The pretty things gift guide
Multi Colour Flora Dora
Inspired by the art deco teapots of the 1930s, this 'Flora Dora' teapot is part of a collection of beautiful handpainted vintage style teaware by Katy Potts.
£135, www.katypotts.com
Ink Apparel Wilderness collection
These screen printed tees from London-based Ink Apparel's Wilderness range feature intricately hand drawn floral and bird illustration inspired by 18th century Rococo design. Perfect for layering with chunky knitwear and leggings during the colder months or pairing with harem pants and a loads of your favorite jewellery in the summer.
The Wilderness dress tank, £24, is dyed by hand in heather black ink pigment to give a beautiful, marbled, spilt ink coverage.
The Wilderness Loose-Fitting Crop tee, £19, is screen printed by hand from front to back.
Available at Etsy.com/shop/inkapparel
Bicycle tea towel
A refreshing change from naff slogans and tube maps, this pretty design by La Cerise Sur Le Gateau is one of a number of unusual designs from dedicated tea towel retailer To Dry For.
£12, www.todryfor.com
Gem owl necklace
Word to the wise: this is not your ordinary owl jewellery. The silhouette has been designed to make even non-owl believers say 'that's so cute!', with eyes brought out by cut-out teardrop shapes, a tiny beak and fluffy scalloped edges. It's all articulated so that the little feet swing freely, and the head moves from side to side just like a real owl. A rainbow of Swarovski crystals sparkles in jewel colours, and a huge red gem heart shines out from the centre of the owl, surrounded by clusters of rose teardrop gems.
Available in black or yellow.
£39, www.tattydevine.com
Tweet hair slides
All it takes is a couple of birds to beautify the boringly functional kirby grip. Easy-peasy.
£7.99 for two, www.eclecticeccentricity.com
Zosienka & Rosie calendar
A delightfully illustrated calendar to keep your friends and fellow creatures organised in 2012. This unique collaboration from Zosienka & Rosie showcases a collection of 12 illustrated woodland creatures, from March hares to Winter warthogs. Size: A6.
Cloud Lightning Cushion
Snuggle up with it on a rainy day, or hang it on your wall to create your own indoor micro climate, this knitted cloud cushion with thunder bolt was created by up and coming quirky Scottish designer Donna Wilson.
£66, www.donnawilson.com
Mercury trinket box
Smoky glass shimmers with a pure silver finish to elegantly catch your discarded baubles and beads at the day's end. Available in three shapes: oval, square or round.
£16 each, www.anthropologie.eu
Japanese doll candlesticks
These cute and colourful Japanese doll candlesticks with brighten up any home on a dull winter's day.
£18 per candlestick, www.boconcept.co.uk
Personalised necklace
Will name necklaces ever go out of fashion? We think not! Go for a classic Sex and the City Carrie style or try silver, diamond studded or a quirkier arrangement. Just don't go losing it in some high-end Paris hotel!
From £28, www.jewellerypersonalised.co.uk
Felt winged pencil
A wooden pencil with a beautiful creamy white felt wing with 'for winging words' charmingly printed on a removable glassine tag. Available in red or black.
£3.75 from Nonesuchthings.com
Cosy mug
A beautiful, tall, porcelain mug designed by Linda Bloomfield and wrapped in a chunky, hand-knitted lambswool cosy by Ruth Cross. Available in three colour combinations.
House of Chintz lampshade
A bit more of a splurge item but too pretty to ignore, the House of Chintz lampshades are inspired by a light hearted look at the suburban landscape of Middle-England. The designs are a combination of photographic imagery with scans of floral fabric from the '70s and '80s, printed with fade resistant inks on a high quality tear-proof paper which allows light to filter through beautifully. Finished with a protective polymer lacquer to deter dust and allow gentle sponge cleaning and topped of with a velvet trim, these shades are simply gorgeous.
£65 from Etsy.com
Chick stud earrings
Other animals available include whales and leaping salmons, but these handmade sterling silver chick stud earrings are our personal favourite.
£16.50, www.nuadaaccessories.co.uk
Peacock on silver chain necklace
This cute necklace from London Lily consists of a silver plated chain and a sweet, plastic peacock pendant in red, purple or a deep yellow. It makes for a great little stocking filler or can be popped into an envelope along with a Christmas card for each of your favourite girls.
£5, www.folksy.com
Alice in Wonderland Mugs
A charming collection of fine bone china mugs featuring characters from the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland, designed exclusively for Whittard of Chelsea.
£10, www.whittard.co.uk
Babushka Nesting Boxes
Set of seven Matryoshka doll shaped nesting gift boxes, in purple, red, blue, pink, teal and yellow. Gold decorated lids with flowers and paisley patterns. Ideal for shelved storage.
£19.95, giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org
Next Up: 20 alternative Christmas trees
I for one will be pretty upset if I'm given a tea towel for Christmas! Sorry to be negative but I only find a handful of these ideas worthy of calling 'Pretty Things'!