This is a sponsored article on behalf of The Royal Parks.
How's this for a magical way to support The Royal Parks? The charity, which cares for eight of London's most iconic green spaces, boasts a beautiful bricks-and-mortar gift shop — and right now it's positively festooned with festive cheer.
The Royal Parks Shop (which sits by the Serpentine in Hyde Park) is all about spotlighting British and independent businesses who align with the charity's sustainability ethos. From unique gifts to sweet treats and seasonal decor, it's got everything you need for a feel-good festive season. And the best bit? With every purchase you'll be supporting some of your favourite London parks!
Read on for our favourite products.
Feast festively
Start stocking up that Christmas food cupboard with the help of a homegrown brand that knows a thing or two about indulgence. The Royal Parks Shop stocks a sumptuous range of sweet treats by Cartwright & Butler (who've been doing their thing for over 115 years now). There's a luxury Christmas pudding for the big day, stocking filler fudge, and an exquisite range of biscuits — plus hot chocolate to dunk them in — for cosy winter nights in.
Deck the halls
How charming are these fair trade Christmas decorations by Felt So Good? They're crafted from natural felt by a community enterprise based in Nepal, which helps women in remote areas of the country secure employment. We're absolutely making room on our tree for William the Snowman.
Get great gifts for all ages
The whole family is well-catered for at The Royal Parks Shop. Surprise the littlest members of your brood on Christmas morning with a cuddly toy version of a London icon (Paddington Bear, of course), a beautiful range of books and games that will keep them going till turkey carving time.
There are all sorts of showstopping gifts for the grown ups, too — from luxury fragrances, to garden tools, to books and prints reflecting the history and heritage of London (though if you're one of our readers, we're betting you'll be tempted to keep those for yourself...) Again, the focus is on sustainably and ethically made products. Take the gorgeous knitted broaches, produced by the Hope Jewellery Project, which provides training and fairly paid work to women living in the shanty towns of Lima, Peru.
Stock up on stocking fillers
Fancy giving Father Christmas a helping hand this year? The Royal Parks Shop's got stocking fillers galore! There are a seed kits and nature-inspired games and fun-sized toys, as well as more adult-friendly treasures such as luxury hand cream and super soft socks (unironically one of the best gifts you can receive as an adult, IMO).
Feeling festive yet? Swing by next time you find yourself close to Hyde Park — it's an excellent way to round off a crisp winter a stroll, and much more conducive to warm fuzzies than your local high street.
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