08:30, 12 December 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Gifts are a way that people can connect with the special people in our lives and Peace Lily Gifts is doing just that.
They specialise in connecting people with meaningful, artisanal presents while uplifting local makers and embedding sustainability into every stage of the gifting experience.
As founder Dr. Dele Kehn-Alafun explained, the business grew from a simple realisation: “Some gifts were poorly chosen and ended up in the landfill. I thought, ‘we can do this better.’”
Peace Lily’s mission is therefore twofold: to make gifting more thoughtful and to build a sustainable economic ecosystem for artisans across the UK.
Many of Peace Lily’s makers are women who have revived a modern form of the cottage industry. They create from home or small studios, balancing their craft with family life.
“Supporting local artisans – especially women – is central to what we do. It empowers them and strengthens local industries,” Dr Dele shared.
The platform provides these makers with something invaluable: a dependable market.
“We provide a market for what they do, allowing women to generate income in a way that works around their lives,” she said.
Each product comes with its own story, from the reclaimed wood artisan is based in Gloucestershire, turning fallen trees into peelers, pens and cufflinks, to makers crafting eco-friendly homeware. “There are incredible stories attached to every item,” Dr Dele emphasised.
Peace Lily’s reusable gift boxes, designed to be repurposed, reinforce the brand’s sustainability ethos and help reduce waste.
At the core of the platform is its unique gift finder, designed around connection rather than consumption. It focuses first on how the recipient likes to feel appreciated.
“It’s about how people show and receive affection, not just ticking a box with interests,” Dr Dele explained.
This method helps users move away from impulse buying and towards gifts that strengthen relationships, aligning with a more sustainable, intentional form of economic activity.
Peace Lily is deeply rooted in community collaborations that expand opportunities for artisans and support local economic resilience. The company is part of Made in Gloucestershire, which gives food, drink, and craft producers a platform to reach wider markets.
It also collaborates with groups such as The Cotswold Collective, which “brings members of the public together to support local businesses,” and maintains links with the local Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Peace Lily was a winner in Theo Paphitis' Small Business Sunday initiative in November and is thrilled to be part of this leading and supportive small business network.
These engagements are strategic and value-driven. As Dr Dele put it, “It’s about building and connecting to existing communities, amplifying our message, and being part of something bigger that helps Peace Lily grow.”
Education is another pillar of Peace Lily’s contribution to a positive work environment and community. Its partnership with the University of Bath School of Management gives students valuable work placements. This hands-on experience helps develop the next generation of ethical business leaders.
As Dr Dele beautifully summarised: “It’s all about connecting people; to each other, to communities, and to the makers whose work deserves to be seen.”
Peace Lily proves that thoughtful gifting can also be a powerful engine for sustainable, community-led economic growth.
Check out their range of products here: https://www.peacelilygifts.com/
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Shaw Trust. This is a leading employment charity in the UK that supports hundreds of thousands of people facing disadvantage in work, education, or training.. Learn more here.
BRAC. This is one of the largest international NGOs that works to alleviate poverty by empowering people through social and economic programs, including microfinance, vocational training, and support for small businesses, primarily in Asia and Africa. Discover their work here.
Making the Leap. A social mobility charity based in the UK focused on equipping disadvantaged young people with the essential skills, behaviours, and attitudes needed to secure meaningful employment and fulfil their potential. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Photo credits: Peace Lily
