Independent Retailers for Christmas Shopping

laurathree

Hi all,

I am planning this year to avoid Amazon as much as possible - we have become a bit dependent on it and are worried that it is a pretty terrible company to depend on. I've decided I want to buy Christmas presents a bit more thoughtfully, using independent retailers (online and in person) instead.

Now I live in London (first moneysaving mistake right there) so I have access to a huge number of markets and independent retailers, but I was wondering if anyone had any top tips? I need a variety of gifts for friends and family, from children to pensioners. I know all the main options (big London markets, Etsy online, etc), but does anyone have any top recommendations for reliable and reasonable independent retailers?

Thanks for your help!

Laura

lucystardust87

Have you checked out We Make London? It's a website and craft fair which brings together lots of independent retailers.

laurathree

Thanks for that tip!

jenniewb

Try looking for the towns near you and going to the council websites of getting hold of their local papers. Not all but some will have local markets and may have a special Christmas market.


I have heard there is one happening in Hackney as I've seen it advertised in the Evening Standard last week and I know of a friend taking part for example.
The South Bank quite often have one off market stall type events during the run up to Christmas and then there are the regular local markets in places like Camden, Spitalfields, Covent Garden, Greenwich, Portobello... and so on where there are regular weekly or daily markets.

Also if you look for Cockpit Arts, Craft Central and similar arts communities (collect leaflets when you visit any) you can get hold of artists and crafts people who are trying to start up their businesses and IMO some of the work is amazing. Not necessarily cheap in most cases but if your willing to pay highly enough you can get some amazing one off items and feel a part of someone's career building.


And if getting to any of these is difficult, try googling some of the open studios as they'll have the artists and designers listed and you can commission items for Christmas if they have the time.

As for places to visit, apparently Primrose Hill (the area where the shops are I think is Hampstead?) they have a bit of a "celebrity" community who dislike the idea if chain stores and try to fight all but a few handpicked chain stores. IMO it is mainly chain stores but there are one or two unique places that could be worth an afternoon visit with friends if you have a few hours to kill.

CKhalvashi

I've bought a lot from market stalls, charity shops and independent stores this year.

It's always worth seeing what's near to you, as my places won't be able to help (I live 40mi from London)