Now more than ever, we all want to support our local communities this Christmas

Here’s a guide for how to buy local for Christmas if you live in Twickenham or southwest London

Now more than ever your local community needs your support. We’ve all been told to support our local shops and businesses, so here’s one step closer to making that a reality. I’ve created a list and ask around different businesses and particularly artists who are selling beautiful products and services this Christmas. It’s a win-win situation. You get some beautiful gifts plus a nice glowing feeling inside knowing you’ve done something to help your local community.

Many of these people sell online on pages like Etsy so if you have friends outside of South West London, another way to support them is letting friends and family know about them – except, of course, if you’re buying your friends a gift from their page!!

Items for the House

1. Ethical soaps and items for the house

I was pleasantly surprised at how many local companies are selling ethical products for the house. These include soaps and items around the house. Here are three to choose from!

WEBSITE: www.thecontentedcompany.com

WEBSITE: www.onestep.earth

WEBSITE: https://www.instagram.com/thevegansoapcompanylondon/

2. Italian food to your door this Christmas

This is run by a local family (in Hampton) that delivers some really delicious Italian foods

WEBSITE: www.thegoodknife.co.uk

3. Family photo shoot

This is a shameless plug for what I offer every year for Christmas. Because of lockdown, I’m now offering GIFT VOUCHERS. Just get in touch: 

WEBSITE: you’re on it! Here’s my contact page.. https://www.familyphotographybyandisheh.com/contact/

4. Home decor and small party event decor

Little Top are a local company that specialise in making events spectacular with their decorations. With lockdown they are specialising in home decor. Really beautiful items and items so you can have fun at home.

WEBSITE: https://www.thelittletop.co.uk/home-decor

5. Prints about local area

If you’re looking for a unique gift for someone local (or for yourself!), these are really cute, clever and fun prints. Check it out.

WEBSITE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/wordbirdco

6. Eco-friendly Christmas Crackers

Based in Twickenham, Little Doris makes original and fun food/drink related gifts with eco credentials. Lizzie who runs Little Doris tells me that their eco friendly Christmas crackers are proving very popular!

WEBSITE: http://www.littledoris.co.uk

7. Local artist Paintings, Masks, Leggings and Cards

Anna at Intuitive oils is an intuitive, abstract painter and designer who creates vibrant, textured art with vegan friendly oil paint.

WEBSITE: https://www.intuitiveoils.co.uk/

8. Pop star photos!

Paul Harries is a local photographer has photographed top bands and artists. He’s selling some very unique prints, perfect for music lovers!

WEBSITE: https://www.paulharries.com/Prints.html

9. Personalised rock slates

This is something a bit different that you can personalise and give as a gift. The rock slates can be displayed to show family photos!

WEBSITE: https://www.classygifts4ultd.co.uk/product/rock-slates-and-plaques&product=rock-slate-rectangle-

10. Local florist Rose and Mary

Rose & Mary is a florist studio, based in St Margarets. It’s run by Leonoor Vader a fantastic florist. This time of year she makes the most spectacular Christmas Wreaths!

WEBSITE: https://roseandmary.co.uk

11. Personalised stamps

I can’t tell you how much I love this company. Their claim to fame are name stamps for children’s clothes (i.e. uniforms). I’ve recently found out that they also have a Christmas shop as well, where they sell fun family portrait personalised stamp

WEBSITE: https://stamptastic.co.uk/collections/family-portrait-stampshttps://roseandmary.co.uk

Gifts for for Him or Her

1. Pampering packages and pain package vouchers

The body first clinic in Hampton Hill is run by Liz Tough and with 20 years of experience in soft tissue injuries she tells me that pampering packages and therapies addressing pain are particularly popular every Christmas. I’ve just taken up running so I think her packages would come useful for me!

WEBSITE: https://bodyfirst.clinic

2. Soap gifts

This local business has a huge range of soap-related gifts that make a great gift for people who like baths. They provide a range of other products too and Elizabeth Davison who runs the company tells me they provide free local delivery.

WEBSITE: https://soapysoapandgiftshop.co.uk

3. Vintage Earrings

Based in Hanworth, Selina Lee Rose Allen makes beautiful vintage earrings. She has so many options to choose from her Etsy shop that you’ll be bound to find something amazing if the person you’re buying for loves vintage attire.

WEBSITE: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LovesVintage43

4. Handmade bags and purses

Diane Denham makes these really adorable bags and purses that make excellent Christmas gifts. The bags for glasses are of particular interest to me!

WEBSITE: https://www.etsy.com/shop/dianedenhamdesigns/

5. Handmade jewellery and rings

Local artist Charlotte Bezant is a designer / jeweller working in silver and gold. As well as having some jewellery ready to buy, she also works on unique commissions, especially rings.

WEBSITE: https://charlottebezzantjewellery.bigcartel.com

6. Cocktail delivery service:

What’s the next best thing to going to a cocktail bar this Christmas? Have it come to you! Check out this local company doing just that!:

https://maverickbarcompany.com/cocktail-delivery-to-home-were-bringing-the-cocktail-lounge-to-you/

7. Arbonne Cosmetics and wellbeing:

I’m sure a lot of you know about Arbonne. I’m in love with one of their eyeliners but I know they do more than cosmetics! Natasha Hart-Davis and Kelly Casanova are two people locally who can order items for you and advise you.

WEBSITE (Kelly): https://Kellycasanova.arbonne.com

WEBSITE (Natasha): https://www.arbonne.com/pws/natashahart/tabs/home.aspx

8. Thames Skin Clinic

Tucked away in a quiet street in St Margarets is a real jewel – the leading, expert and doctor-led skin and medical aesthetic clinic in South West London. They provide gift vouchers for facials rejuvenation treatment that I know are going to be really popular this Christmas. We all deserve a rejuvenating facial after the year we’ve had!

WEBSITE: https://www.thamesskin.co.uk

For Children

1. Personalised notebooks by Doris & Fred

I have to admit I’m a bit obsessed with these notebooks. Every year I order several of them and my daughter loves seeing her face on the cover when I personalise them with her photos. Wendy, the talent behind Doris & Fred, is the most amazing artist. She’s really popular locally and internationally and I’m grateful to know her as a friend too.

WEBSITE: https://www.dorisandfred.co.uk

2. Tennis and swimming lessons at the Garden Court in East Twickenham

Ok, this is another one I’m a bit obsessed about. They are a gem hidden away in a sub-urban street in Twickenham. We used their outdoor pool a lot over the summer – which you can hire privately. They are doing gift vouchers if you want to buy block sessions to be given as gifts and used when the weather gets warmer. Plus, if you’re serious about tennis lessons, they are top notch!

WEBSITE: https://www.thegardencourt.org

3. Pop up parties for children

I mentioned Little Top in another post as well. They provide all you need for creating a little party at home for your children – which is particularly handy now!

WEBSITE: https://www.thelittletop.co.uk/pop-up-parties-craft-kits

4. Local children’s author

Zoe Antoniades is a local author creating books written by kids for kids.

WEBSITE:  http://www.zoeantoniades.com/bookshop/

5. Usborne books

I’m sure a lot of us have at some stage bought books from Usborne suppliers! Here’s our local supplier Beena Raza!

WEBSITE: https://org.usbornebooksathome.co.uk/beenas_world_of_fabulous_books/

6. Bump and baby massage

Anna is a Baby Massage Instructor with regular private baby massage classes in Hounslow/Whitton. Plus she provides pregnancy and postnatal massage so it’s kind of in the section for ‘her’ as well!

WEBSITE: www.bumpandbabymassage.com

On the high street (In Twickenham)

There are so many independent shops to choose from in Twickenham. Here some of my favourites!

• The Hive Charity in Twickenham for handmade items: https://www.thepeoplehive.org/gallery-art
• Memories for balloons and party items: https://www.facebook.com/pg/memoriestwick/about/
• Church street in Twickenham has a load of independent shops. It’s worth going for a scroll when you’re ready to buy Christmas gifts.