Blogmas: Secret Santa Gifts & Stocking Fillers From Independent Brands This Christmas
As we all know I really like to support local and small businesses as much as possible, I’m always shouting about them on Instagram. Rather than just share a post that lists them all, or do a gift guide (hate doing them), I thought I’d combine the two. Shopping small, shopping local and shopping independent doesn’t mean a reduction in quality, if anything it means the opposite. The care and attention that goes into products by brands like this is ten fold what it is in most mass produced businesses. If you are buying Secret Santa presents or stocking fillers at the moment then here’s some of my favourite independent brands that do gorgeous gifts.
As always all the brands I’ve mentioned I use or would use myself. I’ve tried SO MANY this year but the same ones always stick in my mind. Some of the rubbish I’ve tried I couldn’t recommend to anyone so I promise everything on the list I do really like or enjoy, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there. Whenever I share anything like this I’m guaranteed to get messages or comments off people telling me ones I’ve missed. Always up for finding new ones so do let me know as long as they are tried and tested!
Good Tempered Chocolate
So pleased I discovered this chocolate company, that are often at local markets like the quayside or Jesmond Food Market. The chocolate is gorgeous and comes in all sorts of flavours. I recently got the marzipan and cranberry slab, the gold chocolate snowmen which come in a gorgeous gold gift box, and the milk chocolate hazelnut slab. They are really good quality chocolates and you can get them this weekend at Shop Bellwood’s on Park view in Whitley Bay, or the final stock of their online shop is on Sunday.
Here’s the link but you’ll need to be quick when they restock as they sell out so fast! The best way to keep up to date with timings and what’s available is by following them on instagram here.
Our Lovely Goods & Hot Wax Newcastle Candles
You can never go wrong with a good candle, and my favourites for the last two years have been Our Lovely Goods, who are based up in Aberdeen but have done so well they now have stockists around the UK (even Anthropologie!) and Hot Wax Newcastle. You can find them at the Quayside market, and in December at the South Causey Inn Christmas market. Our Lovely Goods candles are about £20, and Hot Wax Newcastle are £12, or they were three for £30 at South Causey. All the smells are gorgeous, so you’re safe buying them even if you can’t test them, but I love the Winter Spice smell from both independent brands.
The Bath House
This all natural shop is from the Lake District where they have a few locations, including Ambleside. They specialist in skincare and fragrance, I really love their charcoal face mask, but all their products are really luxurious. The Bath oils are lovely too and they have a good range of gift sets for Christmas. They aren’t the cheapest so probably more of a stocking filler or really nice small gift, but it’s a lovely independent brand if you don’t mind spending a touch more.
Shop online here if you can’t make it to the Lake District.
NE Toon
This one is probably a good one for Secret Santa, NE Toon is the business behind the Christmas Angel of the North you might have seen in Fenwicks makers market this Christmas. There’s also a good range of Christmas cards feathering ‘Wor Angel’.
Lines Behind
While we are on the Geordie theme, take a look at Lines Behind. He’s the artist behind so many pieces across Newcastle including the big one on the wall in the Melia on the quayside, and on the wall by the Old George.
Have a look at some of the Newcastle themed items on his instagram here.
St Mary’s Gin
St Marys spirits have gin, vodka and rum and I’m a big fan of the gin. It’s been one of my favourites year round. They’re doing gin baubles in three sizes, perfect for stocking fillers, unique table decorations or secret santa gifts.
Follow St Mary’s gin here.
Nil Living
Based in the Grainger Market in the centre of Newcastle, Nil Living are a sustainable brand, zero waste and refill shop. As well as food refills they have a range of lifestyle goods like candles (they smell gorgeous), skin and hair care, water bottles, tote bags and they’re even doing a spiced punch.
Find them on Instagram here
.
French Quarter
I mentioned the French Quarter in yesterdays blog post as they’re doing a ‘Vin chaud’ for anyone visiting them over Christmas, but I’m also including them here because of the French shop they offer, that began during lockdown. When they couldn’t open for business, they sold their fabulous French products online, and you can still buy them from in the restaurant. They have so much delicious food and drink, including chutneys, olives, cheeses, coffee and of course wine.
You can buy individual products, full on gift hampers, or even build your own. They are really lovely gifts I can’t say who as they’ll know but someone I know is getting a hamper this Christmas! We got one for ourselves earlier this year and it was one of the best things we did.
Shop the full French Quarter range online here.
Havio Designs
This brand is really gorgeous and based in Newcastle. Remember those fabulous female form candles? Havio Designs creates them in a range of colours, as well as bubble candles and other seasonal ones, all hand made. She’s also done some prints too.
They candles are very affordable at just £12, but they’re too pretty to burn! Have a look at Havio Designs here.
Unique beers, IPA’s and wines from local bottle shops
This whole industry has really boomed, and local beers, or unique ones are so popular. I shared a blog post earlier in the year on local bottle shops and breweries, all selling very distinct bottles and cans, as well as wines and other spirits. Have a read of the blog here for inspiration, but two of my favourites are Block and Bottle in Heaton and Rehills of Jesmond. We got some really nice Greek wine I’ve never seen anywhere else from Block & Bottle, and alcohol always makes the best gifts doesn’t it!
Shop Bellwoods
This lifestyle shop opened on Park View earlier this year after previously just being an online shop. They sell a bit of everything including homeware, jewellery, candles, greeting cards, chocolates, books and more. It reminds me a bit of Oliver Bonas. For distinct gifts have a look at the full product range on the website, and if you can get along would really recommend a visit to the shop as it’s lovely.
Toon Photography & Sophie Henderson
Beautiful photography of Newcastle is what both Toon Photography and Sophie Henderson offer. They’re my go tos and I have prints off both of them. Shop Toon Photography online, and you can find Sophie at Tynemouth Market each weekend with a big stand just as you walk in.
Elsee
Another lifestyle craft shop, Elsee is also on Park View in Whitley Bay and sells some gorgeous very local things. I don’t mean Newcastle I mean as local as Whitley Bay. I love the print with the heart on the map, but they also sell calendars, diaries, homeware, stationary and more.
Visit the Elsee website here but again, a great one to pop into if you can.
The Wedding Taylor
Hannah has done great things in just over a year of blogging, but that comes from the many years of experience she has as a wedding coordinator. She is a fountain of knowledge for all things wedding, and recently made the finals of the Wedding Awards. She offers everything from full scale wedding coordination, to tips, tricks, advice and consultations. If you know someone who has got engaged recently a voucher for even an hour of Mrs Taylors time will be invaluable. Check her out here.
The Posh Paper Co.
I can’t share a list of independent brands without including my other friend Laura, of the Posh Paper Co. Her last day for guaranteed Christmas orders is TODAY, so have a browse of her amazing collection here. She was in both Fenwick’s and the Metro Centre recently, but online orders tomorrow are your last chance. She has some fabulous stationary, letters to Santa, and greeting cards. Get your orders in because from next week she will be enjoying festivities with me!
These are just some of my favourite brands, and the ones that are really close to me location wise in Whitley Bay. I feel like every North East town has some gorgeous little shops filled with things that make lovely gifts. Off the top of my head I can think of Fezziwigs in Tynemouth, the huts on the harbour in Amble, The Greenhouse in Warkworth, the Pantry in Bamburgh that had all sort of Northumberland goodies. Then there are all the local Christmas markets everywhere, including the South Causey Inn market every Tuesday, and Newcastle Christmas market at Monument that has a local brand focus this year.
Independent brands like this put so much time and effort into their products and they provide unique gifts that actually mean something. Like I said at the start I use or have bought all of these brands, and think they make some gorgeous gifts this Christmas, as well as helping out local businesses.
Other posts you might like:
Blogmas: The most festive bars in Newcastle
Blogmas: What to expect from Newcastle Christmas market 2021
Blogmas: Festive Afternoon tea in Newcastle and the North East