A small business Christmas shopping guide: Shopping local in Stafford & Stone

A pile of Christmas presents wrapped in brown paper and tied with red and white string

Support your local small businesses this Christmas

It’s now more important than ever to support your local, small businesses. The Covid lockdowns and the cost of living crisis has forced so many small businesses to close and without our support, even more closures will happen. As Holly Tucker so rightly says when talking about small businesses, “Use us, or lose us”.

Benefits of shopping local

It helps to reduce your carbon footprint

Shopping locally to where you live means that you are there in person to browse, buy and take your purchases home. There is no need for excessive packaging or for cross country delivery services. You’re also less likely to return products you’ve bought in person, again reducing the need for more packaging and more delivery services.

You invest in your community

Not only are you investing in the small business you shop at, but you’re also investing in your local economy. For every £10 you spend with a local business, an additional £50 goes back into your local economy (shop owners will spend this money in local restaurants and shops, thus circulating the money and allowing your community to thrive!).

You’ll get great customer service

You can’t beat the customer service given from a small business. The business owner will often be the person who has made your product, the person you speak to in the shop, the person who bags up your order and the person you’ll speak to on the phone or over social media. They will always do everything they can to offer an excellent service, because they truly care. Their business is everything to them and they want you to love it from start to finish.

You’ll make thoughtful purchases

It’s easy to get carried away online. You’ll add things to your basket without much thought, especially if there is a sale on. It’s just too easy to buy things that we don’t actually love all that much. If, instead, you take the time to walk around a shop, you are picking things up, touching them, looking closely at them, and you are much more likely to buy the things that you really love.

It’s more fun

Plan a day to get out into your local area and do your Christmas shopping. Invite a friend. Make a list of all the shops you want to visit and go and get stuck in. Meet the owners, talk about their products and fall in love with every single gift you purchase. And you’ll need to make time for a delicious lunch somewhere (ideally at an independent cafe) or a hot chocolate covered in cream and marshmallows.

14 independent, small businesses in the Stafford and Stone area that are perfect for Christmas shopping.

So if, like me, you are in the Stafford and Stone area, here are 14 are my favourite independent shops to get you started. With a little planning, you could easily hit up all of these in a day and who knows, by the end of that day you might just have most of your Christmas shopping done!

Interior of a children's clothes shop showing products on display

1.My Dear Rebel, Stone

Gorgeous clothes, toys and accessories for babies and children. My Dear Rebel specialise in sustainable and eco-friendly children's wear and have a beautiful shop in Stone. There’s always something I want for my kids in here!

Find out more

A product image of a candle

2. The Wandering Bee, Stone

My latest obsession. The Wandering Bee make the most delicious smelling candles ever and they’re all hand poured into recycled beer bottles, giving them an extra cool vibe. The candles come in a range of sizes and are packed inside beautiful boxes.

Find out more

A row of 4 cans of beer on a worktop

3. Candid, Stafford

If you have a craft beer lover in your life, head to Candid in Stafford. They stock a range of craft beers that can be bought individually as well as gift boxes that include glasses and coasters. They also offer a craft beer subscription service for the gift that keeps on giving.

Find out more

The front of a gift shop in Stafford showing the window displays

4. Peccadillos, Stafford

A long standing favourite in Stafford town centre, this gift shop is jam packed with gift ideas for all ages, from bath bombs and Jellycats to jewellery and home fragrance. There really is something for everyone in here and it’s always a go to for gifts.

Find out more

A dog sat in front of the window display outside a clothes shop in Stone

5. Rogue Boutique, Stone

I can’t look around this shop without buying anything. It’s a treasure trove of bright, beautiful clothing and accessories for women and it’s the perfect place to shop for your mama, your sister, your wife or your BFF. And probably for yourself once you get in there!

Find out more

2 pink beanie hats with personalised names printed onto the front

6. The Baby Cabin, Amerton

A gorgeous little shop located at Amerton Farm, The Baby Cabin specialise in personalised clothing for babies and toddlers. They also stock a wide range of baby and toddler accessories and gifts too. Perfect for the littles in your life.

Find out more

A table scape of Christmas candles and decorations

7. Lively Concept Store, Stone

A recent addition to Stone high street, this shop just oozes beauty. It stocks a range of beautiful homewares, gifts, accessories and jewellery, all with a nod to minimalist design. It’s the perfect place for the perfect gift.

Find out more

The front of a shop showing the window displays

8. Jolu Boutique, Stone

If you’re looking for a gift, Jolu has it all. From jewellery and fragrance to homeware, clothing and accessories. I recently bought myself a necklace and a couple of “Stokie” drinks coasters for a gift.

Find out more

A collage of 4 photographs showing the products on sale in the shop

9. Canalside Farm Shop, Great Haywood

I love the farm shop at Canalside. There’s not only loads of gorgeous food in there, but there’s also some lovely gifts, a lot of which are sourced from other local artists and businesses. They also stock a range of Christmas decorations, so win win!

Find out more

A lady on a market stall holding a gift bag and surrounded by products

10. Teppi, Stafford

I’ve recently discovered Teppi, based at Woodings Yard in Stafford. They stock a collection of sustainable homewares, handmade ceramics and ethically sourced gifts, all inspired by Scandinavian lifestyle. Their Christmas collection is soooo nice too!

Find out more

A close up of a woman looking through clothes on a hanging rail

11. On The Common, Milford Common

A relatively new business in Stafford, On The Common is based in Milford and is a beautiful little shop stocking a very cool range of womenswear and accessories. It’s all very Insta worthy and it’s the perfect place to shop for fashion lovers.

Find out more

The outside of a toy shop in Stafford

12. Salters Toy Shop, Stafford

This family run toy shop in Stafford packs a lot in. There’s so much in there, from toddler toys to grown-up games and jigsaws. It’s got everything that you’d find in other nearby toy shops, but instead of supporting a Nationwide chain, you’re supporting a local family. It’s an easy win in my book.

Find out more

13. Terraces Menswear, Stafford

With a couple of shops in the local area, Terraces is well established, but a small business all the same. They stock a really good range of menswear, including brands such as New Balance, Paul Smith and BOSS.

Find out more

14. Boris & Barbara

I’m yet to visit this shop, but I’ve heard so many good things. The customer service is spot on and they stock a really good range of clothing, accessories and homewares. Make a stop here if you’re shopping for your mum, auntie or sister.

Find out more

 

Happy Christmas shopping!

Previous
Previous

6 Christmas traditions for you and your family to try this year

Next
Next

5 ways that our baby record book is different from other baby record books