Christmas 2022: a very local gift guide!
Many of us are thinking extra carefully this year about where to spend our hard-earned cash at Christmas. Making sustainable gift choices and supporting the small businesses in our community during tough times is also at the forefront of many minds this season.
We all know that magical, warm, fuzzy feelings are created when you choose to buy from a local independent over a commercial chain, both for you as a buyer and the small business owner you buy from! So with this in mind, I want to shout about some of the amazing local businesses that I know and love, that are here to provide you with something extra special this Christmas!
The Floral Potager, Wick-St-Lawrence www.thefloralpotager.co.uk/shop
Anyone who follows my socials will know that Sacha and myself collaborate a lot, flowers and cakes are a perfect match after all. I feel very lucky to be just a short journey away from Sacha's flower field, as well as her advice and support over a cuppa!
For her Christmas offerings, Sacha has some beautiful dried flower everlasting gifts, including flower crowns and the cutest fairy garden baubles! Sacha is running several workshops over the next few weeks at various local venues. These workshops would make great gifts for people who perhaps don't need any new 'things’ but love learning new skills and having creative experiences! Of course there's also the craft evening that Sacha and myself are running on 5th December at The Note Warehouse in Yatton, which still has some spaces left! All workshops can be booked at Sacha's shop via the above link.
Naomi & Noah, Congresbury https://naominoah.bigcartel.com/
This Christmas will be the last year that Naomi is making her fabulous knitted gloves, so this is your final chance to get a pair! They are beautifully made from quality 100% pure wool and come in stunning vibrant colours. I was given a pair last year and they are a winter staple for me, as I can still write/type/use my fingers whilst keeping my hands nice and toasty. Naomi shares my love of gift-wrapping (think Rowan Atkinson's OTT shop assistant in Love Actually!) and a gift from her will always be beautifully presented. Naomi also runs knitting workshops locally, and her knitted Christmas decoration workshops are coming up in December. If you're a complete beginner knitter like me, I can vouch for her being an exceptionally patient teacher!
Beth Lewis Art, North Cornwall https://bethlewisart.com
I had to sneak Beth in here even though she is not North Somerset based, as I just love her work! Beth specialises in relief printmaking, and makes the most gorgeous hand printed art inspired by nature and her surroundings in North Cornwall. Beth's designs are printed onto wooden earrings, linen ribbon, notebooks, and much, much more - check out her shop to see all the beautiful things - they'd make perfect Christmas gifts for nature lovers and creative souls. Beth also made my custom hand-carved logo stamps, so any bakes bought from me will have Beth's handiwork stamped on the box, which makes me very happy!
Amanda Clarke Illustration, Bristol https://amandaclarkeillustration.co.uk
I met Amanda when I worked at Triodos Bank a few years ago. It's a workplace that seems to attract a lot of creative Bristol people with an arty side hustle alongside their banking day job! Amanda has the most joyful and colourful art prints and cards for sale in her Etsy shop, including Christmas cards. This year she has created beautiful hand painted Scandi heart decorations and Art Deco inspired hand painted baubles that would brighten up the darkest of December nights!
Re:Store Congresbury, Congresbury https://www.restorecongresbury.co.uk
No local Christmas gift guide would be complete without mentioning my faves at Re:store Congresbury! The shop is a tiny treasure trove of sustainable and locally made beautiful things. If you've not been in before, go in for a browse and a chat with Jo & Claire (or me on a Tuesday/every other Saturday!) who will be happy to talk about all the fantastic items. Gift highlights for me this year are the fabric crowns and sparkly wands made by Lisa at Purple Sunday Designs, and the reusable crackers from Sew Lovely by Lauren. When visiting Re:store you can also conveniently pop to…
…Congars Cafe, Congresbury https://congarscafe.squarespace.com
‘Congars’ is our lovely village cafe, which showcases a range of work from local craftspeople. The range includes cards, artwork, fused glass items, jewellery, carved wooden gifts and mirrors, felt brooches, fabric bags, hats and scarves. Pop in and have a browse whilst having a coffee and one of my chocolate brownies, or another tasty cake made in house by the cafe team.
Ziggy's Deli, Congresbury https://www.facebook.com/Ziggys.Deli
Our village is lucky to have a fantastic deli which opened earlier this year, run by John and Fiona. If you love good food, pop in and have a browse, you won't be disappointed! For foodie gifts, Ziggy's have ready-made Christmas hampers in various sizes, or you can make up your own bespoke hamper. Ziggy's also have everything you need for the ultimate post-Christmas dinner cheese board. Our household highly recommends the Pitchfork Cheddar! Gift vouchers are also available, and these can be spent on any products in-store, or used at one of their tapas evenings.
And finally, Rowan Tree Bakery
Mustn't forget to mention myself amongst all this loveliness! My ever popular yule logs are back this year, inspired by winter forest walks and decorated to the max with edible Christmassy stars, berries, nuts and of course, chocolate. They make a stunning table center to round off Christmas Day, or a great gift for a foodie friend or family member. Yule logs will be available to collect from 20th December, but please get your order in as soon as possible! Closer to Christmas I’ll be sharing some smaller edible gifts that will be ideal for teacher thank you's or stocking fillers, so keep an eye out for those in December.