Christmas is just around the corner and I’d love to showcase some of the wonderful local small businesses that we have on our doorstep. It’s been a tough year, and now is the time to treat ourselves, so let’s show a little support by shopping small this Christmas in Hertfordshire!
If you would like to be featured in this post, please do send me a message. You can also support these businesses by sharing this page on your social media. Do let me know if you find any festive gems as you visit their pages, because we all need a little treat this Christmas!
Please note, I do not take responsibility for any of the links or products listed below.
Happy Cat Kids
Happy Cat Kids is a children’s toy and gift shop based in Letchworth, with a strong online following. They source sustainable toys wherever possible and each is road tested personally before it goes on sale. They currently have lots of Christmas items in stock, including advent calendars and stocking fillers. I will certainly be putting in an order!
www.happycatkids.co.uk or find them on Facebook and Instagram
Tracy’s Treasured Keepsakes
This is a really special one: Tracy takes your sentimental pieces of clothing and turns them into something beautiful to keep forever. Those outgrown babygros that are too precious to give away; the favourite shirt of your great grandfather – she turns them into bears or cushions or quilts. Perfect for those items hidden in drawers that you plan to sort through ‘one day’.
Nana & Bear
Nana & Bear make high quality baby and children’s clothing using a gorgeous range of fabrics, including leggings, harems and shorts. Each item is lovingly crafted – you can find all of her designs and fabrics by clicking here.
Alannah Hebbert Photography
Alannah Hebbert Photography specialise in outdoor, joyful ‘lifestyle’ family photo shoots. Sessions are fun and full of playing, climbing trees and jumping in puddles, and capture genuine smiles in high quality images. Award winning, and featured by Vogue Italia. Gift vouchers are available this Christmas.
www.alannahtakesphotos.com/family or find me on Facebook and Instagram
Clickity Clack Parties
Clickity Clack Parties are offering pre-recorded personalised Christmas videos from Jazzy the Elf or Mrs Christmas. These are perfect in a year where your children may not be able to visit Santa’s grotto in person.
Bee A Kid Crafts
Bee A Kid Crafts is run by Sussie, who is passionate about getting kids crafting. In the non-covid world, she runs sand art and bear workshops, but you can still buy her craft packs online.
Find her over on Facebook.
Creative Chefs
Creative Chefs are offering live cookery lessons for your small tribes this Christmas. Perfect for budding chefs and a great way to keep them occupied for half a day! I won’t ask about the clearing up afterwards, ha!
Avon from Debbie Dawson
We all know about ‘the Avon lady’, but do you know that our lovely local rep, Debbie, also sells lovely Avon gifts for children? Pictured are the bath gift sets, and she also has Frozen and Minion themed sets, pyjamas, tablet rests and other stocking fillers.
Nipa Threads
Nipa Threads is a fun, stylish clothing company run by two local mums. They create exciting, punchy slogans for kids and adults, such as the Christmas jumper featured above. You can also find tote bags, make up bags and gaming pouches.
Doterra
Doterra is a local family business that sell essential oils to aid wellbeing. This Christmas they are selling a kids’ collection containing 7 unique oils to help with aspects such as calmness and emotional strength. Perfect for the year that our kids have had!
Hertfordshire Eco Store
We’re all looking out for more sustainable answers to shopping, and the Eco Store does not disappoint when it comes to gift ideas! Children will love the candle making kit or the Seedball planting kits – and they even have plantable greetings cards that will turn into wildflowers next summer.
Flamingo Paperie
A gorgeous local franchise of a business selling cards, but also a huge range of advent calendars, craft kits and my personal favourite: the colour-in tablecloth. Run by the lovely Clare, Flamingo Paperie is a one-stop shop for artist-produced designs and crafts.
https://www.flamingopaperie.co.uk/web/cbanham/ or give her a follow on Facebook
Shiny Glitter Pretty
Whether you have had to cancel a big Disney trip this year, or you just have a Minnie fan in your house, Shiny Glitter Pretty will have you sorted for mousey headbands. You can find all the designs and place your order on their Instagram page.
Olive Tree Art
What to get for the person who has everything?! Olive Tree Art create completely bespoke, unique art cards and frames using her distinctive pebble art. From personalised framed football art to cute little bumble bees.
Rowley’s Reading Corner
Claire of Rowley’s Reading Corner is a single mum to boys, team leader for Usborne and a mature student so busy all round! Usborne offer an amazing range of gorgeous books from birth right up to young adults, so there’s always something for everyone. My daughters just love these sticker books.
Join her Facebook group for news on upcoming deals, or order direct from https://org.usbornebooksathome.co.uk/RowleysReadingCorner/
Wards Buttons & Beyond
This is a Stevenage based business selling all sorts of lovely festive gifts and stocking fillers, from Christmas Pairs games to colouring books and decorations. Treat yourself just because it’s been a long old year!
Pam’s Beauty & Body At Home
If you like The Body Shop, you’ll love ‘Pam’s Beauty and Body at Home’. Join her group to discover festive products and gifts for children.
Photography for Parents
This is a national, rather than local small business, but I am a huge fan of empowering parents to photograph their children beautifully, and I teach on the courses. If you have ever dreamed of switching from ‘Auto’ to those other mystery settings on your camera, and upping your game when recording your family growing up, then Photography for Parents is for you.
Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dogs’ Tails
This small company sell all sorts of gorgeous craft packs using wooden items (check out the wooden playdoh tool set), and for Christmas, you can buy a festive craft pack containing 7 wooden activities with paints and sparkly supplies – all for £12.
Get Creative with Vinyl
Now that winter is here, the rainbows on our windows are being replaced by snowflakes and more festive decorations. Vinyl is a great way to change up your windows, walls and cupboards and this company sell bespoke and themed stickers.
Dinky Threads
Another lovely business selling bright, colourful clothing for babies and children. With lots of beautiful patterns, including some festive designs, you’ll find lots of options for tops, leggings, dresses, rompers and more. So, what are you waiting for?!
www.dinkythreads.com and on Facebook
My Prints UK
You want something personal printed on, well, pretty much anything? Then this Stotfold company are the ones to go to. They make all sorts, including printing on cuddly toys such as elephants, bears, monkeys and kids’ doggy back packs.
Tilly & Teddy’s Sweet Cart Hire
This company are giving a little back this Christmas. For every sweetie bauble that you purchase, they donate £1 to the “Children’s Sweet Bank Hertfordshire”, who create sweet gifts for children in receipt of Foodbank donations. Everyone deserves a little treat this Christmas.
Bamboezor
A company focused on sustainable living, they offer premium quality eco-friendly gifts for newborns, toddlers or the young at heart, and handmade sustainable face masks for everyone. They offer gifts such as Bamboo Hooded Towels and Washcloths, and Bamboo handle double edge safety razor among other lovely things. They currently have a ‘spin the wheel’ style discount generator when you visit the site, so it is a good time to shop!
Kerri’s House of Wax
Kerri’s sweet festive designs are appealing to older children – she recommends using an electric burner rather than a candle for safety. With scents such as Orange & Cinnamon, Gingerbread and Christmas Morning, there is something for everyone.
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