Patchwork Present: crowdfunding gifts

Gifting company Patchwork Present applies the idea of crowdfunding to buying gifts. Users create a goal that their friends and family can all contribute money to, so that instead of getting lots of little presents, they can save up for the one big thing they really want.

Sweets through the post by Tuck Tuck

Founded by sweet-toothed couple Lisa Gomm and Jamie Poulton, indie confectionery company Tucktuck.co.uk delivers retro sweets all around the UK.

Think Ink: black roses for Valentine's Day

A pop-up florist specialising in black roses, tulips and lilies opened this morning outside London's Kingly Court, offering bouquets of flowers coloured with black ink in return for donations to charity.

Koskela, Sydney: What's in store

We're feeling inspired after a trip to Sydney design store Koskela, an old factory space that has been transformed into a studio, shop and restaurant. The weathered walls create a fantastic backdrop for the eclectic mix of locally sourced furniture, textiles, decorative accessories, tableware and gifts.

The Book of Hearts by Francesca Gavin

In the lead up to Valentines Day, publisher Laurence King has released The Book of Hearts by Francesca Gavin, an image-driven exploration into representations and meanings of the heart universally.

Shaken: cocktails by post

New subscription gift service Shaken delivers the ingredients and recipes for a different cocktail each month, selected by renowned mixologists. Tying into the trend for experience gifting and discovery kits, the service includes the supplies for at least four servings and is priced at £29 a month plus postage.

For more on experience lifestyles and DIY kits, Homebuildlife subscribers can read our reports Learning, Not Leisure and DIY Food Kits.

Joined + Jointed x Compass Box Whisky: design & drinks for Christmas

New furniture brand Joined + Jointed has teamed up with Compass Box Whisky to offer a special Christmas combination of design and drinks to its customers.

Smoon Christmas tree at the Royal Monceau

Lighting sculptor Sylvie Maréchal of Beau & Bien was commissioned by prestigious Parisian hotel Royal Monceau to "decorate" their traditional Christmas tree. In place of it, she created a light and airy, 3 metre high lighting installation. Hundreds of pieces of porcelain in the shape of birds and stars are suspended in mid-air to form the silhouette of a tree, a poetic and lyrical take on this inescapable Christmas symbol.

Christmas Market at Republic of Fritz Hansen in Milan

It’s already Christmas time in Milan. The Republic of Fritz Hansen store at Corso Garibaldi 77 is presenting its special Christmas Market, an international selection of new brands and young designers with products ready to be this season's must-have gifts.

Festive Collection by Pierre Hermé

This year's Festive Season Collection by French patissier Pierre Hermé includes chocolate ganache, candied chestnut, foie gras, passion fruit ganache macarons and ginger and orange marmalade pound cake.

Seasonal gifting 2014 at Waitrose: flowers and food

Supermarket brand Waitrose previewed its seasonal food and gifting ranges for 2014 last week, including mallow hearts for Valentine's Day, Danish twists for Easter and frilly tulip bouquets with platters of Yumdoughs for Mother's Day.

London landmarks made from LEGO

Duncan Titmarsh, founding director of British design studio Bright Bricks, has built a giant snow globe in Covent Garden, filled with 14 London landmarks made of LEGO. The installation took 75 days to build and uses 120,000 bricks.

Inside the inflatable globe, snowflakes fall onto Big Ben and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and LED lights illuminate the London Eye.

Chocolate Box of Treats by Heston from Waitrose

Heston Blumenthal has expanded his Waitrose range to include confectionery: a new chocolate box created by the chef with the supermarket brand launches in-store next week.

The Bear & The Hare: John Lewis windows

John Lewis' windows re-enact The Bear & The Hare Christmas advert narrative with characters created from everyday household items that are all stocked in-store.

Christmas collection by Rowen and Wren

Autumn leaves boxed gift tags and twine

Rowen and Wren presents a nature-inspired Christmas collection full of home accents and charming decorations. The collection includes felted acorn garlands, ceramic pinecone decorations, carved wooden Plume bird decorations, hand printed winter berries cards and gift tags.

Homebuildlife subscribers can see our UK Christmas retail preview here.

Giant advent calendar at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre Shop in London has installed a giant Advent calendar designed by Ffion Harman, who has filled the shop's 7m window with house-shaped packing crates covered with patchworks of bright, patterned fabric.

Neon Christmas at The Conran Shop

The Conran Shop has embraced neon for this season's festivities, confirming our Christmas 2013 trend Radical Light. Fluorescent pink walls, laser cut perspex ceiling hangings and oversized props in bright shades complete the look.

Pumpkin Parade at Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is celebrating the Halloween and Thanksgiving season with a colourful Pumpkin Parade. A feast of different types, colours, shapes and sizes of pumpkin have been on display at the London gardens, arranged into pyramid totems and rainbow-coloured fields.

Christian Lacroix x Vista Alegre Christmas baubles

Christian Lacroix Maison and Vista Alegre have joined forces to release a range of exclusive porcelain Christmas baubles. The vibrant capsule collection is an extension of the now classic Butterfly dinnerware by the French couture house for the Portuguese manufacturer, and will make for very elegant Christmas trees.

Christmas at Crate and Barrel

An eclectic feast of Christmas decorations are on offer at Crate & Barrel, from sophisticated metallic décor to textiles featuring Indian and African inspired motifs and embroidery techniques.