As the temperatures here in the UK drop significantly, with snow in some upland areas of northern England and Scotland, and our shops already displaying chocolate gift boxes and Santas, we cannot help but think towards Christmas. For some this might be with a sense of delight and anticipation of cosy evenings, twinkling lights, far flung family members gathered together over a dinner table laden with festive treats. For others this season may be tinged with sadness or present seemingly insurmountable pressures. For many, it is a practical obstacle course, with a ‘to do’ list starting now and ending with late night packing of stockings on Christmas Eve.
With two months still to go, might we suggest a different approach? Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect; it never is, so why put pressure on yourself to try to make it so? It is only in recent years that mass consumerism has hiked up pressure on hard-stretched families, and mothers in particular are expected to produce the Pinterest perfect day, whilst in the lead up to juggle batch cookie baking, costumes for the school play, cakes for fundraisers and amassing the presents. This is all very far from the real essence of Christmas.
What if the original, old Christmas message of peace and joy gently pervaded all our Christmas preparations? How might it change our approach to buying gifts? Might the best gift look different? Rather than buying to impress, or out of guilt spending beyond our budget, we could buy simple gifts which we know will bring joy to the receiver, support a small local business and be kind to our beautiful world on top of all that. And, if we buy at a craft market, we also get a fun, festive day out of seasonal cheer.
Here at Craft Insurance, we have so many inspiring clients, coming to us for craft market insurance at this time of year. Buying from local craft markets could completely transform your Christmas shopping, with high-quality gifts which will last; here there is joy in the buying and the giving.
Today, we’re focusing on the wonderfully growing field of handmade cosmetics and skin care products. If you want the best, are wisely sticking to a budget and would like to know your Christmas purchasing isn’t going to harmfully impact our planet, then you need look no further than beautifully hand-crafted soaps, shampoos, cosmetics and other skin care products.
These are often a fall-back gift for teachers or aunties, and can be stocking stuffers for teen girls, as well as thoughtful gifts for wives, girlfriends and mums. This year, however, rather than jumping onto the mass-produced bandwagon of brightly packaged chemical and artificial fragrance saturated products, why not instead buy from a local company, using natural ingredients that are good for your skin, with eco-friendly packaging and lower transportation costs.
Even companies that advertise eco-friendly often have chemicals in their products, and most factory manufactured products will have a higher carbon footprint than those made by hand using time honoured, artisan skills. While many of us are aware of the ingredients in the food we consume, we are probably not as aware when it comes to the skin products we use.
The skin is the largest organ in our body, and thus it has huge capacity to allow unwanted, as well as wanted, chemicals and nutrients into our systems. Handmade skin care products are all rich in natural oils, butters and plant extracts. Between them, they will nourish your skin with an enriching balance of vitamins, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants which all hydrate and nourish your skin, as well as promoting the daily cellular repair which is needed.
Ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera and coconut oil seal in moisture by mimicking natural skin fats, thus preventing and hydrating dry areas. Certain plant compounds, for example olive oil and green tea extract, provide anti-oxidant protection, fighting free radicals caused by pollution or UV exposure. These will help prevent early ageing of the skin.
And it isn’t only our awesome skincare and cosmetics clients who are busy putting all these wonderful ingredients together to make enriching skincare products in the run up to Christmas. The bees are also busy as ever!
Bees produce three substances which are all good for our skin; honey, beeswax and propolis. Honey attracts moisture to the skin, thus hydrating it and plumping it out. Beeswax acts as a natural barrier to water loss while at the same time is non-pore blocking. Propolis is the third of the trio; you may not have come across it, but it is a wonder product. It is the brown, sticky stuff that bees produce to act, amongst other functions, as a sealant and for infection control. It is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, jam packed with good things like vitamins, minerals, essential oils and resins. The fantastic combination of honey, beeswax and propolis has been the springboard for many beekeepers to begin kitchen table skin care businesses.
If you are one of those kitchen table businesses and are looking to step out into the exciting world of craft markets this Christmas, you will need craft market insurance. This includes a basic package of product and public liability insurance, as well as professional indemnity cover. Most fair organisers will ask that you have public liability insurance in place. While navigating insurance can seem a little confusing if you’re doing it for the first time, we aim to make it straightforward and non-stressful. We are a family business with decades of experience behind us and communicate directly with our customers. So, look at our website and then pick up the phone or fill in the enquiry form and either Sam or Naomi will be here to ensure you get the correct craft market insurance for all the Christmas markets coming up!
