Every little helps, right? So here is my compendium of volcano-inspired festive loveliness, just because those people in newspapers never seem to acknowledge this splendid and wide-ranging niche market of people..I WILL!
If you are reading this and are a manufacturer of any of these things and fancy getting involved in a social enterprise with us with volcano-things. Then please do get in touch – we’re brimming with ideas on how to use volcano products for everyone’s benefit (see Volcanoes Top Trumps below!)
First up: my list of ways to make your errr… Christmas cake… more volcano-y, books for kids , movies to watch and songs to sing along to is here.
Next: Volcano Clothing
Volcano Socks! Yes, correct! Our weekly volcano coffee sparked cinders of joy when we found out about these from Happy Socks. If you are feeling lavish you can get the gift box which is shaped like a volcano (see illustration). That is awesome. Personally I am super drawn to the kids ‘Danger’ 2 pack. Featuring crocodiles and volcanoes. An absolutely natural pairing of peril, well done Happy Socks!
Volcano Scarf: I like this one. If you type volcano into RedBubble it never fails to disappoint the volcano-y at heart! The real advantage of this one is if you like the design but not the scarf there are all sorts of ways you can have it styled: dresses, bag etc.
Volcano t-shirts: the choice here is infinite and invigorating. I strongly recommend a quick check in Etsy wherever you are but here is a mainstream moment from Boden…. flattering and educational… what’s not to like here for kids! You’ll be the favourite auntie/uncle!

Volcano Cuisine!
Volcano Coffee: This seems great. We’ve been looking for a while for some coffee growers who might grown near volcanoes to sell direct but in the meantime this is a good start…Volcano Coffee Works

Remember! You can always make your own volcano cakes as presents and this link will take you to Jess Johnson’s cheap and easy recipe for ‘cinder toffee’ experiments.
Volcano Chocolate: Now this looks like an amazing luxury treat. Chocolate grown in volcanic soil! Hello Firetree people! We like your working with the farmers and on volcanic islands! Worth clicking on for the beauty of the website alone!
Books and Games
Firstly if you are looking for games of the video persuasion – don’t look at me – I’m sending you to the very excellent Jazmin Scarlett’s website and her recent work on this!
Volcanoes Top Trumps: I’ve obviously said a lot of very clever things about amphiboles in my lifetime but this game is still one of my proudest achievements! We designed the game in partnership with Top Trumps and still get royalties for every pack sold. We use these royalties to sponsor projects that benefit those affected by volcanic activity. We also have a website, which I promise to update in the New Year!
I’ve linked here to the Natural History Museum shop to buy them which is a reminder that supporting Museums with online shopping is probably a good thing to do right now. So, here for the UK are a couple of good places for volcano-themed goodies and games and science kits!
National Museum of Scotland Shop
and check out your local museums online presence too.
Volcano Beauty
This is quite a tremendous(*) category…. and I realise really needs a blog all of its own. In the meantime, for those who like smearing volcanic ash on their face, there are quite a few choices: This article here might give you some more insight (*warning* mystical powers are involved. More research is needed! This may explain my incredible skin – LOL!)
Finally if you are really stuck you could just buy the book, ‘The Volcano Lover’ by Susan Sontag…I read it for the first time in the summer, and there is quite a lot of sensational sizzling on the slopes of Vesuvius. Little known fact but Susan Sontag also wrote some interesting reflections on disaster fiction in general!
Enjoy – and have a good winter break!
(*) Tremendous is a word with special volcano-describing significance…I’m saying no more than that.