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Dear friends,
I know it’s only October, but in my experience, early gift purchasing is the key to an Advent where we can truly focus on preparing our hearts…
Thus, I present to you what has been a real labour of love: a gift guide that seeks to cut across the noise of the endless lists of 100 must buy bargain items flooding the internet.
Instead, I sought for this guide to feel peaceful, intentional and made with integrity. It’s full of ideas from small, often Christian, businesses and gifts that will be treasured and used for many years. I know they will, because they have been in my home!
I hope it will be a blessing to you, in this oh so very full season.
Under each image, you will find a description of each item, direct links (underlined) and why we love it, but most excitedly, as many of these businesses are small, Christian owned ones, they have generously provided me with discount codes, just for you!
Enjoy, dear ones.
- Julia Donaldson’s beautifully rhythmic books are just perfect for the little years. With iconic and captivating illustrations, paired with rhyme that flows beautifully and is terrifically clever, there’s a reason she’s captivated the hearts of many a preschooler! We read at least one of her books most days in our home.
- Bobike Balance Bikes are the perfect introductory bike for 2-3 year olds. It makes for a smooth transition to a pedal bike.
- These melamine plates from Christian owned Somerset Cottage would make the perfect gift for little ones who love a tea party, without the risk of shattered china! All of their wares are so very charming. You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for a discount.
- This Tonka Truck in particular has been the most indestructible. Our eldest children sit on it to ride down the hill 😅
- Tabitha Paige’s children’s books are just darling. With hand water coloured illustrations and delightful rhyme, they’re sure to charm even your older children.
- Grimms hand paint their toys in Germany. They’re truly heirloom toys which I intend to keep for when my grandchildren visit. I highly recommend the pyramid, rainbow and 1001 nights.
- These beautiful quiet toys from These stones, a small Christian owed family business, sell these delightful little pouches, ethically made in Thailand, with 3 sweet rabbits inside. Made from all natural materials 👏 You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES.
- Tegu was started by two Christian’s who travelled to Central America and saw that there was tremendous resource but not many jobs… so they started a factory, selling wooden magnetic toys, made with local wood, to bring jobs to the local people. They are fair trade, non toxic and pretty indestructible! We far prefer them to magnatiles.
- The Kings Cadets and Little Joe is perfect for fans of Little Pilgrims Progress. It’s a gentle chapter book for a younger age range, with the same charm and desire to point our children’s eyes heavenward.
- Elsa Beskow’s books are truly magical. The Beatrix Potter of Sweden. They are the epitome of whimsy.
- Say goodbye to using roll upon roll of cello tape to make a cardboard Wendy house… Makedo have crafted construction tools and screws that allow little hands to cut and fix together cardboard to bring their ideas to life!
- These games have been a huge hit here. Bird bingo, along with Monkey bingo, Endangered Animals bingo and Ocean bingo, have become our favourite rainy day games. They’ve exposed our kids to so many fascinating animals and they’re visually stunning.
- This tiny flower press is perfect for your little one who can’t resist bringing home a posy from wherever they go.
- This marble game is made at a factory just half an hour from our home, which specialises in marbles and other traditional children’s games.
- Sarah’s Silks (made from real silk!) are just divine. Our favourites are the fairy wings. A beautiful alternative to the usual fancy dress which only lasts one age year. These are one size and so never get grown out of!
- Andy and His Big Question by Courtney Doctor is a brilliant new release which, through the medium of story, will help you tackle the question of what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength.
- Whilst this remote control monster truck may feel a little out of place in this guide, it’s included because it’s lasted us 5 years! Not many toys purchased from Amazon provide such longevity and sustainability, so it’s a huge thumbs up for us. All of our children have loved it and it provides endless outdoor fun, particularly as if can even drive through water!
- Tegu was started by two Christian’s who travelled to Central America and saw that there was tremendous resource but not many jobs… so they started a factory, selling wooden magnetic toys, made with local wood, to bring jobs to the local people. The are fair trade, non toxic and pretty indestructible! We far prefer them to magnatiles.
- This magnetic wooden chess board is brilliant if you want to pause a game and come back to it or have little hands around that may knock the board - the pieces all stay in the right place.
- Sherwood is an audiobook streaming service that was started by a Christian family who wanted to create a place where likeminded families could find books they can trust for their kids. It’s full to the brim of so many wonderful options, bringing endless hours of literary joy. You can use the code CHRISTMAS20 for a 20% discount.
- Patricia St John, missionary and author, wrote many books that are full of heart, adventure and inspiration. 10 of those have produced this beautiful box set which would make a great investment for your home library.
- Audubon’s bird caller is brilliant for our nature enthusiasts. Unlike bird whistles which only mimic one type of bird, this toy allows you to adjust it to mimic a huge variety of birds!
- Some books deserve a permanent space in our home library and these are two of them. Joe Sutphin’s works are exquisite, with some of the more captivating illustrations we’ve ever experienced. He’s reimagined two poignant tales - Pilgrim’s Progress and A Christmas Carol in such a way that your kids will request them over and over.
- The Trailblazer series are some of the most important stories you could have in your home. We all want to inspire our children to live lives fully devoted to God, and these stories of heroes and heroines of faith do just that, and there are many other box sets in the series too!
- This friendship bracelet maker is a must for our little ladies who love to create. It makes it wonderfully easy to make beautiful designs.
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is such a fun, silly, fast paced game. Whilst it’s best for this age range, we play it as a whole family, even with our 3 year old, and there’s endless laughs.
- We love watercolour in this house, and these metallic shimmery paints have enhanced our creations beautifully.
- All books from Lithos Kids are exquisite. They are an independent Christian publisher who truly care about creating beautiful, heirloom quality books that are biblically faithful. Mansoul Chronicles has taken John Bunyans Holy War and made it accessible for our young ones. It’s a rich, powerful story with gripping illustrations. Whilst their newest release has made Pilgrims Progress accessible to those who prefer a graphic novel - Christian’s Quest. Both of our eldest children have not put it down. You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for 50% off until the 31st of October and 10% off thereafter.
- These Bible based brick sets, including this epic Nativity set, from Tektones are so much fun! A small Christian owned company, started by a father and his son, Tektones wants to bring faith into play. As a mother who seeks to weave gospel conversations into all that we do, I am so encouraged by their vision! Lego fans, this is a must! The code LIFEGIVING20 will give you 20% off 👌
- The Hiding Place is such an important piece of literature for Christian’s and makes a particularly powerful read for teenagers. I once read it as part of a teen book club and it was such a beautiful experience.
- Settlers of Catan is a multiplayer strategy board game that feels grown up without being inaccessible. There is genuine strategy, negotiation and competition that rewards clever thinking! It’s a firm family favourite here.
- Pickleball is a game that’s easy to pick up and incredibly sociable, making it a great gift to encourage siblings or friends to do something together.
- Rachel Allord has written two gripping novels for teens - The Girl on the Tube and The Girl and the Green Hat - the latter I had the honour of endorsing. They speak into the issues many modern teens face, with beautiful undertones of gospel truth, reminding our young people that God is so much bigger than any of the problems they are facing.
- All teens love stationary and Daily Grace Co’s stationary is exceptionally beautiful. I highly recommend their sermon notes journal and scripture lettering workbook as truly meaningful gifts. They currently have a HUGE sale on but you can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for a further discount on top.
- These organic lip balms are good quality and very affordable! They always make it into our stockings.
- This digital instant camera is brilliant! We went to a wedding recently where these were used and they were such fun. Such a great way to allow our teens to use technology for beautifully creative purposes, without the difficulties that come with other forms of tech.
- Carcassonne is a brilliant medieval world building game, that requires gentle competition, and is easy to pick up, whilst having enough depth to engage older players.
- Daily Grace Co’s faith inspired jewellery would delight any teenage girl. Use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for a discount.
- For the teen who loves to Bible journal, these highlighters are a must as they don’t bleed through the pages!
- The Hymn dress from Poet Dresses, a small Christian owned company, is truly special. I won’t tell you what my husband said when he saw me in it for the first time. It was a good reaction. You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES.
- These pure wool felted slippers, fair trade made, are the best slippers I’ve ever owned. They mould to the shape of your foot and because the sole is leather, they just don’t wear out. Mine are 5 years old and going strong.
- Tiffanie at The Cottage Brush is a talented folk style artist. Whilst she’s created many a beautiful painting, inspired by cosy home scenes, the one featured here is a must for twin mums! You can use the code REJOICE10 for a discount site wide.
- From Crimson to White and Gospel Shaped Womanhood are two of my favourite recent reads for women and they pair beautifully. Both are theologically rich, yet accessible, with Natalie’s book reminding us that we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness and particularly for mums in the tiring early years when an easier read is a must. Whilst Sarah’s takes us on a journey to see where our true identity lies.
- The Bible is For You is a 66 day devotional that offers a reflection for every book of the Bible, but what I love most about it is that it isn’t just a short token verse before the reflection, but almost two pages worth of scripture. It feels like a good meal rather than a snack and is a book I repeatedly gift to friends.
- Sarah Mesa from Abide Embroidery Co has created such beautiful kits to help women slow down stitch God’s word. The Christ Will Hold Me Fast Embroidery Kit is particularly beautiful, reminding us that He holds us, even on the days we can’t hold on.
- Writing out scripture has been transformative for my quiet time. No longer does my mind wander as I read, as I’m truly focusing on reading and writing it out. Reformation Heritage Books have created these beautiful “In the Word Journals” for the Psalms and Proverbs, with space for each verse, notes and really helpful study questions throughout. You can find them at their website here but they aren’t released until the 3rd of November and the code LIFEGIVING10 will give you 10% off until December 31st.
- Shop Dahl, a small Christian owned clothing company, seeks to bring you clothes that are beautiful, practical and move with all the seasons of motherhood. Think Anne of Green Gables for the current century! You can use the code JESSICA for a discount!
- Jenny Rew, a dear local friend of mine, hand knits and shapes her beautiful knitted decorations from her home in Devon. They’d make a perfect stocking filler! The code lifegivingpages10 will get you 10% off site wide.
- Heaven and Nature Co, a small Christian company, create beautiful, high quality prints of scripture lay over stunning skyscapes. I have this one on my wall and it’s such an encouragement to me as a mother. You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for 20% off site wide.
- This glass pour over coffee maker has a beautiful design, is easy to clean and doesn’t leach plastic into your coffee! Win!
- Christmas isn’t Christmas without socks and these pure cotton socks are delightfully warm, thick and cosy.
- Our birdfy bird feeder with an inbuilt camera has been one of my husband’s favourite things this year and we just gifted this exact model to his parents for their wedding anniversary! Getting a close up look at all the visitors to our garden, directly to his phone, has been a source of endless joy. You can use the code LIFE10 for a discount site wide.
- Endurance is one of the most epic books my husband has ever read. It’s one he cannot wait to share with our sons. A truly remarkable story of grit, determination and surviving against all odds.
- This Pilgrims Progress tapestry from These Stones, a small Christian owned business, has been produced using the original drawings from the Pilgrims Progress! It is epic and a must for any pilgrims progress fans! You can use the code LIFEGIVINGPAGES for 10% off
- Our husbands are often incredibly busy, and so having an option to listen to the Bible as they are on the go can be such a gift and the Dwell audio Bible app is so much more than an audio Bible. It is full of rich devotionals, Christian living audiobooks, kids resources and more. Plus the actual audio Bible is completely adaptable, meaning they can find the right Bible translation, narrator, speed and background music to suit them. Use this link for 25% off an annual subscription or 50% off a five pack of one year gift cards… a great way to get Christmas shopping done in one hit.
- My husband found A Little Theology of Exercise to be a short, potent encouragement to take care of his health and body for the glory of God.
- When asked why he’d recommend Happiness by Andrew Wilson, my husband said: What if God’s desire to be glorified and our desire to be happy are not at odds? This is a fascinating deep dive on the topic of human happiness that will inspire, move and convince us to take our satisfaction in God and the life he has given us more seriously!
I pray that this experience has been a gentle one, leaving you feeling envisioned, rather than overwhelmed, and that you have found some beautiful things made by beautiful people, for your dearly loved ones.
Blessings,
Jessica
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