Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas Gift Guide

 T's the season to be gifting

Festive shopping can be a total minefield, so this year we've decided to put together a sustainable guide to Christmas shopping to help you out.

We hope one or two of these, might be what you were looking for & if you are a student we have a few student discount available 

Gone are the days, of rushing around last minute - No, this year your going to search at ease no overcrowded shops.. This year; as an eco savy warrior, your going to make a list and check it twice
Just thank us later…

1. Emery - Cordroy Skirt

New in for the season Emery midi skirt, with patch pockets is the perfect gift for your loved one this Christmas. This soft cordroy skirt is an ideal item for smartening up any outfit and suitable for any time of year – from chilly evenings to autumn/winter layering. Click here to buy.

2. Chloe Top

Why not treat someone to this super soft jersey top this festive season. Featuring a polo neckline , you can choose from White, green or purple, but hurry red and yellow have run out. so you’re sure to find the perfect match for that special someone you must keep in mind that our ranges are limited. Click here to buy.

3. Keira - Blouse and Panda - Skirt

The perfect Christmas day outfit, adorend in recycled sequins. frills and pleats this is the outfit to wear whilst you open Christmas gifts . Click above to buy.

4. Ines - Front Zip Skirt  

The epitome of elegance this zip front skirt is composed of 100% cotton and is machine washable. One gift to consider this Christmas. Click here to buy.

5. Marisa - Tea Dress

Why not gift a friend or family member our gorgeous vintage inspired Marisa Tea Dress this winter? Featuring a contrast velvet panel and satin body, this top is sure to stun at any festive party this season. Click here to buy.

6. Bobble Hat

Whether you’re shopping for you mum, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, friend or college this Christmas, we’ve got you covered with our range of bobble hats. With a choice of two different designs and six colours you’re sure to find the perfect match for your loved one this winter. Click here to buy.

7. Tote Bags

Treat someone special to our range of tote bags from Graphyx this Christmas. Whether you’re looking for a shopper, handbag, clutch or cosmetics bag look no further than Madia & Matilda – we’ve got a selection of gorgeous bags in various colours to make gift buying simple this year. Click here to buy.

For the stationery obsessed:

1. Washi Tape

Whether your buying washi tape to decorate your gifts and Christmas cards this year or buying it for a stationery obsessed friend, it’s a great gift. Choose from our selection of metallic or festive themed tapes to make the perfect stationery gift box this Christmas. Click here to buy.

2. Pencil Case

Know someone who needs to get organised? Why not help them out with our sustainable pencil case? Made from a rose-coloured cotton with a polka dot print, this will make the perfect gift for any age. Great for using at work, school or just tidying up your desk at home. Click here to buy.

4. Cards

Our beautiful range of handmade cards make the perfect gift someone who loves giving. With a range of birthday, Valentines and Christmas cards to choose from, send these cards alongside your gifts or treat a stationery lover this Christmas. Click here to buy.

Acessories Lovers

1. Earings for her, Cufflinks for Him

A beautiful range of handmade earrings make the perfect present for loved ones, especially if they are jewellery lovers. Our gift-wrapping service means it couldn’t be easier to spoil someone special… Click here to buy.

Art - Cufflinks

2. Scarves & Gloves

Perfect for any stationery enthusiast, these gold and copper paper clips are sure to add some glamour to boring paperwork. If gold and copper aren’t to your liking, we also stock silver scissor clips. These quirky hashtag clips make a perfect gift alongside any of our other stationery items. Click here to buy.

Chunky Knit -WristWarmers

3. Gold Dangle Earrings


These paisley earrings are a simple and stylish to wear and make a super sweet Christmas present.Click here to buy.

For the homeware lovers:

1. Coasters

Hosting any classy cocktail parties or can’t be without a cuppa? Why not treat them to our stylish coasters,a practical yet chic gift. Click here to buy.

2. Reed Defuser, House Plants and Succulents

It’s no lie, everyone loves a nice smelling home, house plants and succulents. Placed on shelves or a windowsill or as the table centrepiece, why not treat your special someone to our trio of succulents this Christmas. Click here to buy.

3. Hexagonal Wall Mirror

Part of our new Madia & Matilda home range made in the UK, this gorgeous rose gold hexagonal wall mirror is perfect for decorating any wall in the house. Gift your friends or family to this simple elegant mirror this Christmas. Click here to buy.

4. Kitchen Supplies

Everyone love new things for the kitchen and if you are on your sustainable journey why not checkout our sustainable range, you’re sure to find the perfect gift at Madia & Matilda. Click here to buy.

5. Succulent holders

 If your looking to give your eco-friends, a gift that will give you cool point, why not buy ours. Perfect as part of a gift hamper they’re sure to make someone's day. Click here to buy.

For the beauty queens 

1. Some new products added to our beauty range, don't for to check them out Shop Beauty.

2. Mason jars and pots, ideal for storing your brushes and small beauty products 

Click here to buy.

3. Natural beauty cleanser go on why not treat your self..Click here to shop.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Making Memories - Party Seasons Top 5 picks

Making Memories - Party Seasons Top 5 picks

If you are transitioning to a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe, searching for that signature LBD that even Rachel Green would approve of .. This can be tough, therefore we have collated our recommendations for sustainable party outfits; here are 5 ethical and sustainable outfit ideas for a night out









First off, we have our Amelia Dress one of our timeless signatures and Clara is a newbie design that is perfect for the dance floor,  (style up with a belt or down with boots, if you are going for that Boho vibe). These two LBD's are made for comfort and style, which is difficult to come by with fast fashion alternatives.




  

Yet with our designs we look to create effortless styles from discarded materials and clothing; which gives you eco-points; when prepping for party season.

Greta and Ruth are fabulous repeat offenders that now come in different colours and lengths, check out the options, before you purchase

We know, last-minute panic purchase are usually the norm, but we feel a greater execution, comes with a greater awareness of sustainability. Therefore, this Christmas party season, we hope you take a different approach to clothes shopping for the festivities. Especially as most party sequins or embellishments are not biodegradable. Yet! do not fear, we have ways of creating dazzle with minimal harm to the environment.

Last but not least our Dina Lace Blouse are perfect for drinks at a bar or a winter wedding, made from deadstock, residual fabrics leftovers are sewn together by seamstresses in Gloucestershire with flattering sizing from a 6 to 20, our styles are an inclusive and all dresses are hand- or machine-washable; so no need to take it to the dry cleaners.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Shop Unique - 10 Questions With Our New Brand - Hurd & Co

Shop Unique  - Spotlight on Hurd & Co

Madia & Matilda curated selection of brands, SHop UNique features our independent designers and brand who share our passion and ethos for ethical fashion, jewellery and products. We interviewed Dawn Hurd founder & designer of Hurd & Co 

1. Can you tell us a little more about the brand?  

Hurd & Co started by complete accident. I had made myself a chunkyscarf, a friend popped in for a cuppa, as a jewellery designer she had been commissioned to accessorise a fashion show. Upon seeing the scarf she asked me to make 15 which she intended to embellish with brooches… all 15 scarves sold out. 

From the beginning I knew I wanted to distinguish the difference between homemade and handmade, therefore branding was a huge element to me right from the start. I wanted to bridge the price gap between high end brands and quality products.  I had every faith in my ability to produce a garment which was of a high standard and to present it in beautiful packaging but it was important to me for this to be an affordable option for people.

This amazing journey has taken me from knitting at my kitchen table with acrylic, selling at local school events right through to changing my entire business model in accordance with the United Nations Global Goals and being featured on their 2019 installation at the Pure London Fashion Show at Olympia.

I have come to realise that running a business brings with it certain responsibilities.  I am now in a position to be able to give a little something back by donating 10% of all sales to the mental health charity MIND.  I am also currently exploring local Sit & Knit groups where I can invite elderly people living in rural communities who are at risk of isolation, depression and loneliness to gather together to Sit & Knit, drink tea, eat cake and to share laughter and worries whilst we listen to Vera Lynn.  Having a transparent production line and knowing the origin of my materials is hugely important to me, knowing that I am not making money at the cost of other people or the planet.

2.How do you make your Products? 

I make all of my products by hand following my own designs

3.What is the products made from? Components? 

I only use 100% wool either a British Blue Faced Leicester or a New Zealand merino. Where possible using natural dyes.

The branded tags which are attached to each garment are a natural cork leather which are laser printed to avoid the need for ink.

4.What inspires you? 

Problem solving has been a strong influence for me.  Having un-diagnosed Coeliac Disease for many years has caused me to suffer from elements of malnutrition as a result. I have always  struggled to find a high boot which didn’t leave a huge gap around my calf and so the boot topper was designed to hide the fact that my legs were so small. Likewise I was fed up of being so clumsy when wearing gloves trying to use my phone or pick things up so I designed the wrist warmers. They are longer than a standard glove to provide more warmth and also fingerless to free your hands.

I also have to mention that I cannot help but be inspired by the beautiful county where I live. Surrounded by the most breath taking ever changing woodlands is a constant inspiration for colour and textural elements of my designs.

5.Where do you make the product and what does sustainability or making a quality British product mean to you?

Everything is made from my home in Somerset. I have sole responsibility over quality control and strive for the highest of standards from each garment. The wool is sourced from a family run mill in Yorkshire, this is important to me as I know I am supporting British farming and the British Wool industry 

6.Where you would you wear your knitted/products ? 

7.Favourite place to relax? 

A short walk from my home and I am surrounded by woodland, my favourite place to be. I like to see the changing seasons and collect reminders to display at home.

I believe to encourage longevity from fashion we need to design garments based on timeless style rather than trend.  My products were born from a need for practicality and versatility ideal to wearworking outdoors or when out for a long country walk needing to feel both comfortable and warm. Alternatively I feel they are just as suitable in the city as more of a style element rather than for practical use.  I like to keep things simple therefore sewing the scarves in place requiring no styling just pop it on and off you go.  When people wear one of my garments I want them to be transported back to being a child feelings of being comforted and warm, reminded of wearing something their grandmother may have hand knitted for them, its all about hygge.

8. In the future what styles do you plan to make next?

I would love to expand my children’s range incorporating woollen tweeds.

9. What do you think about sustainability and how does it impact your business?

The business started as a hobby. In the early days my priority was to keep my over heads down I started off selling acrylic. The growth of the business was very quick and I became increasingly aware of my responsibility to not only understand the production chain but also the environmental effects of my purchasing decisions. Watching the Stacey Dooley documentary Fashions Dirty Secrets was a game changer for me. I’m not in business just to make money, this was an opportunity to encourage change. I researched the United Nations Global Goals to see how I could comply, I changed from acrylic to wool, from leather tags to cork, ensured all of my packaging was made from recycled material and was recyclable. Every effort is made to ensure ethical and sustainable production.

I feel I have the ability to influence consumers to use the power of their £ and become more conscience when spending.

10. What do you like about collaborating with Madia & Matilda? 

The main thing that attracted me was the tag line Sustainable British Fashion, a cohesive message which totally compliments my brand and what I am trying to achieve.

To shop now, you can find Hurd & Co on our Shop Unique selection or under accessories on madiamatilda.co.uk .

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

3 Steps for more eco-friendly Green Christmas?

 Whilst many consider Christmas to be the most wonderful year, unfortunately, for the environment – it’s anything but.








Every year, Brits throw away 226,800 miles of wrapping paper over the festive period, which is enough to stretch around the world nine times!Most Christmas traditions are destined for landfill; unfortunately there is millions of plates worth of uneaten food to Christmas trees which are thrown into landfill after a couple of weeks and then there's the plastic decorations

However, luckily for those who are dreaming of a green Christmas, our guide to a more conscious Christmas makes it super easy to adapt and change our shopping habits

1.Don’t Over Load The Fridge

Did you know that every year, Brits throw away 54 million platefuls of food over the festive period? Furthermore, 25 million Christmas pudding packages are thrown away! 

it is clear that we have a food waste problem. However, we can change this by trying to consider what is really needed.. Shopping more consciously by creating a shopping list before you go.  Its always temping to fall for food offers such as buy one get one free, but do you really need that much double cream. 

Jungle-One-Shoulder-Dress

2. The Art of Gift Giving: Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

Christmas may be a time of giving (and of course, receiving) Here's our tips to gift giving the eco-friendly way.

When shopping for presents, ask your questions like “is this just a novelty present?”, “will they actually use this?” and “am I just buying for the sake of it?” Instead of buying numerous unnecessary gifts – focus on quality and choose presents which will not only last but are made by ethical brands or gifting memorable experiences.

You could even find inspiration from our Gift guide on 17th November. Not only will your loved one appreciate the luxury feeling of the ethical alternative, but it also means that you will not be contributing to the cycle of cheap and unwanted gifts that are tossed into landfill each year.

3. Reduce, Reuse or Reduce Your Wrapping Paper

Each Christmas, the UK uses 40 million rolls of sticky-tape, and 226,800 miles of wrapping paper – both of which can’t be recycled.

Instead of contributing to this waste, save money and also the environment by, saving this year’s wrapping paper and use it next year? Another eco-friendly alternatives, is to invest in reusable wrapping paper, or purchasing brown paper packaging or tape, which can be recycled, plus it looks uber chic.

If you're looking for a last minute gift that remain ethical, durable and ecological, why not purchase our gift card. It can be sent as an e-card which has zero carbon foot print.

vouchers

We hope you liked our conscious suggestions, if you have any tips or  eco-friendly alternative for Christmas this year? Share it with us in the comments below, and share this article with your friends and family or pin-in for later!

Sincerely Madia & Matilda