As Christmas comes round once again we’re bombarded with gift ideas from all angles. But what about supporting local this festive season?
Leicestershire is full of people doing brilliant things and we’ve pulled together a small selection of those to offer a little inspiration as you all go about your Christmas shopping!
Barry Bulsara’s Leicester Comedy Festival print
One of our favourite local creatives, Barry Bulsara, has teamed up with Leicester Comedy Festival to create a special print featuring jokes from household name comedians. Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen and Ed Byrne are just a few of the names to have donated jokes to the print, which is priced at £37.50 and proceeds go to support Leicester Comedy Festival and Big Difference Company. BUY ONLINE.
Wren & Wilson clothing
Leicester artist, Jen, runs Wren & Wilson and creates some amazing original designs on cards, pin badges, t-shirts and sweaters. A couple of our favourites include her David Attenborough and E.T. designs. T-shirts are priced at £24 and sweatshirts at £34. You can view the whole range via the Wren & Wilson website.
People’s Captain beer mini keg & bottle packs
Leicester Tigers’ Greg Bateman has brought back his People’s Captain APA and this time in fun 5 litre mini kegs and bottle gift packs, perfect for Christmas. Greg has a real passion for his beer and has spent a considerable amount of time crafting his recipe carefully choosing the right blend of malt and hops to create this crisp, refreshing, fruity session pale ale with a wonderful citrus aroma, back hopped for a fresher flavour that lasts the whole pint.
Apply discount code Peoplescaptain20 at the checkout to grab 20% off. BUY ONLINE.
Upcycled bicycle chain clocks from All About Daisy
All About Daisy in Clarendon Park stock a big range of amazing upcycled and creatively designed products. These bicycle chain clocks are just one of their wonderful items. Find them at 48 Montague Road, Clarendon Park and follow them on Facebook.
Christmas wreaths from The Bloom Project
Brighten up your front door or give someone a wreath as a lovely gift this Christmas, with the handmade wreaths created by The Bloom Project. Colours and styles are all bespoke and made to customer preferences. Prices from £35. Find The Bloom Project on Facebook.
Party outfit from Betty Brown Boutique
Based in Stoneygate, Betty Brown Boutique offer handmade one-off pieces that are perfect for party season and a special occasion. High quality, beautifully made and keeping prices affordable. If you’re looking for a special new dress be sure to pay owner, Sukhina, a visit! Betty Brown Boutique is located at 36 Francis Street and you can visit on Facebook.
North42 Gin
North42 is a beautiful gin skilfully crafted by Leicestershire’s award-winning restaurant, North, on Hinckley Road. A pairing of crisp rhubarb and sweet blood orange has made this a big hit and is now being stocked in Selfridges. The perfect gift for a gin lover at Christmas. BUY ONLINE.
Swallow hoop earrings from Niche
Stunning pair of sterling silver swallow design hoop earrings, which fit everyday or special occasion outfits. Priced at £24.95 and available from Niche at 4 Carts Lane or online.
Dandy Panda cushion from We Are
We Are on Humberstone Gate offer a wonderful selection of handmade items from local artists and creatives. We love this cushion featuring a fine Gentleman Panda in a top hat, casually chewing a piece of bamboo, which is printed on luxurious Velvet Bayeux. Priced at £32, available from We Are at 44a Humberstone Gate or online.
Personalised Leicester City bauble
Lesser Than Three once gifted these personalised baubles to a certain Claudio Ranieri and you can bag some to hang on your own tree every year! Choose what name you’d like printed, along with your favourite Foxes saying or chant. £15 and available from Not on the High Street.
T Rex rug
Brighten up a little one’s bedroom with the roar-some T Rex rug. Priced at £13 and available, along with a range of other rugs, gifts and cards, from Art of Cards on Queens Road. Find them on Facebook.
Personalised Eka candles
Eka’s bespoke, soy wax candles make a perfect gift option for Christmas. Pick a festive scent, such as mulled wine-esque clementine and clove, or use their clever customiser to help you you can pick the perfect scent for the person you are buying for by describing what their personality is like. You can then also customise the label to make it a lovely addition to the home. Priced at £22 and available to buy online.
Everards sweatshirt
The perfect gift for a beer lover or rugby fan. The Everards clothing range gives a nod towards their Tiger beer and also leaves that nice close tie with the rugby. In heavy brushed cotton the sweatshirts are great quality and suitable for both men and women. Priced at £34 they’re available to buy via the Everards website.
Pie making workshop with Brockleby’s
Want to learn how to make a pork pie like the pros? Brockleby’s in Melton Mowbray make some of the best pies we’ve ever tasted and you can book a loved one (and yourself) onto one of their pie making workshops for just £25 per person. If you want to go even deeper into the pie making you can enjoy their Ultimate Pie Making Experience for £50 per person, which also includes lunch or afternoon tea. BOOK ONLINE.
Cocoa Amore Signature Selection
Nothing goes with Christmas quite like chocolate and here in Leicester we’re fortunate to have the wonderful Cocoa Amore. Make sure you treat a loved one to their Signature Selection this year. The high quality selection contains 9 flavours including Champagne Cognac and Milk Chocolate Mendiant. Tasting card also included. Priced from £12.50 – £27.50 in store on Silver Street or via the Cocoa Amore website. Use code “coolas10” for 10% off.
Grainstore Brewery tour voucher
Looking for the perfect day out for a real ale fan? Why not treat them to a voucher for a tour around Oakham’s Grainstore Brewery Tap? We’ve even got 20% off bookings for you. Located a stone’s throw from Oakham train station, the brewery tours offer a brilliant afternoon out and you even get lunch (or supper) plus two hours of UNLIMITED real ale thrown in too. Buy a voucher via the Grainstore Brewery website and use code “coolasleicester” for 20% off.
Personalised Christmas pyjamas
Leicester based Curly Mango Gifts specialise in personalised gifts from clothing to books and offer a range of perfect Christmas gift ideas. These personalised snowman pyjamas are available from age 0-3 months to 9-10 years in blue, pink or grey. Priced at £12.99 and available online.
Are you an independent doing something brilliant this Christmas? Get in touch with us and let us know – @coolasleicester.