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Lucy Lean

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in Christmas· Holidays· home decor· Lean Luxury· Luxury Gift Ideas

Handmade Holiday Gifts – Your Perfect Offering

Twas at least a month before Christmas… when we put up our tree.

Christmas came early to our house – super early. We’ve had our tree up for two weeks already and it’s making me so happy. It all began when I was given a surprise weekend off from MasterChef casting work. Wanting to celebrate the weekend I’d been given I asked the children what we should do. Minty suggested putting up the Christmas tree and much to her surprise I didn’t hesitate with my reply. She was incredulous that I would really do it – I fear she thinks of her mummy as a real old stuck in the mud! Now that it’s up I am tempted to keep it up all year – changing the decorations seasonally. I love the soft light it fills the room with and I love all the precious ornaments that we have gathered over the years to hang from the branches. Minty spends a lot of time redesigning the placement of the ornaments – Rémy had started out with an all inclusive theme which was very quickly paired down to a white/silver more minimalist look by our resident designer. [Did you spot me in the silver ball? Thinking this will be my new avatar]

We have several new additions to our tree – a flying glitter pig, a keep calm and carry on glass ball and a red bird in a gilded cage. But our most special new friend is a one of a kind angel with a white feather skirt and diamonds – to sit on top. She is made by my aunt Annie Scotland in England and then dressed by my brilliant cousin Eloise Scotland (or as we know and love her, Eli).

I admire Eli for a lot of things – she’s super smart and best of all she gave up her job as a high flying attorney to make things – and not just any old boring ‘crafty’ thing – gosh I hate the word ‘crafty’ – she makes exquisite works of art. All pieces are handmade by Eli so if you aren’t quick you may not be able to place an order and have it arrive to wrap and put under the tree. Eli says with her current work load on top of being a full-time mum and the need to mail it to America in good time she can probably only take on another 5 commissions – but I would wait well in to the new year for any and all of her creations.

These gifts are for the long haul and not just a token present wrapped, unwrapped and then forgotten about. They are family heirlooms to be treasured. A once in a lifetime gift – at first coveted and then, once executed, cherished.

And they aren’t just for Christmas either. Know of someone who has just had a baby? Or a wedding present or anniversary gift? How about a hand stitched family tree to mark the occasion? So far her family trees have mostly been two generations – I’m commissioning her to make me a family tree dating back the early 17oo’s and the first Araminta on my family tree.

They say an Englishman’s home is his castle which I presume translates over here – but how about a picture of your house to frame and put on the wall. Such a unique piece – either for Christmas or as a brilliant house warming present. Anyone know who lives at the home above?

I have ‘Araminta’ and ‘Remy’ in letters framed in my kitchen. I also have a tea cosy with ‘Let the Eat Cake’ written on it that makes me smile every time I see it hanging above my kitchen sink (Eli also makes a ‘Some like It Hot’ version that I love too). Any quote could be commissioned – like the one above which isn’t for sale but could be replicated – or at least reinterpreted, since each piece is one of a kind, unique and whimsical. The piece below is from some lucky person’s family sayings – to be opened Christmas morning – presumably before they cook, wash or iron…

She’s already done one of my favorite quotes of all time – don’t you love how she’s recreated the lines on the page and that distinct pink margin?

To contact Eloise Scotland and to commission ‘your perfect offering’ go to her website.

Prices (all in pounds) are as follows:

Annie’s Christmas Tree Angels: £50 (though both Eli and I think they should be more!)
Family Trees (two generations): start at £50, roughly 30 x 25 cms in size
Wedding Heart (bride & groom name plus date): start at £45, roughly 25×20 cms in size
Create a Life You Love (much larger, approx 70x100cms): original isn’t for sale, commissions start at £275
Home Sweet Home: An original based on your home starts at £175
[These prices are for unframed pieces and don’t include postage]

And whilst we are on the subject of holiday gifts – don’t forget my book MADE IN AMERICA – it makes the perfect present for even the most difficult to please on your holiday list… plus Time Out New York selected it as one of it’s top ten best cookbooks. I will sign any copies and should you live too far away I can always mail you a signed personalized bookplate.

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, home decor, Lean Luxury, Luxury Gift Ideas Tagged With: Annie Scotland, Araminta, Best Cookbooks, Christmas Presents, Christmas Tree Angel, Cohen, Create a Life You Love, Eli Scotland, Eloise Scotland, gifts, handmade Family Tree, housewarming gift, Made in America, Needlework, quotations, shower gifts, Time Out New York, Wedding Present, whimsical gifts

« Lots to be Thankful For
Flourless Chocolate Roulade – Buche de Noel Recipe »

Comments

  1. Allison [Girl's Guide to Social Media] says

    November 28, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Oooo! I love the hand stitched family tree. What a lovely and thoughtful gift idea.

    • Lucy says

      November 28, 2011 at 8:30 pm

      perfect for so many occasions – not just for Christmas

  2. susan says

    November 28, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    love everything about this post! thanks for sharing this, I am excited to learn more!

    • Lucy says

      November 28, 2011 at 8:31 pm

      she’s so talented – it all makes me smile

  3. jenjenk says

    November 29, 2011 at 7:56 am

    how beautiful!!!! Love it!!!

    and since it’s not doctor who’s home, i’d have to guess that it’s the prime minister’s residence – 10 downing! 🙂

    • Lucy says

      November 29, 2011 at 11:21 am

      You guessed it – if there were a prize – which there isn’t! – it would be yours. I guess an extra slice of Mozza pizza next time we are there ; )

  4. Deliciously Organic says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:30 am

    What a lovely post, Lucy! Thank you for introducing me to Eliose’s blog and handiwork. They are beautiful!

  5. Marla says

    November 29, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Lucy, I am all smiles reading this post. I pinned a few of these lovely art pieces as well. You have such a talented family. I am thinking you should leave the tree up all year long. That way I won’t feel bad when we take ours down in March or April. The seasonal change is nice too. Minty & Remy must have been more than thrilled when mama gave in to the early tree. xxoo

  6. aida mollenkamp says

    November 30, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Love that you’re so early with the Christmas tree — in our family we all wait until it’s officially December but I always wished we would put it up earlier. The hand-stiched “home sweet home” piece and the angel are both fantastic. Thanks for sharing, Lucy!

  7. Kristina Vanni says

    November 30, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Such beautiful, handcrafted gifts!

  8. Georgia Pellegrini says

    November 30, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Just gorgeous. I love how each ornament tells a story of a year or moment in people’s lives.

  9. Nancy@acommunaltable says

    December 1, 2011 at 9:49 am

    I love that your children wanted to put up the tree with you… those times are truly special and fleeting and I am so glad that you are embracing them!! The angel and “quilts” are absolutely gorgeous and would make truly meaningful gifts – which are of course the best kind!

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Anxiety levels have been high these last few weeks Anxiety levels have been high these last few weeks and just when you think it can’t get any worse it does - Covid levels rising and hospitals dealing with record numbers of very unwell patients, a third lockdown and schools going online and exams cancelled, then there was the runoff in Georgia 💙 overshadowed by the insurrection in D.C. which led to the swift impeachment (again), there’s the excitement of Joe Biden’s inauguration that is being sucked away by the pandemic, the rise of white supremacy with troops guarding the Capitol and ever present fear.  But through it all we have to have hope - for the vaccine, for the teachers helping our kids learn online, for the nurses and doctors working against the odds, for M&S and Ocado deliveries,for a new administration, for arrests of violent rioters, for congress doing its job and for decency to be about to be sworn in.  It’s a lot and we all struggle daily to keep our heads above water.  On a personal level I find painting helps, as do walks in nature and family suppers, I’m wearing pretty dresses, silk underwear and wrapping myself in soft cashmere and yes I’m consuming more champagne than I usually do - if not now then when?  #Lockdown #Stayhome #staysafe #EnglishCountryHouse #EnglishCountryside
#snowdrops went for a walk to search for snowdrops #snowdrops went for a walk to search for snowdrops today - last year the lawn was carpeted in white, this year nothing.  Maybe they are late? Painted a small bunch #oilpaint #flowerpainting #snowdroppainting a sign of #spring I chickened out of painting the tiny glass jug that was a Christmas present - not sure I know how to paint that aqua colour - help!  #EnglishCountryhouse #EnglishCountryGarden #englishcountryside #Lockdown #Staysafe #stayhome
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#Lockdown weekend post a crazy time in the world o #Lockdown weekend post a crazy time in the world of #covid #brexit #onlineschool  #Georgia and then the #insurrection in D.C. I took it easy today - I tidied and cleaned #declutter #springcleaning I even cleaned out the #snack cupboard and found the plates I bought and had put in a safe place @jimbobart and made a couple of loaves of @richardbertinet #sourdough ready to wake up and bake tomorrow xxx #stayhome #staysafe #EnglishCountryHouse #Englishinteriors #Georgian #architecture
I love peaches 🍑 Thank you @staceyabrams for tr I love peaches 🍑 Thank you @staceyabrams for truly making America great again - Midnight snack - someone ate the whole pumpkin pie but was thoughtful enough to leave me a slice for breakfast... time to make more! Peach pie 🥧 for everyone x #Epiphany
#Lockdown #Day1 - climbed to the top of #CleyHill #Lockdown #Day1 - climbed to the top of #CleyHill with @chloescotland #walkingandtalking made a pumpkin pie #crimping needs practice - enjoyed the early evening light across the lawn #EnglishCountryHouse #englishcountryside and then came in and made a cozy #fire and made myself a #champagnecocktail - #dontjudge it’s been that kind of day after yesterday’s news came thick and fast crashing over us from morning until night x #staysafe #stayhome #thankyouNHS 🌈
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