Like many, I really want to support our local businesses at Christmas where I can. However I also know that Christmas shopping is going to be a little different this year - there will be no browsing of Christmas markets where we can chat with stallholders and sample products, it is unlikely that I am going to want to spend hours shopping with my mam this year and to be honest, who knows what the next few months hold. It is all so uncertain right now.
On a personal note, I already know my income is not going to be en par with the last few years. A big chunk of my income comes from advertising big Christmas events and these just not going to happen this year. I know many small businesses will be in the same boat - relying on the last quarter to boost their yearly income and it is a worrying time for us self-employed folks. I strongly believe we should try and support our small and local businesses where we can.
I have already made a decent start on my Christmas shopping this year - I think shopping online will be the way forward for me. You can still shop online and support local and this post focuses on lovely, local businesses from which you can order online.
I just want to point out that although I have shopped with many of these businesses myself, I cannot vouch for them and as always, who you purchase from is at your own risk. However everyone in this list has either been someone I have shopped with myself or been recommended personally to me by a follower (you can check out this Facebook post for the full list).
Calling Local Businesses
If you would like to feature and have an online store, please drop me an email sam@northeastfamilyfun.co.uk and I will update this post with your details and link (free of charge).
If anyone would like to work with us on a Facebook giveaway this year, I am happy to offer this free of charge too, please get in touch for details - every little helps (no MLM please).
Other Christmas posts you may like
30+ Ways to Have a Magical Christmas at Home
Our Guide to North East Christmas Events 2020
How to Host an Epic North Pole Breakfast
Easy Classic Christmas Cake Recipe
How to Make a Christmas Book Advent Calendar
If you enoy this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
4 - Share this post with your friends
5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :
Thank you for your support as always.
Where to Shop Online with North East Businesses this Christmas
Christmas Gifts / Decorations / Build Up
- Elf for Christmas ( A huge selection of Christmas elves, elf accessories, letters, books & gifts)
- Dozy Cow Designs (Unique Local Ornaments & Tree Decorations)
- Inspired by Rainbows (Christmas decorations and gifts)
- Betty's Handmade (Gifts & decorations)
- Platinum Occasions (Elf & Christmas Balloons)
- The Thoughtful Box (Pre-filled Christmas Eve / treat boxes)
- Carolyns Creations (Personalised decorations)
- Personal Santa Letters (Personalised Santa letters and Christmas Gifts)
- D & L Engravers (Personalised Christmas Eve Boxes)
- Laura Jayne Design (Official letter from Santa Claus)
- Sweetsmith Designs (Personalised Snowman Print)
Children & Baby Gifts
- Mr Wolf (Traditional toys) Use code NORTHEASTFAMILYFUN10 for 10% discount off your first order. Valid until 30.9.21
- Tribe (Organic clothing, toys and gifts)
- Mellie Green Organics (Organic clothing, toys and gifts)
- Little Oeuf ( Organic & ethical children's clothing & gifts)
- Squelch Wellies (Unique wellies and welly socks)
- Great North Museum (A museum gift shop online - lots of dinosaur/animal gifts)
- Handmade Hippo - handmade gifts for children
- Play & Pretend (eco friendly wooden toys and gifts)
- CJ Performance Cycles (Frog, Giant, Cube, Liv, Zoom, Ridgeback and Raleigh Kids bikes) - they also offer a Christmas savings club and storage up until Christmas Eve
- The Comic Club - a magazine subscription service based in North East England for children aged 7-11
- Little Learners Shop (Messy Play, Lesson Vouchers & Craft Kits)
- Chewlery Teething Necklaces
Books
- The Geordie Santa by North East Magician Chris Cross
- Northumberland Family Diaries ( Children's diaries and adventure packs)
- Friendship & Memories Keepsake Book from Tribe
- Bang On Books (Personalised story books for children)
- Discovery Museum ( A fantastic range of local history books - I recommend Angels of the North )
- Segedunum ( A nice selection of Roman History / Hadrian's Wall books)
- Forum Books ( A fantastic independent bookshop)
- Seven Stories ( A small but perfectly formed range of children's books / vouchers are available to purchase online)
Eco-friendly/ Ethical Gifts
- Becx Beauty ( Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free beauty products and gifts)
- Nil Living ( Zero waste and refill shop)
- Trade Craft (Fair Trade Christmas Gifts)
- Neals Yard Organic (with Sue) (Natural & Organic Health & Beauty)
- Hank & Bertie (Hand poured natural Soy candles)
Check out the children's and clothing section of this post for more ideas in this category.
North-East Gifts
- For the Love of the North ( Quality North East Gifts)
- Geordie Gifts ( Geordie-themed gifts and prints)
- Lines Behind ( North East pin badges, prints and gifts)
- Time Freezer Photography ( Beautiful photographs from around North East England)
- Low Moon Over High Town (North East Prints)
- Vindolanda ( local gifts - love their Roman shield umbrella)
- Net00n Creative (local prints and gifts)
- Trouvaille Stitch Kits (local cross stitch kits)
Jewellery
- Lolamac Jewellery ( Contemporary handmade jewellery)
- Lulu & Charles Jewellery ( Bespoke handmade jewellery - my much-loved 'Mrs R' necklace is from here)
- Rainbow Waves Design (Bespoke sterling silver & glass jewellery)
- With Ginas Love (Crystal/ gemstone healing jewellery)
- Smallprint (Fingerprint jewellery)
- The Jewellery Warren (Handmade jewellery)
- Daint Jewellery (Handmade Sterling Silver Jewellery & Northumberland Sea Glass)
- Edgy Metal (Chinky and alternative Silver and Gold jewellery)
Clothing
- The Life Bath ( Stylish clothing and accessories)
- Little Bear Moon (Personalised and matching PJs)
- Warrior & Feral ( Sustainable clothing, prints & accessories)
- Finale Shoes & Accessories ( Ladies shoes and accessories)
- Hand Dyed Shoe Company ( Bespoke shoes for men)
- Longsands Clothing ( Hoodies, t-shirts & accessories)
- Eleven Boutique ( Stylish womenswear and accessories)
- What Katy Made - Adult / Kids Clothing & Accessories
- KINSHIP - printed T-shirts (including NE slogans/sayings)
Drinks
- Hepple Spirits (Local Gin and Spirits from Northumberland)
- Durham Distillery (Local Gin)
- Poetic License (Small batch distillery)
- Black Storm Brewery ( Local beers & ales)
- Lindisfarne Mead (Local mead, rum and ales)
- NovelTea (Alcoholic tea)
- Pip Stop (World-class wines and spirits)
- Ouseburn Coffee (Local coffee gifts)
- Coffee & Kin ( Coffee beans, pods, gifts and subscriptions)
- Tynemouth Coffee Co. ( Small batch local coffee)
Garden & Nature Gifts
- Poplar Tree Garden Centre (a wide range of garden gifts)
- Durham Wildlife Trust ( a wide selection of nature books & gifts)
- Adopt an Animal at a local farm ( lots of farms offer this including Ouseburn Farm or Northumberland Country Zoo - check out your favourite farm for details)
Foodie Gifts
- Good Tempered Chocolate Company (Luxury chocolate bars with unique flavours)
- Traditional Sweets & Bakes from Beamish ( Purchase treats from Beamish online)
- Fat Lass Preserves ( Artisan preserves with a modern twist)
- Northumberland Honey Company ( Local honey and bee-keeping gifts)
- Wilde Farm ( A fantastic online farm shop - gift hampers, Christmas day brunch hampers & lots of local produce)
- Granger Delivery ( A wide selection of products and gifts from the Grainger Market)
- Pet Lamb Pattiserie ( The best brownies delivered / gift vouchers available)
- Ceetees Sweeties (sweet hampers)
- Doggie Diner (Christmas themed treats for dogs)
Experiences
- Jam Jar Cinema ( A range of gift membership options and tickets available)
- Woodhorn Museum Pass ( A fantastic value annual pass gift)
- Alnwick Garden Gift Membership ( Gift membership)
- Beamish Gift Membership
- Restaurant Vouchers ( Most restaurants will offer gift vouchers - get in touch with your favourite to ask and I am sure they will accomodate)
Interiors & Gifts
- Rainbows & Daydreams ( Personalised plaques and keepsakes)
- Philomena's Boutique ( Beautiful gifts for the home)
- Scented Melts (Gorgeous wax melts and gift sets)
- Bomb Bonkers (Handmade Bath Bombs and Wax Products)
- LJ Glass (Glass products and gifts)
- Artful (Distinctive art work)
- Popolo Ceramics (Personalised ceramics)
- NorthBurn (Home fragrance)
- Dovecote Northumberland (Home fragrance)
- Canny Crafty (Personalised gifts)
- Flossy Floops (Custom prints and handmade gifts)
- The Northern Doodler ( Geordie phrases and positive prints)
- The Styled Flower Company (Dried Floral Gifts & Home Accessories)
- Crafty Bear Creates (Wooden letters and personalised gifts)
- Xander Gray Gifts (Handmade personalised gifts)
- Love1self by Gina (Christmas home scents)
- Funkee Monkey (Prints)
- Bubbalicious (Bath products)
- Emmy & Roo (Personalised prints and affirmations)
- Peachy Gifts (bespoke art & gifts)
- All for Art (Personalised Polymer Pet Portrait Gifts)
- Shay Kennedy Designs (Body Positive prints and stickers for the home)
- Crooked Oak Crafts (Handmade crafts & gifts)
- Peony and Grace (Handmade fabric gifts)
- Sweet Smith Designs (Colourful Prints)
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
4 - Share this post with your friends
5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :
Thank you for your support as always.
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