Stocking fillers and gifts under £50

Otherwise known as the totally justifiable Gift To Self. I like to shop on the 'one for you, one for me' principle – so here's a big list of small ideas you can treat yourself to at any time of year.

This post is already a mistake, as researching it has caused me to find several more things I really, really need – and since I’ve already bought all my gifts for others, I’ve gone beyond the point of the ‘one for you, one for me’ justification, so now it’s just ‘I want it and I mean to have it for no reason I can possibly rationalise other than as a small reward for getting out of bed this morning’. At this rate I may have given myself a reason to stay in bed for the rest of the month with the wi-fi turned off so I can’t spend any more money. But hey, when it’s this cold outside, I could be into that.

Anyway, for everyone else, some lovely small things that might help with unfinished business – either to brighten up your own days or someone else’s from £1 (YES!) to £50. And if you have it all still to do, then read my post on how to come up with brilliant ideas for everyone here. I also know that £50 counts as a full-on gift rather than a stocking filler, but this way there’s lots of choice, depending on your budget. Read the captions for simple ideas on how to build these out from stocking filler or secret Santa into full present, if that’s what you need.

Please note that this post is way too long for an email, so it will cut off and you will need to open it in the Substack app or on the website. This is because I dislike guides where there are lots of tiny images on a white page and you have to squint at the thing and then try and find the corresponding title and price. This is laid out BIG so you can see the price and the detail at a glance. And for the same reason, I haven’t explained each thing: you like it, you buy it! (Just click on the title.)

I HAVE CHOSEN MY PATH POSTCARD £1

Just add a frame or buy a set of four

VINTAGE BAKING MOULDS £2.50

An updated version of the collectable jelly mould - hang on the wall or buy the ingredients

OLD BOTTLE OPENERS £3.75

Just add a box of beer

LEMON SOAP £4

Add handcream or a soap dish

CLEMENTINE CANDLE £5

Buy a set of different fruits or a candle snuffer (see later in this guide)

MELAMINE ALPHABET EXPRESSO CUPS £6

Buy a set or add a coffee machine - from cafetiere to full espresso machine

ENAMEL SPLATTER SPOON £8

Goes with homemade jam or chutney or shop-bought in a little hamper

CHERRY KEY RING £8

Attached to a house? Or a pretty notebook - think things that go in handbags

ALPHABET SPORTY SOCKS £10

With trainers

The rest of this post, from £11 and up, is for paid subscribers only. You can upgrade if you would like to see more and also have access to all my interior design knowledge - a massive archive of inspiration, information and ideas - as well as a discount on a gift subscription - well this is a post about presents