A pared down Christmas

Christmas madness has taken hold, and this year, as with every year, the thought of trawling crowded malls has filled me with dread. So I’ve given them a wide berth and trawled the Christmas markets instead. Bustling and festive, the whole experience is just so much more laid back, and the cherry on top —  you get to support local artisans. Ceramicists, artisanal food producers, jewellers, burgeoning designers, there’s a whole lot of quirkiness on offer; products with so much more soul (and smaller carbon footprints!) than their mass-produced mall counterparts.

It’s one of the reasons I love this inspired idea by Airloom and the Mohair Millshop —  two companies championing local craftsmanship. I’d far rather get one thing I love than a bunch of pressies I don’t want or need. It’s so much gentler on the environment. Have a squizz at their buy-local Secret Santa competition here.

I’m a big fan of the Scandi-inspired, clean lines of Airloom decor — having recently treated myself to a clock and two lamps which revived two previously dull corners of my home.

If you think of other creative ways to forgo the consumer madness in favour of a more minimalist, pared back Christmas, let me know!