The Nottinghamshire Gift Guide: shop online while supporting local businesses

Christmas is fast approaching and with us all spending more time at home, unable to get out to the shops as we normally would at this time of year, we’ve complied the ultimate Nottinghamshire gift guide, so you can get your shopping sorted from home while supporting local businesses.

It’s never been more important to shop local and support independent businesses, so we’ve picked out a selction of gifts from some of Nottingham’s finest which you can order online from anywhere in the UK.
 

For the foodie…

Delilah Fine Foods is a multi-award-winning delicatessen which was once crowned the best in the UK. They stock an incredible range of edible delights, from charcuterie, cheese and fine wines to extra special ingredients, all available to order online. They also have a huge range of hampers to suit every taste and you can create your own filled with treats you know they’ll love.

For the green fingered…
 

With everyone lucky enough to have their own outdoor space having found a whole new appreciation for them in the lockdowns of 2020, it’s a great time to gift something to enhance a garden or balcony. At The Worm that Turned, Nottingham’s gorgeous outdoor living boutique, you’ll find something to suit all spaces, from growing kits and garden décor to books and great gardening gifts. Reg Taylor's Garden Centre have an extensive online store packed with indoor and outdoor plants, pots, garden ornaments and tools, as well as a Christmas store with a dazzling array of lights and decorations.

For those with a sweet tooth….

Luisa is an award-winning chocolate maker based in Sneinton Market who uses traditional artisan processes to transform directly-sourced, single-origin cocoa beans from bean-to-bar. Luisa's Vegan Chocolates have something for everyone, with each bar and truffle both vegan and made without refined sugar, with absolutely zero compromise on their taste. Her exquisite products are a healthier, more ethical and tastier alternative to mass-produced confectionary.

Doughnotts micro-bakery are proud purveyors of sweet, dough-based perfection - now available to order online for national delivery. Choose from a selection of doughnut delicacies, with tempting flavours like the popular Biscoff Cinnamon Scroll or the Malteser laden ‘Tease Me!’ or  even a DIY box packed with everything they’ll need to decorate their own sweet masterpieces. They have a great selection of vegan friendly products plus some very cool merch too, like the adorable Avocadough pin badge based on one of their quirkier confections.

For the cheese lover...
 

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a good cheese board, so why not go straight to the source and treat the cheese lover in your life to something delicious from Cropwell Bishop Creamery & Cheesemaker’s Shop. Experts in traditional Stilton and blue cheese, they handcraft their cheese the traditional way, using recipes passed down by three generations of the Skailes family. On their website you’ll find their renowned Stilton, Shropshire Blue and the milder Beauvale cheeses, as well as cheese boxes with carefully selected hard and soft cheeses, plus crackers and chutneys to complete your cheese board.

For the coffee connoisseur...
 

Cartwheel Cafe and Roastery is the vision of Alex Bitsios-Esposito, who’s passion for coffee began in his family’s coffee shop at the tender age of 8. Since then he’s channelled that passion into an unrivalled expertise to bring you a range of exquisite, perfectly roasted blends. You can order their brilliant blends online, alongside a range of handcrafted, organic loose-leaf teas, or for a real coffee connoisseur they also stock books including the Independent Coffee Guide which will give them the lowdown on the region's best speciality coffee shops and artisan roasters so they'll never have to suffer inferior coffee again.

Nottingham’s famous 200 Degrees independent coffee roasters have an online shop packed with perfect gifts for the 'coffee people' on your list. From stocking fillers and Secret-Santa surprises to serious homebrew coffee gear to delight coffee enthusiasts. If you're buying for an extra fussy coffee lover, let them choose their own roast with a coffee subscription voucher.

For the ale enthusiast…
 

For the proud local…
 

For someone crafty...
 

At The Bead Shop  you’ll find a dazzling array of textures, colours and types of beads along with all the tools you’ll need to create something extra special for a loved one, or if they’re the creative type there are a range of kits available, from simple yet stunning designs to more intricate creations.

For lovers of great craftmanship and design....

Sister company to multi-award winning design studio, gallery and tearoom Debbie Bryan in the Lace Market, Wilson and Harris is an online gallery dedicated to selling the very best artistic craftsmanship through handmade collections and original design. Wilson and Harris curates beautiful gifts, made for you and your home by talented designers, artists and creative practitioners. We adore their Nottingham lace inspired cermaics and their handmade soaps would make a beautiful addition to any bathroom. Shop online at wilsonandharris.co.uk.

For the antiques aficionado....
 

Budby Antiques Vintage Emporium have an online treasure trove of curios and rarities you won’t find anywhere else. Their stock is sold on behalf of a variety of independent dealers, meaning you’ll find an eclectic mix of homeware, ornaments and quirky artefacts.

For stylish ladies...

Stick & Ribbon is a bespoke boutique tucked away in the creative hub of Cobden Chambers. Specialising in ladies fashion, accessories and gifts, they know what ladies like with their chic contemporary style, with some gorgeous collections available to order online.

For fans of fine wine...
 

For fine wines Weavers Independent Wine & Spirit Merchants is the place to go - this Nottingham institution has been run by the Trease family since 1897, and have a huge selections available to order online, or for collection from their store. They have some great mixed cases, handpicked by their expert team, or give them a call and they’ll be happy to help you select the perfect bottle.

For true local flavour treat your loved one to a bottle produced right here in Nottinghamshire from the wonderful Hanwell Wine Estate. Choose from a fabulous English Sparkling Wine made with grapes grown on the estate, or a selection of  multi-international award winning wines made at their parent vineyard Eglantine. 

For gin-thusiasts...

Redsmith Distillery is the only gin maker and distillery in the city, creating an award-winning, exquisite range of gins on a one-of-a-kind copper still designed and built by founder Wayne Asher. Choose from classic London Dry or delicately flavoured Nottingham Bramley apple, sole, berry or rose flavours - all available to order with free delivery.

Weavers Independent Wine & Spirit Merchants have their signature Castle Gate Gin, a delectable London dry style with a distinct character created by the addition of hand foraged acorns from Sherwood Forest to their unique botanical mix. Blue Monkey have a huge range of flavoured gins and gin liqueurs, including a few more unusual infusions like Chocolate Amaretto and Christmas Pudding.

Finally, for something a little unusual and inspiring sustainable, check out Castle Rock’s Beer Gin, distilled using surplus beer to minimise the brewery’s waste in the face of the pandemic, resulting in a refreshing citrusy gin with serious green credentials!

For whisky lovers....

If you’re shopping for a fan of fine single malts and drams of pure peaty decadence check out Gauntleys Fine Wine, Whisky and Cigar Merchants, one of the oldest independent businesses in Nottingham. Their website has a specially curated selection of interesting distillery bottlings, private single barrel bottlings and world spirits.

For musicians and music lovers...

Windblowers traditional music shop stock a huge range instruments and sheet music along with some nifty gifts for the music love in your life. We’re big fans of the Rockstirs: Sugarcaster guitar tea spoons, drumkit cufflinks and all the kitchen ware involving a pun on Chopin.

For artistic types...
 

Nottingham Contemporary have opened an online shop which has a range of cool and quirky gifts for the art lover in your life. Featuring a range of Grace Jones inspired items linked to their latest exhibition, alongside an eclectic mix of unique homeware and jewellery from the likes of David Shrigley, Donna Wilson and Jane Sedgwick.

For collectors of cute things...
 

Jill Perry, owner of Inspired gift shop makes a host of cute hand-crafted creatures which are available in her Etsy store. From little white mice decked out for a host of occupations and hobbies to cute messenger birds with placards like ‘Would swearing help?’ and adorable bunnies in duffle coats.

This blog was written by Claire Jones, Marketing Assistant at Visit Nottinghamshire.