Our tree is up, we’ve binged watch our favourite Christmas movies, had a few too many at our work Christmas party but no doubt along with many of you, we still need to finish our Christmas shopping! Never fear as we have a useful stocking filler guide with something to suit everyone and even better – they can all be purchased locally.

This kick starts our Cracking Christmas Countdown Competition! Fourteen fabulous local businesses are offering fantastic prizes every day for the next two weeks, so watch this space for the launch on Monday 10th December!

Epanoui
In Mill Street you will find this beautiful gift and homeware shop who offers unique items including handmade jewellery.  These beautiful studs are the perfect everyday earring. Available in 18k gold or rose gold vermeil and sterling silver, these earrings are made lovingly by us to be gifted by you. Perfectly paired with any épanoui necklace, they’ll add the sparkle needed to her stocking.

d’Parys
Recently refurbished, the d’parys has fourteen boutique bedrooms, enticing bar and fresh food menu bursting with homely treats, d’Parys is the perfect place to dine, drink & dream in the heart of historic Bedford so why not treat someone to a gift voucher?

The Eagle Gallery
The Eagle Gallery is situated in the vibrant Castle Road area of Bedford and is run by a non-profit making collective of artists.  They have a wide range of work on exhibition: paintings, printmaking, collage, ceramics, textiles, stone carving, jewellery, sculpture and photography.   We love this mug designed by artist  Anja Penger-Onyett – £21

The Place Theatre

Give the a gift with a difference with a weekend ticket to Beowulf and Game Play. Friday 11th – Sunday 13th January 2019

Friday night– Beowulf is an interactive performance-game, illuminating the original epic tale while taking direction from live audience choices. Saturday and Sunday – The Place will be filled with old computer games consoles and board games, and everyone is welcome to play! From £9 Buy tickets online here.

Pavilion at the Park
The Pavilion is an all-day casual coffee bar café destination – the jewel in the crown of Bedford Park, open all year round.  They serve deliciously simple British cuisine from locally sourced fresh ingredients, including many options for people with food allergies. Fresh direct-trade coffee and homemade cakes are always on offer, many of them dairy and gluten-free.

Treat your loved one to an afternoon tea or brunch with a Gift Voucher from the Pavilion in Bedford Park. From £5

Nutty Professor Nut Butters & Jams
Founder Chilly Olly is passionate about Nutty Professor and has lots of Nutty, Crazy recipes up his sleeve for the future!

Chilli infused nut butters from local awarding chef Chilli Olly. From a tingle to the extreme, complimented with a mixed berry jam bursting with flavour and a touch of chilli heat. £5

Boyds of Bedford is the brainchild of Tom and Jessica and is a family run independent gentlemen’s retailer based in the heart of Bedford’s bustling cultural quarter.

Boyds of Bedford was born to serve those who are attracted to the vintage aesthetic, but still want their clothes, gifts and accessories to have a modern twist. Their products are inspired by their love for simple, elegant design, all things automotive and the blending of the formal with the informal.  Wherever possible products are hand made by them, or in collaboration with local artisans.

Gentleman’s Hardware Survival Cards
Let the adventure begin with these all-weather waterproof playing cards! Fully illustrated with a survival tip or fact on each card, ideal for campfire games in the summer or that competitive family game of ‘21’ on boxing day! Cards come in a handy decorative tin too. £10

Gentleman’s Hardware Shoe Shine Kit and Boyds Of Bedford Hair Cream 15ml
Keep your shoes in ship shape and Bristol fashion with this boot care kit. Incorporates neutral and black polish and two brushes to get your kit looking superb.  The Dandy is a pliable medium hold hair cream, designed to create a natural looking flowing look.  A little bit of Dandy will keep the hair out of your eyes all day…£20

Gentleman’s Hardware Cocktail Multi Tool Kit
Perfect for the resident cocktail maker of the house, this 10-in-1 stainless steel multi-tool includes a strainer, stirrer, knife, zester, single measure jigger, muddler, bottle opener, can opener, channel knife and corkscrew.
£25 – in store only

https://boydsofbedford.com/products/campfiresurvivalcards
https://boydsofbedford.com/products/shoeshinekit
https://boydsofbedford.com/products/boydsofbedforddandyhaircream

The Embankment – Gift Vouchers
The Embankment has become one of the premier spots in the heart of Bedford. The clue to their location is in the name! Bedford’s beautifully-landscaped Embankment has wonderful views out over the River Great Ouse. The Embankment Hotel was built in 1891 and we renovated it to reflect its late-Victorian heyday, but with all the modern comforts and facilities of a great pub. The atmosphere is relaxed and hospitable. There is no stuffy hotel lobby or residents’ lounge, just a team of friendly faces to look after you.

Get a loved one a voucher and they can spend it on drinks, meal or an overnight stay. From £10

Pharaoh’s Gold Chocolates
Pharaoh’s Gold Chocolates are locally made hand-made from cocoa beans and crafted into a range of delicious milk chocolates. Each of their boxes contain a curated selection of classic chocolate combinations.  From £4

Slide Record Shop
Slide Record Shop is an independent record shop based in The Old Arcade in Bedford. Focused on new music made available on vinyl, they champion great independent music across many genres.

Great stocking sized gifts include a Slide Record Shop Tote Bag – £5, Slide Record Shop Slipmat – £8 and ‘The Vinyl Revival And The Shops That Made It Happen’ by Graham Jones – £14.95.  Alternatively you can always choose a voucher so your fussy music mate can choose their own sounds or if they like the bands behind two of this year’s biggest albums, Arctic Monkeys and Idles have just released singles which are perfectly stocking sized

Arctic Monkeys – ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’ 7” – £7
Idles – ‘Danny Nedelko’ – 7” – £8

Ready Steady Roll
Ready Steady Roll is an award winning board game cafe and shop with a dedicated area to play games with guidance from their Games Guru, lunch and homemade cake!

Santa Banter – Small enough to fit in a stocking, but jam packed with Christmas Joy to get everyone up and laughing during Christmas Day! Santa Banter will have everyone acting, describing and giving clues to loads of Christmassy rhymes. Nothing feels more Christmassy than your Nan acting out “Three Wise Men Feeling Zen”.  £9.99 – 10% off Santa Banter when you stay at play at café.

Habitat Sponsorships from The Forest of Marston Vale
The perfect stocking filler for any nature lover this Christmas – sponsor an area of Habitat in the Millennium Country Park. Choose from reedbeds, hedgerows, lakes and ponds, grasslands or woodlands. Price – £10

Hattie & Co
Hattie & Co is a beautiful baby boutique located in the heart of Bedford Town Centre in the Old Arcade. Each piece is lovingly handpicked from top quality designers.  This Rocking Horse sleepsuit from Kite Clothing will up the cuteness of any little one. £19

Boutique Planet
You are spoilt for choice at Boutique Planet as they have loads of ideal stocking fillers to suit all tastes and budgets.  Find them in the Old Arcade where they also have an amazing range of ladies fashion if you are still in need for your Christmas day outfit.

Beerfly

Beerfly located on St Cuthbert’s Street is an independent beer shop stocking a large range of local, national and imported modern beers and ciders.  They have perfect stocking filler sized tipples to include beer – bottles, can, flagons, gift selections and also cider.  Whilst browsing why not stop for a glass or two to help with your shopping!

Wet, refreshing, tasty, interesting, cool, different.  From £2.95 a can

Corner 5 Restaurant
With its lakeside setting, stunning contemporary building and panoramic windows Corner 5 Restaurant offers visitors a unique dining experience. Their emphasis is on high quality freshly prepared food complemented by excellent customer service so why not treat your family or friends to a nice evening out so a restaurant voucher is perfect for even the hardest to buy for relative.  From £10

Companions Bread
All their bread is 100% real bread as defined by the Real Bread Campaign; that is, it is made only from organic flour, water, salt, with or without added yeast, slowly-fermented to allow for full flavour and nutrition.

Beginner’s Sourdough Kit
A bundle of helpful items to encourage the sourdough fan in your life to get making their own. Includes a 500g banneton (supports the dough while proving), a packet of dried Sourdough Starter, two dough scrapers, a lame (for slashing the loaf) and a recipe card (£1 donated to SoupFest for each purchase).  £20

‘Do Sourdough’ by Andrew Whitley
A really practical little book for the wannabe Sourdough baker.  A collection of delicious recipes from the Real Bread Campaign, some yeasted, some sourdough, but all taking a slow approach in order to maximise flavour, digestibility and nutrition.  £8.99

‘Slow Dough, Real Bread’
A collection of delicious recipes from the Real Bread Campaign, some yeasted, some sourdough, but all taking a slow approach in order to maximise flavour, digestibility and nutrition.  £20.00

A packet of dried Sourdough Starter
A stocking filler for your favourite ‘breadhead’ – conveniently dried for ease of postage or transport.  Add flour and water to the contents of this little packet and – apparently – you’re a baker! £4.95

http://companionsrealbread.uk/buying-from-us/christmas-gifts