Recently the challenge went out in the Oswestry Advertizer to buy local for Christmas - get everything you need - food, pressies etc., in Oswestry this Christmas. I'm all up for this idea and having happily traipsed around Oswestry last weekend, I think that The Best of Oswestry shops and independent retailers have all you need. This blog concentrates on quality small gifts - either for stocking presents or small, but extremely thoughtful tree presents.
Oswald Road Fine Furniture have some charming little home related gifts scattered about their magnificent emporium, including the really delightful animal egg cups, my favourite being the hare. On a rather grander scale, the silvered Apple and Pear book-ends also caught my eye.
Gooseberry Baby Boutique have everything to delight children and parents alike, from bedroom furniture through to buggies. As your precious bundle is likely to be showered with gifts from your family, point them gently to the hand made bootees or the traditional wooden toys.
Upstairs Downstairs Specialist Cookshop is my personal heaven. Its quite amazing how much I suddenly 'need' new pans and plates. But in keeping with my "small and beautiful and functional" mantra - their funky spoons and spatulas are perfect to slip into your favourite cook's stockings - or apron. Santa already has my wish for a rather gorgeous teacup called Kimono!
You'll notice that none of the gifts so far are too heavy - plenty of arm space to head off to Booka Bookshop & Cafe and sip a coffee while eyeing up the very thoughtful gift sets they have made up, in addition to their widening range of books. Also - great hurrah! They now stock the Naxos CD range of classical and baroque music. Their Christmas display had me with my nose definitely stuck to the window.
Harriet and Eleanor at Sissy Blu have put together a beautiful winter collection. To compliment their clothes, they also carry the exquisite costume jewellery from Pilgrim and Copenhagen based Hultquist.
Micro Plus Computers, the winner of this year's Best of Oswestry Retailer Award, have a shop stockful of electronic wondery to satisfy the most demanding of technophiles. As I can just about understand the concept of 'mouse' I am happy to let Wayne and Neil guide me on the gift front.
Gillham's Deli & Coffee Shop are now doing their ever popular hampers for Christmas. I like the idea of hampers - whether full of jams, coffees and chocolate, or a fine selection of cheeses, they are simply a wonderful way of showing thought and love. To quote the Irish proverb "Laughter is brightest, in the place where the food is." - especially if that includes their fantastic sausage rolls, now renamed the Cooper Roll.
KMK Wedding Rings and Fine Jewellery takes you beyond the ordinary with their individually designed fine jewellery. For a truly unique and special gift, call in and see them at their new Design Studio at The Willow Gallery.
Other favourite haunts for wonderful gifts are The Gates, Always Special, Bedazzled, and Just Craft - full of great ideas for quality home made gifts.
