12 Days of Christmas: Keeping it Local
Posted By: Helen Thursday 26th November 2020 Tags: independent businesses, support localWe’re keeping it local this Christmas!
2020 has been the year of online shopping, so what about our local retailers? 2019 saw us run a seven-day spotlight on local independents, offering gifts, services, or experiences. These brilliant businesses were perfect for finding everything from stocking fillers to main gifts.
To support our local businesses, we’re doing it all over again this year, but bigger!
From the 1st of December we’ll be posting about 12 brilliant businesses helping you to find all your much-needed gifts!
Please help support these amazing companies by sharing posts!
The Mad Hatter of Durham
From Beanies to Bobble hats, Fedora’s to Facemasks, The Mad Hatter of Durham is an online hat shop which was founded in 2015 by Alex, from Durham, who found that buying hats online proved very tricky. You could either buy really expensive hats or cheaper poor-quality hats. So, with careful research and excellent supplier relationships, they have sourced high quality hats and caps at affordable prices, perfect for keeping your loved ones fashionably warm and cosy. Visit their website and pop a like on Facebook.
Adora Cafe
Have a colleague or loved one that just can’t get the day started without a good cup of coffee? Are they struggling to get their caffeine fix now? Jane and the team at A’doro Caffe have the perfect solution for you. From their Coffee Initiative, delivering the perfect brew, be it Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate to your door, to their newly offered Virtual Coffee Cocktail Making Experience, they have the perfect gift for all of your coffee lovers! Check out the Adoro website, like them on Facebook and why not give them a follow on Twitter?
![]()
![]()
![]()
Spent Shells
Local, environmentally friendly and truly unique. Since starting Spent Shells in late 2018 Sarah’s Signature collection features Feather baubles, Customised Cufflinks and Jewellery. Looking forward to getting back to the Races? Why not ask Santa for a custom-made pair of feather embellished shoes! View the website and hop onto Facebook for a peek!
Bon Coeur
Delve into the wonderful world of wine at Bon Coeur. This award winning Northern independent wine merchant has just celebrated 25 years in business, offering an extensive wine collection from easy drinking, weekday wines at £5.99 a bottle to luxurious fine wines and champagnes; say it with wine this Christmas and spread a little festive joy to your friends, family or team members. Pop into their wine showroom Cellar 21 or order online. There’s a great in-house wine team to help with your selection; delivery to your door available locally and nationwide as well as click & collect. All just a phone call away via the website and Facebook.
Inspiral Cycles
Cycling enthusiast or someone looking to get fit in the family? Head to Inspiral Cycles for everything from biking basics to must have mountain bikes. Expert advice is on hand for beginners or those looking to impress a loved one with a truly specific cycle. Check out the website and hop across to Facebook.
Swish For It
Family members with no idea what they’d like for Christmas? Do you have a list of goodies you’d like from Santa but don’t know how to share it with loved ones? Introducing swishforit! Creating all of your lists online, linking to website stores, and featuring other local independents, swithforit is just the ticket for all your online shopping needs this Christmas! You can shop with swishforit via their website, Twitter and Facebook.
That Cake and That Pantry
That Cake is a home-based bakery in Redcar. All the cakes are freshly baked using quality ingredients and free-range eggs. Steven, the owner of That Cake recently appeared on ‘Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard’ on Channel 4 where he won the ‘Bake Off’ and received a masterclass from Eric Lanlard. The show is currently available to watch on 4oD. That Cake believes that any occasion can be celebrated with cake! Both celebration cakes and cupcakes can be supplied for birthdays, christenings, and other events. Cupcakes can be provided in gift boxes to make the perfect alternative gift. View the website and take a look at their Facebook page for mouth watering cakes!
Thirteen Supply company
Thirteen Supply Co was born in 2018 based on the appreciation of music, tattoo culture, and traditional typography/design. Unique, striking illustrations and text are used to create specific themes for each collection of clothing and accessories. Using 100% organic Fair-Trade Cotton clothing is super soft and environmentally friendly. Shop with this company via their website and Facebook page.
Butterwick Retail shops
Like to support your local charities with a little retail therapy but not able to get to their physical shops now? Butterwick Hospice has your solution. Boasting brands from Cath Kidston to Bose, online items include boots, toys, clothing and more. So, why not get your gifts and feel good this Christmas? You can help support charities such as this one via the website, Facebook and Twitter.
Jaycay Candles & Melts
Custom candles and wax melts, completely guilt free as they’re made with 100% natural and vegan friendly Soy Wax! Get in touch with Jaycay Candles and Melts to order your sensational scents, from Dupe to Alien and Pomegranate, Black and Lime to Basil and Mandarin. For purchases, visit Facebook.
The Picture Book Studio
Providing a unique modern photography experience where you feel and look amazing. If a picture paints a thousand words, then at the Picture Book Studio, they write a story, and that story is all about you! Tailoring photo shoots entirely around you, giving you an enjoyable, fun filled experience with results you will cherish for a lifetime! Visit the website and Facebook page for more information.
Jacwicks Designs
With many feeling the need to be out in nature more keenly than ever, this could be the perfect gift for freedom seeking family and friends. The Perch Range was borne out of necessity one day on a Nordic walk in the Northumberland countryside. Needing something to sit on that was water resistant, easy to carry and pleasing. Founder Ruth Jacobs, searched for a suitable waterproof sit-mat, mini picnic blanket or picnic rug on the market suitable for walkers, campers, hikers, outdoor activities, day trippers, etc., without success. She decided to have a go herself – this was the eureka moment. She lives in the North East of England, close to the beautiful city of Durham.
After many years in the corporate world, she is enjoying a more creative way of life.
When she’s not at her kitchen table designing new products, she like to spend time walking in the countryside and by the sea. View the website, Facebook page and Twitter for more information.
