Christmas
Shop Local this Christmas
This year we’ve decide to ‘shop local’ as much as possible to help support local businesses during these tricky times. Not only does this keep local businesses open, but it’s a great way to give a gift with a difference and one that will be gratefully received. You can also bet that these businesses make ethical choices. Here are our top picks of local businesses that can supply you with that unique gift you are seeking out!
Hugo’s Workshop
Cricketers Gin
Little Cooks Co
Hugo’s Workshop based in Maidenhead, offers a range of unique, handcrafted wooden boards that make beautiful gifts for any occasion. If you’re looking for inspiration to make Christmas special this year, their product range includes chopping boards, photo frames, quirky G&T boards that friends will envy, medal displays for the sports achiever in your family and even letterbox gifts. All can be personalised with engraved messages for that extra special touch and owner Rebecca is always willing to try and accommodate bespoke pieces should customers have an idea of their own – she made a beautiful hanging board incorporating a bottle opener for my husband’s birthday recently.
The founders of Cricketers Gin; daughter and father, Rachel & David, had no idea they were about to launch an artisan gin brand a few months before a global pandemic. Their new artisan London Dry Gin, received an extremely positive response after launch last November, then 2020 began! Despite this, Cricketers Gin founders have persevered and even with lockdown in operation they managed to launch their gin miniatures; become a finalist in the global Gin Guide Awards; win the Theo Paphitis Small Business Awards; and have just launched a new pink gin.
Letterbox kits have proven to be ideal boredom busters over the last few months and having been gifted some Little Cooks Co recipe boxes from Grandparents which have proved a massive hit in our house, we think they’d make the perfect Christmas gift. Founded by local mum and nutritionist, Helen, these monthly baking kits comprise easy-to-follow recipe cards with step-by-step instructions, all the organic dry ingredients necessary to complete your healthy bake, plus fun activities and extras.
www.hugosworkshop.co.uk
If one of your Christmas Eve traditions involves leaving a mince pie and a drink out for Father Christmas, Hugo’s solid oak serving boards are the ideal way to display your treats. Visit www.hugosworkshop.co.uk and use code OAK10 for 10% off your first order. Or pop into the Maidenhead Gift Emporium 65 St Mark’s Rd SL6 6DP which also stocks some of the range. info@hugosworkshop.co.uk 07904 954454.
www.cricketersgin.com
Cricketers new pink gin ‘Berry Blush’ is “a classic gin with delicate raspberry tones and a subtle sweetness”, describes Rachel. Pinkneys Green in Berkshire is home to three of the local botanicals featured in Cricketers Gin; wild marjoram, milk thistle and blackberries. These unique flavours harmonise with zesty orange, spicy coriander, and subtle tones of liquorice, delivering an exquisitely smooth juniper-forward gin, showcasing Cricketers Gin provenance. Berry Blush is distilled with organic raspberries offering a delicate sweetness to a classic gin.
www.littlecooksco.co.uk
The kits are available to order on a 3, 6 or 12 month gift plan, starting at £8.33 per month, with the first kit including an annual record book to allow kids to keep a record of their baking fun. If you don’t want to commit to a regular box, single kits are available and they also offer virtual party boxes so your friends and family could join you in a Christmas bake from their own houses! Cooking together is a great way to spend time together and the range of recipes are the perfect reminder that healthy, nutritious choices are tasty and certainly don’t have to be boring. Little Cooks Co boxes are available to order from www.littlecooksco.co.uk
A locally produced gin would make for a gorgeous Christmas gift. Also take a look at their gorgeous range of ‘Gin Heaven Hampers’ at www.cricketersgin.com
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