7 Mindful Gifts from my nearest & dearest 🎁

We entered Tier 3 in London this December, which means everything is on lockdown, pretty much. Friends’ businesses have closed, my favourite cafes and bars are struggling. Fellow musicians, poets, artists and small business owners are all trying to stay afloat.

Out of the dark comes hope, with many turning to creativity to get through, coming up with beautiful ways to share & promote their work this holiday season.

My mindful gift list is a little different because I’m promoting gifts made by family & friends. I hope this list will help you with your shopping this year in the following ways:

1. Inspire you to purchase gifts from your friends, family & local favourites. Spread the love!

2. Provides a lovely list of gift ideas for your loved ones

So, without further ado: Here are my 7 mindful gifts, made with love, from my nearest & dearest.

1. Songs of Love in Lockdown - by Ed Gillespie

Ed is a good friend of mine & he wrote these poems from his flat in Brixton, London during the first lockdown. The poems are beautiful, insightful and encourage lockdown & end-of-year reflections. It's a perfect read after a pretty crazy year The artwork is also gorgeous.

"A collection of poems written during the Spring lockdown of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic that hopefully reflect the shifting emotions, moods and thoughts we all were experiencing and feeling during those first few weird, discombobulating and unprecedented weeks. Inspired by the daily practice of American poet William Stafford I wrote a poem every day during this period and these are the selected highlights." - from Ed's Etsy page.

Ed is a Director at Greenpeace UK, one-half of the Futurenauts & co-host of "The Great Humbling" podcast. You can buy his beautiful book of poetry here 🎄

2. Sticks Like Snow - Marty Zylstra

Sticks Like Snow is a brilliant Christmas song by friend Marty who is based in Vancouver. It's had radio plays over there and I've also featured it on my own UK radio show here. I've pretty much had it on repeat!

It is the perfect secret santa present for friends or family who may not be within reach to give an actual, physical gift! I wanted to share Marty’s song with you this holiday season and who knows, hopefully we can get it to No.1! Because he's my mate and he's an awesome musician and 100% deserves it!

You can listen/download to Sticks Like Snow here 🎄

3. Evergrim Productions by Meg Owenson

I went to secondary school with Meg. She is an insanely talented senior concept and visual development artist in the film and game industry creating a wide range of art, including these gorgeous jewelry pieces above from her EverGrim range.

I've linked not only to her Etsy page but also her portfolio as it's all too amazing not to share. Her prints are now available to order.

4. Tamesis Dock - Dutch barge in London

This is one of my favourite spots in London run by a friend! The Tamesis Dock is a moored Dutch boat on London's Albert Embankment near Vauxhall. The last few Decembers, it has become a tradition to head to the boat on the Thames and sing a few songs for the merry crowds. Last year, we did a dreadful yet amazing (Ha ha) Backstreet Boys cover band - it went spectacularly!

Many friends from near & far would usually attend as a sort of reunion. But this year, the boat is struggling due to lockdown closures. To help keep them afloat and paddling, they have some special gifts in exchange for kind support as part of the Mayor of London's Pay It Forward Campaign such as £13 for Pizza and Prosecco! ⚓

If you're in London, once Tier-3 is over, what better way to start the new year by visiting with a friend or family member, which supports one of London's most precious gems.

More info & gifts at this link

5. KneecapsAnna

KneecapsAnna happens to be my dear younger sister! She creates travel and adventure vlogs.

She's currently out in the french alps recording videos. She cleans chalets part-time to fund her love of the mountains and the great outdoors!

Anna is a creative soul and makes beautiful, funny & interesting videos producing her own music - the multitalented thing she is. She has set up a Patreon page and my gift to her this Christmas is to share it widely & proudly! A subscription also makes a sweet, digital gift for someone interested in travel & adventure :)

You can check out more of her videos here

6. Screen Time by Becca Caddy

Becca is another dear friend of mine and one of my oldest school friends! She is a journalist specialising in tech, science and the future (pretty darn cool!) and she has just written a book called 'Screen Time' which is now available!

"Fed up with your screen time going up and up every week, but unable to give up your phone? It’s time for a new, balanced approach.

Forget aiming for inbox zero and screen-free days: instead, learn to reassess your relationship with your phone on your own terms, spotting what works for you and what doesn’t. " - Excerpt from Becca Caddy's page.

You can get a copy of Screen Time from her website

7. Choose Love - Secret Santa

I had to include Choose Love in my list. For all refugees struggling in these cold, dark winter months, buying a gift from here could be life-saving.

The idea is that you choose a gift from the website such as a hot meal or a warm coat, which is then given to a refugee. Prices start from £5 - the price of a secret santa gift!

I feel so passionate about this cause and feel that buying a gift from Choose Love will make such a difference. Definitely an amazing gift to give. You can check out the website for more info.

So there you have it! My 7 mindful gifts from my nearest and dearest.

I hope that even if some of the items on this list are not relevant for you, that it'll inspire you to buy from friends and family and support local businesses during this time.

Wishing you all happy holidays and hopefully a much better 2021 wherever you are & whoever you're able to spend it with.

With love,

Weaver Bird 🎄