Now more than ever we need to support our local businesses, and what better way to do so than by shopping local for your Christmas prezzies this year.
We have collated an extensive gift guide, complete with candles, crafts, vouchers and virtual experiences from NewcastleGateshead and Northumberland, so you can treat your favourite people to gifts from your favourite places in the UK. From pocket performances to a brewery in a box, our businesses have a huge array of innovative gift ideas this Christmas:
THE GIFT OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Give the gift of a getaway for your loved ones who have been working hard, have been stuck in or just deserve a relaxing break. Pick from seaside to city break staycations with our hotels and B&Bs and give the escape we are all dreaming of at the moment.
1) Hesleyside Huts
Treat someone to a luxury glamping experience with a voucher for Hesleyside Huts in the breath taking Hesleyside Estate in Northumberland National Park. Each glamping cabin is irresistibly rustic, cosy and has a unique design that will make for an unforgettable present.
2) Post Office House
Nestled in the beautiful village of Belford, Post Office House B&B is selling gift vouchers for their elegant, cosy and peaceful accommodation perfect for treating someone who is due a well-deserved getaway.
3) St Cuthbert's House
Gift a stay at the historic St Cuthbert’s House. This stunning B&B has been tastefully renovated from a 19th century chapel, and is brimming with luxury detail. Located on the coast in Seahouses, your loved ones will be thrilled with this coastal retreat. Just give them a call to purchase using the phone number on their website.
4) Beadnell Towers
For a touch of luxury by the sea, grab a gift voucher from Beadnell Towers. The boutique, dog friendly hotel is idyllically set in the seaside village of Beadnell, where Beadnell Bay and our staggering coastline are just a few steps away.
5) Newcastle and Gateshead Hotel Vouchers
Give the gift of a change of scenery for local loved ones desperate to escape their four walls with a NewcastleGateshead hotel voucher. There are a number of superb hotels to choose from for a future city break staycation.
Almost all of Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead’s fantastic hotels, B&Bs, glamping sites and cottages are offering vouchers. While we can’t squeeze them all into this blog, you can search for more accommodation on our stay page and on NewcastleGateshead’s website.
UN-FIR-GETTABLE EXPERIENCES
One of the biggest questions at Christmas is, “what should I buy someone who’s already got everything?!” Well, we think we have the answer. How about thinking outside the box and giving your loved ones memories to cherish forever, such as boat trips, guided hikes or even a stargazing experience.
1) Farne Islands Tours
Let your Christmas present ideas go from nothin’ to puffin with a gift voucher for a fantastic Farne Islands Boat Trip. Their sail-arounds result in seal and puffin spotting, and sometimes even dolphin spotting. Simply email [email protected] for further information. The receiver of the voucher will have a year to redeem it.
2) Footsteps in Northumberland Guided Tour
Walking is one of the worry-free activities that we can enjoy at the moment, so what better gift than a voucher for a guided walk with Footsteps in Northumberland. His routes cover coast, castles, College Valley and more, and vouchers can be redeemed once restrictions allow guided walks.
3) The Corbridge Larder Zoom Party Bag
The perfect gift for the friends you miss the most, Corbridge Larder are selling Zoom Party Bags so you can enjoy virtual tasting sessions with local gin, bubbly, rum, cheese and more. Practically a Zoom Christmas party in a box, they offer a fun way to re-connect with family as well as selling local produce-filled hampers.
4) Stargazing Vouchers
A star for your star; buy a stargazing voucher at one of Northumberland’s observatories. Both Kielder Observatory and Battlesteads offer vouchers for the price of your choice so you can contribute to your loved ones’ stargazing experience.
5) Hexham TV Virtual Performances
One for your more sophisticated friends and family members, Hexham TV is selling Pocket Performances. Simply purchase a ticket and gift the QR code to your cultured friend so they can watch magical performances from home.
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME FOR A BEER
Whether it’s a creamy hot chocolate, a fragrant mulled wine or a fizzing glass of bubbly, it’s not Christmas without a festive drink. From relatives who reckon themselves gin experts to the ones you just aren’t sure what else to get, a Northumberland drinks delivery will always go down a treat.
1) First and Last Brewery in a Box
For anyone who’s missing their freshly pulled pints from the local pub, get them the next best thing. This brewery in a box from First and Last Brewery offers a selection of beers showcasing the best of the region.
2) Lindisfarne Mead
It doesn’t get more traditional than Lindisfarne Mead, which was allegedly sipped by Medieval monks on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The sweet, honey-tinted tipple is available to order online and a great gift to give a taste of Lindisfarne Island.
3) Hepple Spirits
Hepple Gin is a must-taste for any self-made gin connoisseur (or just anyone who can’t resist a G&T). Their junipers grow in a 4000-acre estate that stretches from the wild Simonside hills to the banks of the River Coquet and their products are available online.
4) Sloe Crafts
From flavoured gins, to cherry liqueurs, to elderflower spirits, treat your loved ones to the sweetness of Sloe Crafts’ spirits. Based near Thropton, they produce unique, seasonal products inspired by their farm and natural ingredients in the region.
5) Wylam Brewery Vouchers
Standing beautifully in Exhibition Park, Newcastle, Wylam Brewery is offering Beer Gift Vouchers this Christmas. This can be redeemed at their Tap Room, live music events, kitchen and more, making it an excellent and versatile gift for beer and live music lovers.
THERE'S NOTHING THAT FOOD CAN'T FIX
While this isn’t quite the Christmas we all imagined, a box full of Geordie and Northumbrian foodie treats is sure to cheer anyone up. Jars of sweet treats, festive nut butters and dinner party cookery classes are just a few of the foodie offerings this Christmas.
1) Northumbrian Pantry
Northumbrian Pantry’s jams, jellies and chutneys, brought to you from the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country in Northumberland, are a delicious way of gifting Northumberland in a jar. Using seasonal produce and ingredients from the local landscape, they are bursting with flavour and make the perfect cheese board accompaniment or sweet treat.
2) Blackfriars Voucher
With a Blackfriars voucher, you can learn to cook like a medieval, feast like King Edward III in his own Banquet Hall, attend a cheese and wine tasting evening and more. The exquisite restaurant in Newcastle city centre enjoys cosy, stone interior décor, stunning stained-glass windows and a unique dining experience.
3) The Mad Jam Woman
With gift bags made up of breakfast delights, tea time treats, cheese mates and Christmas chutneys, The Mad Jam Woman offers delicious, beautifully wrapped gifts that make excellent Christmas presents. For cheese lovers, anyone with a sweet tooth and anyone wanting to taste local, Northumbrian produce, these are a winner.
4) The Nut Roaster
For anyone who’s nutty about butter, these ‘no nasty’ nut butters from The Nut Roaster are the perfect gifts. Ideal for health foodies, they are pure, naturally high in protein, and great for dolloping on toast, porridge, yoghurt and more.
5) North Chocolates
Luxurious Christmas boxes, dark clementine bars and rum with caramel squares are just a few of North Chocolates’ indulgent offerings this Christmas. With stockists in both Newcastle and Northumberland, they make for delicious, locally produced gifts.
Produced in Northumberland, which showcases the best of Northumberland's local producers, has launched a virtual Christmas Market. Take a look and fill your (online) basket with a host of festive treats.
A gift to melt your art
Send a gift from the bottom of your (he)art by delivering local paintings, photography and hand crafted art work from Northumberland. Choose from picture-perfect puzzles of the county’s incredible sites, hand-painted, ceramic trinkets, colourful prints and handmade woodburning art.
1) Carol Nunan Art
Carol Nunan creates original art prints, made by hand, inspired by the wild landscapes, seascapes and fauna of Northumberland. Plus, limited edition giclée prints and home accessories that will brighten up your loved one’s home this Christmas.
2) Sarah Farooqi Art
Based at Gallery 45 in Felton, Sarah Farooqi’s hand painted illustrated maps, landscapes and wildlife of Northumberland and the North East make for stunning gifts for art, décor and North East lovers. Fine art prints, cards and calendars are also available.
3) Eve Burnup Art
Eve Burnup’s beautiful, hand painted, ceramic glass and cards make for stunning, delicate gifts. Perfect for anyone who loves decorative mugs, decorative tableware and gorgeous keepsakes. Email [email protected] and keep an eye out for Eve's new Etsy shop EveBurnup.
4) Bright Seed Textiles
Spouse team Keith & Jane Jackson own Bright Seed Textiles and produce a range of high quality giclee art prints and greetings cards. Featuring scenes and landscapes from Northumberland, Scotland and Cumbria, everything is created from Jane’s intricate, needle felted Harris Tweed, creating unique, quirky and simply beautiful Christmas presents.
5) Charred Wood
Pick a piece from Charred Wood, the bespoke, handmade woodburning art in Northumberland. Depicting nature, wildlife, this small business have just launched their new website showcasing their stunning, rustic products.
A GIFT THAT WILL LIGHT UP THE ROOM
You may not be allowed to have your usual Christmas blowout, but you can buy a present for your loved ones to blow out this Christmas. Buy a beautifully fragranced candle from one of Northumberland’s local providers, or pick a luxury home fragrance to gift this Christmas.
1) The Pure Candle Company
Offering a range of beautifully fragranced soy wax candles, The Pure Candle Company creates handmade candles in small batches in their Northumberland studio. Hand poured using ethically sourced and cruelty-free soy wax and fragrances, they are the perfect gift to soothe that loved one that has been burning the candle at both ends.
2) Darling Northumberland
Darling Northumberland’s elegant gift sets are great for anyone who appreciates tasteful home décor, natural fragrances and beautiful packaging. Pick from a spicy winter scent of apple, cinnamon and almond, a Druridge Bay-inspired scent of bergamot, orange and rich amber and more.
3) Northburn Home Fragrance
From candles to an aromatherapy treatment range, the mother and daughter team at Northburn Home Fragrance in Northumberland create luxurious home fragrances. Deepest Pomegranate, Orange and Thyme, Lime and Coconut and White Tea and Grapefruit are just a few of the unique scents on offer.
4) Robin Roots
Robin Roots' luxury scented, hand poured soy candles bring a touch of elegance to your home. This new venture that sprung from lockdown has flourished, resulting in exquisite products including candles, wax melts and gift sets.
5) Dizzywix
The candles with a conscience, Dizzywix’s upcycled candles are made from soy wax derived from all-natural products including paraben-free fragrance oils. Quirkily hand-poured into colourful, modern craft beer cans, the scents are created to compliment the can that they sit in, as well as offer seasonal scents that vary throughout the year.
A PRESENT THAT WILL MAKE HISTORY
Spread a little of Northumberland and NewcastleGateshead’s history along with your festive cheer this year. Bring a bit of Beamish into your home with suffragette sashes and museum monopoly, or live like a Roman with a Roman shield umbrella from Vindolanda.
1) Vindolanda Roman Shield Umbrella
We love this funny, innovative umbrella from Vindolanda. Live like a Roman with your very own Roman shield that doubles as an umbrella, bringing a touch of Roman history into homes and putting smiles on history lovers' faces.
2) Beamish Online Shop
Beamish has opened up its online museum shop ready for Christmas, where you can buy a Museum Monopoly Board, enamel signs, posters, tea towels and sweet treats.
3) English Heritage Online Shop
Grab a gift from English Heritage’s online shop and support their work to maintain and restore over 400 historic sites across England. Their wealth of unusual and inspiring products includes collectables, local food and drinks, create-your-own hampers, membership vouchers and more.
4) Newcastle Castle Trip
Treat someone to a trip to Newcastle Castle, the medieval, defensive fortification that’s just a short walk down the Grade I-listed 19th century Grey Street. Making for a fascinating and historical day out, it can be paired with Newcastle’s other attractions (and numerous pubs…).
5) National Trust Membership
Give the gift of endless explorations to anyone who loves staggering stately homes, stunning gardens, and intriguing historical sites with a National Trust membership. Membership will gain entry to more than 100 gardens and parks, free parking at most sites and more.
Other places to fill your basket
There are so many fantastic businesses in Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead. Once you’ve browsed our blog, don’t forget to search our website and various sources online for individual businesses’ gifts and vouchers.
NewcastleGateshead has a dedicated virtual Christmas Market, where they have collated an excellent range of vouchers, festive gift ideas, experiences, hampers and annual passes from North East businesses including favourite attractions, cultural venues, hotels, artisans, creativesand restaurants.
Many of the businesses feature are stallholders at Morpeth Chantry, which is thrilled to have re-opened. If you prefer to pick up presents in person, there are an array of local gifts on sale to browse and purchase.