Community Christmas Cheer!

Date Published 24 November 2015

As promised and with a view to endorsing locally based small businesses, source your Christmas gifts from one of the below:

1. Chutneys/Jams/Marmalades

Visit Cranbrook Conserves at www.cranbrookconserves.co.uk for delicious cottage kitchen produced delights. You can buy a gift bag and fill it with 3 small or 2 large jars. At £4 for a delivery of 2 jars, what's not to like?

2. Jewellery

Tonbridge based Living Jewellery offers a fantastic design concept of totally unique beautiful jewellery. Very cleverly the pieces can later be adapted to suit your future changes of mood or style. The designers, inspired by their travels, create beautiful pieces for both men and women at varying price ranges. Fall in love with their work online or delight a loved one with a bespoke Christmas gift: www.livingjewellery.co.uk

3. Chocolates

Mouth-watering homemade chocolates from Rusthall are a must for a Christmas gift or stocking. Patisserie Linguad can provide you with a variety of choice from truffles, chocolate bars or even salted caramel popcorn to name but a few. Visit: www.patisserielingaud.com to order your salted caramel truffles in Christmas boxes starting at £1.50 for a box of 2.

4. Wine

Still local but a little further into East Sussex, you will find Sedlescombe organic vineyard which has 22 acres of organically certified vineyards. Their extensive award winning range of whites, rose, red and sparkling wines would make fantastic gifts either wrapped or poured for your family and friends. If you would like to send your clients a Christmas gift they are currently offering 20% off on 60+ bottles. Visit them at www.englishorganicwine.co.uk

5. Bread/Cakes

Our neighbours Rushbridge Bakery bake delicious Christmas delicacies available from their Southborough north shop. They are members of the National Association of Master Bakers and their speciality breads and cakes are second to none. If you fancy a pre-ordered Christmas cake or yule log visit them at www.rusbridgefamilybakery.co.uk

6. Crafts

If you love the feel of quality British wool, you will love Romney Marsh Wools. From luxurious moccasins and scarves to soft throws and cushions for the home to sheep pens and magnets for the kids' stockings and gift baskets for your elder female relatives they have it all. Visit them at www.romneymarshwools.co.uk/index.php

7. Deli Foods

If you are entertaining over Christmas, you may just want to keep Naked and Ready Foods' homemade pâtés, humus and organic scotch eggs for yourself! The Frant based ex chefs that run this business use top quality local ingredients and specialise in fine fish, meat and vegetarian pates and organic pork and vegetarian scotch eggs. Contact them via www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Ready-Foods/107021982732514

Let's give our money to individual people, not multi-national companies.

Natalie