Whilst we’re all mostly stuck at home, I thought it was an ideal opportunity to try and research and discover all the local shopping opportunities right on our doorsteps.  We all want to support our local businesses but sometimes we just don’t know where to start.  In researching this article, I have been blown away by the entrepreneurs, the creativity and the talent of Harpenden and the surrounding villages.  I have been inspired to try and shop entirely local this Christmas and have seen gifts and ideas that I never even knew existed!    

I hope this article helps us all to keep it local, but please bear in mind that the headings are just for guidance and some of these small businesses have so many different products on offer I couldn’t mention everything.  So please do click through and browse their sites to see their full ranges.

And if you are a local business and you’re not yet on our site please do get in touch so that we can rectify that in time for Christmas shopping!

Grab a cuppa and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home!

Arts, Prints, Cards and Books

For original prints, gifts and Christmas cards have a look at HeatherTrefusis Art. 

Hillary Taylor Artist has drawings, limited edition fine art prints and cards and treasure hunt/colouring books.

For bespoke family illustrations take a look at Jaks Whalen Illustration. 

And for bespoke framed illustrations and keepsakes enjoy the online shop of Jolly Creative, who also offers crafty packs.

Julie Maginn is a local artist who has affordable art and kimonos for sale. 

The Harp and The Angel has original artworks for sale.

And Sarah Ward is an artist with bright colourful pieces to add focal accents to any room.

Saturday’s Child curates custom and handmade products including cards, kids’ accessories, and other delights.

And if you are overrun with your children’s artwork and/or photos The Little Square Gallery will curate them into works of art.

Or if you have a favourite picture or memory Your Canvas Lab can turn it into art for you.

Usborne Books are a world of books for birth through to teenagers.

In Redbourn Niki Crafford Artwork produces unique one-line art drawings and oil paintings.

 

Clothing and Jewellery

If you’re looking for baby and toddler clothing the 5am Club sells hand printed baby and toddler cotton clothing.

Organic baby clothes can be bought at From Babies with Love which also ensures all profits go around the world to orphaned and abandoned children.

Lil’ Cubs is a childrenswear brand bringing fun colourful fashion to 0-7 year olds.

For something unique and useful take a look at Dr Poppin’ Off which helps socks stay together, gloves stay with jackets and even has hoodies with detachable masks.

Or for unique purses and handbags we have Naas unique bags. 

Make bath time or swimming day more fun with Hooded Owls who sell hooded towels for children up to 13.

For handmade gemstone jewellery for adults and children take a look at Bijoux & Belle.

Wendy Warren Jewellery are specialists in finely finished, casual or formal, classic or contemporary jewellery.

 

Crafts

Take a look at All Things Bright and Beautiful for bright and beautiful personalised hand sewn items  including ballet & PE bags, Christmas bunting and Christmas stockings. 

Bubbles of Hope have hand made crafts including personalised chopping boards, spoons & spatulas. 

For cosy knitted socks and hats enjoy CozySocks Art. 

Fused Glass by Anna Croxen sells fused glass decorations, art and gifts.

If you want to give your kids or a loved one the gift of an activity at Christmas consider Glaze Time Takeaway Kits, or if you don’t feel very arty you can commission them to create something for you.

For handmade bespoke items for the home like cushions, blankets, doorstops and draught excluders try Hannah Jacobs Designs.

If you want to support a local charity whilst shopping Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary sell hedgehog craft and merchandise with 100% of the income generated going to the hedgehogs.

For all things fabric and inspired by nature Kate Buchanan has artwork and cards.

If you are looking for something personalised, maybe baubles, candles or hand santisers, Peach & Co make it personal for you.

Poppyseeds home design and make unique gifts including textiles and candles.

For a range of different products including Autumn wreaths, memory bears, Christmas eve plates and cards check out Rosebuds & Dragonflies.

If you’re looking for hand thrown stoneware Roundwood Pottery includes bowls, vases and candles.

Illustrating love, family and friendship in thread Some Might Say Crafts brings embroidery to life.

If you have a water sports mad friend or family member (or even if you don’t!) a unique gift can be found at Third Wave - bespoke, hardy, waterproof bags from colourful and recycled windsurfing sails.

In Wheathampstead Chantal’s Gifts includes handmade greeting cards, hand etched glass and slate as well as individually decorated mugs.

Ducks Fly Together, also in Wheathampstead, has unique cufflinks, necklaces and coasters amongst many other things.  

 

Home, Garden and Pets

Our Premium advertiser, Co & Jo , are an online store of thoughtfully curated home décor, furniture, gifts and accessories including art, vases, bowls, lanterns and more. 

For original styling, and sourcing original and affordable treasures for interiors, take a look at Style & Source.

For more interiors, gifts and accessories have a look at The Home & Garden Edit.

Veritiero Campbell are also a home interiors business. Their homewares include cushions, throws, lighting, furniture and decorative accessories.  

ZziniHome in Wheathampstead is a local designer maker specialising in furniture and home accessories.

If you’re looking for plants don’t forget our local nurseries - Bridge Valley Nursery, Townsend Nursery and Hertfordshire Garden Centre.

Willow & Wild can help with outdoor fresh wreaths and indoor dried wreaths.

A young lady in Wheathampstead has your pets covered - BossPigCo makes small pet accessories. 

And also in Wheathampstead, Katie Connolly produces pet portraits. 

In Redbourn, A Pocketful of Posies specialises in flowers, wreaths, wreath kits and workshops.

Finally, in this section, if you're looking for personalised and bespoke wooden door stops you need SGR Enterprise.

Skin, beauty and fragrance

Handmade in Harpenden makes beautifully scented candles, diffusers, hand wash, lotions and gift sets. 

For luxury home fragrance including reed diffusers, 100% soy wax candles and wax melts look at le bibo home fragrance.

For botanical skincare with high performance ingredients you can understand and trust take a look at Mallow + White.

For candles and diffusers with a range of scented, natural soy candles and diffusers consider Miller & Keane Ltd.

Tropic Skincare offer naturally derived skin, body, sun and hair products as well as make-up.

In Redbourn Park Beauty has handmade artisan soaps.

 

Food & Drink

Our Highlighted advertiser, Twist Teas, has over 30 award winning blends of black, white, fruit/herbal and matcha teas in both loose leaf and biodegradable tea bag form.

Not solely food related, but definitely one to look at for a mix of food and non-related food products is Hampers of Harpenden who provide seasonal quality gift-wrapped hampers locally.

We may all think of cakes as being only for Birthdays and special occasions, but cakes, cookies and sweet treats also make excellent gifts.  There are plenty of local suppliers who can help you - Ameyesing Cakes (including bouquets of cupcakes), Anita’s Cake Bakery, Cracking Cakes, Elisabeth’s Cakes, Ellie’s Baking, Feeding Time (birthday, movie and special occasion boxes), Kate’s Cakes,  Jane’s Bakes (in Wheathampstead) and Sugar, Sprinkles & Joy (also in Wheathampstead) and Sugartists (in Redbourn). 

Local Shops

So far we have been referring to many businesses which only have an online presence.  Please don’t forget our bricks and mortar shops which can help you out this Christmas and are offering click and collect services during lockdown! 

Artscape (entertain the kids in lockdown by getting them to make Christmas cards and decorations with supplies from Artscape), B.J. Copestick Jewellers, Chelford Fabrics (also sells household accessories and unique gifts), Creature Comforts, Glyn Griffiths Jewellers, Good Sports, Harpenden Books, Harpenden Cycles, JoJo Maman Bebe, Loveweds Jewellers, Map Stores, Musicale Shop (buy some Christmas music to brighten up the kids’ practise sessions), Party Box (also very useful if you have a Christmas time Birthday coming up), Perry Florists, Platform Wines Ltd, Rebecca Jade Beauty, Serena Hart (an eclectic, interesting and individual range of gifts, personal accessories and items for the home), Stephanie Randall The Flower Studio, The AL5 Aesthetics, Threads (local, independent, family-run gift and card shop stocking a wide range of quality gifts for all ages) and Total Looks.  

And in Wheathampstead don’t forget GJW Titmuss Ltd for your pets, and The Barn for a selection of gifts, paintings, jewellery, accessories and more.

 

Vouchers

If you are still struggling for the perfect gift please remember that lots of our local businesses also offer gift vouchers, for example restaurants, cafes, meal planning services, wine tasting, photographers, fitness classes, spa & beauty treatments, art & craft courses and more.  You can find lots of these businesses listed in our "for grown-ups" section.  

Phew! 

And as if that weren’t enough, we have so many more businesses just a little further afield (but not very far) listed on the website – please do go and take a look at the whole of our Shopping & Gifts section to find them.