EACH YEAR WE COMPILE THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPLETING YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN BIRMINGHAM.

We’ve curated a hugely extensive gift guide to show you that there is something for every single person on your list that can be bought from a local shop, artist, creative or small business. Birmingham is bursting at the seams with talent and personality, and your money is so much more valuable to these small businesses than it is to the big corporations who multiply their profits at this time of year. After a difficult couple of years, it is more important than ever to shop local and celebrate everything that is great about our city.

Each year we add more and more independents to our gift guide to give you the most thorough and extensive list we can possibly pull together. We have tried to include as many different independents across Birmingham and Solihull as we possibly can, and choices at as many different price points as we can, to give you as many gift options as possible. And we’ll keep adding to this guide, updating it every few days to include EVEN MORE amazing independents for you to support.

As we do every year, we have split them into categories to make it even easier to discover the perfect gift for every single recipient on your list.

Settle in with a cuppa and a mince pie because this is going to be a long one – it’s a bumper edition. Have a scroll through the guide, pick out a whole bunch of gift ideas created by Brum’s very best indies and handmade with love, support local in a massive way, and then give the gift of local this Christmas

Without further ado, here’s Independent Birmingham’s Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2023…

FOR THE FOODIE

We all have that special someone in our lives who is obsessed with food. Always going out to the best restaurants, taking Instagram snaps of their food, and cooking up a storm in their own kitchen trying to recreate their favourite dishes from their favourite restaurants. If this sounds familiar, then you’ll want to get them one of these gifts.

Note: most independents (including lots of fantastic restaurants, bars, shops and services) will be offering some form of gift voucher at this time of year. This gift guide is already a (very) lengthy one, so we won’t include every single independent who is offering a gift voucher. If you have a favourite independent you want to share with your loved ones, or they have a favourite place themselves, a gift voucher makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift that they can enjoy at a later date.

FOR THE ONE WHO LIKES IT HOT: PIP’S HOT SAUCE X BONEHEAD SLEIGHER HOT SAUCE – £6

The legendary Pip’s Hot Sauce is the perfect gift for those who like all things spicy. There are a number of delicious sauces you can choose from, with differing levels of heat, and a taster gift set too. But our pick of the bunch this year is this awesome Christmas collab with BoneHead.

BOXES OF BAKED GOODIES AND COFFEE: PAUSE – PRICES TBC

If you know someone who is obsessed with the baked goodies and coffee at Pause, this is the perfect gift! Keep your eyes peeled for when these gift bundles drop as we’re pretty sure they’ll sell out super fast.

G+J HAMPER SELECTION FROM GRACE & JAMES – £75

Meat, cheese and wine in a hamper is the perfect foodie gift all wrapped up and ready to go – so you can sit back and relax, knowing you’ve smashed it. Plus, you can customise the choice of wine (red, white or sparkling) to suit the recipient’s tastes. Perfect. *Adds to basket*

THE TOFFS CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX FROM TOFFS BY ROB PALMER – £120

Solihull’s finest Toffs By Rob Palmer have created a selection of luxurious gift hampers which are packed full of delicious goodies and perfect for the foodie in your life.

CHEESE, MEAT AND WINE GIFT PACKAGES FROM ARCH 13 – FROM £36.50

Arch 13 are known for their amazing cheeseboards, so for the cheese lover in your life, one of their filled totes is a no-brainer of a gift.

A Purnell’s Apron – £25

For the budding chef of the household, get them a Purnell’s Apron so they can keep their clothes free from spills and look stylish as they whip up some magic in the kitchen.

PIZZA AND COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT SMOKE + ASH – £50

Edgbaston’s Smoke + Ash serve up some of the very best pizzas in Brum. Fact. And now you can learn to make their epic pies yourself with their pizza and cocktail masterclass. Fun for couples, fun for mates, fun for everyone – who wouldn’t want to learn to make mouth-watering pizzas and delicious cocktails? The perfect gift for that foodie in your life looking to up their home-cooking game.

COOKERY CLASSES AT LOAF – FROM £80

If you have a wannabe chef in your life, no matter what their skill level is, there’s a class for them at the brilliant Loaf. Grab a voucher so they can choose the class they want to attend and help them learn something new (and maybe they’ll cook a delicious meal for you with their newfound skills). *If they’re all sold out, more dates will be released in December – sign up here to be notified when they drop.

IN DELHI, IT POURS: INDICO STREET KITCHEN – £30

If you know a budding chef looking to try their hand at some tasty new recipes, you can get them this fantastic debut book by Indico Street Kitchen featuring recipes for Indico’s staple Punjabi dishes alongside 30 heart-warming fictional stories. Level up the gift by adding in their signature spice blends to help recreate their dishes.

EUREKA COOKBOOK: SIMPSONS – £38

Michelin-starred chef Andreas Antona has poured 80 fabulous recipes into this cookbook which foodies will love to open on Christmas Day. The book features a collection of starters, mains and desserts as well as basics and staples.

CHOCOLATE MAKING EXPERIENCE AT THE CHOCOLATE QUARTER – £150 per couple (groups available too)

For the chocaholic – what could be better than your very own chocolate making experience. Two hour experience includes introduction, truffle making masterclass, a chocolate feast featuring fondue and Prosecco, and your own handmade truffles to take home.

PREMIUM ASSORTED BAKLAVA BOX: DAMASCENA – £16.95

Know someone who loves Baklava? Get them a box of their favourite treats from Damascena and put a smile on their face this Christmas.

BONEHEAD MERCH – £6-25

Everyone’s favourite fried chicken dive bar also happens to sell some seriously cool merch. For the BoneHead fan in your life. We have a bunch of their t-shirts ourselves and not only are they mega cool, they’re mega cosy.

PHOTO: IG: @GREGMILNERPHOTOGRAPHY

FESTIVE BAKED GOODS AT SILVER TREE BAKERY – VARIOUS PRICES

Head to the awesome Silver Tree Bakery closer to Christmas to pick up some gorgeous baked goodies and make up your own little treat box for someone special. Whilst you’re there, you can pick up some goodies for yourself too, right?

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING FROM BEKI’S BROWNIES – VARIOUS PRICES

The lovely Beki’s Brownies is sadly closing at the end of the year. Beki will be taking a few bespoke orders for Christmas and you can catch her at a couple of events before Christmas so keep an eye on her page for any announcements and get in touch with her directly for bespoke enquiries. She plans to do one final website re-stock in the new year with a few last brownies and goodies too.

SUSHI MASTERCLASS AT YAKINORI – £75 PER PERSON

Know someone who loves sushi? Book them in for a sushi making masterclass at the brilliant Yakinori in Solihull for an unforgettable experience learning how to make their favourite food. Start with a Japanese breakfast, followed by a 2-hour class preparing nigiri, sushi rolls, temaki hand rolls, sashimi, maki and futomaki. Enjoy your sushi and finish with a shot of sake!

VEGAN BAKED GOODIES: FROM THE GROUND BAKERY – from £3.50

Grab some mouth-watering baked goods from the ace From The Ground Bakery and treat your favourite person to a stash of amazing festive sweet treats. If you want to spoil a vegan friend this Christmas place an order online and have them delivered to your door just in time for the big day (or head to Red Brick Market to shop in person).

HAMPERS FROM CASH & CASH CO – PRICES IN STORE

This brilliant modern general store has some lovely gifts as well as foodie essentials and they will be creating some delightful hampers this year. Follow them on Instagram to find out more about when these will be available.

SMOKED MEATS FROM LOW ‘N’ SLOW TO GO – FROM £18

Give the gift of delicious smoked meats from BBQ King Low ‘N’ Slow this Christmas. Any meat lover’s dream!

AUTHENTIC BALTI BOWL FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BALTI BOWL CO – £28.99

The perfect gift for a curry lover – these authentic balti bowls only get better the more you use them.

SPICE MIX BUNDLE FROM MATT COOPER BITES – £28.95

If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to that balti bowl, why not grab some of these brilliant spice mixes so your pal can cook up some curries in style.

GIFTS FOR FOODIES FROM THE EARLY BIRD BAKERY – FROM £4

Pre-order your festive baked goodies now and get ahead for Christmas. From cinnamon roll boxes (ideal for a quick and tasty breakfast on Christmas morning) to super cute mince pie boxes (a great gift to whoever’s hosting) or show-stopper puds for an alternative to Christmas pudding, The Early Bird Bakery have you covered. Make sure you head over there to check out the delicious seasonal cakes and bakes available for delivery and in-store collection.

CHRISTMAS BOX: AKTAR AT HOME – £370

Give the gift of curry this Christmas! £370 might seem like a lot but these boxes contain a SERIOUS amount of food. So if you know someone catering for a larger group this year, send them this box and do the hard work for them. Or, if you’re having a smaller celebration you can order individual curries (great for stocking up the freezer). Delicious!

DELICIOUS PASTRIES: LEVAIN & CHERRY – FROM £1

Pre-order some delicious goodies from the awesome Levain & Cherry for a pastry-lover in your life and they’ll be very happy indeed. Pre-orders close on Sunday 10 December so get in quick, or try your luck in-store closer to the big day. Find the link to pre-order in their Instagram bio.

SAREHOLE MILL BAKES & CAKES: SAREHOLE MILL – £9.99

Featuring 30 delicious recipes that are fun for the whole family, this lovely little book is a great gift for a baker.

RAID THE LARDER AT BAKERY AT HAMPTON MANOR AND CREATE YOUR OWN GIFT HAMPER – VARIOUS PRICES

Festive hampers are always a very awesome gift to receive. If you fancy making your own bespoke hamper (for those extra brownie points), Hampton Manor Bakery stock all manner of goodies in their larder. We’re talking local honey, cheeses, cured meats, wines, bread, chocolate, coffee and (of course) plenty of glorious baked goods (their cinnamon rolls are heavenly). And while you’re there, you may as well treat yourself to a coffee and some baked goods – ’tis the season, after all.

CHRISTMAS GOODIES: ON THE BREAD LINE – PRICES IN STORE

Head on over to the fantastic On the Bread Line to pick up some cute (and super tasty) festive goodies for all your friends and family (and maybe a treat for yourself too – it is Christmas after all).

BAKED GOODIES: MEDICINE BAKERY – PRICES IN STORE

We just love baked goods as gifts, and here in Birmingham we’re spoilt for choice on where to get them from. You can’t go wrong with the sensational goodies from Medicine though – gift them to everyone you can think of.

CHRISTMAS PRODUCE BOXES FROM BOROUGH & FOX – FROM £25

Skip the gifts that no one really needs and instead, pre-order one of these lovely boxes full of fresh produce with all the essentials for a Christmas feast and give it to whoever is hosting. A thoughtful contribution towards the festivities is a great gift.

FOR THE DRINKS LOVER

If you know someone who loves their booze, we have some excellent suggestions for you. Whether they love to shake up their own cocktails or they fancy themselves as a bit of a sommelier, we have a gift for them all.

WHISKY TASTING FROM GRAIN & GLASS – FROM £30

Know someone who loves whisky? Get them a voucher for a whisky tasting with those in the know and they can up their knowledge and enjoy a fun evening out.

ENJOY COCKTAILS FROM PASSING FANCIES IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME – VARIOUS PRICES

Passing Fancies is one of the very best bars in the UK (with co-founder Matt being ranked the number 2 bartender in the ENTIRE WORLD). We’re lucky to have such a great bar in Brum, and now you can enjoy their glorious cocktails at home. Simply pop them in the freezer and then pour out over ice when you fancy a delicious drink. Wonderful. Orders open from 12pm on 1 December (more details on their IG page).

FOR THE WINE LOVER IN YOUR LIFE: A WINE SUBSCRIPTION FROM LOKI – FROM £95 every 2 months

If you REALLY want to spoil the wine lover in your life, gift them a wine subscription from Loki. Featuring a selection of wines (choose 6 or 12 bottles) delivered every month or every 2 months, handpicked by Phil ensuring a blend of timeless classics and hidden treasures that reflect the current season.

IRISH WHISKEY TASTING AT FOX AND CHANCE – £50 per person

Whiskey fan? Treat them to a whiskey tasting experience at Fox & Chance. They’ll taste 5 different whiskies and enjoy two Irish whiskey cocktails, including an Irish coffee, as well as learning more about the history of Irish Whiskey.

BOTTLE OF PISCO: CHAKANA – FROM £25

If you know someone who loves drinking Pisco sours – grab them a lovely bottle of Pisco from Chakana for them to make their favourite drink at home.

WINE BY THE BOTTLE FROM CONNOLLY’S – FROM £6.95

If your recipient has a favourite wine or likes to discover new ones, head to Connolly’s to pick out a fantastic bottle. You have to walk through Arch 13 to get to the shop, so stopping for a mouth-watering meat and cheese board with a glass of wine is basically mandatory. Connolly’s also offer a wonderful subscription service too – so sign up someone you know who loves their wine and bless their year with amazing bottles!

BRINGING SESHY BACK T-SHIRT: GLASSHOUSE BEER CO – £20

Beer fan? Get them this stylish tee from Glasshouse Beer Co.

NATURAL WINE BY THE BOTTLE FROM WINE FREEDOM – FROM £10

If you know someone who loves natural wine, there’s no better place to grab them a gift than the brilliant Wine Freedom.

MANGO PALE ALE PACK OF 4 FROM THE INDIAN STREATERY – £19

You can’t go wrong with some tasty beers for a beer loving pal and this bundle from The Indian Streatery will go down a treat!

FOR THE CRAFT BEER AFICIONADO HEAD TO STIRCHLEY WINES AND SPIRITS TO PICK UP SOME UNUSUAL BOTTLES/CANS – FROM AROUND £2

Why not pick out a few different cans or bottles for the craft beer lover you know and make up your own little craft beer hamper. Head to Stirchley Wines for an unrivalled selection.

They also stock a beer advent calendar with 24 amazing beers for you to enjoy in the lead-up to Christmas. Grab yours here.

SAKE BY THE BOTTLE: KOKUSHU – FROM £14

Know someone who loves Sake? Grab them a delightful bottle of their favourite drink, hand selected by local Sake expert Sam Boulton and they’re bound to be thrilled with your thoughtful gift.

BIRMINGHAM LAGER FROM INDIAN BREWERY – FROM £9.95

This delicious brew comes in packs of 4, 12 or 24 and is a firm favourite among many beer-loving Brummies. Grab some for your mates and then they’ll be pleased as punch.

ENGLISH SINGLE POT STILL VODKA FROM SPIRIT OF BIRMINGHAM – £41

This award-winning vodka is made right here in our lovely Brum – the ideal gift for any drinks lover and the perfect addition to the festive drinks cabinet.

CHRISTMAS HAMPER FROM ATTIC BREW CO – £24.99

The ace Attic Brew Co have made gifting super easy this year with their Christmas Hampers! We love it when gifts come ready packaged for us – it takes out all the hard work. This is the ideal gift for a craft beer fan. Collection only.

BURNING SOUL BREWING CANS: BURNING SOUL BREWING COMPANY – FROM £3

Know someone who loves Burning Soul? Get them a selection of their favourite cans and you can’t go wrong. Their Ice Cream Pale Ale is outrageously good.

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT THE VICTORIA – £25 PER PERSON (MINIMUM OF 2 PEOPLE)

If you know a cocktail fanatic who’d like to brush up on their skills, or someone who just loves a tipple or two, what could be more fun than a cocktail masterclass with the pros at The Victoria?

THE FESTIVE MIX FROM BIRMINGHAM BREWING COMPANY – £27.50

Christmas beer? What’s not to love! This mix of some of Birmingham Brewing Company’s best sellers is the ideal gift for any craft beer aficionado in your life. 12 cans including 3 of their Merry Brummie – the perfect Christmas beer.

GIN, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING AT 40 ST PAUL’S – £32.50 PER PERSON

Three of our absolute favourite things, all in one. In this tasting, five gins are expertly paired with award-winning cheeses and handmade chocolate truffles. The experience lasts for 2 hours. Email to enquire.

SOMMAR BREWERY Beanie – £14.95

Combine their love of beer with a practical gift that will keep them toastie this winter and get them this fun Sommar Brewery beanie.

BURNING BARN GIFT SET: BURNING BARN RUM – £16

A great little gift for someone who likes rum, this gift set contains three 5cl bottles of Burning Barn Rum (1 each of Spiced Rum, Smoked Rum and Honey And Rum Liqueur). Help them discover their new favourite rum!

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER

We all know someone who can’t function before their first (or maybe third) coffee in the morning, who frequents the city’s finest coffee shops in search of that perfect cup. If this sounds familiar, here’s our pick of the best gifts for a caffeine lover.

COFFEE CLASS: WAYLAND’S YARD – FROM £40

If you have a budding barista in your life, give them gift of a coffee class at the brilliant Wayland’s Yard. They’ll learn everything from the origin of coffee to the science of espresso and even the basics of latte art!

COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION FROM QUARTER HORSE COFFEE – FROM £31.50

Coffee obsessed? A coffee subscription from the brilliant Quarter Horse Coffee is the gift that keeps on giving. Choose from 3, 6 or 12 months worth of delicious coffee for your coffee loving friend.

BAGS OF COFFEE FROM FACULTY COFFEE – VARIOUS PRICES

The lovely folks over at Faculty Coffee always have an excellent range of bagged coffee, beans and brewing equipment to peruse on their retail shelf in store. Next time you pop in for a coffee stock up on some excellent gifts for the coffee fans in your life.

SELF CARE GIFT SET FROM NGOPI – £20

The ultimate coffee gift set, packaged and ready to slip under the tree, featuring soaps made from coffee grounds, a coffee scented candle and 5 different coffees to try.

FOR THE CULTURE VULTURE

Is there a special someone in your life that loves to go the theatre, is always catching the latest exhibitions, or loves their music? Well, we have some ideas to make their Christmas the best one yet. If you have someone on your list who loves all things culture, then choose one of these gifts for them and show them how much you care.

TICKETS TO THE NUTCRACKER BY BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – FROM £25

There is nothing quite as magical at this time of year than watching the incredibly talented dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet performing The Nutcracker. It’s a Christmas classic and a truly unmissable show, but it finishes its run on 9 December so get booking fast. If you miss out, there are lots of other incredible shows you can get tickets to.

PHOTO: BELLA KOTAK

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – VARIOUS PRICES

If you know a theatre lover, a gift voucher for Birmingham Hippodrome is a wonderful gift. From musicals to ballet and spoken word to comedy, there’s an incredible programme of events on next year and a gift voucher allows them to pick their favourite show to enjoy.

MEMBERSHIPS AT BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE – FROM £45

Theatre buff in your life? Get them a membership to The REP so they can enjoy a full year of amazing benefits. Perks include: priority booking, up to 15% off tickets, exclusive member events and more.

PHOTO: DAVE MUSSON

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE – CHOICE OF VALUE

For the arts fan in your life, a gift voucher for MAC is a great gift, and you can choose the value you wish to gift. With a packed programme of exhibitions, screenings, performances and events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy whether they’re a cinema lover or a modern art fan, an avid theatre-goer or a fan of comedy.

LOVE THEIR MUSIC? HEAD TO A LOCAL RECORD SHOP SUCH AS SWORDFISH RECORDS AND PICK UP SOME UNUSUAL RECORDS FOR THEM – FROM £5

For the music fan in your life, there’s nothing like hunting down a hard to find, limited edition record – or picking up something to add to their growing collection. Either way, Swordfish Records is the place to go.

MEMBERSHIPS TO THE ELECTRIC CINEMA – FROM £40

Got a big cinema fan in your life? Get them a membership to UK’s oldest working cinema and they can enjoy a number of perks from free tickets to discounts on food and drink and more!

NEW AND PRE-LOVED RECORDS: ARTUM – VARIOUS PRICES

Another great option for the music fan in your life is the ace Artum (found in Hockley Social Club). Head in store to discover some musical treasures. And then stay for their delicious cocktails and wines, of course.

BIRMINGHAM THE BRUTIFUL YEARS: IKON GALLERY BOOKSHOP – £25

There’s nothing quite like flicking through a fascinating new book and the place to go to find the best books to gift is The Ikon Gallery Shop. They have loads of amazing books on all manner of topics from art to architecture and more, as well as a fantastic selection of gifts made by local creatives. Go check out their shop now and we guarantee you’ll find some special gifts.

RECORDS AT POLAR BEAR RECORDS – PRICES IN STORE

Yet another fantastic record shop – Polar Bear Records is well worth a browse to discover some true hidden gems for a music lover.

Photo: Brum On Brum

WALK BIRMINGHAM BOOK BY BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY – £9.99

BMAG might be tempoarily closed but you can still support them by purchasing your Christmas gifts through their online shop. If you know a keen walker or a history lover, this book is a great gift. Filled with 20 glorious walks around Birmingham designed to help you experience the city’s history.

FOR THE JEWELLERY WEARER

Looking to buy something for a loved one who loves wearing jewellery? Well we have suggestions for them too. Whatever their style – classic or quirky, minimal or maximal, there’s a great suggestion out there. From chic and timeless, to fun and vibrant, here are some great local jewellery makers.

TIMELESS ART DECO JEWELS: V BY LAURA VANN – FROM £30

V By Laura Vann make beautiful art deco-inspired jewellery, foregoing fashion trends and opting for timeless designs that will be treasured forever, such as the iconic Luna Gold Circle Stud Earrings pictured below (£60).

DAISY HOOP EARRINGS: LOVE KIKI DESIGNS – £14

Fun and colourful jewellery made from clay and resin are Love Kiki Designs’ speciality. We just love these fun daisy earrings for a super cute adornment to your lobes.

RETRO RUDOLPH EARRINGS BY FRILLY INDUSTRIES – £25

If you know someone who loves all things Christmas, these statement earrings are a show-stopper.

ALRIGHT BAB NECKLACE FROM WORKING CLASP – FROM £20

For the proud Brummie in your life, this necklace makes a fun gift. It also comes in a range of colours to choose from, including some festive glittery colour ways.

PERSONALISED THIS LITTLE HEART OF MINE NECKLACE FROM BUFF JEWELLERY – FROM £40

This gorgeous, dainty heart necklace can be personalised with up to two initials (one on the front and one on the back) for that extra special, personal touch. Available in gold, rose gold or silver, this will be a sentimental piece to be treasured.

BIJOU PEARL DROP PARTY SZN STARS FROM NO BASIC BOUTIQUE – £20

Know someone who loves a bit of sparkle? These earrings are the perfect gift and can be worn long after the festive season is over. They come in gold too!

SPIRAL SHELL NECKLACE: HANNAH KYRIAKOU – FROM £35.50

Hannah is a trained silversmith and jeweller making beautiful jewellery inspired by the natural world. This stunning spiral shell necklace (centre) is available in both sterling silver and 24ct gold plated.

ANNIE NECKLACE BY LITTLE LOVERS: RBSA GALLERY – £72

This beautiful pendant would be a lovely gift for a jewellery lover. Check out the RBSA Gallery shop for more jewellery, ceramics, textiles and other gifts – they have a great selection of unique pieces, lots made by local artists.

TINY SILVER FLYING BEE COIN NECKLACE: RACHEL WHITEHEAD JEWELLERY – £115

Rachel’s gorgeous jewellery is inspired by the beauty and magic of the British summertime. From flowers and strawberries to acorns and bees, there are lots of pretty designs to choose from.

SILVER MOTH RING: THE NINE OF HEARTS JEWELLERY – £135

Bryony’s beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery are inspired by her love of skulls, antiquities and all things vintage. She hand crafts each piece herself, right here in Birmingham.

FOR SELF-CARE, BEAUTY AND GROOMING

From soaps to candles and beard kits, here are some suggestions for those who like a little pampering or could do with a relaxing treat.

‘THE BEARD MAN – HYDRATE’ GIFT BOX FROM SHEPHERDS – £65

Shepherds have a great range of gifts for the well-groomed gent in your life. Choose from one of their ready-made gift boxes like this one or pick up something from their wide range of grooming products. Find them in Piccadilly Arcade or shop online.

MINI FACE RITUAL: HARVEST – £39

The winter months can be harsh on our skin. Gift one of Harvest’s mini face ritual sets (choose from calming, nourishing or balancing) for a little luxury treat. Their candles make great gifts too, and smell amazing.

WINTER CANDLE FROM CHIESA CANDLES – £20

You just can’t go wrong with a lovely candle as a gift and these hand-poured organic candles are fragranced with wintery scents such as eucalyptus, pine and peppermint.

BEE HAPPY GIFT SET: LET IT BEE – £22

This lovely little pampering set features a pair of pure beeswax candles, a hand balm, a lip balm and a handmade soap. These all natural products are made using honey and beeswax from local hives.

CAPT FAWCETT POST SHAVE BALM THE BARBER HOUSE – £18

If you know someone who likes to keep their facial hair in tip-top condition, a gift from The Barber House, like this soothing post-shave balm, is the perfect choice.

FOR THE FASHIONISTA

Want a gift to make the most stylish person in your life happy? We have just the thing. Whether they’re into the latest styles or love accessories, there are plenty of choices that don’t involve heading to the usual high street stores. Here are our top picks for fashionable finds.

PROVIDE HAND BEANIE FROM PROVIDE – £30

Design aficionados, Provide, create some of the finest merch we’ve seen. Following a re-brand, they’ve just launched a new collection including this delightful beanie – as practical as it is stylish, and a great gift.

FOR CLASSIC CLOTHES THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE: LIQUOR STORE

Liquor Store is your one stop shop for all those high quality, timeless wardrobe staples and have you covered from head to toe. For the fashionista in your life you can’t go wrong with a gift from here.

O.P.M. SOCKS: ORIGINAL PATTY MEN – £10

Everyone loves a new pair of socks at Christmas! For the burger fan in your life, these cheeky socks will be just the ticket.

TOTE BAG: THE NIGHT OWL – £5

Everyone needs a cool tote bag or two in their lives and this chic version featuring the logo of legenedary Northern Soul club, The Night Owl, is just the ticket.

LEATHER CREDIT CARD SLIP, HANDMADE RIGHT HERE IN BRUM: B18 LEATHER – £33

Handmade and stylish, but also practical, these credit card slips are a great little thoughtful gift.

TOTE BAG – EAT VIETNAM – £20

Emblazoned with their iconic phrase ‘Fish Sauce Is Not For Everyone’, this Eat Vietnam tote bag is practical and fun – our favourite combo.

HANDMADE COSMETIC BAG: SOFT ACCENTS – £9

Whether travelling or keeping the bathroom tidy, a great wash bag or make-up bag is a must. These beautiful handmade cosmetic bags make a lovely gift.

FOR THE BUDDING INTERIOR DESIGNER

Need a gift for the interiors lover in your life? We’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who is houseproud and loves to add those special touches to their home, we have some great suggestions from amazing local designers and retailers. Find them something they can treasure forever and put in pride of place in their home.

SNAKE PLANT: ISHERWOOD & CO – £32.50

A houseplant makes a lovely gift at any time. Find a beautiful selection of plants at Isherwood and Co, including the (hard to kill) Snake Plant. Ours is still alive, so it must be hard to kill…

SCENTED CANDLES: HOUSE OF TWO TREES – FROM £14

Candles always make a great gift and these hand-poured, vegan, small-batch candles are made right here in Brum and smell delightful.

WAVE CADDIES FROM KT ROBBINS CERAMICS – £51.50

Local potter, Katie, creates the most beautiful hand-thrown ceramics (mugs, vases, candle holders and more) in small batches. They sell out quickly so keep your eyes peeled (and sign up to her newsletter) for when she updates her shop. We have absolutely LOADS of her vases, they’re stunning, and these sweet little jars caught our eye in her latest shop update.

DIY WREATH KIT: BLOSSOM BY KAYLEIGH – £45 + P&P

For a lovely festive gift for the home, a DIY wreath kit is fun. The recipient will have fun getting creative and making a beautiful wreath for their home. DM Kayleigh to order.

PRINTS: CHANCE & COUNTERS – FROM £15

Got a board game fan in your life? One of these fun prints from Chance & Counters will brighten up their walls.

BLACK AND WHITE FABRIC CABLE JAM JAR LAMP: THE WORKSHOP BELOW – £35

These industrial style jam jar lamps make a stylish addition to any room. Choose from a range of different coloured cables to fit the decor of your loved one’s home and light up their Christmas.

DEER’S LEAP: LUCKY PABLO – FROM £15

Fun, bright and quirky artwork for the fun, bright and quirky individual in your life. These lovely, cheerful prints make a great gift.

CEMENT DESK ORGANISER: BIRMINGHAM DESIGN SHOP – £10

Birmingham Design Shop is a treasure trove off unique design related gifts from books to coffee cups, lots of Brum merch and more. We like this sleek desk organiser. It’s giving brutalist vibes.

MAKE-AT-HOME WREATH KITS FROM IN BLOOM FLOWER STUDIO – FROM £49.99

A thoughtful Christmas gift for a flower-loving friend, these make-at-home wreath kits include all of the essentials to create a beautiful Christmas decoration whilst having a merry time! Ready made wreaths are available too!

ZERO FOX GIVEN PRINT: MY VINTAGE PRINTS – £4.99

Cheeky and fun – this print is a fun addition to any blank space that needs filling.

HOUSEPLANTS: THE JUNGLE CLUB – VARIOUS PRICES

The fantastic The Jungle Club is a haven of beautiful houseplants. If you have a green-fingered loved one on your list (or even a plant lover with a track record of killing plants), head to their Moseley store to pick out the perfect plant, big or small.

You can get a FREE baby houseplant when you spend £10 or more at The Jungle Club with the Independent Birmingham App too – a perfect little gift for a loved one.

ARTWORK AND MORE FROM STIR STORES – PRICES IN STORE

Stir Stores is known as Stirchley’s brightest hangout for good reason. If you know someone who likes all things bright and colourful then head to Stir Stores to pick up some unique artwork.

MY NAME IS PRINT: KNOWN AS UNKNOWN – £50

Hip-Hop fan? Get them this fun ‘My Name Is’ print, featuring 96 rap superstars with the names their moms gave them. There are lots of other fun pop-culture prints available too.

SPROUT CHRISTMAS DECORATION: ROOT 13 – £5

The ace Root 13 have lots of lovely homeware including a good selection of stylish pots for all of your houseplants. They also stock other cute bits and bobs including some fun decorations like these sprouts – a great little stocking filler.

&Tradition Collect Plant Pot (MEDIUM): KIN – £30

You can’t go wrong with a stylish plant pot as a gift for a homebody and these minimal pots come in three sizes and neutral colours so they are sure to fit in with any home style. Kin have a gorgeous selection of gifts perfect for design lovers, so have a browse on their website and see what else you can find.

KINTO CERAMIC LAB MUG: MINIMA – £13.50

Mugs are another gift that you can’t go wrong with and this sleek and stylish mug will have the coffee enthusiast in your life swooning.

COOEE DESIGN CERAMIC VASE: HEDGE – FROM £25

From napkins and soaps to ceramics and jewellery, Hedge has a beautifully curated selection of homewares and gifts (and Christmas wreaths too). These vases are a slightly more unusual design than your typical vase – a great statement but subtle piece for a flower lover.

ESSENTIAL BRUM MERCH

This is possibly our favourite category. If you know someone who is born and bred Brummie, and damn proud of it (as they jolly well should be), then we have some incredible gift ideas for you. Made by Brummies, for Brummies, this is a selection of gifts that give a not-so-subtle nod to our hometown and will definitely put a smile on the face of that special someone on the big day.

OZZY THE BULL PRINT BY BRUMHAUS – FROM £55

Everyone loves a Brumhaus! We can’t get enough of this awesome print of everyone’s favourite bull in Brumhaus’ signature style. Check out his shop for more beautiful designs.

Ozzy THE BULL BIRMINGHAM BLACK SWEATSHIRT: ROTUNDA INDUSTRIES – £35

The brilliant Rotunda Industries have some awesome, and super stylish Brummie merch on their site. This cosy sweatshirt featuring the iconic Commonwealth Games Bull Mascot, Ozzy, is just one of their lovely designs and would make a great gift.

PEAKY BLINDERS ILLUSTRATED MAP BY TOM WOOLLEY – £20

A fun print for that Peaky Blinders fan in your life – this beautifully illustrated map by brilliant local artist Tom Woolley is the perfect gift.

PRINTS: THE URBAN GIANT – PRICE ON REQUEST

The Urban Giant creates some truly awesome illustrations, and you can DM him to order prints. We love this sketch of the old Central Library (R.I.P.) but there are loads to choose from.

GIFT VOUCHER FOR TOURS BY ROUNDHOUSE BIRMIMGHAM – FROM £10

A great experience for anyone to learn more about their favourite city in ways you’ve never seen before. A gift voucher for Roundhouse Birmingham can be redeemed against any of their unique experiences like a paddleboard or kayak tour of the canals. Awesome!

MR EGG PIN BADGE: I CHOOSE BIRMINGHAM – £8

Our pals over at I Choose Birmingham have created a selection of awesome pin badges – perfect for Brum loving friends. It doesn’t get more iconic than this Mr Egg one.

DIGITAL ART PRINT: LUX GALLERY – FROM £80

From ceramics and jewellery to photographic prints and unique pieces of artwork, Lux Gallery has a wonderful array of potential gifts. We fell in love with this stunning digital artwork of the Library of Birmingham by Ruth Salton and think it would look amazing on someone’s wall!

PRINTS: THE CRAFTY BRUM – FROM £15

These pretty watercolour and fine line prints from The Crafty Brum feature a whole host of Birmingham landmarks and are perfect for your Brum-loving pals. We love this Floozie in the Jacuzzi one, but there are lots of others to choose from (including BT Tower, Pigeon Park, The Cadbury Factory and more).

BRUMMIE GIFT BOXES: FROM BRUM WITH LOVE – FROM £25

From Brum With Love are an independent gift box company who gather together a selection of lovely Brummie goodies and package them up in a ready-made gift box. Perfect if you’re busy but still want that special touch, just select the appropriate box and job done!

PEAKY BLINDERS TEA TOWEL FROM DOT MOTH – £10

Practical, fun and showing off your Birmingham roots. We LOVE these tea towels! Perfect for a Peaky Blinders obsessed Brummie.

BRUM BRUM PRINT FROM PICKLE ILLUSTRATION – FROM £20

0121 you need to get one of these prints for your Brummie pals.

JINGLE BABS GLITTER TEE FROM PUNKS AND CHANCERS – £28

If you don’t have at least one Punks and Chancers tee, are you even a Brummie? This fun and festive eco glitter tee is the ideal addition to everyone’s wardrobe.

EAT VIETNAM PRINT: JD ALLEN ART – £25

We’ve fallen head over heels for James Allen’s fun prints of our favourite Birmingham independents. Level up your wall art game and gain extra Brummie points by collecting them all.

VINTAGE TRAVEL POSTER PRINTS BY DRAW MY CITY – £20 – 24

We love a vintage travel poster and these ones by the talented Stacey Barnfield (of Draw My City) are the perfect addition to any Brummie’s home. Other landmarks and print styles are available too.

BOURNVILLE PRINT BY MILAN ILLUSTRATOR – £20

We’ve been massive fans of Milan Illustrator for many years (he even designed one of our old Independent Birmingham Membership Cards). This print is the perfect present for any loved one or friend who lives in Bournville and loves to represent their ‘burb.

KING OF BORDESLEY JUNCTION A4 PRINT: ANNATOMIX – £40

Annatomix’s iconic artwork is legendary across the city. Gift a Brummie friend one of these lovely prints so they can have a beautiful Annatomix artwork of their own. Check out the online store for more awesome prints too!

LUMINATE TRAIL: BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS – FROM £12.25 (children) and £16.75 (adults)

Give the gift of magic this Christmas and gift someone tickets to the brilliant light trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens (on until 2 January). They can explore the mesmerising illuminated displays around this iconic Brummie venue for an experience like no other.

BIRMINGHAM ALPHABET PRINT BY YETI CARDS AND GIFTS – FROM £18

An A-Z of all things Brum? We’ll take 10 of these prints please. And then we’ll gift them to everyone we know.

BENNY’S BABBIES POSTER (CREATED BY COLD WAR STEVE) FROM BMAG – £15

This poster screams FUN from the top of the Rotunda. All of our favourite Brummies in one poster, surrounded by our favourite Birmingham landmarks? We couldn’t have dreamed anything better.

BIRMINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS FROM TALENTED LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER ROSS JUKES – FROM £50

Ross Jukes is known for his striking photographs of Birmingham and one of his prints makes a very welcome addition to any home.

BLACK TONG LAU BUILDING T-SHIRT: BLOW WATER CAFE – £30

Casual Hong Kong eatery Blow Water Cafe makes some yummy yummy food, and they also have some cool merch! Grab one of these tees for a Brummie foodie friend.

PARADISE 1974-2016 BY DAVID ROWAN: FLATPACK FESTIVAL – £22.99

This is an evocative flip-book journey through six decades in the life of Birmingham’s most contested patch of land. The book also includes an essay on the history of Chamberlain Square by Ian Francis. A gift for architecture, history, brutalist or Birmingham fans alike.

BIRMINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS FROM TALENTED LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER SAM HENDERSON – PRICE ON REQUEST

Sam Henderson captures some truly stunning scenes in Brum and you can request them as prints through his Insta page.

HARE & HOUNDS PRINT: FAYE QUINN DESIGN – FROM £10

A beautiful piece of art for the wall encapsulating their favourite Birmingham pub – what’s not to love? Prints of The Old Crown, The Prince of Wales and The Fighting Cocks are also available.

MINI DIGBETH PRINT GIFT BOX: ABBIE SEVERN – FROM £10

These A5 mini Digbeth prints make the perfect gifts – choose your favourite as a stocking filler, secret santa or thoughtful gift.

BIRMINGHAM BLUE HOUR PRINT FROM TALENTED LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER VERITY MILLIGAN – FROM £75

Verity Milligan captures the beauty of Brum like no one else. Her stunning photographs are available as prints and make a lovely gift.

A MATTER OF OPINION PRINT BY PAUL STRINGER – FROM £10

Another brilliantly talented local photographer, Paul Stringer, also sells beautiful prints of Birmingham. Pick up a wonderful, striking photographic print for your friend/family’s walls.

SNOBS T-SHIRT – £10

We all know someone who loves a night at Snobs (who doesn’t, right?) but did you know you can buy them merch?! A great secret santa gift – this t-shirt is a must.

STOCKING FILLERS

Sometimes those little extras are the best bits. The small stocking fillers that have had just as much thought behind them as the bigger gifts can be just as fun and exciting – and we have a great selection of stocking fillers for you.

SANTA MILK HOT CHOCOLATE SPOON FROM THE CHOCOLATE QUARTER – £4.75

These cute Santa spoons can be melted into a cup of hot milk to create the most delicious and indulgent hot chocolate. A fun stocking filler for a chocolate fan.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: HOW BRAVE IS THE WREN – FROM £6.99

A sweet stocking filler for a child, a new story book from this fantastic children’s bookshop.

CLASSIC FUDGE FROM SWEETMEAT INC. – £3.60

Sweet tooth but not a big fan of chocolate? Get them some delicious fudge from Sweetmeat Inc. – it truly is the best fudge we’ve ever tasted.

ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS FROM THE BORROW SHOP – PRICES IN STORE

Head into The Borrow Shop to browse their selection of eco-friendly gifts from books to stationery and you might just find the perfect stocking filler.

BOOKS FROM GREEN HEART BOOKS – FROM £6.50

Who doesn’t love a wonderful new book to get stuck into? Green Heart Books (formerly The Bookshop On The Green) has a fantastic selection of bestsellers, fiction, non-fiction, and a particularly good children’s section. Whilst they search for new premises you can still shop online – and they have a Gift Guide to help you narrow down your search.

DONNIE DARKO ENAMEL PIN FROM THE MOCKINGBIRD CINEMA – £14

This awesome pin would be a great stocking filler for a film buff. Head to The Mockingbird’s website to view the other pins available too.

BOX OF CHRISTMAS MACAROONS FROM MISS MACAROON – FROM £13

Miss Macaroon make beautiful French macaroons and help to create employment opportunities for young people in need. A truly delicious taste-good and feel-good gift.

ZERO WASTE PAMPER ME PARCEL FROM THE CLEAN KILO – £29

Zero-waste supermarket The Clean Kilo are known for their eco credentials. If you’re looking for a lovely eco-friendly gift this year, check out their zero waste parcels.

A NEW BOOK FROM THE HEATH BOOKSHOP – FROM £6.64

A great new book to get stuck into is one of life’s little joys. Find something for everyone at The Heath Bookshop in Kings Heath (you can order online too).

BOX OF 6 CHARACTER CHOCOLATES FROM 1683 CHOCOLATE PLACE – £6

These little chocolates are as adorable as they are delicious. 1683 Chocolate Place have a whole range of luxury, artisan chocolate gifts to choose from, but these sweet little characters make a great stocking filler for kids and grown-ups alike.

THE MAGICAL ADVENTURES OF WHOOPS THE WONDER DOG BOOK BY GLYNN PURNELL – £6.99

A great little stocking filler for a child, this book by local chef and author Glynn Purnell is a heart-warming tale, paying homage to Glynn’s own Jack Russell, Whoops . You can even request a signed copy with a personal dedication via email.

HAND WARMERS FROM VESTA LIVING: £14

These cosy little hand-warmers can be re-used time and again for that friend who is always cold. Pop them in pockets and keep hands toasty. Vesta Living have lots of other eco-friendly gifts too.

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR JEWELLERY MAKING CLASSES AT THE QUARTERWORKSHOP – FROM £5

The Quarterworkshop offer fun jewellery making workshops where participants can learn new skills and create their own piece to treasure forever. Gift vouchers are available to put towards these classes.

HANDMADE NOTEBOOKS – BIRMINGHAM STATIONERY CO – FROM £20

Birmingham Stationery Co stock a range of beautiful stationery, but they also make some themselves. Their own range of notebooks come in gorgeous prints and patterns and can be personalised for a little extra.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AT BEAR BOOKSHOP – FROM £6.99

Bear Bookshop in Bearwood has lots of lovely stories for children for you to discover. Head in store to browse their range or shop online.

HANGING FELT MAGGIE SAUSAGE DOG DECORATION FROM LIV’S – £2.50

Dog lover? Get them one of these cute sausage dog decorations for their tree! Liv’s have an incredible selection of decorations as well as homeware, candles, gifts and more. It’s well worth a browse in store or online for some unique gifts.

HANDMADE COLOURING BOOK FROM ROOTS0121 – FROM £8

A fun stocking filler, this is not your average colouring book. Colouring can be very therapeutic and relaxing, and this is a quirky option.

ICE SPHERE MOULDS FROM DRIFTROOM – £14.99

For the cocktail lover in your life – help them up their at-home drinks game with these ice moulds. Driftroom have a great selection of quirky gifts to browse too – great for those hard-to-buy for people.

PEWTER DACHSHUND DOG KEY RING: SMITHSONIA – £16.95

Smithsonia may have closed their doors earlier this year but you can still find an awesome selection of gifts on their online shop so it’s well worth a browse to hunt out those unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. From jewellery to ceramics and lots more, they have a wide selection of special pieces to choose from.

HIMALAYAN SALT TEA LIGHT HOLDER FROM ZEN – £6

For the spiritual person in your life, you can’t beat a gift from Zen. From crystals to incense, they have it all, including this soothing himalayan rock salt tea light holder.

SET OF A5 KRAFT METALLIC WEATHER NOTEBOOKS: SPARROW AND WOLF – £12

A great little stocking filler for a stationery lover, you can’t go wrong with some stylish little notebooks.

BRUTALIST BIRMINGHAM STICKER PACK FROM THE BMAG SHOP – £1.60

We could have picked one of any number of amazing Birmingham-centric gifts that can be found on the brilliant BMAG Gift Shop online, but we couldn’t resist these fun stickers! Head to their shop to browse all sorts of wonderful gifts inspired by Birmingham, their museums, and the city’s history.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

For that extra little Brummie touch – send all of your out-of-town friends a little slice of your favourite city with a Brummie Christmas card.

CHRISTMAS BOURNVILLE CHOCOLATE BOX CARD: MilanIllustrator – £3.25

Milan’s signature illustrations make beautiful Christmas cards which will wow your loved ones.

MERRY XMAS BAB CARD FROM  SPARKLYMOUSE – £3

For something a little different to the usual snowy scenes and robins – festive colours, embroidered design, heartfelt greetings. Merry Xmas Bab!

BABMAS CARDS: PUNKS & CHANCERS – £2.75

For something a little more rebellious than the usual cutesy cards.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM BRUM CARD: BRUM BOX – £3

Brum Box have a fun range of Christmas cards to choose from but this is our favourite.

MERRY CHRISTMAS BAB PLANTABLE SEEDED CARD FROM BLOOMING HECK – £4.25

Brummie greetings printed on eco-friendly, plantable seed cards. The love lives on after the season is over.

BIRMINGHAM SKYLINE CHRISTMAS CARDS – MADEONTHECANAL – £4.50

Simple designs, Brummie landmarks and fun festive elements all combine to make a beautiful card.

GIFT VOUCHERS

Last but not least, most independents (including lots of fantastic restaurants, bars, shops and services) will be offering some form of gift voucher at this time of year. This gift guide is already a (very) lengthy one, so we won’t include every single independent who is offering a gift voucher. If you have a favourite independent you want to share with your loved ones, or they have a favourite place themselves, a gift voucher makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift that they can enjoy at a later date.

If you need some restaurant inspo, check out our Independent Birmingham App – scroll down the list of 170+ independents to find your faves (or discover new indies you’re yet to try) and then grab a gift voucher for them. Or use the IB App as your guide to supporting local and create your own wish list of restaurants, bars and pubs you want to visit and support this festive season. Either way you do it, you’re supporting local in style and we salute you.

SUPPORT US IN OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT LOCAL

Want to discover and support Birmingham’s very best independents?

Download the Independent Birmingham App here.

If you’re looking to get out and about and support local, then downloading the Independent Birmingham App is an absolute no brainer. You can use the IB App to discover a whole host (over 170) of the very best independents across Birmingham and Solihull, using our list and interactive map – but best of all, you can save money at each of these venues whilst supporting local. You can save £5, £10, £20, £30, even up to hundreds of pounds off (at certain venues), and at pretty much every venue listed you can save your whole month’s membership in one go – all while having fun AND supporting Brum’s ace indie businesses.

IB Membership is just £1.99 a month (or £21.90 a year) and it helps to keep this vital platform alive and allows us to keep doing what we do best – supporting Brum’s marvellous independents, and shining a light on our wonderful city.