Shop Local: Suffolk Christmas Gift Guide

One of the great things about Suffolk is that we have so many fantastic independent businesses across the county that sell unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re looking for stocking fillers, clothes, homewares or even festive treats for your dog, there is a local maker in Suffolk that you can buy from rather than spend money in a big chain store.

This year I’ve aimed to buy the majority of my Christmas gifts from local shops and makers, and I thought I’d share with you what I’ve found so far! Here is my Suffolk Christmas gift guide for 2018…

For Book-lovers

First up on my Suffolk Christmas Gift Guide – books! I believe that books make fantastic Christmas presents. It’s nice to have something to read in those relaxing days between Christmas and New Year. I popped into Woodbridge Emporium to pick up Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and Other Lies for a friend. The shop also has a great selection of loose-leaf teas so that you can enjoy a cuppa whilst you wrap!

Christmas clothes

Highborn and Harwicke are a new clothes brand based in Suffolk which stock a range of unisex t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and hoodies. I bought a couple of polo shirts for my brother and boyfriend for Christmas as they both appreciate minimalist designs and classic cuts.

Relaxing Candles

 

Olivia Alice candles are perfect for the busy woman that deserves some time for herself over Christmas. The range of candles smell delicious, I can’t decide which is my favourite! Choose from Tranquil, Serene or Revive, or pick up a gift set with the trio in travel sizes for £25.

Treats for the fur babies

I always like to buy a few treats for the dogs to have on Christmas day; they are big part of the family after all! I think these decorative festive biscuits from Barkers of Suffolk are so cute -they look good enough to eat myself! I picked these up at a local market, but you can also purchase online.

Prints as Presents

For those that have everything, a personal print can be a thoughtful choice of present. Unruly Print has a lovely range to cater for everyone’s taste, from cars to cameras, robots to record players. Founder of Unruly Print, Andy, also creates prints of stunning Suffolk scenery that will be perfect gifts for those that live in Suffolk, or for those that have moved away and want to keep a little reminder of the county in their home. Andy also works on custom prints if you would like a special design for a loved one for Christmas.

For Foodies

Foodies will love these gifts from Slate in Aldeburgh and Southwold. The Slate Cheese Club is the ideal gift for the cheese lover in your life! Members receive a monthly box of three carefully selected artisan cheeses including Slate’s cheese of the month, a box of complimentary crackers and full tasting notes bursting with information about how and where the cheeses are made. Cheese Club boxes cost £75 for three months and can be collected from either Slate shop or dispatched nationwide direct to your family and friends.

Slate also creates gift hampers which start from £18 which will make a beautiful gift. The hampers contain the perfect companions to create a festive cheeseboard with all the trimmings including crackers, chutney, medlar cheese, honey and cheese accessories. Make your hamper extra special with a trio of the finest artisan cheeses to enjoy.

Or, let your loved one choose their own selection by purchasing a gift voucher. Vouchers can be used at either Slate shop or for purchases online. They are available as gift cards to wrap under the Christmas tree or as e-vouchers for that last minute gift purchase!

Christmas Photoshoot

This is a lovely unique gift that you could purchase for friends or family that will last a lifetime. This would be perfect for a newly engaged couple, a young family or those celebrating a big occasion in 2019. Lena Waspe will spend two hours taking photos that will be treasured forever in a location that is special to the participants. Find out more about Lena’s photographic style on her website.

One of a kind gifts

 

 

Lift Store in Southwold has a huge range of unique gifts and Christmas decorations. From jewellery to homewares, stationery to bags, there’s something for everyone this Christmas! I love that Lift’s owner David creates his own amazing items specially for the store, including aprons, pouches, cushions, Christmas stockings and pencil cases, so you really are buying one of a kind items made right here in Suffolk!

My top picks from Lift for Christmas include:

-A Magnetic Letter Board (I’ve seen these used for so many things including at weddings, for movie nights at home or as to-do lists).
-Christmas Decorations. I love the reindeer decorations with neon pom-pom noses!
-The ‘Merry Everything and a Happy Always’ pennant banner has the perfect sentiment for this time of year, and it’s totally instagramable!
-The ‘Claudia Made This’ earrings in multiple colours and shapes will make fantastic stocking fillers.

Perfect Pottery Present

I first saw Louise Farnes Pottery creations at the Fram Makers Market and had to pick up one of her stunning sparkly, speckled vases and a beautifully dappled blue jug. Now in full disclosure, I kept the vase and it’s now filled with faux autumnal leaves in my office, but the jug will be wrapped up to give to my mum for Christmas. Louise also makes mugs and beakers that will make lovely gifts for those that appreciate handmade homewares.

Give the gift of Heavenly Hair

Everyone deserves a little bit of pampering at this time of year! Heavenly Hair and Amaya Spa Treatment Room in Saxmundham and SIR Barbers in Aldeburgh, has an amazing array of gifts. Treat a loved one to Ghds or how about a gift set from Alterna Caviar, Ecru New York or Molton Brown?

Stocking Fillers

Chapmans of Southwold has a whole host of stocking fillers for Christmas this year. There are gifts for cat-lovers, gin-drinkers, pub-quiz champions and the eco-conscious. What would you like to find under the tree from the above selection?

One for the kids

How cute is this Little Cub t-shirt from Design Smith Studio? I picked one up for my nephew at the Fram Makers Market on Saturday. They came in lots of different colours and sizes 1-2 and 3-4. And for £6 I think they are a bargain!

From London to Suffolk

I saw this print by Torfinn Art at the Ivy Joan Christmas Market in Bury St Edmunds. Emma creates stunning ink drawings of locations in Suffolk, London and Norfolk. She also produces wedding venue drawings. This print is for my Mum as she loves St Paul’s in London and likes to walk past it on her way to work in the warmer months!

Friend-mas

I picked up these sweet treats for friends from Loveone in Ipswich. The wrapping on the Creighton’s chocolate bars are stunning and the flavours sound delicious too! I thought they would make nice extra gifts for friends or to go in a Christmas stocking. I also came across these gorgeous house-plant shaped bookmarks. IN LOVE!

Brilliant Bathtimes

Soaps and bath products always go down well at Christmas time. I have a lot of friends that are keen to be using natural and vegan products, so I headed to Blooming Brilliance’s stall at the Fram Makers Market to stock up on gifts for them. The soaps smell truly delicious and have a relaxing aroma that I think everyone will appreciate at this time of year (wish I’d treated myself too now!).

I hope you’ve been inspired by the Suffolk Christmas Gift Guide to shop local this Christmas time!