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Shop Local This Christmas

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Every year we publish a Christmas Shopping Guide and this year I think it's more important than ever.  We are all housebound at the moment and it's tempting to turn to big online retailers to get our Christmas shopping done  -  but we have a much better alternative!

I've been so impressed with the variety of local businesses in the Romford area, selling items that I have never thought of and delivering or posting their products right to our door! So we really want to support local businesses by encouraging everyone to shop local this Christmas.

This guide contains just a snippet of what's available, we just couldn't include everyone! You will also find some other great local shops and sellers on our website here

If you run a local retail business and would like to be added to our website, please click here and we will add you to the More Businesses section of our directory.

So let's take a look....

 

Garland Girl Essex
Garland Girls create wreaths, garlands and stair garlands which come as standard sizes AND made to measure. The girls can change designs to suit your needs and can create custom door displays.
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Frankie's Wreaths
Do you need to revamp your front door for Christmas this year?  Handmade and unique from £35. Visit their Instagram page for ideas!
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Personalised Christmas Letter
Jenny will create a personalised Christmas letter printed on card finished with an organza bow, tissue wrap, A4 , heart sticker, North Pole stamp, Christmas address sticker.
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Sarah Jane Loves
Sarah has a beautiful selection of unique gifts this Christmas. Choose from personalised jewellery, gorgeous accessories and lots of other cute gift ideas! All £30 and under so it won't cost a fortune either!
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Bespoke Blue
Helping to make your house a home. Nicolle stocks a candle range which includes a new Christmas scent which smells like Christmas trees. 
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Merritt Mirrors
This Upminster business create industrial style mirrors for your home. They can also create bespoke drawings of your home - or someone elses! Great for moving home gifts, keep sakes or Christmas gifts. Visit Instagram for some stunning creations.
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Kit & May
Selling artisan luxury soaps and aromatherapy bath bombs using all natural ingredients, such as Essential Oils and skin loving Cocoa and Shea butters.  Products contain no chemical nasties and are perfect for those with sensitive skin.
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Wild Olive Studios
Rosie makes hand made resin gifts including key rings, freestanding letters, bookmarks, coasters and Christmas decorations.
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Any Ideas
Lots of ideas perfect for teacher gifts and extras for friends and family. If you are stuck for ideas, Kerry will be able to help!
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Reset Your Thinking with Tracy
The Christmas ‘Hug in a Box’ is the perfect gift for your bestie, sister or even yourself! To see what's include, visit the website below.
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Scentsy
Fill your home with wonderful scents this Christmas or gift your loved ones a present all can enjoy! With a wide range of warmers and waxes you will find something for everyone. 
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Cocavella
A collection of beautiful, stylish and affordable accessories, jewellery and bags. Finding and making beautiful accessories that you will all love is what makes Nichola's heart sing!. 
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Memory Bears and More
Diana designs and creates memory keepsakes from clothes to bears, giraffes, elephants, cushions, blankets, pets bedding or blanket to remember someone by
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Memories Stick
Let Jade help you to organise your photos by getting them off your devices and into beautiful photo books. Gift vouchers available too.
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Nickel Press
Why not use their in house picture framing service, or buy ready made photo frames. They can print large posters and pictures for a unique bespoke gift and personalised Christmas Photo cards a great memory for 2020!
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Jewels by Maverick
Selling trendy, modern, stylish & fun jewellery at great price prices which are mainly under £10. These are perfect gifts, perfect for yourself or your 'mini me'!  
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J & J Jewellery
An independent family run Jewellery company based in Collier Row with 21 years experience in the industry. Currently stocking Sterling Silver jewellery however Jackie can source all types of jewellery in any precious metal, gemstones and diamonds.
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Immy + Cheska Bracelets.
Personalised custom made bracelets for adults and kids. Visit the website for ideas!
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Olivia Grace Boutique
Lauren designs and makes children's personalised clothes including 'Colour in PJs', lounge sets, hoodies and baby gift sets. 
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Yellow Knot
Madiha creates bespoke handmade children's clothing (ages 0-12yrs) and uses premium quality eco-friendly materials from product to packaging. The fabrics are vibrant and beautiful. 
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Elasha Creations
Find the perfect handmade dresses, pretty skirts and stylish accessories.  The perfect gift for celebrating this Christmas.
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Craftaholics
Creating Christmas decorations, signage, print t-shirts and PJ's. Sam and Sarah also do papercraft like cards, and stickers.
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Painted Peppermint
This mobile ceramics company works around the havering area offering events, home visits, mail order items and take away kits as well. Tasha is able to help create memories and keepsakes to keep forever. Whether this be a Christmas Eve plate, a bauble, a mug or any other kind of ceramic!
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The Essex Craft Boutique
Natalie makes various pretty gifts but is known for her handmade fairies for all occasions. These can be made for Seasonal holidays, birthdays, Christenings, weddings etc.
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Beautifully Captured Castings
3D castings (currently unavailable due to restrictions), personalised hand and footprint jewellery and new baby gifts.  All of the jewellery can be made via post.
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Mint Daisy
Amy makes personalised bracelets and keyrings and donates a % of profits to GOSH.
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Cams Creations
Coryn makes handmade personalised, unique gifts for all occasions.  From Christmas items to Nursery Décor.  If you can think of it, she can probably design it!
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Daniella's Glitter Gifts & More
Daniella creates a range of personalised  pyjamas, pillowcases, t-shirts, Christmas baubles, glasses and cups. Great gifts and stocking fillers.
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Make it Jazzle
Seema specialises in making bespoke, personalised gifts and decor for any occasion, giving excellent customer service. She welcome custom orders!
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Delilah Designs Decor
Crafts and personalised gifts & decor. Customised orders are welcomed. Based in Gidea Park 
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What a Gem!
Making and selling all sorts of small gifts, personalised accessories, Christmas decorations and pet portraits!
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Mandy Lous's Crafts
Mandy create bespoke wooden gifts and crafts, family trees and personalised glasses.
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Ellie Hoskins Photo
Local freelance photographer Ellie is offering Christmas family portraits (outdoor at the moment for Covid reasons) and has teamed up with another freelancer (Katie Frances Art) who does illustrations to offer Christmas cards with include a photo from the Photoshoot. She can also supply photo session vouchers which make a wonderful gifts.
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Tracy's Tropic Shop 
Tracy has been a beautician for 24 years and is also a Tropic Skincare Ambassador. She can supply all your clean, toxin free skincare & make up and is happy to give advice or give a virtual facial. Once you start using these products you will never look back.
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Michelle's Mobile Beauty Treatments
Michelle run's a mobile beauty business with over 20 years experience offering facials, waxing, massage etc (although sadly can't work at the moment due to Covid) and sells Younique skincare and makeup. Gift vouchers also available.
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Lisa Wyatt Beauty Studio
Lisa stocks an incredible range of Lipsense products. Would you love a lipstick that is long-lasting that you don't have to keep reapplying, is waterproof, kiss-proof, smear-proof and literally does not budge?
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JennaJ  Hair & Beauty Salon
Qualified Hair, nail and lash artist. Specialising in creative nail art and creative hair colouring. Working on a 121 basis in a Covid secure environment. Gift vouchers available to be redeemed on services or retail products.
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Inspired
Love designer perfumes but hate the prices? Sherall stocks a range of FM perfumes which smell identical to well known brands. These are not fakes, you're just paying for the fragrance, not the fancy bottle and the branding!
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Entirely Aloe
Khatija has something for everyone from lush plant based skincare, fitness junkie kits, pamper bath treats, the wellness baskets and even a thoughtful gift for your faithful pet!  Perfect for those wanting to gift without feeling guilty towards the planet and making a difference to your loved one's well being. 
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Little Box of Goodies
Shazia is a registered baker with a 5 star hygiene rating. She is selling DIY cookie kits, paint your own cookie, wordsearch cookies, teacher gifts, mini bags of biscuits, cookie sticks.
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Courtney's Cakes 
These are the bomb! Hot chocolate bombs!  Perfect for cold and dark winter nights, the hot coco bomb is a hollow chocolate ball filled with marshmallows, hot coco mix & your chosen flavour. The neat treat turns any mug of hot milk into a steaming mug of hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows, in a matter of seconds. Delicious fun for all the family; available in 2 sizes & 5 flavours. 
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Leave It To Us
Lovingly prepared boxes contain all the favourite flavours of a traditional Christmas, kids boxes, cheese towers and so much more. These are perfect for sharing with family, send to a loved one as a gift or enjoying with colleagues.
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Mum to Little Readers
Lorna used to be a primary teacher but now helps parents and schools find beautiful, inspiring and engaging books through her work as an Usborne organiser. The books are stunning - a first choice for teachers and parents!
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The Magical Rainbow Bus of Fun
Ross is a Romford based author of 2 children's picture books The Magical Rainbow Bus of Fun and The Magical Christmas Bus of Fun. These books are perfect picture books for preschool age and as early readers. The illustrations are beautiful.
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A2Z Dogz
Lisa runs this dog walking and dog boarding business based in Hornchurch. This Christmas they are selling dog Christmas teddies, dog bone wreaths and treat cones.
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Chester's Canine Cookies
Jamie is stocking Doggy Christmas selection boxes on via his website.
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The Bow Wow Pantry
Abi makes healthy, ethical, natural treats for dogs. She is a local authority registered pet feed manufacturer and all her products are lab tested and adhere to the strictest DEFRA guidelines.
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Pets Portraits
Nicole creates personalised digital portraits of people's pets! The main request she gets is for dogs but she can tailor to all requests. 
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Paw Pour
Paw Pour is a pet water bottle company based in Romford. A PawPour would be a fantastic gift for dog owners this Christmas, bringing water for walking.
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Fitz Squad Bootcamp
Philip has launched a local boot camp in the Upminster area and offer a package of 10 sessions for £55 and with that you get a Free session too making it 11 sessions in total.
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Havering Beauty
Katie's salon offers all beauty treatments along with being a certified CND Shellac salon and Microdermabrasion specialist. Based in Hornchurch with free parking and 20% off your first treatment when you sign up to our newsletter. 
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A Fine Balance
Gift vouchers are available for this Upminster based Yoga studio. Classes can be accessed online during periods of lockdown.
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Rose & Raff
Bringing the big screen experience to your home, outdoors or indoors with a styled finish including blankets, hot water bottles and sheepskin rugs at the ready for a cosy night. Packages available for all ages, budgets and occasions. Bespoke snack hampers, themed evenings and much more available.
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Ricknroll Mascots
Have your children's advent calendar delivered on November 28th by an Elf, or book a visit from one of the festive Fab Four with either Olaf, the Gruffalo, the Grinch or Elf on the Shelf.
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We hope this helps you to find some really unique and special Christmas gifts this year - remember, when you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance!

Happy Shopping!


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