Christmas off the high street: suggestions for artisanal, original or unique, locally-made gifts go here.

[thereistheball]

I don't want to buy (all) my Christmas from Argos and Amazon. I'd like to feel better about where I am spending my money by supporting individual craftspeople, small businesses and independent retailers. Also I'd like to find some more original presents than the usual mass-produced, discounted whatever. So here are some suggestions of things I might be buying: please feel free to add yours too.

Amazingly lovely bath bombs from here
Delicious-sounding chutneys from here - this is doubly worthy since they use produce that is not sold at market because it is too ripe, ie in perfect condition but nonetheless about to be thrown away, and employ vulnerable women from local shelters to turn it into jams and chutneys.
Persephone Books - gorgeous reprints of neglected works by women writers. There are some absolute gems, including Mariana, The Making of a Marchionness, and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
Artisanal beeswax products including hand and body balms - lovely article about this family-run business here

I'm sure there are loads of others. I'll post them when I have a bit more time. Please add yours!

Love this thread!

Most of these are very much local to me, so I'm not sure whether you can buy from them all mail order. But I have bought:

Hampers from Y Siop Leol
A silk scarf from Polly
A print from Driftwood Designs
Jewellery from Kate Hamilton Hunter
Wine from Ultracomida
Chocolates from Sarah Bunton
Smellies from Myddfai
Stocking fillers from our local Winter Craft Fair

Anyone with any N.Irish connections may like this www.flaxfoxdesigns.com/

I love this website for DD:

www.myriadonline.co.uk/index.php

Do we have any more? I am bumping because I don't want to lose this idea amongst the bargainous 'what can I get for X person who has Y dislikes for £5' threads... (Much as we find those useful!)

marking place. Great thread

Not sure if someone has suggested this, but you might all like to go and put your local shop suggestions on the MN Local sites.

We are doing a feature on the ShopLocalSaturday next week so would be great to have more ideas.

Posting on MN Local means that local parents will be more likely to find the shops.

I am a big fab of off the high street ideas, would much rather have presents for people as opposed to gifts so really useful things. We bought a beautiful item from Rustic Simplicity (will link the FB page later)

I like Etsy, Folksy and NOTHS, I am however looking for a couple of lamps or lampshades for my daughters - anyone know of a good maker?

Oh, just remembered MrsGibson. Her button bracelets are really lovely, and not too expensive.

www.facebook.com/ninaandjoy
Lovely handmade craft items including children's clothes and accessories - bibs, bow ties, hair clips etc. very pretty and excellent value.

Handmade Tutus and Dresses from Pure & Innocent with 10% off for Mumsnetters?

Buy somebody a cookery class. Here is a local one for Suffolk.

MmeLIndor

Great suggestion. Please help Shoplocalo.

We have an offer on our page offering 10% off for mumsnetters at The Little British Trading Company which is a local mail order business. Lots of lovely gifts and decorations, well worth a look. linky

Lovely stationery from here...
presentandcorrect.com/item.php?item_id=902&err=Please+specify+a+valid+quantity.%3Cbr+%2F%3E

I have a few stationery loving friends and like that its not bulky not got my order yet so can't review the packaging

This thread is great and has given me lots of ideas. Thank you all.

BigWellyLittleWelly, these are nice lampshades

i have a website for my handamde jewellery, its all quite unique. not sure if i am allowed to post the link though. still able to post in time for christmas.

HohohoMerryMonster, I'd like to have a look! I'm sure it's ok on a thread like this asking for ideas and links

I love these paitings and stationary:

www.etsy.com/shop/FrancescaLancisi?ref=shop_sugg

paintings*

These are all excellent :)