Last-minute Christmas gifts made by London businesses

Got a friend who loves to cycle? This bike shaped bottle opener would be perfect. Made by Cornwall based family run gift and home decor design company, they have a team of in-house designers who offer exclusive designs such as these. Post-bike ride tipples will be made that much better with your handy and stylish present, especially if they’re someone one of those people that’s quick to get back into exercise on Boxing Day (snaps to you, we’ll be having mince pies and Baileys for breakfast). This business also sells other fun ideas, including ring holders, quirky mugs and bowls.

This Calathea Roseopicta plant is made for those with foliage-adorned homes. Known as the prayer plant, because the movement of the leaves resembles human hands, its leaves hang down during the daylight hours and stand up in the evening. It thrives best in a warm or humid spot in the house, and it prefers indirect or filtered sunlight, so could make for a lovely bathroom addition? You can order online or head down to the gorgeous Forest shop in East Dulwich or Lordship Lane to pick it out yourself. 

This is one for those who love a little sparkle. Handcrafted with a recycled glass bead and a sterling silver snake chain, this gorgeous necklace is handmade in Ghana. The company Mmiɛnsa (pronounced me-en-sa), which is the Twi word for three, comes from a mother and daughter team from South London with roots in Ghana. Even better? It’s a sustainable brand, so you’re basically helping the planet while buying presents, and it offsets CO2 emissions by planting one tree per purchase from the website.

You can never go wrong with a candle, that’s just a fact. The perfect gift for someone who’s just moved into a new place, this soothing candle helps to set a relaxed tone and will probably help them to get about that stack of boxes that still need to be unpacked (just leave it and stick on another episode of Selling Sunset). What’s the low-down with this product? Well it comes from a native London brand Neom, and it comes from their de-stress range, so expect to smell notes of lavender, jasmine and rosewood, all of which are good for relaxing.

Help your mate unleash their inner Masterchef with this food presentation kit. They’ll soon be blowing away dinner party guests with photogenic plates that look like something straight out of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The box includes all the equipment needed, alongside an instruction booklet explaining the best plating techniques, inspired by some of the best eateries out there. Think squeeze bottles, palette knives, a rung mould, sauce brush, tweezers and many more nifty tools to create a dish that’s well worth boasting about.

Have a friend who's obsessed with Insta? This would make for one share-worthy present. This plaque can be personalised with a selfie of you and your friend, their favourite food snaps or the most-liked dog photograph. Not only is it quirky and unique, but it can be customised with names, locations, hashtags, number of likes and plenty more adjustments mimicking the real thing. Coming in at around £15, it’s a pretty decent steal, and you’re helping to support a London-based creator. Wins all round.

It’s been a stressful few months, and while we’re not going to mention the you-know-what that’s scuppered Christmas plans, we will say this is going to help them forget all about it. Combining rose and geranium, this bath oil will help your friend to unwind and feel like they’ve been transported from their bathroom to a spa, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Furthermore, the ingredients are designed to balance hormones, boost your mood and improve circulation, while leaving skin feeling silky and smooth – a godsend for cold, dry winter nights.

Gift someone with good vibes going into the new year. They’ll definitely appreciate the sentiment. Ideal for those who are more spiritually inclined, this smudge stick is designed to cleanse and purify your space while helping to add a layer of protection. While the sage may smell ever so slightly like a roast dinner (it actually very comforting), it does release a scared smoke to help shift the energy around. Made by a London-owned company, this will create a calm and peaceful environment to promote a clear mind.