Shop small this Christmas and support our local, independent businesses
It’s important to shop small this Christmas and support our local, independent businesses. Tunbridge Wells and the local area is home to many fabulous indies!
Shop small this Christmas to ensure our indies survival!
5 reasons to shop small this Christmas
Our local indies are the lifeblood of the community and shopping small this Christmas is vital to their survival. The countdown to Christmas is well underway in Tunbridge Wells. The Christmas lights have been switched on, the winner of ‘The Big Reveal’ organised by The Zero Waste Company has been announced and Jess Gibson who runs The TN Card is busy with Castlemas!
There are also lots of other local Christmas markets going on which My Tunbridge Wells will be updating shortly.
To encourage Tunbridge Wells residents to shop small this Christmas, Tunbridge Wells Indies Makers Market is running a Virtual Christmas Market for the second year running. Proceeds are being donated to Nourish Community Foodbank (like last year) which is going down a storm! Many of the stallholders are also participating in Indie Makers Club’s Crafty Christmas Showcase.
So, there’s plenty of ways to get involved and shop small this Christmas. I really hope this blog post will inspire you to shop local and #saynotoblackfriday!!
Get involved in Colour Friday & Just A Card Indie Week
Holly & Co have recently launched their Colour Friday campaign as an exciting new annual alternative to Black Friday (26th November).
Meanwhile, Just A card launches Indie Week aka ‘The Independent Alternative to Black Friday’ which runs from 22 -26 November.
You can also get involved in Indie Makers Club’s ‘Shop Small This Christmas’ video campaign and help raise funds for Nourish Community Foodbank!
Christmas gift ideas brought to you from independent businesses
Shop small this Christmas and support independent businesses in Tunbridge Wells & the local area.
Without further ado, here are my top Christmas gift ideas and I’m delighted all the businesses featured in bold are participating in the Crafty Chrismas Showcase!
Gift ideas for babies and children
If you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for baby then Little Wild Company has some gorgeous products for little people inspired by British Wildlife. I have bought several of their snuggle blankets as gifts for friends with babies and they have been over the moon!
Your are spoilt for choice when it comes to gifts for children! Check out Bookmania, Made Happy Gifts, Cookietastic, and Lilipops Creations. Plus get your child involved in a fun, arts and craft workshop run by FunCraft4Kids
Christmas presents for zero waste lovers and eco-warriors
For zero waste lovers, The Zero Waste Company has lots of gorgeous gift inspiration for family and friends and they are one of my favourite shops in Tunbridge Wells!
For more Christmas gift inspiration for eco-wariors check out Apothecary & Me, Potter & Hare, Stay Calm With Balm, Lovingly & Three Bees.
Arty Farty gift inspiration
Arty Farty Retreat is selling gift cards and for fabulous prints and more check out Trippy Creations and Emily Mei. For illustrated maps and greetings cards etc, head to Debbie Draws Maps.
For crafty types, Stitch Junkie sells modern, colourful cross stitch kits which are suitable for all skill levels. Getting crafty is not only great fun but good for your mental health as well!
Sparkling gifts for her
We all love a bit of sparkle at Christmas and Silverre has plenty of gorgeous jewellery to choose from.
Cosy knits for outdoor types
For outdoor types, My Own Hats has lots of colourful knits to keep your loved ones cosy this Winter. Or, why not treat yourself, especially if you’re out walking the dog! And talking of animals, if you’re looking for a gift for your furry best friend, Daisys Pawfect Gifts has plenty of gift ideas. And, for something extra special for an animal lover, a pet portrait by MC Animal Portraits will be cherished for years to come.
Shop small this Christmas: let’s help Tunbridge Wells indies carry on doing a little happy dance this Christmas and beyond!
Festive candles good enough to eat
There is nothing like a candle to set the festive mood and a gingergread candle from The Tonbridge Candle Company is defintiely on my wishlist this Christmas!
The Christmas gift that keeps on giving
And for the gift that keeps on giving, The TN Card makes the ideal present for local friends and family and will encourage them to shop small throughout the year!
Shop small this Christmas: finishing touches
Once you’ve bought all your presies, make sure they are beautifully wrapped – we love Lilac Craft’s recyclable wrapping paper!
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a gorgeous Christmas Wreath to hang on your front door. Our favourite is from Tilly Bee Flowers. And for Christmas trees I highly recommend Downingbury Farm. Christmas trees are available from November 24th.
Plus, don’t forget to stock up on brownies and cake from He Who Bakes. And for delicious, artisan bread head to The Bread Smith.
And finally, last but not least, snap up a beautiful 2022 Calendar from Sarah Mott, Photographer. My favourite is the Kent Calendar but there is also a Tunbridge Wells Calendar and East Sussex Calendar.
When you shop small this Christmas an actual person does a little happy dance!
Remember that when you shop small this Christmas an actual person does a little happy dance! So, let’s all shop small this Christmas and keep our local, independent businesses dancing into the new year and beyond!
Thanks for your support & wishing you a ‘Very Happy Christmas!’
Editor’s Note - to find out more about the businesses featured in this article had over to the Crafty Christmas Showcase!