This time of year, when we tend to spend more than normal, is a great opportunity to boost the income of our local shops and other local businesses. In any case who wants to spend ages queuing at city centre carparks and wading through the frenzied crowds, only to find nothing of interest in the so-called 'offers'?  

So often the 'normal' prices in our local independent shops are the same or lower anyway - and you'll usually get better service too. We'll be doing as much of our Christmas shopping as we can locally, and hope you will too. Many of them have their own websites too so if we're short of time or it's simply more convenient, we can shop in independent online shops!

A reminder of 10 good reasons to shop locally at Christmas

Keep abreast of all the local craft fairs and Christmas markets too, where many local artisans and New Forest producers display and sell their unique wares. Just go to our Christmas Events section and scroll the events - and if you're organising a Christmas Fair and it's not yet in our Events Calendar - add it now free of charge! Here's how.

Christmas Events on our Events Calendar 

Throughout the New Forest, we've many great independent businesses on or near our high streets that are crying out for your support at Christmas! Whether you're in Lymington or Beaulieu, Brockenhurst or Lyndhurst, you'll find a wonderful selection of products - all served with a smile! Think out of the box a little - and remember to look out those shops in the back streets too.

So below are some recommendations for Christmas gifts on offer from Lymington.com Members - including some slightly different propositions for those who already have the "things" they need.

But just before you read on...

...if you haven't done so already, do sign up free of charge to receive our Weekly What's On newsletter! Emailed every Friday morning to help you plan your weekend! 

Useful gifts at Andrew David Hair

"Useful" can also be a treat and a much appreciated one, especially when it's beautifully packaged too! 

Find lots of hair and beauty gifts and special offers at Andrew David Hair in Lyndhurst. 

Buy online too if more convenient, at Andrew David Hair here.

Buchanan Fine Jewellery Lymington - jewellery and watches

On Lymington High Street, Buchanans offers a wide range of jewellery from traditional to modern and unusual, with something for all budgets too. Wander in and you'll find a big comfy sofa from which you can view the tempting display cases at your ease and in keeping with that first impression you'll enjoy a really relaxed and friendly ambience with absolutely no hard sell! Always popular for Christmas are Hot Diamonds and Skagen, and the Les Georgettes range by Altesse which combines customisable jewellery with interchangeable colours - available in different designs and several widths, which can be made to complement your style with pop up colour.

Visit Buchanan in Lymington High Street, buy online from the website and see Buchanan Facebook page with latest updates!

Boost Bike Hub Brockenhurst for bikes of all types

Been thinking about that electric bike? What better time than Christmas to treat  yourself or your loved one to a brilliant reason to cycle more and further!

Or go for pedal power alone with a shiny new road, hybrid or mountain bike!

Find out more from the Boost Bike Hub website here

Orchids Retreat Lymington

Diana Jenner founded multiple award winning Orchids Retreat with one goal in mind: the wellbeing of clients.

She believes that everybody deserves to feel great about the way they look, and a gift voucher for a luxurious wellbeing treat, which can be used in treatment or on products, would make a fabulous present!

Visit the Orchids Retreat website including online shop,here

In The Frame, Highcliffe - frame your Christmas memories

One to remember for AFTER Christmas – Karen from In the Frame will guide your frame choice to complement the lovely new print or photo you’ve been given - and her framing service is legendary.

Visit the In The Frame website here 

Perfumery and Company, Lymington High Street

With brands Neom, L'Atelier Parfum, Elemis, Clarins, Molton Brown, L'Occitane, Laboratorio Olfattivo, Neal's Yard, Issey Miyake, Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier and Bon Parfumeur including lots of great gift sets which represent great value over buying products individually, and a legendary welcome and service by David and his friendly team, you're sure to find yourself ticking off names on your Christmas gift list here! 

Visit the Perfumery website including online shop, here  

Coastal Gallery, Lymington 

Original contemporary art by emerging and established artists and designers - and what better time than Christmas to treat your own home to a fabulous piece of modern art to lift your spirits in winter and all year round. 

Coastal Gallery is also collaborating with Palais des Vaches in Exbury and their current joint show, Autumn Glory, is open for one more weekend in December (10th-11th)

Visit the Coastal Gallery website including details of Autumn Glory here  

Sassy's: Milford, Lyndhurst, Ringwood and online

Sassy’s offers a fabulous selection of colourful bags, clothing and accessories including lots of brilliant gifts: scarves, gloves, hats, socks, jewellery, and more! You will probably leave with more than you intended to buy!

Visit Sassy's website including online shop, here 

RNLI Shop Lymington

Saving lives at sea - day in, day out, through all weathers throughout the year, the RNLI needs our support all year round but especially at Christmas when for many of us their Christmas cards have the best designs and wonderful cartoons. There are also gifts and souvenirs including homewares, clothing, tasty treats, toys and much much more. 

Find RNLI Shop Lymington information here 

St Barbe Shop Lymington

Have you ever had a good look around the shop inside St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery?

It's packed full of art and heritage including inspired, beautiful, original products which would make fabulous gifts.

There's a wide range of items from local designer makers including ceramics, jewellery, wood and colourful textiles, as well as local publications and fabulous cards.

Find information about the St Barbe Shop here 

Joanna Bell Dresses

Jo Bell dress designer is creative, committed and hugely passionate about her craft, she works closely with each client from the very first sketch to the final fitting to bring each beautiful and unique dress to life. She also alters existing outfits when circumstances change. A rather different idea, for a Christmas gift which could be very much appreciated.

Discover Joanna Bell's fabulous dresses here 

The Deli at the Larder, Lymington

Not only is the Larder in Earley Court a lively cafe by day and tapas destination by evening (Thursdays and Fridays) but also, it has a great deli!

Lots of the ingredients which Karl uses to prepare his delicious dishes are on sale and would make fabulous foodie gifts with a decent shelf life - perfect for those who don't drink wine!

And even better - for this Christmas there are also complete hampers of goodies for ready made gifts.

Visit the Larder website for more details here 

Vouchers for Escape Yachting

"Sailing is clean and quiet, the perfect antidote to the rush of daily life!" 

Treat that special someone to a voucher for a sailing trip next year, a get away from it all Solent sail with a relaxing lunch or dinner on board.

Also when you quote Lymington.com on booking you get a 10% discount.

Visit the Escape Yachting website here and scroll down to vouchers. 

Fairweather's Christmas Shop

Firstly of course for beautiful Christmas trees! Then there are unique gifts, scents, candles and decorations. Woollen warmers and logs for cosy nights in. Festive house plants.

You can also take your children to see Santa and enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch.

Visit the Christmas section of the Fairweather's Garden Centre website here

Oakhaven Shops

Gifts galore and Christmas cards are to be found in the Oakhaven charity shops, and if more convenient you can buy your cards online from the Oakhaven Christmas Shop.

Find details on the Oakhaven Hospice website here

One Day Interior Design Course with Harris Jackson

Harris Jackson Interior Design proposes a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone thinking about an interiors revamp next year or simply wanting to learn about interior design!

Find out more and book here 

Christmas for your pet from OSCAR

It's amazing how excited the dog gets by the Christmas wrapping paper. And healthy as well as tasty titbits are all that's needed to let him or her take part fully in the unwrapping! Take the opportunity to meet Sarah Stephens local distributor for OSCAR Pet Foods - all  delivered safely to your door. 

Find out more here 

New Forest Activities, Beaulieu - gift vouchers for healthy fun family activites on and off the water

Christmas paddling and all winter through as well with New Forest Activities – gift vouchers make perfect presents for outdoor enthusiasts - children, childlike, or properly grown up!

Buy gift vouchers for New Forest Activities here.

Royal Lymington Yacht Club Training - the gift of learning to sail

Here's an unusual but potentially very much appreciated present: a learn to sail course at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Someone who's new to the area, or equally simply someone who's always wanted to sail but never quite got started, would really appreciate this one!

Find our about training courses with Royal Lymington Yacht Club here.

The gift of membership of Exbury Gardens

We became members this year for the first time and very much enjoyed the "reason" to visit beautiful Exbury Gardens on multiple occasions! That's why membership would make a lovely Christmas gift.

Click here to find out about and buy membership of Exbury Gardens

The gift of beer! Monkey Brewhouse

As the name suggests, Monkey Brewhouse makes its own beer and it's very, very good! 

There's free delivery on orders of £60 or over.

Buy beer or vouchers on the Monkey Brewhouse website here

The gift of golf! Golf lessons from the pro at Lymington Golf Centre

The gift of golf lessons would be much appreciated by many! Single, group & playing lessons are available with pro Matt Vineer, and Lymington Golf Centre is so conveniently located just outside Lymington and with fabulous far reaching views of the river and out to the Solent.

Find out about golf lessons at Lymington Golf Centre, here.

New Forest Aromatics 

Nationally renowned locally made natural aromatic products! New Forest Aromatics makes candles, balms, gels, lotions and potions which are in much demand at national fairs and shows. Locals can visit their lovely base at Setley Ridge.

There's a host of candidate gifts and for all budgets, to be found here - and there's a good online shop too.

Find out more and buy online if preferred from the New Forest Aromatics website here.

Natural Health Hub

Visit the little treasure trove which is the Natural Health Hub and discover this wonderful sanctuary of health and well-being in the heart of Lymington!

You'll also find some very special Christmas gifts.

Visit the Natural Health Hub website here.