Celebrating Christmas with Craftsmanship and Creativity
Here at LCW our festive season is already well underway. Here is a small selection of experiences and one-of-a-kind gifts to help you celebrate yours.
Bespoke Experiences
One of the truly special things about a bespoke gift is that it’s a process you can share together with your loved ones, experiencing first hand the time and care that goes into making something unique. Here are a few pointers for gifts that are special, easy to find, plus come in handy if you’ve missed the last date for delivery!
4160Tuesdays Fragrance
From £1,000
Scent is very personal, which makes it one of the most thoughtful things you can give. Maybe consider the bespoke experience at 4160Tuesdays? During an afternoon with Head Perfumer Sarah McCartney at their Hammersmith Studio, learn about fragrance making and create two 100ml bottles of artisanal perfume.
Image: 4160Tuesdays
Charvet
Price on request
In the words of Simon Crompton, founder of Permanent Style and an authority on classic menswear, ‘few places in the world compare to Charvet’. For that person who’s super-tricky to find the right present for, why not gift Charvet’s bespoke shirt-making service? If you’re feeling extra generous, you could book the Eurostar to Paris where together you can visit Charvet’s Place Vendôme shop for a made-to-measure fitting with a shirt specialist, followed by a well deserved lunch.
Image: Jamie Ferguson for Permanent Style
Peter Reed Bed Linen
From £480 for a bed set
Bespoke bed linen is a true luxury in the best sense of the word. After all, what better gift can there be than a good night’s sleep? Peter Reed’s handmade linen is synonymous with the rich heritage of English textile manufacturing, having been made to order since 1861. For something (or someone) very special, choose to add a monogram or commission your own design.
Image: Peter Reed
Emefa Cole
Erosion 1 ring, £1,850
A beautiful made-to-order ring from a gifted jeweller, inspired by natural phenomena and the African landscape. Emefa Cole uses 100% recycled metals and stones sourced directly from African gem cutters to forge her distinctive pieces, which have been acquired for the permanent collections of the V&A and the Goldsmiths’ Company. Erosion 1 is influenced by childhood tales of golden nuggets unearthed by heavy rainfall in Ghana: ‘the land of Gold’.
Image: Emefa Cole
Quilting with Jennifer Raish
Selvedge online workshop, £195
A handmade quilt is a wonderful way to bring together off-cuts of favourite textiles and beloved garments from family and friends. Take inspiration from Annabelle Harty and Sheelagh Boyce of Arrange Whatever Pieces Come Your Way, whose quilts take hundreds of hours to hand-sew and are a physical manifestation of a long friendship. Feel like having a go at making your own? Jennifer Raish offers accessible online workshops, which will introduce you to traditional quilting techniques and teach you how to sew a small art quilt by hand.
Image: Jennifer Raish, Selvedge
A very LCW Christmas
At LCW we believe that extra bit of care and attention goes a long way to making something really special, even with the simplest of things.
The Japanese Art of Gift Wrapping
Furoshiki Gift Wrapping Workshop, £35
In Japan, the giving of gifts is an important cultural ritual, with the presentation as important as the present itself. This month, furoshiki expert Tomoko Kakita is holding gift wrapping workshops at Pantechnicon to celebrate the launch of her new book, Furoshiki and the Japanese art of gift wrapping. Join Tomoko to learn the key techniques and find out why furoshiki is a sustainable alternative to paper wrap. You’ll also receive a copy of Tomoko’s book.
Image: Pantechnicon
Jochen Holz Lustre Baubles
SEEDS London, £40 +VAT
Working with his own experimental techniques, Jochen Holz employs metallic oxides that are painted onto molten glass to create these ethereal lustre pendants – each one completely unique. A special addition to your own tree, or a thoughtful gift. Find Jochen’s work at SEEDS London, where Nathalie Assi also has a wonderful selection of other pieces at a wide range of price points.
Image: SEEDS London
Torta Di Natale Kit
Skye McAlpine, £42
Skye McAlpine’s Make-Your-Own Christmas Cake Set includes all the essentials to decorate a 9 inch Christmas Cake. Each set comes with a Christmas Cake recipe, cake drum, glacé fruits, nuts and yellow marzipan, as well as a gift box, gift label and seasonal green velvet ribbon to tie the box up with. You can bake your own cake or box it up and give it away as a holiday gift.
For more foodie inspiration, look to Konditor, the mince pies especially. Buy them online or in-store, and serve with a dollop of clotted cream.
Image: Skye McAlpine
Christmas Cracker Kits
Inq, £45
Bring some pop to your festivities with Inq’s marbled Christmas Cracker Kits, which come in Obsidian, Mistletoe and Pomegranate colourways. Each kit contains enough material to make 6 crackers which are 100% recyclable and will add a touch of Venetian charm to your tablescape. If you fancy going one step further, join Florence Saumarez of Inq for an introduction to marbling workshop.
Image: Inq
Monogrammed Napkins
Hawthorne & Heaney, monogramming services from £40
Another idea for your Christmas table: commission some bespoke embroidered napkins from Hawthorne & Heaney. A set of personalised table linen will last for many years and is a lovely way to mark the tradition of family and friends coming together around the dinner table.
Image: Hawthorne & Heaney
Celebrate with Nyetimber
Special promotion
Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, £37
This festive season, why not consider giving a bottle of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine to special friends and family members? Or better yet, stock up for your own celebrations! The signature wine of Nyetimber, the Classic Cuvee is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and is a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. Use the code LCW-15-Christmas to get 15% off any order over £100. Also good for seeing you through your Christmas wrapping!
This offer can only be redeemed once per person and is valid until the 31st December 2021. For full terms and conditions see here.
Featured image from Crafting a Difference at the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence, photo credit Dan Weill
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