Gift Guide: Boot Room Inspired
Ello! What the heck are you doing, Lex? You hate gift guides and affiliate links. Well yes, and no. I actually find gift guides quite useful come holiday season, but I just don’t like half the useless plastic tat that’s usually on them. So, my preface is that my goal is to provide gift guides, inspired by the renovated rooms around our house, that are hopefully a bit different from most and British inspired. I don’t know if that’s really possible, but my purpose is to promote goods that are sustainable, naturally produced and won’t end up in a landfill in 6 months’ time. If you’re going to buy, then my opinion is you invest in quality pieces and build them up slowly. Less is more!
And as for affiliate links, well, this lady is realising she needs to start earning some money from all the hours I put into this blog / Instagram account and I’ve had quite a few messages asking “how you can support us?”. So this is my compromise! But my promise is, was, and always will be, that items shown on these lists either exist in our home already and we love them, OR they’re on our own wish-lists for holidays to come. So here we are. I hope they’re useful!
First up, since we just revealed the boot room, I thought I’d pull together some of our fave elements from the room. Some of these are pricey I admit, but they were well worth it especially as the one major gift for the year. (A practice we implement — one major gift > loads of small inconsequential gifts) Others would be great for your anglophile / design / alcohol / winter loving friends, or make nice personalised gifts for family members.
Fortnum & Mason Hamper (any variety, picnic version shown but we have the XL hamper version in the boot room) Stu bought me this as a rather extravagant mother’s day gift and it was delightful - filled with a lovely teapot, mugs, teas and scrummy biscuits. We actually re-gifted some of the teas (winner!) and use the basket endlessly through the year in the boot room. In summer it’s filled with picnic essentials, in the winter it houses all our hats & gloves.
Dubarry of Ireland Equestrian Boots - these are the real freaking deal. I purchased them (wincing as I handed over my credit card) nearly 8 years ago for a frigid Honeymoon trip to Canada in early February. My feet didn’t get cold once in subzero temperatures despite being sure I’d lost my bum, nose and boobs at several points. Worth every penny and I don’t wear anything else now in winter!
Pewter Quaich - not the exact one we were gifted for our wedding, but I love the little antlers on this one. Read here if you have no idea what this is! A simple and unique gift perhaps for your Anglophile friend who had just got married or moved into a new house. Easy to persnalise too!
Balvenie Carribean Cask - a tipple for the quaich! Or just a really nice bottle that any whisky loving friend will enjoy. One of our faves in this house, and a “nicer” option that doesn’t break the bank.
Cairns Vase - a beautiful ceramic vase that I had my eye on for over a year before finally purchasing, its a lovely 8”x8” size perfect for styling faux or real florals
Pom Pom Hat - I love me a pom pom hat, can’t get enough of them. At 37, I should be more grown-up with my styling choices but I care not. Pom poms for life! Nice quality and you can get it personalised too if you like.
Highland Escape Candle - I’m not obsessed with many things, but White Company candles are one of them. They’ve become my one major seasonal splurge and this Highland Escape scent has the most wonderful cozy countryside feeling. Add one of their candle plates to the botanical candle and it feels oh so elevated in any space!
Umbrella - (non-affiliate link) We have some enormous golf umbrellas that are an essential mainstay in our car and boot room, but this is a wish list item to add a bit more British fun!
Lucky Brand Boots - I own no less than 3 different pairs of these ankle boots in a variety of textures, they are my go-to shoe throughout the year and pair with pretty much anything from dresses to jeans. Really loving this new style they’ve added, and they’re on my wish list this year.
OKA Bowls - Another wish list item! The bowl in our boot room is a handmade Moroccan piece I picked up on my travels, but these would be a lovely addition as a key collection bowl, for coins, or just to add to a holiday tablescape. I’ve been lusting after both the red and green variety since last year.
Pewter Tankard - We own many of these from a variety of sources, it’s a common gift in the UK. You can personalise it and celebrate a big occasion, or just have a collection for your dining room, kitchen, snug, wherever! Linked is a classic Wentworth pewter tankard.
Janet Hill Studio print - One of my favourite artists ever, she produces such unique pieces that aren’t replicated anywhere else. Linked A lovely and affordable gift for someone who likes traditional settings with a bit of added quirk! Linked and pictured a different print to what it is in our boot room, but another one on my list to buy.
Joules kids boots - A classic, quality staple that makes a good kid’s gift because they’re as practical as they are cute. Available in so many different patterns and colours, something for every taste. We’ve handed these down between 3 children and they last!!
Tartan & co Wool blanket - A beautiful item to gift for a variety of uses - we have the MacKellar tartan small blanket that we use in the boot room to protect our bench a little, but equally gets used for cold nights or as a play item for the kids. Quality made, can’t go wrong really!
Eden Mill Gin - Distilled in St Andrews, where we went to university (it’s where we met!) so this one holds a little extra meaning. They have two varieties of gin to choose from, and we thought the taste was fantastic! A unique gift for your gin & tonic loving friend.
Barbour jacket - An English countryside essential that’s worth every penny. Stu and I both have the same waxed jacket (our wedding gift to each other!), that easily sees you through every downpour while remaining toasty warm and dry.
Botanical yellow pillow cover - I adore this brand in every style and shape it sells. Beautifully made products in lovely prints and patterns, that are easy to mix and match around the home. We have multiple pillow covers from here dotted around, and I love being able to just store extra pillow covers and switch between seasons when the mood strikes. Perfect for your home design loving friend - modern or traditional!