Shopping Local This Christmas - Making It Super Easy

There are lots of things that I’m super passionate about. Cheese it up there for me, as is a very odd fascination with any kind of chair or something to sit on. But I moved out of London nearly five year ago and one thing that has really struck me since I moved is the number of super cool brands that exist outside the big smoke. Yes, yes, yes, I’ve always known London was full of amazing local brands but I ashamed to say that I was one of those people who thought that if it wasn’t in London then it just wasn’t, well, ‘it’. Well how very wrong I was.

Since I started my affordable home styling and home design business this year I’ve tried to link up wherever possible with local brands who complement what I do. I’ve been lucky to find some great brands and some lovely people. But I don’t want to keep them all to myself!

A recent chat with my sister about how hard it can be to get out there as a small brand gave me an idea. If we all shout about each other and make it as easy as possible to buy local then we all have no excuses. Plus we get to buy our favourite people something different this year, We all love a bit of Amazon Prime but sometimes it’s nice to get something that’s a bit more thoughtful - something a bit different.

So thanks to my lovely followers I’ve put together not just a list of local businesses but ones that people recommend. Ones that they’ve used and loved or are hankering after a gift from. When you get a sec, have a look through - just click on the brands below. There are amazing things from the gorgeous reclaimed furniture from Sussex Wood Furniture to online cocktail masterclasses from the Mixology Group that would be great gifts. Why not buy your someone special a day paddle boarding in Shoreham from the guys at the Adur Centre or treat your partner to a gift from England at Home who are based in Brighton - I challenge you to not find something that you love.

Have a look, have a browse and if you think of anyone else you’d love to add just let me know and I’ll add them on. Then we all have a little black book to get our Christmas shopping started… and you ever know, we might find a sneaky little gift for ourselves in there, I’m sure we all deserve it, right?!