www.northerner.com

The bestselling chocolate box in Sweden is called Aladdin — a big red carton of confections that must be dying to go to the panto (£7 each). Based in Molndal, Sweden, the site has not quite found the best way to present its range of 7,000 Scandinavian goods, but it does have some unusual gifts, such as a pewter- thread and reindeer-leather bracelet from Lapland (£23), of which we are told: “When it’s worn out you can burn it and use the ashes for manuring your plants in a recycle procedure.” Shipping £14; 30-day refunds (minus shipping).

B IS FOR BAGUETTE TOE RING

www.toejam.net

From Hawaii, “the barefoot capital of the USA”, comes Toejam: “Manufacturing fine jewellery for the foot.” It doesn’t get much finer than a 14-carat gold Baby Baguette Diamond toe ring (£159), which will bring some serious bling to toes, or, more affordably, the bestselling Braided Wheat silver ring (£15). The checkout system requires a date of birth to verify the cardholder, which is intrusive, but the site ’s privacy policy (never to share financial or personal details) has been upheld online for nine years. Two-week refunds (not on diamond products).

C IS FOR CUSTOM-MADE SHIRTS

www.shirtboulevard.com

How do you judge the quality of a shirt? According to Mario, a self-styled “experienced tailor with somewhat bizarre ideas”, based in Monza, Italy, it is all in the detail. In his case, this includes making buttonholes rounded at the top, or sewing two seams in the collars and cuffs for perfect ironing. Some links don’t work, but there is a faxable order form, with clear details about measuring to help customers design tailor-made shirts (up to £150 — three weeks to make, plus three days for delivery). The cost is confirmed before it is charged. Ready-to-wear shirts are also available (from £66). Vat and customs duty are included.

D IS FOR DOSEMEALTI RUGS

www.turkishrugsandkilims.com

“These lovely rugs spark up your boring wall-to-wall carpeting,” says this Istanbul-based site, and it’s hard to disagree. One of dozens of styles, the Dosemealti handmade wool rugs (£191, including shipping) have medallion designs within elaborate borders, and are predominantly red (the colour of fire, enthusiasm and virility, but also of sorrow and calamity), blue (strength) and white (innocence). The site is full of information, but there’s nothing about refunds.

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