One For The Soul

What a treat! In response to my post Secret Santa Struggles last Tuesday, marvellous artist and designer Bridget Wilkinson has produced this lovely Mug Cosy & Mug £12.00. I was speculating about how appropriate it would be to send a Get Well Soon mug cosy with "chicken soup" on it to a poorly friend and now there is one. It positively glows with healing good will. Thanks Bridget! 

Get Well Soon Wishlist

Uh-oh! I have a sick friend. Not very seriously sick but serious enough to put her under the covers in need of tea and sympathy. This calls for some serious research. Here we go!

1. Mug Cosy by Bridget Wilkinson £12.00

Fittingly, I featured Bridget's work on the blog only today. Her pretty cosies are perfect for keeping the chicken soup warm.

2. Solmate Socks in Cosmos from SendAThought.com £14.00

Breaking my rule on socks just this once because these are fun, multi-coloured, cosy and mis-matched. Perfect for a day on the sofa.

3. Pocket Tissue Cover by Blonde Design £5.00

Go equipped for a runny nose in style with this. I love the combination of pretty fabrics Blonde Design have used here. There are eight to choose from in their Folksy shop but this is my favourite. 

4. Retro First Aid Tin £4.55 from Marigolds & Marmalade £4.55

This natty little tin (6cm x 13.5cm x 10cm) would make a superb receptacle to stuff with sweeties or chocolates to give to a poorly friend. 

5. Hot Water Bottle Cover Knitting Kit from The Little Knitting Company £28.25

For the nimble fingered, this cashmere cable knit hot water bottle cover kit is the ultimate luxury. Give as a gift for them to assemble under the covers or make it yourself and send it on for that handmade touch.

Secret Santa Struggles

If you are struggling with this year's Secret Santa at the office, may I venture a suggestion: Tea. The perfect gift for a Brit. I can't even count on one hand the people I know who don't drink it in one form or another. I have given mug cosies to people on all sorts of occasions. I once gave one as a welcome gift at work and they also make great Get Well Soon gifts (although I've yet to find one with 'Chicken Soup' on it which would be absolute perfection). I love these simple but bold Mug Cosies £12.00 by British designer Bridget Wilkinson - crocheted and attractively embellished with felt, buttons and little tapestried labels - they look like mini works of art. And they come complete with, what I would describe as a really good solid mug. This is a selling point for me as I loathe 'apologetic' crockery. I've picked out the Earl Grey one because that's my tipple but they are all absolutely lovely. Perfect as a thoughtful but unostentatious present and of almost universal appeal. So there it is. Secret Santa solved. Now stuff it with a packet of the recipient's favourite blend and and a vintage style infuser (like this one) and you'll wish you could put your name on the gift tag.