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Steph Douglas is the founder of the ingenious brand Don’t Buy Her Flowers – a gifting service for new mums and anyone who deserves a little TLC.
She is married to Mark (aka Doug) and together the couple have three kids – Buster (7) Mabel (5) and Frank, who is almost three months. The family live in St Margarets, London, and are currently adjusting to life as a fivesome.
Baby Frank in: SLEEPY organic cotton sleepsuit |ROSCO knitted hat with ears
Having always worked in Brand and Marketing, Steph set up Don’t Buy Her Flowers in November 2014, running the business from home for two years until it took over the house (!). She now has a warehouse in Gloucestershire and a growing team.
Before launching Don’t Buy Her Flowers, she had always been a bit of a gift giving whizz. Steph tells us “I’ve definitely always tried to add thought into gifts – I used to make photo albums (with actual photos stuck in). The idea for Don’t Buy Her Flowers came from giving friends who had babies something for them – a bit of chocolate and a magazine – and seeing how genuinely grateful they were to be thought of.”
Each of her boxes contains a mix of thoughtful items to encourage the recipient to sit down and take some time for themselves, such as cool parenting books and magazines, treats like artisan chocolate and gin and luxe beauty products. Steph says, “I try to use British and independent brands so they’re not the same thing everyone else is selling and because, as a small British brand, it feels good to support others.”
Mabel, Buster, Frank, Mark and Steph
“We get approached by lots of companies now, but we don’t just sell nice things – it has to be something we know is thoughtful or comforting, like a thermos mug that means you can have a hot cup of tea, or the puzzle books in our Stand up To Cancer Care Package for when someone might be spending time in bed or waiting for appointments.”
Believing that new mums really need looking after (she describes being a new mum as “bloody brutal!”), who better than Steph to give her top new baby and mum present suggestions. She tells us the best gifts she’s received since she’s had baby number three below…
STEPH’S TOP FIVE GIFTS FOR NEW BABIES AND NEW MUMS
I know I’m probably supposed to be more gracious than picking my own business BUT having just had a baby, it’s been brilliant to reaffirm that our packages are spot on. Every product has a reason for being there, like hand cream (because of all the hand washing) amazing flapjack (for an energy/sugar hit), a magazine (as I went from buying them weekly to never buying one).
You can add COOK Food vouchers to our packages, and I know how much proper meals are appreciated when you have a baby and zero energy left by 7pm but know you should be eating something wholesome.
This is great for cheese lovers, and they just launched last year so big up to another small business.
If you’re looking to spend a bit more or clubbing together, a Sleepyhead is a fab present. These weren’t around when I had my first two, but Frank sleeps well in his and the fact it’s portable is brilliant.
Left to right: BORA shorty playsuit | MOLOKO palm knit playsuit | BRODY sunhat | ANIKI scribble print bodysuit | BROCK surf bunny t-shirt | BARREL sunglass top
It’s all gorgeous – plus little shorts and vests so their delicious rolls will be on display? Perfect.
With thanks to Steph Douglas of Don’t Buy Her Flowers X
