Inspiration

Fresh flowers are a trusted gift option for so many occasions. Their fleetingness is undoubtedly part of their charm, but sometimes it’s nice to know that your gesture of thanks will live on long after the event. Though a single stem might feel a little lonely as a present, our bunches and bundles (the dahlia and peony bundles are particularly nice for the summer months) have a bit more to them and can be displayed alone or added to an existing arrangement. Alternatively, our small pots can be given as they are or filled with a plant – just the thing for the keen windowsill gardener.

A compact option that’s easy to slip into a gift bag or box, a photo frame bestows upon the host the opportunity to display and revisit a treasured memory (a snapshot of the party, perhaps), for years to come. Our traditional silver-plated Porter or more informal Ashcroft rattan designs lend themselves to all manner of rooms and come in a range of sizes, making them perfect for starting (or adding to) a collection of frames.

Candles are easily tailored to your host’s tastes; be it scent or even the colour of the wax. Choosing a design in a reusable vessel – our Kitchen Garden candleis hand-poured in a rustic pot – means your gift can continue to be appreciated even after its final burn. Dinner candles (ours come in sets of six), once given, can be brought out and enjoyed by your host one by one, or a few at a time, dotted around the house or used to crown the table at future dinner parties. Or, for something that’s all about fragrance, our Bronte Amber candle combines citrus notes with warm, sweet spices – and comes as a set of two in a present-ready box.

The gift of gentle fragrance can also be given in the form of a hand cream, body lotion or something nice for the bath. Settle on a scent – ours span English Fig, Bluebell & Honeysuckle, or Rosemary & Thyme – and present the worthy recipient with the perfect excuse to enjoy five minutes to themselves. Discover all three scents here.

If the host in question delights in throwing dinner parties and laidback lunches at the drop of a hat, a new addition to their table could be the answer. And while a set of plates or bowls isn’t quite right for this type of present, a pair of our Olney mugs for morning coffee, or a bundle of Ashcroft napking rings would be a fitting offering. For something that’s a little less every day, there’s our Lewes honey pot with drizzler or spice pot with spoon too.