All we want for Christmas is… a parachuting sloth | Delightfully kitsch and equally pleasing to both adults and children, there’s something innately festive about animal baubles. These are the creatures we’ll be hanging on our tree this month |
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| | You’ve got whale Who let out a squeal of delight at the sight of this little woollen whale? Yeah, us too. He’s handcrafted by female artisans in Nepal, who were employed by ethical brand Nauseni after the 2015 earthquake. Nauseni provides Nepalese women with skills and sustainable employment – and in return, they make treasures like this. There’s also a polar bear and a penguin. We’re obsessed. £12, Edge + Company
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| | Terrifying tree Well, not really. These felted dinosaurs by crafty Northampton-based brand Postbox Party are more friendly than fearsome: the one with big white teeth also has a party season-appropriate pink tutu and red lippie, while our favourite wears a Santa hat, festive red scarf and Harry Potter-esque round glasses. Buying as a gift? You can also deck your dino out in a personalised wooden nametag. £8, Etsy
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| | Panther baby If your festive style is more sleek than cosy, allow us to present this rather elegant glass ornament (she’s supposedly a panther, but we’re going to quibble and say she looks more like a jaguar). Both kitsch (because her black coat markings are glittery) and cool (because big cats just are), she’ll add a touch of golden gloss to a non-traditional tree. £11.99, Cotswold Trading
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| | When sloths fly OK, there’s nothing particularly Christmassy – or realistic, for that matter – about a pink parachuting sloth. But if this season is all about trying to put a smile on peoples’ faces, we reckon this little dude is a winner. Hang him on your tree in a prominent position, and prepare to see your friends’ eyes light up when they spot him. £9, Sass & Belle
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| Stylist’s food editor Jenny has some delicious suggestions for homemade Christmas treats |
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| | If you’re fresh out of present ideas (once you’ve trawled our gift guides, of course), try making an edible (or drinkable) alternative. Gingerbread is a failsafe – invest in some festive cookie cutters and play with with flavours, like Izy Hossack’s lemon and cardamom.
While sloe or damson gin takes a couple of months to prepare, this clementine, ginger and bay gin can be infused in three days, or opt for a spicy mulling syrup to use with wine or cider. To keep things eco, sterilise old bottles for stashing liqueurs, and choose baking parchment over cellophane for wrapping up biscuits. Tie your biscuit parcels with coloured twine and add a sprig of pine or stick of cinnamon: homemade festive perfection.
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In partnership with System Professional |
| Get 20% off salon-worthy hair |
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| | We’re three days into December and by this stage you’ve probably attended approximately 17 Christmas drinks parties. With festive season in full swing, now’s the time to treat your hair to a bit of TLC, with the Luxe Oil Range from System Professional the perfect way to show your tresses some love when you don’t have time for the salon. Using a weightless formula developed for all hair types, the range harnesses the nourishing effects of argan, jojoba and almond oils for a sleek, glossy finish without a greasy residue.
Our personal favourite? The Luxe Oil Reconstructive Elixir, a multi-purpose hero product designed to eliminate frizz and lend hair instant softness and high gloss shine. Just the thing when your locks are suffering from party fatigue. You can enjoy 20% off any System Professional product when you shop on Look Fantastic until 3 January 2020. Just use the code SPROSAVE20 at the checkout to save.
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| No more stuffing a bin bag full of glitter-coated rubbish – we’re dressing our tables with these beautiful, eco-friendly decs instead |
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| FYI, we may make revenue on affiliate links contained in this email. | Image credits: Jennifer Pallian/Unsplash © The Stylist Group Ltd |
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