This week we saw new lockdown measures being imposed across England. With all non-essential shops forced to close throughout November, Christmas shoppers are having to resort to mostly shopping online this year. Do not fret though, this is a really great opportunity to support some smaller and unique businesses you may not have even thought of! Below I have compiled a short list of some recommendations for you to consider this year. (Read part 2 here!)
1. GEMMA ROSE PINS
If you’re gift buying for a Taylor Swift fan, you should check out Gemma Rose Pins! Last month I bought one of their embroidered ‘folklore’ beanies as a birthday gift. The quality is great and my friend Michaela can confirm it’s very cosy to wear. The beanie arrived with a cute personalised note from the seller which was a really lovely touch too. Aside from ‘folklore’ beanies they sell a range of other items, including a very cute selection of Taylor themed pin badges and keyrings.
2. ROUND TABLE BOOKS
This small bookstore in Brixton is perfect for ordering some reading material to be delivered right to your doorstep. Round Table Books have an amazing diverse selection and would make a wonderful gift for any bookworm. Their mission as a company is to make sure everyone is represented equally on the pages of the books they sell. It’s a truly great independent bookstore to be supporting.
3. FLAURA ROSE
I couldn’t resist mentioning this company again! I mentioned how gorgeous their denim jackets are in my Durham post which you can read here. In normal times, you can frequently find them in Durham’s Market Square or down by the Quayside Market in Newcastle. Flaura Rose specialises in chic bohemian fashion and they have a variety of different cute clothing items to choose from. One of the most unique things they offer is their ‘made to order’ denim jackets that would make for a super cute Christmas gift!
4. BANQUET RECORDS
If you’re a huge music fan, it’s likely you’ve already heard of Banquet Records. This independent record store has a very loyal following and is much loved in Kingston-Upon-Thames. If you’re buying gifts for a music fan this year, Banquet Records would be a safe bet. They offer a wide range of vinyl records for you to choose from and are frequently updating their collections.
5. LEAF TEA SHOP
This recommendation comes from my friend Michaela (the proud owner of the ‘folklore’ beanie) and it’s for all the tea drinkers out there! Based in Liverpool, Leaf Tea Shop has a wide range of loose tea blends that sound delicious. I’m personally very interested in the ‘Baked Apple’ and ‘Exotic Garden’ green tea. Maybe I’ll end up buying a Christmas gift for myself…
I’m going to do another post on this topic soon as I have a few more recommendations (some submitted by friends) to share.
Some great companies mentioned! I really need to get cracking with my Christmas shopping 🙂
Christmas has come around so fast this year!