No matter if you celebrate Christmas, or just enjoy sharing gifts during the festive season, it’s always hard to find something unique, different and perfectly suited to the person you’ve got in mind. I thought I’d share my recommendations of where to look first.
Shop Local
I couldn’t write an article about shopping in the city without mentioning our amazing local businesses. We are so lucky to have a thriving network of local businesses in the city, from Mutley High Street to The Barbican. If you’re looking for houseplants, handmade items or specialist equipment such as camera kit.
Some of my favourites include Nook Houseplants of Barbican’s Southside Street, Minerva on Bretonside, Mrs Browns on Gibbon Lane, Prime Cafe Bar on Ebrington Street, various businesses within Plymouth Market, and many more. I always recommend looking at Shop4Plymouth for inspiration, they even have businesses organised into categories so you can find where to go for exactly what you’re after.
Shop Fairs
As we get closer to Christmas, there are festive fairs hosted all over the city with a variety of gifts on offer. These fairs are a great opportunity to shop lots of local businesses all in one place, to help them out whilst finding the perfect presents for anyone. You can find loads in local magazines and newspapers, as well as advertised online.
As we get closer to the festive period, there are more every week, all over the city. We are even hosting a Christmas Student Work Fair at Plymouth College of Art, so if you’re looking for artwork (from illustration prints to ceramics and glass) do pop in between 10am and 4pm, December 14th, 15th and 16th.
Shop Plymouth
It’s not always the first thing you’d think of when buying gifts, but the best place to look is to the city itself. Whether the person you’re buying for is from the city or from a different country entirely, there are some great ways to include the personalisation of Plymouth in your gifts.
If the person is from the city, you could look into experience days or other days out that you could purchase tickets for; why not try a keeper experience at Dartmoor Zoo, a tour of Plymouth Gin Distillery or a VIP experience at the National Marine Aquarium?
If they aren’t from Plymouth, or have even never been here before, why not buy them something to act as a reminder of the city? This could be anything from a cuddly mammoth plushie from The Box to Plymouth-themed merchandise like a tea towel.
Best,
Harriet Moore
Student Union President