I’m fed up with buying the same old presents from the same old shops every year. So this year, as well making some teacup candles myself, I’ve spent some time researching unusual and original presents that (hopefully!) will be warmly received and cherished for years to come, rather than swiftly ending up as landfill. Here are the fruits of my labour.
Bird print grand espresso set, Dutch by Design, £15
Thornback and Peel hankies, The Handpicked Collection, £14.95
The Parabola Project, a collection of short stories, poems and novel extracts from Cornwall's writing talent, £4 plus £1 P&P
Bird mini purses, Dutch by Design, £11.95
Selection of Eat Your Feet jewellery
Kirstie's Homemade Home, Kirstie Allsopp, Amazon, £20 (photograph: design inspiration)
Donna Wilson Robin Cushion Grey, Design Museum Shop, £65
Rob Ryan mug set, John Lewis, £17
London Tray Colourful, Maria Holmer Dahlgren, Aria, £26.50
London landmarks bookends by Susan Bradley, Hidden Art, £19.70 each
Your Placemat or Mine? Coasters: 1960s to 2000s, People Will Always Need Plates, £20
Christmas Cracker, Present & Correct, £10
Industrial Facility Calculator, Moss Online, $60
Lego Guggenheim, Lego, £35.99, (photograph: Blue is bleu)
confessions of a design geek 
Oh, I do love Thornback and Peel. I’d almost be prepared to have a baby just so I could dress it one of those pigeon baby-grows…
I love these gift ideas and especially the fact that they show you can give stylish and fun presents without having to bankrupt yourself too. Imagine how lucky I am to have presents under my tree from THE Design Geek 🙂 x
Thanks for the lovely comments – and for the suggestions via twitter for more unusual design gifts.
Has anyone got any other ideas for things I’ve missed out?
Check out Arianna’s Bodie and Fou picks for boys and for girls: http://ariannainteriors.blogspot.com/2010/12/bodie-and-fou.html