Independent British retail brand, Cocorose London, has shown its support for other small businesses making exquisite products and produce, by carefully curating a collection of luxury ‘Independently Minded’ gift boxes, in which it can bring their delights together.

Enabling thoughtful gift bearers to think big and shop small this Christmas, each luxury box, filled with all kinds of little luxuries, including accessories, wellness treats, teas, biscuits and candles, will spread festive cheer with the recipient. Meanwhile, the person gifting can get the feelgood factor of knowing they have supported numerous small businesses, in one gift purchase!

Bringing together the six individually themed gift boxes has been a joy for Cocorose London’s founder, Janan Leo, who understands all of the challenges that being a small business owner brings.

Knowing that, all the long years of hard work had given her a platform from which to create this sort of small business collaboration, she reached out to other businesses not always as well-blessed, to try to spread the benefits of working together as independent retailers facing tough market conditions.

The six gift boxes cover individual themes ranging from travel to afternoon tea and cater for anyone who could be a gift recipient – mums, grandmas and grandads, friends and work colleagues. They are full of inspiration but also brimming with the passion that each of the independent retailers has poured into their product.

Working collaboratively has also enabled the retailers to offer a heavily discounted package, with up to £75 off RRP. Trying to compete with big high street brands is always difficult at Black Friday and in the run up to Christmas, so joining forces is one solution devised by Janan.

Janan Leo says, “Trading as a small independent retailer is really tough but what most of us possess is a deep well of passion on which we draw day by day. Our love for our products is what drives us on, but it can be a very lonely world at times. If we can reach out to each other and work together, it makes everything much easier but also gives us a real boost, as we can hear each other’s stories and realise that the challenges we face are not unique to us.

“By curating these gift boxes, I hope I have managed to create more exposure for some brilliant brands and been able to spread some small retail joy to those lucky enough to receive a gift box this Christmas.”

Introducing the Cocorose London Independently Minded Gift Boxes

Under £20

Give a small gift that will make a big impression, with the Cocorose London Afternoon Tea Box, priced £18.75 (normally £22.75). Perfect for friends, a teacher or even in a Secret Santa initiative, this luxurious box of tea, coffee and biscuit treats includes: a beautiful decorative tin, filled with New English Teas from English Tea Rooms; Blue Lady Pyramid Tea Bags by Pekoetea, who handcraft their blends in their Edinburgh tea factory and, for a luxurious little pick-me-up, Little’s Coffee’s Irish-Cream-flavour-infused ground Honduras Arabica coffee. Also included is a box of delicious ‘Island Bakery’ buttery organic shortbread biscuits and, hand-baked, stem ginger shortbread by Frank’s Luxury Biscuits.

£70 and under

Give the gift of wellness with the delightful selection of pampering treats in Cocorose London’s The Refresh Box. Priced £65 (normally £96) recipients can indulge in some much needed ‘me time’, with contents which include: a Cocorose London natural, hand-poured Lemongrass and Ginger votive wax candle; Blue Lady Pyramid Tea Bags by Pekoetea of Edinburgh; ‘Island Bakery’ buttery organic shortbread biscuits; Cocorose London Sweet Orange, Geranium and Frankincense hand and body lotion in bio-degradable bottle and a separate, energising, hand and body wash in the same considerate packaging. A Sevin Natural Mini Soap Selection Box of vegan soaps, a gorgeous Rock & Ruddle styling and detangling comb and a Cocorose London bio-degradable pen, complete this revitalising gift.

Spread a little Christmas joy with The Festive Box, priced £65 (normally £98). Overflowing with seasonal loveliness, this is a gift sure to put a smile on someone’s face. Items included in this delightful box of happiness are: a Cocorose London Orange and Cinnamon hand-poured natural wax candle; a pretty Cocorose London Zip Pouch, perfect for storing those life essentials; ‘Nauteas’ Elephant Chai Tea for a delicious Darjeeling brew; Apple and Cinnamon biscuits from Frank’s Luxury Biscuits and two luxurious soap bars from The English Soap Company (a Merry Christmas and a Seasons Greetings Soap Bar, each beautifully wrapped in vintage-style festive paper). Treating yourself is also on the cards thanks to a Bomb Cosmetics Festive Ginger Cake Soap Cake, full of uplifting scents of ginger, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, a spiced cranberry Lip Tint pot of tinted lip balm and a Rock & Ruddle small and exquisite gold hair brush.

For an overseas relative, or friend who loves adventures, try The Travel Box – a thoughtful selection of unique items for a keen traveller, priced £70 (normally £109). Hero products that they won’t be able to live without include: a ‘Signare’ Monet foldaway canvas bag, beautifully printed with Monet’s, ‘The Pond’ artwork and National Gallery branding; a Cocorose London Evening Jasmine hand-poured votive natural wax candle; a Cocorose London Hand Care Travel Set Trio (handy 60ml bottles of Damask Rose Hand Lotion, Damask Rose Hand Wash and refreshing Tea Tree and Lemongrass with Witch Hazel Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Spray); a ‘Sevin London’ totally natural shampoo and conditioner 50ml gift set; a Bomb, ‘Girl on the Glo’ body buffer soap sponge, filled with essential oils; a cherry blossom rehydrating lip treatment and a Cocorose London, bio-degradable pen. Some of these treasures can be stored in the pretty floral patterned, Cocorose London Zip Pouch.

Under £100

Some gift purchases are so good, it is difficult to part with them, and the Time For Me Gift Box, priced £83 (normally £136) is one of those purchases where you may need to buy two (with one to keep for yourself!)

Spoil a special friend with this decadent selection of pampering treats, including a Cocorose Lemongrass and Ginger natural, hand-poured wax votive candle, to create a calming but uplifting ambience at home. A Cocorose London duo of hand lotions, in Damask Rose and Bergamot, Cardamom and Pepper, can take care of winter skin and there’s a super-handy Cocorose London bio-degradable pen.

A complete, travel-friendly, four-step collection of best-selling products from Rhug Wild Beauty, including Purifying Cleansing Lotion, Rebalancing Skin Tonic, Protecting Day Cream, Replenishing Mask and an Organic Muslin cloth, will become part of your loved one’s daily skin care routine. Meanwhile, one full-sized pot of Bomb Cosmetics’ Fruit Salad Lip Tint, brimming with tropical sweetness, will keep lips moisturised on those bitterly cold days.

Continuing the ‘me time’ theme, those fortunate to receive this caring gift can tuck in to tea and organic biscuits, thanks to ‘Nauteas’ Day Tea and ‘Island Bakery’ shortbread biscuits.

Take care of those loved ones who perhaps need an extra-special treat this Christmas and gift The Unwind Box, which will transport them to a place of blissful relaxation in the comfort of their own home.

Unwrapping the contents of this box will reveal a Cocorose London Evening Jasmine votive candle, to de-stress and re-balance. Next, A ‘Rhug Wild Beauty’ Restorative Overnight Cream will revitalise and rejuvenate.

Wash those stresses away with a ‘Bomb Cosmetics’ Milk and Honey Body Polish – grained body polish with shea butters and essential oils for silky smooth skin – and a Sevin, Fresh Clay luxury soap bar, blending flowery scents and citrus freshness.

Cosy nights by the fire can be enjoyed with a cup of ‘Nauteas’ tea, an indulgent, herbal infusion, including pear pieces, chamomile, rose petals, lavender and orange peel, which is the perfect accompaniment to the classic, ‘Island Bakery’ organic shortbread biscuits, also included.

Just before it’s time for bed, using the handy Cocorose London Damask Rose or Bergamot, Cardamom and Pepper hand lotions will keep skin moisturised through the night, whilst a Cocorose London bio-degradable pen can be kept on a bedside cabinet, to write down those worries before a peaceful night’s sleep. The Unwind Box is priced at £99 (normally £174).

Each Cocorose London Luxury Gift Box is beautifully wrapped in delicate tissue paper and presented in a pink box, saving all the hassle of wrestling with wrapping paper, sticky tape and labels. Pre-order is now available with dispatch by the end of November. All six Luxury Gift Boxes are available to purchase online at www.cocoroselondon.com