Great ‘go-to’ UK sites for last-minute present buying

This year I’ve tried to buy all our presents in our local town and from surrounding markets and farm shops. Becoming shop owners this year, it has become even more important to us to support local enterprise and make it our everyday standpoint rather than a token gesture as a nod to the ‘buying local’ zeitgeist. We all bemoan the demise of the UK High Street but they’re not tourist attractions; we need to be crossing the threshold weekly, spending our money and making the most of having specialists in each field (butchers, bakers, delicatessens, florists…) to glean inspiration and knowledge from, especially at this time of year. We are lucky that we have an independent department store in the main square (here it is with its festive lights on), plus great little boutiques, delis and an amazing family-run toy store.

In a similar vein, I thought it would be a good time to nudge you in the direction of a few independent online businesses that, although not ‘local’, all pay their UK taxes, supporting our economy. Don’t worry, I’m not about to produce a soapbox, I just figure that everyone has gifts to buy at this time of year; why not buy them from independent, UK businesses?

Here’s my top 5 online gift ideas:

Cox & Cox – I’ve ordered many a Christmas gift here over the years and I cannot fault them for quirky, old-fashioned, good-quality design. They’ve even got a sale on at the moment. The children’s section is particularly great for the little people in your life.

Neom – The beauty editor’s luxury organic brand of choice. Men: If you give a lady in your life one of these candles this Christmas (or indeed the bath oils, body creams or scrubs) I can guarantee you a happy response. I genuinely think a whiff of the Harmonise blend of Pine, Eucalyptus and cedarwood could combat SADS this January. Love, love, love this brand.

Noble MacMillan – For photo albums and 2013 diaries this Kensington-based company is all that is great and good about UK Heritage companies. Their back-story is incredible and the quality and service (have your gift embossed for a truly personalised gift) top-notch. I like to think their albums are the ones that your grandchildren will be flicking through in 50 years time.

Pickett – My rule of thumb on gift buying for those ‘people who have everything’ is to get them a really, really good version of something they use everyday. I fell in love with Trevor Pickett’s Burlington Arcade based leather good company when I edited The Mayfair Resident and it it perfect for handcrafted, heirloom leather goods. Whether your budget stretches to a keyring in beautiful leather or a phenomenal British-made Scrabble board –
this is the absolutely polar-opposite of disposable, Christmas consumerism.

The Calm Gallery – I wrote about The Calm Gallery (previously known as the Keep Calm Gallery) a while ago and I do still think it it one of the best edits of prints I’ve come across – I’d be happy to unwrap this one, or this one. There are even tea towels now for the Domestic Goddesses in your life.

Instead of posting presents to far-flung friends and relatives why not google their local deli and get a hamper made up for them to pick up on Christmas Eve? or take a look on The Good Spa Guide and find a great local spa to them and book an indulgent treatment. Gifts don’t have to be wrappable, they just have to show thought and, in my opinion, be a decadent treat that someone wouldn’t buy for themselves.

Happy shopping!