My Christmas shopping challenge!

[ephemeralfairy]

Hi all

Apologies if there have been threads covering this topic...

I've decided this year to attempt to buy all Christmas pressies from fully independent retailers/charities/museum and art gallery gift shops.
Just for adult family and friends (that makes me sound Scrooge-like, I don't actually know anyone with kids!)

I live in London so am spoilt for independent shops, markets etc but am also very pushed for time! Can anyone recommend any good websites? Particularly book and music sellers!

Thanks very much!

Oh I should mention that I'm on a fairly tight budget...!

Does the National gallery count? Some seriously gorgeous stuff in there. I've got a little jigsaw of Rousseau's painting 'surprise!' - it's laser cut and some of the pieces are shaped like animals etc. it's beautiful

(Pricey though)

Yep National Gallery allowed! I got some good wee bits and pieces from the Science Museum on sat too. That would be great for kids' stocking fillers I should think.
My fave is the V&A shop tho. Gorge!

I would love to get a thoughtfully chosen second hand book; fab antiquarian bookshops in many places! Would that appeal to your recipients?

Greenwich/Covent garden/Camden markets? Lots of Independent artists there!

Ooh I haven't been to the covered market in Greenwich for years. Is the game shop still there?

Not sure.... That one from years ago closed down . I'm not sure if anything else stepped in?

Second hand books will probably form a decent percentage of gifts given, yes
Any recommendations of good online sellers?

I'm going to Greenwich to the Maritime Museum in a couple of weeks, will def visit the market! Thanks for reminding me!

If you want to go down the eBay route, there's a seller called alexthefatdawg who is really reliable & has tons of books.

for general gifts, stocking fillers etc, try Sue Ryder online shop

shop.sueryder.org