local highstreet! Here at Ethica Diamonds, we are lucky enough to be based in beautiful Cornwall, which is bursting with a huge array of wonderful small businesses, local produce and creative crafts. To show our support in shopping small and local this Christmas, we’ve put together a Christmas gift guide sharing some of our favourite Cornish small businesses perfect for your Christmas shopping this year.
Badger & Birch
Hazel, the maker behind Badger & Birch creates home and lifestyle products, with a focus on artisan design, and values natural sustainable materials and minimising waste. All pieces are handcrafted in small batches in her workshop and studio, from her garden in Falmouth, Cornwall. The perfect gift for someone special.
‘Creating sustainability in my products is important to me. I use recycled and reusable materials where possible and look to processes that have minimum impact on our environment.’
Josh's Chocolate
Josh's Chocolate creates delicous chocolate in a wide variety of amazing flavours, all made in Cornwall and packaged beautifully. Their chocolate bars and giant chocolate buttons make the best stocking fillers!
"We pride ourselves on delicious chocolate and celebrating simple life pleasures of coast and country in Cornwall. It was this that inspired me to use St Ives based illustrator, Joanne Barry to produce a suite of gorgeous illustrations depicting the idyllic Cornish lifestyle I know and love. These illustrations were then used as our packaging, to beautifully wrap my Cornwall inspired chocolate bars."
Atlantic Blankets
Atlantic Blankets are designed and based in Cornwall, and are made sustainably in the British Isles, all responsibly sourced and cruelty free. Independent and family owned, they take huge inspiration from our home in Cornwall and the Atlantic ocean. Atlantic Blankets have four main values. Warmth, Protection, Simplicity and Happiness.
‘Committed to environmentally-friendly production, we have been using recycled fibers for many years and continue to increase our recycled fabrics. Using 100% recycled materials, our gorgeous, recycled cotton blankets are something we are really proud of.’
The Cornish Larder
The Cornish Larder sells delicious chutneys, sauces and preserves that collaborate and champion other Cornish food and drink producers. For Christmas we definitely recommend trying out their brand new Figgy Pudding Chutney with Fowey Valley Brandy and Mulled Wine and Cranberry Relish made with Polgoon Vineyard. They do Christmas gift boxes and even subscription boxes, perfect for the foodie in your life!
"The Cornish Larder came from very humble beginnings, starting in founder Jake’s parents’ kitchen.
Having grown up in Cornwall and spent many years cooking in hotels across the county, Jake wanted to create a business that celebrated the amazing food and drink that this area produces."
Nude Ethics
Nude Ethics Illustrated clothing range focuses on sustainable fashion. T-Shirts are made using a 99% water loop system. They have their own collection and also stock other ethical small brands. This brand values making products that can do some good to the world whilst also being at the highest standard possible. A thoughtful gift for the minimalist in your life.
‘Nude Ethics is a one woman shop, run by myself - Jessica. Nude Ethics was created to offer affordable designs made with ethical standards. Each piece from the Nude Ethics range is made from organic cotton, fair wear production, renewable energy and a minimal carbon footprint.’
Inhabit
Bases just around the corner from our jewellery showroom in Cornwall, Inhabit is the perfect place to get someone a gift. Nestled into the end of Panier market, it is full of plants, homeware, jewellery, accessories and even has an entire card section. If you're looking for a fun and quirky gift idea, this is the place to go! They also have a big range of gifts that can be personalised, if you're looking for something extra thoughtful.
"Inhabit is a small, family owned, independent retailer established in 2000. Over the years we have always tried to inspire our customers with interesting and fabulous products, some of which we design and manufacture ourselves."
The Cove Bathing Company
The Cove Bathing Company creates Cornish inspired luxury bathing products, our favourite being the amazing bath salts. We partnered with the Cove last year and so we can vouch just how lovely their products are! Luxurious, ethically sourced, made in Cornwall and beautifully packaged, what’s not to love? And not to mention that the founder, Bianca, is one of the loveliest ladies we know!
"The Cove and each and every one of our products are created out of a passion for Cornwall, the Cornish Coast and the Beauty of the Sea. Each product is designed to provide a connection to a place in Cornwall, as well as providing specific remedies for common complaints or ailments."
Land & Water
Born on the shoreline, Land & Water is a Cornish bath and body brand. Using a 100% vegan palette of natural fruit, flower and plant essential oils, Land & Water blends carefully chosen ingredients with insight, imagination and scientific expertise. They focus on recreating the fresh skin sensation we feel on the shoreline.
‘We have invested in sustainable practices from day one, selecting partners and suppliers whose principles chime with our own, and giving painstaking consideration to our ingredients and manufacturing processes.’
