BUYING LOCAL THIS CHRISTMAS – GIFT IDEAS
Posted by Francesca De Franco on 03 Dec 2020
The ‘alternatives to Amazon’ movement is gaining momentum and in the current economic climate, keeping it local to support small, independent businesses is more vital than ever.
We get to work with some amazing local businesses and brands so here’s some Epsom & Ewell homegrown inspiration for your Christmas gifting…
Sweet treats and gifts for foodies
CHEW!
It’s all about the sweets. CHEW! has got mouth-watering pic ‘n’ mix candy bags, boxes and cones all year round but especially for the season there are Santa Boxes filled with festive chocolates and pic ‘n’ mix, special personalised Christmas Eve Boxes, Christmas Tree Cups and Magic Reindeer Food to name but a few.
Find out more here.
The Epsom Bakehouse
If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that we are a nation of baking enthusiasts. The Epsom Bakehouse runs a range of online baking courses – from brioche and baguettes to ciabatta and cinnamon rolls. A gift voucher would make the perfect present for the foodie in your life.
Find out more here
Website: http://www.theepsombakehouse.co.uk/
All Things Nice
Ewell Villages’s All Things Nice is an Aladdin’s cave of treats at any time. At Christmas though, why not gift one of your nearest and dearest with a lovely Afternoon Tea box, afternoon tea gift voucher for two or even a £10 gift voucher which can be redeemed in the cafe or for takeaways?
Find out more here
Website: http://www.allthingsnice-ewell.co.uk/
Cheese and Cheers
The gift of cheese? Yes please! For fellow fromage lovers, Cheese and Cheers offers perfect Christmas presents… gift hampers containing cheese, charcuterie, chocolate and condiments; festive cheese boards and platters for the big day and beyond or a gift voucher to enjoy throughout the year.
Find out more here
Website: https://www.cheeseandcheerssurrey.co.uk/
Breech Lane Curry House
Home based Indian cookery school Breech Lane Curry House is offering personalised gift vouchers for a range of bespoke cookery lessons and courses (face-to-face and online for all abilities) as well as gift bags and spice tins for those who are serious about Indian cooking.
Find out more here
Website: https://breechlanecurryhouse.com/
Picky Bits
There’s a seemingly endless Christmas offering of platters and grazing boxes from Picky Bits. Whether you’re after charcuterie and cheese graze boards, sweetie platters, Christmas breakfast platters or vegan grazing goodies, they’ve got you covered. Treat someone or yourself!
Find out more here
Website: http://www.pickybitsfood.com/
Good Evening
Delicious batch cooked freezer meals and Street Food boxes from Good Evening are a perfect gift for when the leftover turkey gets too much during the festive season. You can also treat someone to gift vouchers (£10-£50) for both food and cooking classes.
Find out more here
Website: http://www.goodevening.biz
Beauty and wellbeing
Suzie’s Scents
Suzie sells a range of designer-inspired fragrances, make-up items, beauty products and toiletries for men and women.
Find out more here and check out Suzie’s full catalogue here.
Avia Surrey PT
Getting fit in 2021 – what a great gift! Avia Surrey PT is offering gift vouchers redeemable against a range of bespoke and personalised program packages including online personal training, in-person personal training, fitness and nutrition coaching and pre and postnatal training.
Find out more here
Website: https://aviapt.com/
Jane’s Aromatherapy
Jane’s Aromatherapy has got you covered across the board with gift options for the whole family. There are pamper hampers, stress and sleep therapies, packages for men and teens; hair and nail care and much more besides. You can also treat someone to a gift voucher if you can’t decide.
Find out more here
Website: https://www.janesaromatherapy.co.uk/
Kalli – Tropic Skincare Ambassador
Independent Tropic Skincare ambassador Kalli can help you find the perfect eco-friendly skin, hair or body care products, festive favourites and gift sets. Vouchers are also available as an option.
More details are on the directory and you can see the full range here.
Lisa’s
Lisa offers a range of non-invasive body shaping, inch loss and beauty treatments including the flagship i-lipo, i-lipo Ultra and Beauty Angel. You can book sessions for that special someone or even get a gift voucher.
More info here
Website: http://www.i-lipo4u.co.uk/
Mulberry & Thyme
I love this hair salon (especially that you get wine and a massage with your hair appointment!) and would personally be delighted with a gift voucher I could use for a cut or treatment. Aside from vouchers they’ve got a nice range of gifts specifically for Christmas including Manta brushes, Coriloiss straighteners, Davines gift boxes and hair accessory gift packs.
Find out more here
Website: https://www.mulberryandthyme.co.uk/
Baby and child
Bambinos & Me
Bambinos & Me has got a range of exclusive gifts for new mums and babies. From Baby Play Sensory Baubles containing special gifts for little ones and stylish teething necklaces (for mums to wear and babies to chew)
Find out more here
Website: https://www.bambinosandme.co.uk/
The Maths Mum
The Maths Mum has a variety of original and unique products that help children (pre-school to year 4) learn in a fun way. They’d make great gifts. I love the Visual Times Tables in Skittles; I know two children that could definitely benefit from this!
Find out more here
Website: https://www.themathsmum.co.uk/
Crafts and jewellery
EpsomPots
You can treat someone to a lovely and unique homeware gift courtesy of EpsomPots. There are lots of collections available to suit a wide variety of tastes and functions including:
– Small and medium bowls for a variety of uses
– Soap dishes
– Candle holders
– Small Pinch Pots
See some of the range and find out more here
Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EpsomPots
Flying Bobbins
Online haberdashery Flying Bobbins is a treasure trove of crafty items. There’s everything for the season including Scandi-style festive fabrics, hessian Christmas craft fabric rolls and advent calendars along with great gifting options such as scarves, PJs, gift sets and even crafty projects the recipient can make themself (my girls would love the scrunchie-making kits).
Find out more here
Website: https://www.flyingbobbins.com
Hello Marsh Mallow
Hello Marsh Mellow has a huge range of wonderfully funky and unique handmade statement jewellery with a focus on necklaces and earrings. Prices start from £15.
Find out more here
See the full range on the website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/hellomarshmallowuk/
Services
Bras at Home
I know first-hand the difference a good-fitting bra can make. Now you can actually gift someone a bra-fitting appointment in the comfort of their own home (and new bras) thanks to Bras at Home.
Find out more here
Website: https://www.brasathome.co.uk/
PV Interiors
This is such an original and practical gift idea for someone that’s embarking upon an interior design project in the New Year. You can buy gift vouchers for Interior Design Packages:
– £50 Interior Design Colour Consultancy
– £150 Finishing Touches Interior Design Package
– £350 Room Transformation Interior Design Package
Find out more here
Website: https://www.annarobertspvinteriors.co.uk/
Personalised gifts
The Eventure
The Eventure‘s personalised bamboo serving platters and cheese boards would make an ideal Christmas gift for foodie friends and family. These unique boards start from £12.99 each and they’re currently offering 10% off if you spend £30 or more.
Find out more on their Facebook page.
Hopefully that’s given you plenty of inspiration. Happy local shopping!
Fran x
I'm a freelance PR consultant and also run my own blog where I write about the things that we do, the places that we visit, the toys and games that we play with as well as all the every day parenting (and some non-parenting) stuff in between.
My love for communicating and writing, mirrors my passion for trying to be the best mum I can be. Interests include good food and wine, Italian culture, football and personal finance.