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The Nice List: Our creative gift guide to the best independent makers this Christmas

Spanning books, prints, T-shirts, toys, socks, candles, jewellery, food and everything in between, we’re proud to present our annual list of top gifts to buy from independent creatives and businesses, to suit all your gift-giving needs this festive season.

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Christmas time has rolled around again. As you stay busy decking the halls and chugging more eggnog than recommended, we’ve once again got you covered for sourcing the perfect presents with another edition of our gift guide, The Nice List. We’ve researched and curated this list to make sure there’s something for all tastes and price ranges. So not only is shopping a little easier, you also get the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing that you’re supporting independent craftspeople, makers and designers, producing some of the most original gifts out there. Payment methods at the ready...

Prints, Books, Calendars and Cards

An abstract painting composed of layered, organic shapes in pastel pink, lime green, blue and yellow. A dark green sky at the top features a single small yellow circle.

Studio Fidèle

Billed as a small press and a Risograph print studio in Paris, Fidèle offers a mighty collection of Riso-related goodies to get your hands on. We love the time and care afforded to each item as well as the workshops and Riso education Fidèle offers.

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An illustration of a surreal, colourful scene across two pages of a spiral notebook. The top page features a person riding a purple horse, a jester, and a figure interacting with a lion. The bottom page shows a series of geometric shapes, a calendar grid with numbers from 1 to 31, and a descending staircase of small figures.

Maddie Fischer

Combining an unmistakable knack for storytelling and a background in standup comedy, Maddie Fischer’s irregular illustrations tell otherworldly fantasies with humorous flare. Offering a range of products on her online shop from prints to graphic tees, Maddie’s products are always clever and playful. Pre-orders for her beautiful 2025 calendar start soon so get in line!

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A collage of three horizontal panels in red, orange and pink tones. The top panel shows a landscape with small figures, while the middle panel features a green hill within a decorative red border. The bottom panel contains a pixelated floral motif.

Out of the Blueprint

Out Of The Blueprint is an Edinburgh-based studio supporting young artists all over Scotland, selling Risograph prints made by its artists-in-residence on its online shop — some recent favourites of ours have been Lauren Cory’s cosy Scottish landscapes.

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Four neon yellow books are stacked on a plain grey surface. The spines all feature the title “Makers Manual Vol.2” in bold black capitals.

Store Store

Store Store is a shop and educational space hosting a weekly After School Club for young people. It sells unique products designed by its After School Club participants alongside lifestyle products made by designers working in London and Rotterdam. All proceeds go back into the programme.

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An abstract painting on a calendar page features pink, yellow and white organic shapes on an orange background. Below the artwork, the word “August” is handwritten in pink above a hexagonal calendar grid.

PageMasters

Dedicated to all things print, PageMasters offers an affordable and high-quality Risograph printing service from its little workshop in Lewisham, London. All realised in the typical vivid and warm Riso style, PageMasters presents a dazzling collection of zines, posters, cards and more.

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A white card features a matchstick slid through a vertical slot at the top. In the centre, a small red wax seal glows from within. At the bottom, a strip of honeycomb pattern sits beside the words “ONE WISH”.

Wish Cards

Managed by Hani and creative director, Orfayo, Wish Cards are a warm and wonderful way to pause, reflect, take a breath and celebrate the moment. Each card comes equipped with a match, a strike-pad and a candlewick to make your very own wish — make it a good one!

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An illustration of three people riding motorcycles along a winding road. The landscape is rendered in vibrant, expressionistic shades of purple, blue and orange under a glowing sky.

Joey Yu

Prints, prints and more prints! London-based illustrator, animator and curator, Joey Yu’s cross-disciplinary prints are sure to melt the heart of anyone this Christmas. Like this Fishing print, they’re all cute, colourful, and veritably hang-uppable. What more could you ask for?

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An illustration of winter objects arranged on a brown background. The composition includes a lit candle, an orange slice, a nutcracker with a walnut, a vase of red berries, and a pine branch.

UAL Shop

With yet another festive treat, UAL has once again partnered with Tate Modern to produce a range of products, taking contributions from students across disciplines. These unique cards are exclusively sold at the University of the Arts London’s not-for-profit organisation, Not Just a Shop and Tate shops.

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A holographic sticker shaped like a bendy straw against a peach background. A smiley face is seen through the straw, accompanied by the text “I SUCK.”

Jason Sturgill

Using his experience with Dark Horse Comics, Nike Skateboarding and more, illustrator and mental health advocate Jason Sturgill produces tongue-in-cheek stickers, prints, calendars and more. Big smiles guaranteed.

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A spiral-bound calendar page for “April”. The top half features a collage of a person standing at a bathroom sink against a green tiled wall.

Maria Midttun

Maria Midttun is a Norwegian illustrator living and working in London. Her playful sketchbook-like works adorn everything from bowls to envelopes. But printed on stunning quality paper and replete with Riso printed drawings and collages, Maria’s 2025 calendar is that special gift that keeps on giving!

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An illustration of a stylised flower in a pot against a cream background. The flower has a multi-coloured petal head and green leaves, sitting in a pot with red and white stripes.

The Big Issue

Wrap everything up with The Big Issue’s range of Christmas wrapping paper displaying the work of eight artists and designers including Harry Hill, Real Hackney Dave, Bunmi Agusto, Opake and more! All of this year’s funky designs can be browsed on the charity’s online shop, with proceeds going towards The Big Issue’s work to give those experiencing poverty a hand up.

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The cover of a book with a bright yellow background. A grainy black and white image of a raised fist is overlaid with the bold white text “STRIKETHROUGH!”. Smaller text reads “Typographic Messages of Protest” and “Silas Munro”.

Letterform Archive

Founded by Rob Saunders, Letterform Archive is a nonprofit centre for inspiration, education, publishing, and community in graphic design. Inspired to share his private collection with the public, the archive now offers public access to 100,000+ items related to lettering, typography, calligraphy, and graphic design, and sells beautiful design books (new and rare), homeware, cards and more.

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Fashion and Accessories

The back of a black T-shirt features a grid of nine black and white photographs. The images show a person in a white outfit moving through a landscape.

SkatePal

Working with communities affected by the ongoing occupation of the West Bank, SkatePal has used skateboarding as a medium to educate, support and uplift young people in the region. Selling skateboarding tees, accessories and patches featuring the organisation’s sun logo, all proceeds from the shop help to directly support their ongoing work in Palestine.

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Five knitted beanies in various colours are arranged on a white background. The hats feature different designs, including a pink one with a white star, a brown one with a pink flower, and a black one with a white rat and the word “RAT”. A red hat reads “Love me” next to a small heart.

Saffy McNamara

A knitwear-lovers playground, Saffy’s shop is an exquisite showcase of the cosiest hats, scarves and wallhangings – we especially love the wiggly worm scarf! Inspired by narrative textiles and storytelling, Saffy explores themes of humour and eccentricity using knitting, crochet and felting techniques.

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A green sock featuring a white grid pattern that resembles a technical drawing or blueprint. Small markings and the text “60°” are printed along the lines.

Present & Correct

For every personal craft project, first commercial success and painful unrealised work, the cutting mat has been there. Now, this faithful companion to every designer has been realised in beautiful, wearable glory. We love pretty much everything from Present & Correct, but this year we can't get enough of these Cutting Mat Socks, designed by Nik Bentel (see desktop folder wallet to the right for more from Nik!). This pair might be the perfect gift for any and all creatives.

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A light blue card holder sits against a plain white background. A yellow card is tucked inside, with the word “oCard” visible.

Nik Bentel

Based in NYC, surrealist outfit Nik Bentel Studio is a collection of designers playing with our idea of everyday objects. Whether it’s a desktop folder icon wallet or the iconic Lidl croissant handbag, there’s truly something for everyone. Ranging from furniture, clothes, handbags, homeware items and toys – the only question that remains is, what next?

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A person in a red top holds up a tan, knitted bag with a textured, bobble-stitch pattern. The bag has a single strap and a rounded shape, held against a backdrop of a bookshelf and a potted plant.

Ranti Studio

We have not been able to stop thinking about the Romanesco Bag from knitwear powerhouse Ranti Studio. With comfy clothing items you could tuck into, who needs a blanket this winter?

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Six silver rings are arranged in two columns on a light blue background. The rings feature organic, chunky shapes including a heart, a human figure, and three different animals.

Pupari

We’ve all got that stylish friend thats impossible to buy for. Pupari (run by London-based silversmith, Jordan) has solved that issue with recycled solid sterling silver crafted into handmade rings. The shop boasts the cutest little horsey ring as well as an effortlessly cool goggle number.

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A short-sleeved T-shirt with royal blue sleeves and a multi-coloured printed body. The print consists of a grid of naive, childlike illustrations including cats, a sun, and abstract shapes.

Rhi Dancey

One for the wardrobe — independent clothing brand and all femxle collective Rhi Dancey make a range of fun and unique pieces. Their collection of clothing and accessories is perfect for any fashionistas amongst us!

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A circular embroidered patch with a yellow background and an orange border. It features a stylised red apple with a mischievous face, surrounded by the text “I AM A CIDER DRINKER”.

Man in the Woods

Inspired by his long meandering walks through British countryside, Man in the Woods produces surprisingly punk and pastoral patches that are sure to add a splash of colour to any item.

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A collection of colourful woven blankets and tapestries are layered over one another. One red blanket features a silhouette of Stonehenge with the word “STONEHENGE” written across the bottom.

Hares Hoard

Hares Hoard is a designer looking to fight those winter chills in classic... scratch that, mediaeval style. Hoard’s crafted scarves colourfully explore the historical culture of Great Britain, playing on and subverting the aesthetics of good-old football scarves.

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A silver ring with a hammered, textured surface sits against a plain white background. The word “ECSTASY” is engraved in capital letters around the band.

Lovecut Silver

Jeweller Constance Pope aka Lovecut Silver can stamp anything you like on her handmade rings cut from recycled sterling silver. Plan out a personalised message for your loved ones or, for the more crafty types, book them into one of Constance’s ring making workshops where they can learn about the art of jewellery making and make a band of their own.

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A black baseball cap featuring a white embroidered illustration on the front. The design shows a person standing beside a horse on a simple horizontal line.

Submit To Love

Submit to Love Studios is home to a group of artists working with brain injury. As part of the output of their Headway East studio in London, the charity sells cards, scarves, pins, and more, all adorned with the collective’s wonderful artworks.

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A square glass perfume bottle with a large, white spherical cap sits in shallow blue water. The bottle features the word “Clue” in bold black script and a small label below reading “The Point”.

Clue Perfumery

Bespoke fragrances with unique scents to boot? Sign us up! Developed in house with “a close group of friends and collaborators”, Clue is an “independent perfumery finding delight in unexpected places.” The brainchild of childhood friends – perfumer Laura Oberwetter, and designer Caleb Vanden Boom, Clue is here to transport you to distant places.

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Homeware, Ceramics and Toys

A row of chunky, ribbed hooks in various colours are fixed to a light wood rail. A person's hand hangs a pink checkered cloth on a bright green hook.

Hanna Whitehead

Hanna Whitehead is a ceramic artist crafting all sorts of funky forms. We particularly love her decorative extruded hangers. Made in a variety of colours and patterns, no two hand-crafted hooks are the same.

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Four lit candles shaped like different types of pasta sit on a pink plate. The wax is a pale yellow, with melted drips running down the sides of the pasta shapes.

Nata Concept Store

Candles that look so good you’ll want to eat them: Nata Concept Store has been crafting the (soy-based) candles of your dreams. Its pasta collection boasts all the shapes, from realistic ravioli to swirls of tagliatelle – these will fit right into anyone’s table spreads.

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Three colourful, translucent plastic figures sit atop their matching boxes. Each box features a character illustration and a name: “HAPPY PAUL”, “PRETTY MARY” and “SWEET PETER”.

LeeeeeeToy

Whimsey aplenty! Leeeeeetoy stocks the shelves with the cutest little vinyl toys from another dimension. Combining pop colours, cultural references, and even glow-in-the-dark elements, this hodgepodge collection is sure to entertain your inner child. These aren’t your parents’ toys!

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A ceramic candle holder shaped like a small, stylised figure with a neutral expression. A lit tea light sits in a hollow at the top of its head.

Coolest Slug

With quite possibly the cutest ceramics you’ve ever seen, illustrator and ceramicist Rosa aka Coolest Slug has an online shop full of beautiful tableware, candle holders and even ceramic clocks, carefully decorated with her adorable illustrations – we can’t pick a favourite!

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A round wall clock with a cork frame and a colourful, abstract face. A central black square contains a blue, pixelated coral shape, surrounded by yellow organic forms and a black grid.

Paulin Watches

Paulin is on a mission to show that decorative clocks never go out of style. Wrangling a cohort of contributing artists, Paulin has put together a collection of joyful clocks bursting with colour.

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Two sculptural lamps stand on a grey floor. One features a tall, jagged pink base with a matching pink shade, while the other has a chunky white base with green and black organic shapes and a pale yellow shade.

Annie Strachan

Take some techniques from slab building and woodwork, throw in some inspiration from post-war Hollywood cinema set design, and you’ve got pop sculpturist Annie Strachan. Using sustainable processes involving recycled card and paper pulp, Annie produces wonderfully textured, brilliantly weird lamps and household items like her Red Tulip Floor Lamp.

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Two crumpled fabric cloths with organic, spotted patterns are laid against a bright orange background. One cloth is white with red and pink shapes, while the other is pink with white and green spots.

Marianna Fierro

Born and raised in a “pizza shop in Udine, Italy” creative director and illustrator Marianna Fierro is serving up a selection of tantalising food-themed textiles and home goods using only the freshest ingredients. Bright popping colours bring to life these truly unique items and excite that Italophile inside all of us. Bellissimo!

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A person holds three square magnets in plastic packaging against a blue patterned fabric. Each magnet features a colourful illustration of a food item with a face, including a drink, an apple and a slice of pizza. The packaging headers read “MAGNET” in bold, multi-coloured letters.

Marblehead

Marblehead is fighting gender stereotypes, celebrating queer culture and looking after the planet, one sticker pack at a time. With magnets like these, they encourage us to stay groovy, stay weird and above all, stay you!

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A collection of 20 small, oval clay sculptures of faces arranged on a pink background. Each piece is marbled in shades of blue, yellow and white, with simple features etched into the surfaces.

Rachel Sender

Illustrator Rachel Sender’s weird and wonderful Moody Magnets will make anyone’s fridge door more fun! Glazed from stoneware in delicate pastel swirls, each friendly face is completely unique. You may also want to consider this gift as a mini work of art for someone’s wall — these smiles stick to screws with their magnetic force.

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Three small, colourful felted figures stand on a blue grid cutting mat. The figures are stylised animals wearing festive hats, with the central figure holding a red and white candy cane.

Wrap artist collaborations

Wrap collaborates with so many brilliant illustrators and artists on its gifts and homeware, such as these cute felted wool dog decorations by Cari Vander Yacht. We also love the furry Cup Noodle by Holly St Clair and Eddie The Skiing Cat by Elliot Kruszynski.

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An everything bagel is filled with a thick layer of cream cheese and sits on a white plate. A small white candle is placed in the centre hole, with three thin wicks standing upright.

Glowworm Goods

Spice up your home with these hyper-realistic handmade and food-shaped candles from Glowworm Goods. The team have put together a mouth-watering spread from loaded bagels to crispy chicken drumsticks – just don’t lick your fingers after you light them!

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Two speckled ceramic mugs are stacked one on top of the other. Each mug features a simple, smiling face etched into the side.

Handsel Mondays

“A good omen and luck for your daily fresh starts” is how Kaelyn Handsel describes her wonderfully unique pottery. Celebrating self-love and occasionally top surgery, her pots and mugs are lovingly handcrafted to put a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy.

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Food and Drink

A collection of gourmet food and drink items arranged against a blue backdrop. Products include a bottle of “Oat nog” by Black Lines, jars of chilli jam and olives, and boxes of “Drinks Biscuits”. Two cardboard delivery boxes branded with “Deli” frame the assortment, which is accented by blue and purple baubles.

Delli

Finding it tricky to find something special enough for your foodie friend or family member? Pick them out some tasty treats on Delli, the online market for independent food and drink. At It’s Nice That, we’ve been especially eyeing up their seasonal boxes for Christmas gifts.

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A glass jar of dark preserve with a gold lid, labelled “Balsamico & Basil” in bold lime green type. The jar is surrounded by scattered grapes and basil leaves on a reflective yellow-green surface.

Sylt

Founded by Ash Ringhus and Temi Olugbenga, Sylt is a pickle-lover’s dream. Offering a tangy array of pre-made pickling liquid from Juniper & Sage to Scotch Bonnet & Lemon, now truly is the time to pickle yourself silly!

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Further Info

Still shopping? Peruse our previous editions of The Nice List for more gift ideas from indie makers:

The Nice List 2023

The Nice List 2022

The Nice List 2021

The Nice List 2020

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It's Nice That

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