Press & Blog — Eco friendly

The modern world we live in today is one that's growing more and more caring towards the health of our planet. Here at Daisy Park, we may not be perfect but we try our best with what we've got, and we're always trying to learn tips on how to be as green as possible.

One way we can do that is by stocking brands who hold value in being environmentally friendly whilst remaining high in quality and still looking fab of course. Thankfully there is now a great selection of brands like this and we're happy to say we stock some of them! Each one can help you in becoming greener too, whilst still being the gorgeous products you look for. So here's our top 5 Eco gifts to make both your loved ones and the planet happy this Christmas!

1. Hinza bags

Many of us have long abandoned using plastic carrier bags in supermarkets and shops, but Hinza bags are a step further than a reusable bag. Colourful and stylish, Hinza bags can be used for almost anything as well as your weekly shop. This could be storage, a picnic basket, or even a unique plant pot. Plus, they're now making an increasing amount of their bags out of a green plastic made from sugar cane!

2. A reusable bottle

This one might be an obvious one but they're just such a great go-to. You could give someone a Dopper or Bioloco Loop bottle for those who appreciate something a bit more unusual, or the iconic Chilly's bottle is great for a more classic bottle.

3. Beeswax food wraps

It's out with the cling-film and in with the beeswax wraps nowadays. Created for wrapping sandwiches, snacks or even larger things like a loaf of bread in, we love these because they also look so much nicer than cling-film, don't you think? They can be washed and used over again so we reckon they're one of those products that you'll think to yourself: 'how did I not use these sooner?!'

4. Eco Chic bags

From lunch bags to cool-bag backpacks and foldaway shoppers, Eco Chic have got it covered. These make for great gifts because they're incredibly reasonable in price and are super handy. What's more, you might even be able to find matching items to make a set. Oh, and they're made from plastic bottles!

5. St Eval candles

Zero waste, zero plastic and locally made from entirely natural ingredients, St Eval might just be the leader of all eco candle companies. Not to mention the fact that they smell absolutely heavenly and come in the cutest packaging. Choose from their tealights, tinned candles or even the Christmas edition pots.

These are a few of our favourite brands, but it's important to say that so many of the brands we stock are also just as great at being kind to the planet. Including Frugi for all things kids, One & Eight jewellery, and bath & body brands such as Barefoot, English Soap Co and the newest addition, Go La La. 

With so many gorgeous products to choose from, we hope you feel good in knowing that so many of these lovely brands are green and gorgeous.

Christmas is a special time of year for many of us, but when it comes to children, it's particularly precious. The magic and general sparkles and treats that come with it are all just pure joy for them. And the presents of course. They've got it pretty good really haven't they?

It can actually be quite tricky navigating the world of children's gifts when a lot of the time, they already have plenty of everything. So in this weeks gift guide, we've tried to put together some ideas that are useful, fun, and adorable, so that your little ones' will be even more joyful than Santa.

1. A fabulously unique Jellycat toy

The best thing about the iconic Jellycat brand is the fantastically unique characters they are always creating. So if you're reluctant to get them yet another cuddly toy to add to their collection, then fear not, because you could give them anything from a boiled egg to sardine. But equally, their more classic toys are super soft and always go down well.

2. A book

Also by Jellycat and a great gift companion to go with one of the toys are the super sweet story books. We've been getting more and more of these in stock because they've become so popular as gifts for youngsters. Give one on it's own as a lovely addition to their little library, or pair it with it's character for a gorgeous gift. Sorted!

3. A Djeco umbrella

These Djeco umbrellas are a popular product all year round thanks to their brightly coloured, fun designs along with the Great British weather always providing a need for them. But not many people might think of it as a Christmas gift, and they make a great one. Plus, if instead of snow, there's rain on the big day, this will make it a bit more fun!

4. Make it a crafty Christmas

This year, why not encourage their creative juices with some crafting activities? Not only will it provide them with a fun activity to entertain them, but it will also keep them quiet when the adults are in a food coma on the sofa. There's plenty to choose from, including origami, colouring and much more.

5. A play tent

Play tents can be such a perfect gift for many reasons. For one, they seem like a huge present to kids, but what's even better, is that this Tipi by Djeco is a foldable material tent, so you can just fold it up neatly and tidy it away easily. So the real winner here is the parents really.

6. A Frugi bag

Perhaps they want a new school backpack for the new year? Or maybe you could use it as their travel bag? Whatever they choose to use it for, Frugi bags are not only super cute and excellent quality, they're also made from plastic bottles so you're choosing an environmentally friendly company! There's also lunch bags and mini backpacks if you want to get a set.

7. A reusable drinks bottle

You can get one of these from Frugi too if you want to match it to a backpack you're already getting, or you could give them a slightly more mature choice of a Dopper or Chilly's bottle. All 3 of these do insulated options if you want to keep their drink fresh all day at school or on days out. These are a great gift for slightly older children too.

8. Stationery galore

Another great option for older kids, stationery is a necessity that can also be a luxury. Whether it's a notebook tidy from Bookaroo to keep their pens organised, or an adorable letter writing set for those budding writers (which can also be used to write Christmas thank you notes if that's something you like your little ones to do), there's something for everyone

9. A good old puzzle

A good quality, uniquely designed puzzle is such an underrated present in our opinion. We've got some gorgeous ones from Djeco, each coming in a box that actually even looks just gorgeous as a decoration on it's own. The hot air balloon is a personal fave of ours, or maybe the rocket.

 10. A Bendy Light

This one was a really popular product last Christmas and a great one to end on. The ideal balance of fun yet practical, the Bendy Light makes for a perfect stocking filler and always goes down well with keen readers.

Whether it's our dad, grandad, brother or husband, many of us have that man in our life that we simply can't shop for. Maybe he's really fussy? Has expensive taste? Or simply already has everything?

Whatever it might be, we're sure there will be something you can get him. Read on for some ideas big and small, and one of them might just spark that light bulb moment you're waiting for.

1. A Chilly's bottle

Chilly's bottles are a great gift for pretty much anyone and everyone, of all ages. Simple and stylish in design, they can look effortlessly cool whilst also being practical and useful. Or if they've already got a bottle, why not add to their collection and treat them to a thermal coffee cup which are just as nice?

2. An Asta Barrington tray

If the man in your life is someone who likes to host, why don't you give them a tray to serve the beers on? Or a tray that features their favourite tipple of choice.

3. A bottle opener

These Austin Sloan bottle openers are a must-have for man caves. It simply wouldn't be complete without one, don't you think?

4. Socks

Getting men socks for Christmas seems to have become somewhat of a tradition over the years, so carry it on in style with a pair of Powder socks for men. They come in some fabulously bright and busy designs and even have their own free gift bag to save you the hassle of wrapping it up.

5. An Emma Bridgewater mug

If in doubt, go for a mug. In our opinion, you can never have too many (mainly because there's too many nice mugs that come into the shop all the time). If the man in your life is someone who enjoys a cuppa, then a mug such as the Emma Bridgwater Shoreline Scattered Boats mug might be a lovely one if they also like the sea or sailing.

6. Bookaroo stationery

If he has an office job or is a student that's always in need of pens and rulers, then pretty much anything from Bookaroo by If is a great stocking filler gift. The notebook tidies are ideal for preventing them losing pens, or the notebooks are simple yet sleek in design for notes and planning.

7. A Hinza Bag

The idea of getting the man in your life a bag might seem an odd one to some at first, but a Hinza bag really is one everyone. They're incredibly practical for doing the weekly food shop or for carrying books in and come in a wide range of colours to suit everyone.

8. A String Tin

The Emma Bridgewater string tins are a great little present for anyone who loves gardening. The potting shed design mimics a man cave theme and is simply rather sweet. There's also a tin to match to keep bits in such as screws or gardening gloves.

9. An English Soap Company Soap

For a bit more luxury in the shower, why not treat them to an English Soap Company soap? With scents such as Bergamot & Ginger, or Sandalwood & Pink Pepper, we're sure the man in your life will be smelling divine in no time.

10. East of India trinkets

East of India always know how to say it best in their trinkets and treats. If you want to show your partner how much you love them, or remind your dad of how great he is, one of these are a great way to show that.

Here at Daisy Park we're always trying to do our bit towards helping the environment. One way of doing that is by continuing to stock an increasing amount of products that are both sustainably made and will continue to benefit both the planet and us!

As July is plastic free month, we thought we'd put together some of our favourite products that are free from plastic and will help us all to reduce the overall amount of plastic we use. From reusable insulated water bottles to stop us buying plastic water bottles, to beeswax food wraps to prevent us using cling film or sandwich bags, there's some brilliant goodies that of course, are gorgeous too.

One of the best ways to instantly reduce your plastic consumption is by opting for a reusable drinks bottle rather than buying new ones regularly. These days there's so many fabulous choices out there, and we're proud to stock the iconic Chilly's bottles, as well as 'Gift of the Year' winners Bioloco Loops, Rex London and Dopper bottles (more of these coming very soon so watch this space). Most of these keep your drink of choice either cold for 24 hours, or hot for 8-12 - perfect right?

Next up is reusable bags. You could treat yourself to one of the gorgeous Hinza bags that can have many different uses such as picnics, shopping or gardening to name a few. Or there’s Eco Chic backpacks or the lovely Emma Bridgewater foldaway bags. All help to reduce the amount of plastic carrier bags being used which is just great.

If you often wrap your sandwiches in cling film or sandwich bags, these might be a great new alternative for you: beeswax food wraps. Made from ethical fabrics and coated in beeswax for easy cleaning, these wraps not only keep your lunch fresh, but also look gorgeous in doing so! We’ve got three fabulous Emma Bridgewater designs in different sized packs with various sizings for whatever you can think of to use them for.

These are some of our favourite sustainable bits that are often seen as a sort of ‘starter pack’ to getting greener, but we stock various other sustainable brands and products. From Eco Chic lunch bags and cool bags, Frugi organic kids clothing and backpacks, to St Eval candles which are all made with the planet in mind and zero plastic. We’re proud to be a part of the ever-growing change to being kinder to our lovely world Earth.

There have been many things to come out of this pandemic. Banana breads, home workouts, the return of the UK holiday and of course babies. Since it all started it's probably safe to say that there has been somewhat of a baby boom, don't you think?

The wonderful thing about babies is that they never fail to bring a warmth that can't quite be found anywhere else. We're not saying it's all love and happiness, of course babies bring their fair share of stress along with them too. It's just a reminder that they can also inspire hope, reconnection and general love to families after the hardships the past 18 months have involved.

So if someone you know is due very soon or has just had a baby, then here's a collection of goodies that we think would make for some gorgeous gifts for the little ones, with the bonus of a couple for the new parents too.

Frugi is a kids brand known for it's organic, sustainable products that last whilst also being dreamy to both touch and look at. All of their muslins, bodies and bibs are made from 100% organic cotton and it's just heavenly.

East of India is a great go-to for gifts for all occasions and new babies is certainly one of them. Whether it's simply a little hanging trinket or a "baby's first" box, we're sure you'll find something that has just the right amount of sentiment with it.

This one is a gift more for the parents to enjoy. Whether it's for decoration in the little ones room or nursery, or just a nice scent to pop in the living room in the evenings when they get a (rare) chance to relax. The Country Candles new baby candles both have a gentle scent of rosewood and come in adorable soft pink or blue polka dot tins and make for a lovely gift.

Many people will have heard of Jellycat toys. They're one of the leading brands of cuddly toys and known for being both adorable and hilarious all at the same time. These are brilliant gifts for babies and thanks to the variety of characters, you'll be sure to find a unique and quirky toy to stand out from the usuals.

Now to bring it all together with the finishing touch of a lovely card. Whether it's a girl, boy, twins or just a gender neutral one, there's a great variety of cards to choose from and they're all super cute.