This month I'm loving... ethical and eco-friendly pressies. Treat your nearest and dearest to guilt-free gifts, some of which are as easy on the wallet as they are on the planet...
For the neighbours, the kids' friends and anyone who pops by with an unexpected gift: Baked goods make good gifts and fit perfectly with the bling-free Zeitgeist this Christmas, so share the love (and the recipes) with your loved ones. Stock up on Christmas cookie cutters, from £9, at Velvet Brown, and for a stylish twist, try VB's clever 'cup adorning' biscuit cutters, £13.95 (right).
For Gretchen, your best bud: Gretch is always there for you with a comforting cuppa and a listening ear, so warm her heart with this nostalgic eco-friendly tea cosy, £25, from Hand Made by Samantha Stas at notonthehighstreet.com. Each colourful tea cosy is unique and as they're made from recycled woollens and vintage linens, they've got bags of green cred too.
notonthehighstreet does what it says on the tin: it's a super place to shop for one-of-a-kind finds you just can't get from bland department stores and samey-samey shops. And anything that frees you from the madness of the high street during the maddening pre-Christmas rush gets a big thumbs-up here. You'll get a big thumbs-up from friends and rellies too when they open the eclectic, unusual and just plain fab gifts you've found for them.
For your little brother Simon, who loves the classics: From his Bowler hat to his Sinatra CDs, Simon enjoys the golden oldies – but he's not averse to a modern twist. Give him the classic SodaStream, updated for the 21st century. It's ever-so-eco too. Each one-litre bottle you make saves three aluminum cans. Models start from £39.99 (this one is £59.99). When you think of the almost £2 billion we Brits spend on bottlted water each year, it's actually a bargain. 
For newlyweds Dorrie and Dan: The happy couple's morning cuppa in bed will be even sweeter when it's served on this cute 'Blossom & Bill' serving tray, £25, from HunkyDory Home. Made of birch wood from sustainable Scandinavian forests, the tray serves as extra incentive not to grump about whose turn it is to put the kettle on.
For Jo (and every dog person on your list): Edwyn 'The Allotment Dog', is a must for the dog-lovers you love. Made in the UK, Edwyn products are on sale through the fabulous Etsy.com or you can find them at Spitalfields Market on Thursdays and Fridays from 10-4. They'll be for sale on the 5th and 6th of December from 11-6 at the Pullens Yards Open Studios, SE17, where you'll also find wares from dozens of amazing local craftspeople and artists.
For Susa, the hopeful romantic: Spell it out for Susa, with illustrated letters spelling L-O-V-E, £39.75, Emma Loves Retro at MyDeco.com. Handmade from recycled retro fabric from 1970s dresses and felt stretched over a wooden frame, each set of letters varies slightly so qualifies as an original work of art.
For everyone: your partner, in-laws, friends, children. Share the most precious gift of all – your time – with loved ones by giving personalised gift certificates promising dinner at yours, help in the garden, even dog walking. Recession bonus: these gifts are inexpensive or actually free! For your main squeeze, the personalised vouchers can get a little more personal, whether you're promising breakfast in bed or something a bit more saucy.
For Nigel, a bit of a domestic god himself: Instead of a glossy celebrity cookbook, get real in the kitchen with The Borough Market Cookbook: Meat & Fish, from Can of Worms Press. The cookbook has 140 recipes including signature dishes sourced from the market's producers and traders who are passionate about the provenance of their livestock, fish and veg. The cookbook also includes advice on shopping and the importance of issues such as sustainability. Buy it from Can of Worms Press online, at their open days at the Pullens Yards or from Amazon.
For Fiona, less earth mother, more mother on the verge of a nervous breakdown: This cheeky 'Child Unfriendly Alphabet' organic cotton tea towel helps tots learn the alphabet with a Grimm-style gathering of fairly sinister selections (B is for beer, M is for matches) or more appropriately, offers not-always-so-yummy mummies a bit of comic relief when playing happy homemaker; £10, Twisted Twee.
For Sasha, your gorgeous godchild: Leave the playground-friendly clothes for the 'rents to buy. The bliss of being a godparent is throwing caution (and practicality) out the window and splurging on something scrummy. Forget the boring basics: woo the wee one with something special from TeenyTini. Each colourful piece is lovingly crocheted by hand in the UK, using natural fabrics and dyes.
