Non Chocolate Easter Ideas

In just a few short weeks it will be Easter and spring will be well underway (well, I really hope it will be!). The shops have been filled with all kinds of chocolately Easter treats and even though I am a lover of all things chocolate, I don't really like the kids to have too much...

So for this month's blog featuring small businesses, it's about all things NON chocolate. From gifts, to games to clothing and decor you can find a whole host of wonderful Easter themed products with not a calorie in sight even though there's a dozen gift ideas. Grab a cuppa and check them out below.

What is Easter without a bunny or two? These gorgeous wooden bunnies from Essexcrafts94 definitely have the cute factor and with a choice of colours and the ability to personalise they double up as a great gift as well as delightful decor.

Another super sweet bunny that doubles up as a decoration is this little beauty from Wigglesbear. Available from her shops on Made by Mums and NuMONDAY they are a perfect way to get your house Easter ready.

I've got you covered if you want a soft decorative option too... When my little girl saw this basket her little face lit up like I'd just told her she was going to Disneyland. I'm now tasked with making her one in pink! Perfect for storing all kinds of treats for Easter, they will make a cute little accessory for the nursery or children's rooms afterwards. Currently available in both my Made by Mums shop and my Etsy store.

Speaking of Easter ready, what better way to dress your home than with a reusable banner? Made using recycled Kraft card, and gorgeous pastel paper for the letters this gorgeous banner from Skepandband can be used year after year to brighten your home and welcome the Easter bunny.

For a final bit of Easter decor, why not grab yourself one of these adorable bunny gnomes. Known to protect and bring luck to your home and family, Darcy Doodles Gnomes are simply stunning and her special bunny gnomes are just the sweetest of additions to her collection.

So the Easter bunny has been, but what did he bring... well could the answer be found in one of Hatties Bears beautiful Easter stockings perhaps? Breaking the barriers that say they are just for Christmas, she has created these wonderful stockings for you to fill with Easter treats. I just love this idea!

Sarahs Crayon Corner has a delightful idea for one thing you could fill your stocking with. A pack of Easter themed crayons will certainly keep the little ones entertained for a little while as you enjoy a hot cross bun or two for breakfast.

If you're looking for something to help the kids burn off a little energy then Jiminypop has you covered with this eggcellent Easter hunt (see what I did there?).  With fabric eggs to hide, clue cards to help your children find their way, an Easter bunny wand to add to the magic and a bag to stash their egg haul in as they hunt for the ultimate prize, this fun Easter hunt will have them giggling away.

Once they have burnt off plenty of energy it'll be time to get dressed for the day. I can't think of a cuter top to put your little one in than one of these designs from the fabulous Mini Fox Clothing. With a choice of designs, short and long sleeved available, your little ones will be hop hop hopping with happiness at their new top.

Need something for your little girl's hair? Then why not treat your little ones to some super sweet bows from the lovely Rosies gift shop. I've made a few purchases from this lovely little shop and every time I have been blown away by how gorgeous they are. And these lovely Easter bows are no exception. With a range of options from gorgeously soft headbands to clips and an amazing array of colour options, you can be sure to find something to suit.

So gifts have been given, games have been played and a roast dinner has been eaten and now you're looking for a way to calm those excited children down. I have a couple of suggestions for you on that score...

First up is this wonderful Easter Storybox from ZaZa's Storybox. Jam packed with activities as well as a beautiful copy of the popular nursery rhyme 'Hop Little Bunnies' they are sure to keep your little one busy over Easter. With fair trade wooden animals and Springtime postcards to colour in with chunky bunny crayons and send to your loved ones, order yours by 22nd March for delivery by 1st April.

Finally, for a bedtime treat why not settle down with your little one to read this lovely story by Val Blackburn. Starring Jasper (a dragon who breathes water and not fire) in his second book appearance, you can read this story with your children and enjoy the Magical Circus that has come to town. Find out what Jasper chooses to do when he receives a tempting offer. Available on Amazon.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for the upcoming Easter weekend. Remember if you are choosing to shop small you often can't leave it to the last minute to shop, so make sure to get your orders in quickly to avoid disappointment.

Until next time,

Michelle

P.S. If you are a small business owner and would like to be featured in one of my upcoming blog posts then please do get in touch either through the comments here or via my Facebook and Instagram accounts.

10 gifts to make your Mum smile

Mother's day is fast approaching and I don't know about you but a bunch of supermarket flowers and a box of chocolates just doesn't cut it for me and they're not something I'm happy to gift either. I want something different, I want something that's going to make me smile and better yet make my fabulous mother in law beam from ear to ear.

As you've clicked through to read this post, I'm guessing the same goes for you too. So, I've been on a bit of a hunt to find us all a range of gifts and gift ideas that will truly show those we love that we care, that we love them and that we've put a little more thought into this mother's day than just grabbing something with the weekly food shopping...

Let's start with the most important meal of the day - breakfast! We've all seen the films where mum gets treated to breakfast in bed and what better way to do that than with this fabulous personalised tray? Of course if you fancy this one for yourself you can always send the link to your partner 😉 Nothing like a very obvious hint is there? Available now from BA Custom Creations it can be personalised with your own message (up to 50 characters).

Sticking with the food theme for now, how about some of these beautiful hand decorated cookies from Completely Cookied. With a wide range of options available (and a cheeky discount code I spotted on their website too!) these would make a super cute and affordable gift. How sweet is the bath, dressing gown and slippers set!? Almost too good to eat. I might just have to order some for myself...

If you think the mum you're buying for would prefer something she can use to decorate her home then why not check out the next collection of makes. From the divine to the sublime, these are sure to tickle their fancy.

Beautiful flower wreaths have certainly risen in popularity over the last couple of years and I have seen some amazing representations made with real flowers on the various home accounts I follow over on Instagram. I've been thinking about making one that will last though utilising my crochet skills and have created this subtle piece. It's not yet available (as it will be featured in an upcoming market night I'm involved in) but if you fancy one for yourself in a different colourway then be sure to get in touch.

This beautiful mandala frame created by the super talented BubbaBee & Co is effortlessly stylish and will look at home on a dresser in the bedroom or in pride of place in the living room. With so many intricate details, it is certainly a piece to make the recipient smile.

Pretty in pink, this absolutely stunning needle felted Mother and Daughter figurine is from the fabulous Fae Folk Fairy Gardens. I'm not sure I've seen a more accurate representation of the bond between a mother and her daughter in this medium and it would certainly be a well received gift in this house! 

I bought a print from Personalised Prints by Hayley as a surprise gift for my husband at Christmas and he absolutely loved it. The options she has available for this year for Mother's day are wonderful and won't break the bank - I will certainly be directing my boys there if they want to spend their pocket money on my gift this year.  Which print is your favourite?

You know that old saying 'mums are like buttons, they hold everything together'? Well, what better way to say thank you by encouraging them to immerse themselves in a little bit of self care? 

Newly rebranded, F and S Scents now offer wax melts handmade in Bristol which are eco friendly, contain no plastic and have no uneccessary packaging. With a choice of snap bar or wax melts in a range of delicious sounding scents (fresh linen and eucalyptus sound AMAZING) they are a wonderful way to bring a calm, relaxing vibe to your home.

Pinks Prints Mothers day box including a print of your choice, a Mother's day card and £5 store credit will show your mum that you care as well as giving her the opportunity to be able to select one of the other gorgeous items available. The happiness box shown below was positively jam packed with loveliness.

Mel the organiser has a fantastic offer for a gift with a difference! A 4 hour organising session would be a great way to help your mum to finally detox the wardrobe, declutter the kitchen or make some inroads with the dreaded spare room! Or maybe they're a small business owner and the home office is in dire need of some organisation... whatever their needs, if they're based in Berkshire and the surrounding area, then be sure to contact Mel. I know I wish I lived nearer!!

Finally what about treating your mum to a mother and daughter well being cookery session? What better gift to give than the gift of your time? Love's Kitchen have a wonderful offering in the run up to Mother's day. Held at the Wellbeing Sanctuary in Epsom on 21st March, it will be a wonderful opportunity to bond with one another as well as learn some healthy recipes to nourish and restore. Tickets are for 2 people (minimum age 10 years). For more information and to book, click here.

I really hope that you've found this post useful and it's given you some inspiration for Mother's day this year. If you are still looking for some ideas, then check out the upcoming market night hosted by UK Crafters on both Facebook and Instagram. With a whole host of small businesses involved on both platforms there are sure to be some bargains to be had.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Michelle 💜

P.S. If you are a small business owner and would like to be featured in one of my upcoming blog posts then please do get in touch either through the comments here or via my Facebook and Instagram accounts.