When I turned 40 last month, my husband and our boys got me 40 presents. That’s a big number, but the best part of it was that 39 of them were bought from local shops.

Small independents really are the lifeblood of our communities. The good ones bring energy and positive vibes to their local areas. They sponsor raffle prizes for the school fair, they provide good product advice and they are a place for people to feel seen and appreciated. They organise competitions, decorate their shop windows, sponsor local events and make town centres look festive at Christmas.

I find it so frustrating how often local shops are an afterthought when it comes to shopping. If every adult in the UK spent just £5 in their local shops as opposed to online, in supermarkets or with big multinationals, that would result in £13.5 billion going directly into our towns, according to Totally Locally.

As consumers we have become so used to going online for everything and to make purchase decisions only based on price and convenience.

This approach to shopping needs to be undone. We need to unlearn:

• That we need so much stuff, because we don’t.

• That the price you pay on Amazon and the like is a true reflection of value.

When you think about it, every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.

Want to live in a world with happy whales and other sealife? Then stop buying or using single use plastics.
Want to live in a world with wild orang-utans? Stop using palm oil products.
Want to live in a world where the world’s richest man gets richer while not paying his fair share of tax? Then choose Amazon over your local independents.

I know it’s not always straightforward. I certainly am nowhere near perfect, and I’m not suggesting you aim for perfection either. Here is the thing: we don’t need 5 people to do a million things each for the environment. We need a million people to each do five things.

One thing we can all do is that when we are faced with a purchasing decision, at least consider the independent options on our doorsteps.

Not only will you get friendly, tailored and specialist advice and recommendations, but you’ll also know that the money you spend there fuels the local economy.

Small business inspiration

Over the past couple of years I’ve been blown away by the small businesses with whom I’ve worked. Without fail, the owners have enormous passion not only for their businesses but for their industry and the people they serve - they really want to be helpful.

They are also incredibly innovative, often coming up with brilliant marketing ideas and plans for diversifying their businesses. They work so hard, and it must be so frustrating to know that the people in their communities still often choose the likes of Amazon over spending money in their shops.

So if like me you believe that local independents are worth supporting, then Christmas is a great time to do just that.

I was inspired by this brilliant post by Stockport web designer Paul Jardine to write something that celebrates some of the small independents who I’d recommend you consider for your Christmas shopping. Paul has already listed some of the small businesses I love, including:

Rare Mags - I think their magazine subscription service is a genius present and I really want one of their Stockport t-shirts for Christmas!

Wardrobe Wellbeing - Camilla’s caring ethos is a constant source of inspiration to me. A perfect present would be for Camilla to come and help you work out your style and shop your wardrobe - finding new looks from clothes and accessories you already own. I also love that you can buy and hire vintage pieces from her shop. No more one-off Christmas party look purchases!

Plantshop - One of my favourite Instagram accounts and a perfect place to pick up not just a plant but other gifts like candles.

The Warren - One of my 40 presents was a gorgeous photo of Stockport Plaza, and The Warren is full of thoughtful gifts for anyone who loves Stockport (who doesn’t?!).

Agapanthus Interiors - I dream of filling my whole future dream house with beautiful chandeliers and other pieces from this gorgeous shop.

But onto some of my own suggestions, focusing more on this side of Stockport where I live: the amazing Marple!

I should preamble these suggestions with a small disclaimer. Some of these businesses are owned by people I consider friends. In most cases I was a customer first, but friendship seems to be a natural byproduct when you spend a lot of time shopping in Marple’s independent shops.

Marple independents

In alphabetical order:

Chaat Cart

Whenever I have something special to celebrate, Chaat Cart is my first choice. The BEST Indian food (maybe the best food full stop) I have ever tasted and a warm welcome always await you at Chaat Cart.

Chaat Cart features in The Manchester Cookbook: Second Helpings, which is a great gift for any foodies. I’m sure if you pop into Chaat Cart to buy one and the owner Aarti is around, she will sign it for you. (Don’t mean to brag but I have a signed copy!)

They also sell vouchers if you want to give the gift of good food and memories, and I can vouch for the delight that is their Christmas banquets being served throughout December!

13 - 15 Derby St, Marple, Stockport SK6 7AH

Charity shops

Every year, we make up Christmas Eve boxes for the boys: a Christmas craft, a festive DVD, new PJs, hot chocolate, maybe a mug and some popcorn. The idea is that we’d chill out and watch a family movie in our new PJs, holding a steaming mug of hot chocolate and snacking on popcorn.

Dear reader, in my nine years of parenting, it has never worked out that way.

We have Netflix, Sky and Amazon Prime (and all the DVDs from previous years’ Christmas Eve boxes), so really don’t need another DVD. We have plenty of hot chocolate, snacks and mugs in the cupboard so don’t need more.

This year our family is starting a new Christmas Eve tradition (I think the origin is Finnish). We will each be getting our family members a book from a charity shop to enjoy on Christmas Eve.

I hope that this will help nurture a love for books, share the joy of choosing something especially for someone we love, and remind them that something doesn’t have to be brand new to be enjoyed.

I also can’t wait to see what random books the kids pick!

While we’re browsing the charity shops, I am going to keep my eyes peeled for other finds either as presents or for Christmas entertainment (like board games!).

Cloudberry Café

Karen’s café (known as “the purple café” in our family) serves amazing food and festive hot chocolates, but you can also get a fair bit of Christmas shopping done while you’re there.

There’s some lovely art by local artists, jewellery, crafts, bath goodies and more to suit all budgets. Definitely worth a browse.

68 Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport SK6 6AB

Early Essentials

This amazing charity supports vulnerable new mums in Stockport by providing them with a Moses basket full of - well - early essentials. Why not start a reverse Advent calendar (where instead of getting something each day in the run-up to Christmas, you donate something instead) to support their work?

Also keep an eye out after Christmas as they sometimes offer a ‘gift set amnesty’ - where instead of letting unwanted gifts take up space in your house, unused, you can donate it to them and they’ll pass it onto a vulnerable woman.

Evonatural

Emma makes fantastic skincare products in Marple Bridge. She cares passionately about good, luxurious skin care products that contain absolutely no petrochemicals. Speaking to Emma about how much crap goes into the things we put on our bodies is an education in itself.

I’ve used the scented moisturiser and would highly recommend it!

Facebook

Everything you buy doesn’t have to be brand new. You can pick up excellent quality and condition second-hand goods, especially children’s toys and clothes which are often quickly outgrown.

There are several local groups where second-hand goods are sold cheaply or given away for free.

Marple Thrift Shop
Thrift SK
Marple Mums & Dads Buy, Swap and Social

And don’t forget the brilliant Marple Community Hub where local events are shared!

Foragin

Not just a great place for your gin-fuelled Christmas social activities, but also somewhere to grab some presents. Amazing and rare gins (with expert advice on hand if you’re no expert), and also a bit of local art! My favourite piece is of course the doodle map of Marple by the fantastic Dave Draws.

83a Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport SK6 6AA

Local events

There are plenty of opportunities this time of year to shop local. Here are some of the events coming up where you can do some Christmas shopping and delight a local business owner.

Late night shopping in Marple (Stationery Supplies and others) - 28 November, 5 December

School fairs on various days

Marple Christmas Lights Switch On 29 November

Make It Marple Christmas Market 7 December

Artisan Printmakers Winter exhibition 5-7 December

Marple Bridge Winter Wonderland 7 December

Marple Health

The other day I counted that I have 18 different types of tea in the cupboard, and I got most of them from the local health food store. (My husband thinks 18 types of tea is excessive, so I put the question to my Instagram followers and I’m happy to say they picked my side).

I also get loads of “free from” goodies at Marple Health, as well as beautiful soaps and refillable cleaning products (not great as a Christmas present but you get the idea!). For Christmas presents, I’m eyeing up some of the Klean Kanteen range or a Himalayan salt lamp. And if there’s something you want that they don’t stock, they will happily order it in for you.

72A Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport SK6 6AH

Mellor Country House

Buy your real Christmas tree here to support a great local charity. Order by December 1st and your tree will be ready for collection or delivery on Sunday 8th December. If you’re a bit more last-minute you can also order a tree from them at Winter Wonderland on December 7th.

Order here!

Regent Cinema

My friend Claire is incredibly thoughtful, and put together a lovely present for my birthday. Vouchers for two tickets at the local independent cinema, popcorn, gins-in-tins, a promise of babysitting and even a £2 coin for interval ice creams. It made me really, really happy, and I recommend it as a present!

Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport SK6 6BJ

Snowdrops

Jennie Frost has set up this brilliant support network for mums who are finding parenthood difficult and/or lonely. She is a true mental health champion, and it turns out quite the crafter. She has crocheted lovely decorations which is available to buy to support the work Snowdrops does.

Something to look forward to in January

It’s dark, it’s cold, and it’s approximately 462 days until you get paid again. January can be a drag, so just think how lovely it feels to have (1.) something to look forward to, and (2.) that something is already paid for!

So treat your friends to a voucher for something that will really brighten up the start of 2020. How about tickets for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the Carver Theatre in January? Or a voucher for a One Fit Mama bootcamp or The Works for a beauty treat? A ticket for one of my and Katya’s events (The Wilderness Tonic retreat or the vision boarding workshop we’ll announce soon).

Think about what people really want or need, and then give them that - whether it’s deemed a “normal” Christmas present or not!

Stationery Supplies

I get all my work stationery from Sarah, but she also has the best cards and lovely crafty gifts for kids and grownups, for example Beebomb wildflower seed bags or the lovely Marple calendar (I already have mine!).

Sarah always puts so much effort into finding sustainable things to add to her shop, and this year I was delighted to hear she will have some recycled and recyclable printed wrapping paper available.

I also loved this tutorial to use a wax seal kit to jazz up Christmas presents wrapped in brown paper.

Sarah’s shop is open for late night shopping this Thursday, November 28th, or you can shop online at Giraffe Gifts.

44 Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport

The Bookshop Marple

Owning a bookshop is a wild dream of mine. I know nothing about book retail, but I dream of being surrounded by books every day and making them my life. Bookshops look unassuming but they are the gateway to a billion different worlds, and it’s no different right here in Marple.

One of my 40 presents was an old Ordnance Survey map of Marple, bought from the book shop, and I love it. They also have loads of books and booklets about local history and walks in the surrounding areas. And if you want something a bit more mainstream which isn’t stocked, they will order it in for you and ring you when it’s time to collect.

70 Stockport Rd, Marple, Stockport SK6 6AB

The Coffee Bean Dream

My daily commute involves a walk up to Marple station, where I have a Worker Bee coffee (like many people who stop at Sarah’s coffee van, I don’t need to order as she knows what I like and how!).

It’s more than just a cup of coffee: people huddle around the van for caffeine, warmth and companionship. It’s about connecting with others and starting the day with good vibes.

Not only does Sarah have some festive drinks on offer in the run-up to Christmas, but she is also taking orders for these gorgeous sustainable Worker Bee cups. Perfect for the coffee lover in your life!

Marple Station, Brabyns Brow, Marple, SK6 7DA
(Monday - Friday from 6 - 9:30)

How else you can help small businesses

Instead of getting swept up in the hype of Black Friday, why not save your shopping for Saturday December 7th? That’s Small Business Saturday in the UK, so join me in pledging to spend money in your local community on this day (and beyond!).

And it isn’t just about spending money. There are some things money can’t buy: a recommendation to a friend, five stars on Google, a heartfelt review on social media, tagging the shop in your Instagram post featuring their product, and even a Facebook like or comment.

These things keep our small independents going, and the small independents keep our communities going!

I’d love to know your suggestions for local shops I’ve missed out, so please let me know your recommendations on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, and I’ll do another post before Christmas featuring the ones you’ve suggested.