SUNSHINE-FILLED EASTER FINDS FROM BRILLIANT SMALL BUSINESSES

24th March 2023

Well finally. Those dark, cold morning starts are over, the cheery cherry blossom’s out and spring is bloody springing! That means there’s sunshine on the way and I think we could all rather do with some. So I’m using this as an excuse to gather everyone I love, turn off the news and treat those around me to some mini magic (and I’m going to try and be extra creative again this year so that it’s not just all focused around chocolate… well ok, maybe a little… if it even lasts till then…).

At the start of this year, I made a commitment to taking care of my mental health and part of that is making a conscious effort to celebrate the good bits of life so that the good bits win — and for me that’s spending time with those I love. So let’s squeeze the juice out of every moment we can. I want this to be what the kids (and we) remember in years to come — us all being together. And as usual, I’m turning to the UK’s creative small businesses to help make it extra special. If you’re also in need of a little sunshine this Easter, try these…

For the gift of spring in a box…
‘Ceramic Egg Bud Vase Gift Box’ (three mini vases with a beautiful selection of hand-cut flowers included), by The Florist’s Daughter.

Something that will last longer than the chocolate will…
‘Bunny Coin Purses’, hand-crafted from carefully sourced vegetable tanned eco-leather by AMY & IVOR.

For the really ‘good eggs’ in your life…
The ‘Good Egg’ card, originally hand-illustrated with watercolour and gouache, by artist Kate Cronk, founder of Peggy & Kate.

For tiny treats for tiny hands…
Reusable, hand painted and ready to fill with treasure: ‘Set of 3 Hollow Wooden Easter Eggs’ by The Wood Cove (partners of the One Tree Planted project).

For a little reminder when they (or you) might need it most…
Primrose ‘Keep Going’ Mug, by The Thoughtful Potter — each one created by pressing real spring primroses into the clay.

For decorating your home year after year…
Stylish and planet-friendly, handmade ‘Liberty Fabric Calligraphy Hanging Egg Decorations’, by Sassigraphy.

For bringing the party to your plate…
Reusable ‘Easter Party Animals’, by Bow Beaus (where you can even choose the headwear and colour ‘vibe’)… and start a collection.

For a safer way to send eggs through the post…
‘Hand-cut Easter Egg Card’, printed on fine art paper and crafted with love, by Sophie Amelia Creates.

For your little spring chickens…
‘Easter Bunny Sorting Tray’, made with solid beech wood by family-run business The Little Coach House.

For bringing the magic to Easter morning…
Handwritten ‘Letter From The Easter Bunny’, by Polar Post. The perfect way to start your annual egg hunt.

For an alternative sweet treat to chocolate…
Large ‘Flower Macarons’ (which are four times the size of a regular macaron), by The March Hare Bakery.

For bringing nature to the Easter table…
‘Daffodil Linen Tablecloth’, hand painted then printed on 100% European washed linen (with matching napkins available), from By Hope.

For a ‘crack-ing’ way to serve the treats…
Large ‘Egglet Bowl’ (available in a Mini Egg glaze), by Glosters Pottery — a husband and wife led team based on the Welsh coastline.

For an indulgent treat for them (…and you)…
Scotch Egg Blondie (with a white chocolate Creme Egg centre), by the brownie wizards at Hetty’s Kitchen.

For sharing (or for hiding and enjoying yourself)…
‘Chocolate Bird Eggs’ by The Chocolate Detective, whose founder Chantal is a lifelong chocolate activist, striving for transparency in the industry.

For bringing the ‘showstopper’ to your Easter cake…
Cake toppers, hand painted on sustainable birch plywood, available in various spring flowers, by Amy Swann x Ivy Joan.

For treating your mini Easter bunnies…
Keepsake ‘Bunny Girl Doll’ made with natural linen and cotton, and available in inclusive skin tones, by BOKUNO.

For the perfect picnic with the Easter bunny…
Pretty yet practical ‘Bunnyccino’ mugs, by Nest Kids Decor, designed to be hardwearing and easy to hold for little hands.

For collecting all those eggs on Easter morning…
Personalised ‘Cottontail Bunny Petite Basket Bag’, handwoven from sustainable palm leaf, by Basket and Belle.

For treating the vegan in your life…
Satisfy their sweet tooth and their conscience with Melt Chocolates’ stunning ‘Strawberry Vegan Easter Egg’ (made with real strawberries).

For a less ordinary way to serve Hot Cross Buns…
Introducing ‘Hot Cross Crumpets’ by the Crumpetorium, who deliver their artisan crumpets ‘direct to the door’ all across mainland UK.

For something almost too beautiful to eat…
Hand-cast and beautifully hand painted ‘Chocolate Bunny’ in thick Belgian chocolate, by the Edible Museum, winner of the Mature-preneur Independent Award 2022.

For the budding Picassos in your life…
Handpainted Easter eggs that are true works of art, by A.R.D Bakery in collaboration with Alice Dansey-Wright.

For ‘dishing out’ the chocolate goods…
Personalised ‘Mini Eggs Dish’ available in five different colours, each handmade from a home studio in small batches by Katie Parker.

For flowers that will stay in bloom long after Easter…
Hand-crafted ‘Paper Daffodils’ (and other springtime flowers), by paper florist The Paper Project.

For chocolate that brings smiles all round…
Colourful dark chocolate, vegan-friendly ‘Good Eggs’, proven to be ethically sourced by fellow B Corp, Doisy & Dam.

To help point the Easter bunny in the right direction…
Handmade-to-order banner, stitched onto cotton calico fabric and featuring a vegan leather strap, by Happy Sunday Studio.

For the dressing up box…
The ‘Coral Pink Rabbit Headdress’ — each one hand-printed and handmade using textiles mindfully sourced from India, or reclaimed from the costume and fashion industry — by Animalesque.

For your Easter egg hunt finds…
Ceramic tags, by Scandinavian-inspired homeware makers, Teppi Living.

For the ‘cake over chocolate’ person in your life…
Rabbit (and just about anything else) shaped cake pops, by the Easter bunnies at Pop Bakery.

For the allotment owner or keen gardener…
Surprise-inside ‘Crispy Carrot’ egg (with a chewy caramel soil) by Welsh chocolatier, Cocoa Therapy.

For a speedy date night treat…
Easy-to-heat and, more importantly, yummy to eat ‘Easter Bao Buns’, by bun-dles. Great for stocking up the freezer, too.

For potting up your spring bulbs…
Baa-rilliant ‘Sheep Planter’ (which could also be used as a handy stationery or utensils pot), by Quail Ceramics.

Like what you see? Discover more one-of-a-kind gift ideas, for birthdays, baby showers and more, on my Inspiration Hub.