If you want to spread a little love as you work down your Christmas shopping list, shop local. It’s been another topsy turvy year for local businesses, so put away your phone, turn off your tablet and enjoy a shopping trip around York (go early or late if you’re not a fan of crowds). Enjoy personal service, discover gifts you wouldn’t find elsewhere and find somewhere cosy to refuel as you go (take a look at our top places to eat and drink in York with kids here). Here are just a few present ideas that should guarantee smiles on Christmas morning. Happy shopping, Merry Christmas and here’s to 2022!
Gifts for kids
Penguin Boat Toy from Wunderplay
Make bathtime even more fun with this penguin boat toy, £12.99
Wunderplay, 39 Stonegate, York YO1 8AW Visit wunderplay.co.uk *10% discount at Wunderplay with your Little Vikings Family Card*
Christmas Frogs from The Potions Cauldron
Treat your young wizards to a jar of chocolate frogs from £4.99.
The Potions Cauldron, 9 ¾ Shambles, York – Visit thepotionscauldron.com – *Enjoy coffee for £1 from The Potions Cauldron with your Little Vikings Family Card*
Chocolate Guinea from Bettys
Sometimes the best things are the most simple. Large chocolate coin with shiny gold wrapping, £2.50
Bettys, 6-8 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QP – Visit bettys.co.uk
LNER Azuma Bigjigs toy train from the Railway Museum
For train lovers of all ages, this LNER Azuma Bigjigs toy train is hard to beat, £17
National Railway Museum, Leeman Road York YO26 4XJ – Visit railwaymuseum.org.uk
Stacking cups from Noun
Made in Denmark, these stacking cups will keep your little one busy for ages. £13.
Noun, 45 Bishopthorpe Rd, York YO23 1NX – Visit the Noun website
Chairs game from Totally Awesome
A fun game to crack out on Christmas Day – see how high you can stack the chairs before they fall. £14.99.
Totally Awesome, 8 Colliergate, York YO1 8BP – Visit the Totally Awesome website
Dragon eggs bath explosions from The Potions Cauldron
Look out! Dragon eggs bath explosions, £6.99
The Potions Cauldron, 9 ¾ Shambles, York – Visit thepotionscauldron.com
Blue Bird Cottage from Wunderplay
Who wouldn’t be delighted to receive this on Christmas day? Blue Bird Cottage with furniture, £119.95
Wunderplay, 39 Stonegate, York YO1 8AW or wunderplay.co.uk – 10% discount at Wunderplay with your Little Vikings Family Card
Ricosta Alex Boot from Watkinsons
How sweet are these little boots? Stylish and practical, too. Ricosta Alex Boot, £58
Watkinsons, 53 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS – watkinsonsshoes.com
Paint a lovely gift from Rainbows Ceramics
It’s hard to beat a handmade gift, so why not order a Paint at Home kit from Rainbows Ceramics and create something lovely for your favourite friends or family members? You can even paint some baubles for your Christmas tree (just watch out for curious cats or prancing puppies!).
Rainbows Ceramics, 15-17 Bootham, York YO30 7BW – Visit the Rainbows Ceramics website for more details.
York Minster snow globe
Add some Christmas sparkle to your mantelpiece with a York Minster Snowglobe, containing a replica of the Minster surrounded by the York City Walls at the base. £6.95 – visit the York Minster online shop to buy
Child’s paintbrush from Heima
This lovely child’s paintbrush is ideal for little hands. £5.25
Heima, 34 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ – Visit the Heima website for delivery or collect from the Gillygate shop
York Minster eco teddy bear
York Minster’s soft and cuddly eco Teddy Bear is made from 100% recycled plastic. The perfect sustainable companion this Christmas, £14.95.
Gifts for the grown-ups
Sustainable Roka backpack
Made from recycled bottles, this Roka backpack is perfect for family adventures. Available in several colours. £64.95.
Watkinsons, 53 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS – Visit the Watkinson’s website
Midwinter candle from The Little Yorkshire Candle Co.
Fill your home with the scent of the festive season with this beautiful candle from The Little Yorkshire Candle Company. £32.
The Little Yorkshire Candle Company, 72 Goodramgate York YO1 7LF – Visit the Little Yorkshire Candle Co. website
Falcon enamel teapot
A mug of Yorkshire Tea will taste even better from a lovely teapot. Use it at home or take it on camping trips or for picnics. Falcon enamel teapot, £21
Heima, 34 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ – Visit the Heima website
Annie full sheepskin slippers from Watkinsons
Keep those toes cosy this Christmas and beyond! Shepherd slippers, £70
Watkinsons, 53 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS – Visit the Watkinson’s website
Triple Mini York Gin Gift Set
Chin chin! Three mini bottles of York Gin in a gift box, £18
York Gin, 12 Pavement, YO1 9UP – Visit the York Gin website
Bettys Heavenly Treats Christmas Gift Bag
A vegan-friendly collection of teatime delights from York institution, Bettys. £40.
York Minster Christmas decorations
Order through the Complete your Christmas tree with these handmade fabric decorations inspired by York Minster. The range of decorations are produced using traditional techniques and reflect some of the cathedral’s best-loved architectural gems, including the 13th century Chapter House ceiling and the Heart of Yorkshire from the Great West Window.
Mixed chocolate cocoa pods
Inspired by the fruit our beans come from, these delicious chocolate treats shaped like cocoa pods make a great gift for your loved ones. This 12-piece set includes White, Milk and Dark chocolate cocoa pods. £5.50. *Use your Little Vikings Family Card for 10% off your purchase*
York Cocoa Works, 10 Castlegate York YO1 9RG – Visit the website
York Minster T-shirt from Winstons
Wear York Minster with pride with this York Minster tee from Winstons, £20 (£5 from every sale goes to a worthy local cause
Winstons of York, 28 Back Swinegate, York YO1 8AD – Visit the Winstons website
Nature-inspired door handles from The Yorkshire Foundry
Spruce up your home with these gorgeous hand-crafted Yorkshire nature-inspired door knobs, produced by a new York-based business.
Visit the Yorkshire Foundry website to order – £40 a pair or £20 for one.
Little ghost from York Ghost Merchants
Nothing says York quite like one of these gorgeous little ghosts from York Ghost Merchants on the famous Shambles.
York Ghost Merchants, 6 Shambles, York YO1 7LZ order via the York Ghost Merchants website
Family alpaca walk near York
Take two of these super-soft and curious alpacas for a gentle stroll in the stunning Hambleton Hills of North Yorkshire. £66 for two adults and up to 4 children
