Vegan Friendly
A Big Bobble Hat
5th December, 2025
I like to watch live events. Do I care about ice skating? Not as a sport. But as a live event: totally. It’s like the fun of watching the Olympics, where you play armchair expert while simultaneously trying to figure out what matters in the sport. Ice skating races are short, and anything could happen. Falls are common so races get upended. Ice skating’s great drop-in lunch viewing.
A Gluggle Jug
20th November, 2025
This is not a gift for everybody. As a jug, it’s impractical: it doesn’t hold a lot of liquid, and is tricky to clean. As a vase, it’s usable but not great. Not many people need a jug in their lives. And some people would look at this jug and think it’s hideous.
But listen: the jug gluggles. It makes a glugging sound as you pour water in and out. It’s delightful and unexpected.
Incense
3rd January, 2022
Incense is a perfect token gift: inexpensive, consumable, and it smells nice. What’s not to like?
Well, “smells nice” is subjective. It’s definitely bad for your air quality and potentially your brain. But so’s alcohol, so: live a little.
Incense is a good housewarming gift. It’s a way to make a space feel like your own without altering the space itself. Perfect for renters.
A Buff
18th November, 2021
This is a boring, unexciting gift. There is no universe where a buff produces an ooh. I love my buff, and even I wouldn’t be excited to receive it.
But I love my buff. It’s small and light, so lives in my bag permanently. It’s surprisingly warm when worn as a neckscarf: ideal to slip on when the temperature drops after sunset, whether you’re sitting on a bar patio or around the campfire. In winter it’s a second layer under a thick scarf, and pulls up to cover your face. I also wear mine a lot while cycling, covering the top of my head & ears under my helmet. It keeps the wind off, which makes a big difference in comfort. It’s easy to clean & dries quickly. Mine’s about 10 years old and still going strong. In summary: you’re giving a reliable, easy, warm friend.
A Yard of Popcorn
31st October, 2021
Popcorn’s easy to make on the stove. Get some oil as hot as possible1. Add enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan, then put the lid on. Now keep the pan moving - shake it in circles2. It’ll start popping in a few minutes; when it stops popping, remove from the heat. Done! Great as-is, with a dusting of salt, or a dusting of icing sugar.
Chocolate
29th October, 2021
Chocolate is a great gift, for several reasons:
You must spend more than you usually would. Most people would never spend £20 on a 150g bar of chocolate for themselves; that’s needlessly extravagant. Receiving a £20 bar is a treat: you can savour a few squares over several nights.
You could also pick up 2 kilos of chocolate for £20 in the supermarket. It wouldn’t be bad chocolate! But now your gift is a burden. It could take months to get through; the recipient’s palate will be bored by bar four. And it’s unremarkable: they could have bought it themselves. So focus on the luxury end: quality over quantity.
Soap
4th October, 2021
Soap is one of my favourite gifts to receive. It ticks a lot of boxes: not too expensive, can be luxurious, everybody uses it, and once used it’s gone. But it can be tricky to give: it’s an everyday item, where recipients have their own fragrance and brand preferences. You can’t just get any soap: it has to either be your recipient’s favourite soap, or recognisably luxurious/unique.
Lush is my go-to. Their vegan products are clearly marked; their packaging is minimal; their ingredients are ethically sourced; they support good causes. As long as your recipient likes strong scents, this is a solid choice. (Their solid shampoo bars last ages and are excellent for travel; the bar soaps are a classic choice; the gift sets mean you don’t even have to wrap anything.)