Celebrate Local – Norfolk Gifts for Christmas
Finding the perfect gift that feels personal and unique in one of our county’s wonderful, local shops can really make the holiday season magical. Today, we’re rounding up some of our favourite Norfolk gifts for Christmas that showcase local craftsmanship, creativity, and the best of the county’s producers and retailers. Alongside these fab outlets, don’t forget to also make use of the wonderful array of festive Christmas markets popping up around Norwich and Norfolk this year.
For the Scent Lover: Norfolk Natural Living
Found in the heart of Norfolk’s picturesque Holt, Norfolk Natural Living celebrates the best of botanicals with luxurious and sustainable bath, body and home fragrance products. With a commitment to environmentally friendly production and a natural, hygge-style design and branding, each item appropriately accompanies Norfolk’s beauty and tranquillity.
Perfect for those who love artisan skincare or home aromas, the collection includes seasonal delights like their ‘Wild Fig & Gardenia’ scented candles and soothing bath oils, ideal as local gift ideas that bring a touch of zen to any home. If you’re gifting to someone who loves finding places to walk their dog in Norfolk, Norfolk Natural Living even produces a festive doggie hamper of goodies to help keep their pets in tip-top condition. You could combine this with their best-selling fragranced skincare set “Coastal Walks”, for a thoughtful walker’s gift.
For the Gin Enthusiast: Gyre & Gimble
Located in the ornate Royal Arcade of Norwich, Gyre & Gimble is an independent gin distillery known for its range of creative flavours and gin-making experiences. As a business that puts the love of the creation process first, they offer tours and gin masterclasses, appealing to gin aficionados or anyone keen on immersing themselves in the craft of distillation. A Gyre & Gimble experience voucher would give a special friend or loved one the chance to craft their own gin to take away with them from a large number of botanicals. Alternatively, treat them to a bottle of their unique Coastal Gin or Double Juniper Gin is an ideal Norfolk gift for Christmas, adding a twist of luxury to holiday celebrations.
The English Whisky Distillery Experience
For something truly special, treat someone to a tour of The English Distillery, the UK’s first registered whisky distillery, with an option for a festive meal at The Grain restaurant. Located in Roudham in the Brecks, this historic establishment blends local tradition with a contemporary restaurant boasting some truly lovely dishes, appealing to those who enjoy a day of tastes and flavours.
Within their beautifully stocked and curated gift shop, you could enjoy a bottle of their classic single malt or a distillery experience tour as a potential local gift idea. They’re also great supporters of other local producers and retailers from Norfolk and Suffolk with some great stocking fillers on offer within their store to accompany their own whisky. Staff are also knowledgeable and friendly, so always ask for advice if you’re not sure what tipple to opt for.
Juni & Co Cosmetics: A Masterclass for Makeup Lovers
Hidden yet again within Norwich’s Royal Arcade, Juni & Co offers vegan, sustainable makeup products and personalised masterclasses in makeup artistry. The company’s focus on ethically sourced and eco-friendly ingredients makes it a thoughtful choice for the beauty lover or eco-conscious shopper. With 15% off much of their stock when signing up for their online newsletter, it’s the perfect opportunity to gift a makeup treat, providing hands-on techniques and artistry that make for a truly unique Christmas present.
Gnaw Chocolate Stocking Fillers
Gnaw Chocolate, founded in Norfolk in 2010, takes sustainable chocolate treats and infuses them with fun, modern flavours. They offer a tempting range of stocking fillers, from gingerbread-flavoured chocolates to seasonal bundles, that make for delightful Norfolk gifts for Christmas. Ideal for anyone with a sweet tooth or who loves something a bit different in their stocking, Gnaw’s chocolate creations are a whimsical addition to the holiday season. Plus, signing up for their newsletter gets you 10% off, adding even more sweetness to their offerings.
Norfolk Hampers by Jarrolds
Jarrolds is an iconic name in Norfolk, known for its dedication to quality and supporting local artisans. Their Norfolk Selection Hamper is packed with gourmet treats sourced from Norfolk, including preserves, snacks, and beverages. It’s a well-curated gift for foodies or those who love exploring local flavours, making it an ideal gift to give the Norfolk experience in a box, just right for holiday sharing. Jarrolds has also launched, for the first time ever, their own beauty advent calendar featuring top brands like Dermalogica.
Gourmet Hampers from R Bainbridge (RB Provisions)
If you’ve dined at Benedicts in Norwich, you’ll be familiar with the award-winning talents of chef Richard Bainbridge and his team’s culinary expertise. Well, their Norfolk hampers are filled with gourmet provisions like jams, chutneys, and breakfast essentials that showcase their local creations. The Breakfast Hamper, in particular, is a lovely Christmas gift for foodies who appreciate high-quality, homemade flavours and Norfolk’s culinary excellence to start their day off well. Alternatively, go big with the RB Celebration Hamper that’s stuffed to the brim with the team’s favourite R.B goodies, a voucher (£50 or £100) for their favourite restaurant or an exclusive Benedicts Tote Bag!
If you’re hosting and cooking yourself this Christmas, RB Provisions has recently launched a Naughty & Nice Christmas Spice with the aim of making all your Christmas catering a walk in the park! It transforms meat and veg into rich, flavoursome dishes and sides that will be a gift in themselves to your guests.
Quirky Finds at Lazy Lobster
Lazy Lobster, in Norwich’s Royal Arcade, stands out with an eclectic mix of vibrant and playful items, perfect for those who love unique and out-of-the-box gifts. This relatively new start-up business sees a Norfolk duo putting their passion for curating trends at the forefront of their business ideology. Lazy Lobster presents an ideal place when local gift-hunting for that quirky friend or family member. With ever-changing stock, including everything from colourful accessories and clothing to unique ceramics and ornaments, they’re a good shout for unforgettable Norfolk gift ideas.
Fine Jewelry from Aurum
Aurum is a destination for high-quality British and international jewellery, with an impressive collection of pieces designed in-house. Located at the junction of Swan Lane in the heart of the Norwich Lanes, Aurum’s team are renowned for their bespoke jewellery services and crafting skills. Their shop is ideal for those looking to give a gift of lasting beauty or a special token of thought to a loved one.
We highly recommend visiting them and talking about the kinds of tastes and preferences family and friends might have to get recommendations. There are prices and designs for all tastes and budgets. We’ve shopped with them recently and the ordered pieces have arrived quickly and beautifully made, so a visit for a bespoke creation from Aurum is a great Norfolk gift idea for Christmas – especially for those with an appreciation for elegance and craftsmanship.
More for Gin Lovers: St. Giles Gin
St. Giles Gin blends international flavours with Norfolk’s distilling traditions to create unique, well-balanced gins. Shoppers can choose between the brand’s range of gift collections or an exclusive gin-tasting experience that makes for a delightful holiday gift, particularly suited to gin lovers or adventurous tasters. Their autumnal Limited Edition Spiced Orange & Cranberry Gin was recently featured in The Gin Guide and included in their “Best Winter Gins Collection for 2024”, so well worth considering as it’s only sold during the Christmas countdown.
To really bring out the local ambience of the coastal county of Norfolk, St Giles Gin’s Divers’ Edition Navy Strength Gin is another excellent choice from their product line with deeper lingering tones of samphire that still maintain the company’s signature smooth taste. Whatever you choose, St. Giles Gin is a local Norfolk favourite that’s sure to make spirits bright this season.
Literary Treasures from Kett’s Books
For book lovers, Kett’s Books in Wymondham is an oasis of calm, stocked to the brim with all kinds of literature. It’s the ideal place to find a special book, suited to someone’s interests, just waiting to be gifted to a loved bibliophile. Kett’s Books is known for its curated selection of titles, presented and displayed in such a way that shoppers feel at ease to sit and explore what’s on offer.
Take a seat around the beautiful indoor tree in their store and engage with the community-focused spirit – the volunteers will happily recommend their favourite titles for consideration. As a local independent bookshop stocking a thoughtful array of books, it’s an excellent place to find Norfolk gifts for Christmas while supporting a good community cause. Whether it’s fiction, history, or a holiday classic, Kett’s Books is the perfect spot to find a gift that brings warmth and imagination.
Norfolk Raider Cider
Norfolk Raider Cider, crafted right here in Norwich, offers a variety of proper ciders, available in charming gift bundles. Their “Dolly Pink” has become one of our favourites they make, after we first tried it while dining at the wonderful Oishii Street Kitchen in Norwich who stocked it. The cider packs from Norfolk Raider’s website, complemented with locally-made pickles, are a wonderful present for cider enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Norfolk Raider’s offerings capture the spirit of Norfolk’s cider tradition, making them a delightful local gift idea.
Norfolk Cheese Company
The Norfolk Cheese Company on High Street in Downham Market specialises in artisanal cheeses, many sourced from Norfolk producers stretching from The Fens to The Broads. The “Wissington” is their most locally sourced award-winning cheese, hand-crafted at Wilton Farm in Hockwold, Norfolk. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a gift for cheese connoisseurs, their festive cheese boxes often include locally made chutneys, cured meats, and Norfolk biscuits, making them an ideal complement to any holiday spread. If you’re not looking to venture out their way anytime soon, all items on their website can also be shipped nationally. PS – the creamy Binham Blue is AMAZING on a cheese board or swirled through a pasta dish with a little butternut and sage!
The Wallow Gift Card – A Wine Lover’s Dream in the Heart of Norwich
For a unique local gift idea, perfect for wine enthusiasts, a gift card to The Wallow on Exchange Street in Norwich is ideal. This wine bar is known for its captivating and magical wall of wine, offering guests a self-serve selection of both local and international wines, as well as delicious accompanying platters and bites.
Located at the lower end of Exchange Street in Norwich, The Wallow creates a cosy yet modern atmosphere perfect for unwinding or exploring new flavours. We love their window seats where we can unwind and watch the world pass by. A gift card to The Wallow offers a customisable experience that allows the recipient to indulge in everything from classic favourites to adventurous new varieties that suit their tastes – a thoughtful, experiential gift for wine lovers this Christmas.
For the Green-Thumbed Friend – B’leaf Plant Haven in the Royal Arcade
Located in the enchanting Royal Arcade, B’leaf offers a curated selection of unique plants and accessories perfect for Norfolk gifts this Christmas. This serene, botanical escape is a haven for the plant enthusiast, with options ranging from easy-care houseplants to more exotic choices, catering to both experienced gardeners and new plant parents alike. B’leaf also stocks beautifully crafted pots, plant care essentials, and decorative items that bring a touch of nature to any space.
The team at B’Leaf are planning on opening later into the evening during the run-up to Christmas to help those wishing to pop in – November 21st sees a particularly festive free event with mince pies, mulled wine, prosecco and live music in the Royal Arcade! It’s also worth keeping your eyes peeled on their social media channels for extra deals and offer days for students during November and December. For a truly personal touch, consider a vibrant indoor plant or a curated gift set that ensures a piece of Norfolk’s natural beauty accompanies each gift recipient well into the new year.
Each of these Norfolk gift ideas brings the best of local craftsmanship and creativity into the festive season, offering unique and thoughtful options that celebrate the vibrant spirit of Norfolk’s businesses. For anyone looking to keep Christmas local, these gifts are perfect choices to share the heart of Norfolk with loved ones.
