It can be really hard thinking of presents for people with allergies so I’ve done some research and come up with some really beautiful skin care products and innovative ideas that will make fantastic stocking fillers.
Chamomile and Rosehip sensitive skin cream
I recently tried out Pai Skincare Chamomile and Rosehip sensitive skin cream. It smells delicious and was very smooth and gentle to apply; it didn’t irritate any areas where I already had eczema or dry skin and moisturised my skin well. A real treat for tired sore skin. It’s quite pricey at £22 a bottle but each one is hand mixed with individual best before dates; they also contain no artificial colours, fragrances, mineral oils, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, proplylene gylcol or sulfates.
Some of their products do contain a warning ‘contains nut oil’, however I’ve spoken to them and this is just Apricot kernal oil, which as far as I know should not cross react with nut allergy sufferers. Check with your allergy specialist or doctor if you’re not sure and make sure you try it carefully on a small area of skin before applying liberally.
Pai have a Christmas offer on at the moment for a FREE Pai Bergamot Lip Balm (RRP £7) when you spend over £30. You can also buy gift vouchers so visit their website to find out more: www.paiskincare.com.
Vegan or Organic wine
Most good wine shops will stock some vegan and organic wines. Many people suffer headaches or skin rashes from wine, but I find sticking to organic or vegan wine seems to be alright for me.
Chocolate!
Be very careful buying chocolate for allergy sufferers. There is nothing more disappointing than being given chocolate that you have to secretly give away, or disappoint your friend by telling them you can’t eat it. Visit your local health food store and take a look at their chocolate range. Kinnerton do a range of nut free and dairy free chocolate that is delicious, Plamil also do some lovely allergy free chocolate. Try Creative Nature and Plamil, Moo Free, Cocoa Libre and many more.
Thai Cookery course (Allergy free on request)
I recently went on Angela Malik’s Thai Cookery course with a friend; they are able to accommodate allergies if you let them know in advance. Thai cooking contains no or very little dairy as they use coconut milk instead, and few meals contain nuts. On the day we went they reassured us that all was safe and we left enthused with Thai spirit and the smell of Thai Green Curry in our nostrils. It was a super day out; we went to a large hyper market which stocked all the basic ingredients for Thai, Chinese and Indian cooking, then returned to the cook school to learn how to cook a few basic dishes. I have cooked Thai Green curry twice since the course and it’s so amazing to be able to eat really tasty spicy food in the safety of my own home. Visit: www.angelamalik.co.uk.
I hope you all have a fantastic allergy free Christmas.
If you have any ideas of fantastic stocking fillers for allergic people please share them here. I need some ideas for my list for Santa…
We also stock Gifts for those with a lactose intolerance – Our hot chocolate on a stick was originally created for those who wanted to enjoy a hot chocolate with a milk substitute such as soy milk!
Thanks so much for sharing. I have a soya allergy as well. go figure!