New to the Faversham Eye this year, we have compiled a Christmas gift guide to help you make the most of what Faversham’s got to offer. It’s been an incredibly tough year for most of our local shops, market traders, artists and craftspeople, so what better way to keep them trading in 2021 than to buy local this Christmas.
The gifts have been divided up to suit any budget and we have tried to cater for everyone. If you’re looking for a gift that just keeps giving then we have also featured some local fundraising campaigns that would appreciate your generosity.
Let’s keep the Faversham pound local!
UNDER £20
Squeaky Coz Dog Toy from all good pet shops (85p)
Delight your pooch this Christmas with a Squeaky Coz Toy. This lifelike replica of Faversham’s favourite ex-councillor is available from all good Poochland branches at an amazing 85p. Super value for a top-quality Chinese product.
Jams and chutneys from DH Simmons, Market stall (£2.50)
A wide selection of jams and chutneys made from their own produce. I opted for the Gooseberry Extra Jam prepared with a generous 50g fruit per 100g and the Green Tomato Chutney. There’s also Kentish set and runny honey for £6 a jar. A great stocking filler or small gift for a teacher.
Peppermint & Eucalyptus Surface Spray from JSL Essentials (£6.99)
Personally, I love a practical present and I’ve recently come across this local brand that provides natural, plant-based beauty products. This cleaning spray leaves your surfaces smelling delicious. There is also a wide selection of natural beauty products, which can be wrapped in classy-looking boxes with ribbons for an extra £3.99. See @JSL.Essentials20 for more information.
Lego Star Wars Keyring from the Hobby Shop, Preston Street (£7)
The Hobby Shop on Preston Street is like a Tardis and contains a fantastic selection of kids’ toys (Brio, Playmobil, Scalextric, Tonies, jigsaw puzzles) along with supplies for model train enthusiasts. This Lego Keyring with LED torch would make a great stocking filler. https://hobb-e-mail.com/
The Spire Annual (£12)
Ideal for someone who likes a bit of a giggle, the Spire’s third book, West Street Story, is now available to buy online at https://areyoubeingsevered.bigcartel.com/ or by calling 07427 620410.
There are also lots of other gift ideas such as the previous two books, plus University of West Ospringe hoodies (£29.99), Where’s Whately Mugs (£9.99) and the world-famous ‘Survived the Bear Inn Corridor’ badges (£2). The Spire's market stall can also be found on Faversham market on Tues, Fri and Sat.
Christmas Sourdough Stollen with Handmade Marzipan and Orange Blossom Water, Wild Bread Bakehouse (£12.95)
I buy a few of these very year as they make an excellent gift for any household. They are packed full of organic fruits soaked overnight in rum and brandy, infused with fragrant cardamom and orange blossom water, enriched with Portuguese extra-virgin olive oil and rolled with handmade marzipan. The dough is naturally leavened with wild yeasts only, making it extra tasty, nutritious, kind on your gut AND it is 100% plant-based.
The packaging is completely compostable and the hand-stamped carry box makes it a unique festive gift.
Available from the bakehouse, their market stall, or you can order via their webshop for collection or home delivery.
Dots Set from the Hobby Shop, Preston Street (£15)
This Desk Organiser Dots Set is perfect to keep creative kids busy over Christmas. See above for more information on the Hobby Shop.
Letter Keyring from Dark Horse Ornament (£15)
A perfect, personalised handmade gift suitable for anyone and currently available at the Christmas Emporium (see Creek Creative flyer). Jenny makes all her handcrafted leather goods and jewellery in Faversham. There are some beautiful bags from £45, purses from £25 and earrings from £25. From www.darkhorseornament.co.uk, @darkhorseornament or ring 07713 249604 for more information.
Penguin Gift Duo, Barley Mow, Court Street (£8.99 and £12.99)
Jenny Wilson first opened Barley Mow an impressive 37 years ago! She has been welcoming customers into her Court Street premises since 2000. She and her staff beautifully curate a large range of greetings cards and gifts for all the family and to suit every pocket. Her seasonal decorations always draw customers into the shop and her Christmas display is the best!
For this Christmas shopping trip, I was looking for something special for a three-year-old. Jenny stocks a good range of toys and games, and I was immediately drawn to the impressive Jellycat section. This super-soft penguin was perfect (£12.99) – and I was delighted to find The Naughty Penguins (£8.99) among her children’s books – a perfect pairing!
‘Faversham in the Making’, Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre and Fleur Bookshop (£19.50)
If you know someone who is difficult to buy for then this one might just do the job. This book tells the dramatic story of Faversham from the end of the ice ages, through prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, Viking and Medieval times. It is written in one narrative and is the product of a collaboration between Dr Pat Reid, Michael Frohnsdorff and Duncan Harrington.
The Fleur Bookshop (Gatefield Lane) has a selection of Christmas-themed books, nearly new books and bric-à-brac that make for lovely bargain gifts. They are open from 10am until 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday. All proceeds to the Faversham Society and donations always welcome.
Houseplant from D&G Florist, East Street (£20.98)
After being stuck at home for most of the year, this trailing Senecio String-of-pearls plant potted in a ceramic star pot will inject life into any space. D&G Florist is relatively new to Faversham and is a family-run business with strong links to the town. It offers a wide range of houseplants, both large and small, as well as a outdoor plants and bulbs. They also stock other unique gifts and a large selection of cut flowers for bespoke, hand-tied bouquets that can be delivered locally.
For more information see https://www.dandg faversham.co.uk/, @DandGfloristfaversham1 or ring 01795 538888.
UNDER £50
Pampering Gift Trio, Apotheca, West Street – around £22
Treat a loved one to this pampering gift trio, giving lasting wellbeing with a 40-hour vegetable wax natural candle, aromatherapy bath salts - only a sprinkle required to scent a bath and give your body some minerals and a handmade artisan soap. Comes in a lovely gift package, only £21.69.
Men’s Pyjamas from M&Co, Preston Street (£26.99)
The ultimate 2020 loungewear - a lovely checked pair of men’s cotton flannel pyjamas from M&Co.
Wine Gift Set from Vino, Court Street (from £35)
Three bottles of fine wine from Vino, including a bottle of champagne. Ask the charming Fabio to help you chose three bottles that will make someone’s Christmas. See @vinowinefaversham, email vinofaversham@gmail.com or ring 01795 531875 for more information.
Gift voucher to walk a micro-pig, Huckleberry Woods near Faversham (£33.75 per person)
For that difficult-to-buy for friend or someone who just loves the unusual. Buy a gift voucher to walk a tame micro-piggy around a beautiful orchard, followed by tea and cupcakes in the mini summerhouse café (take away during periods of Government restrictions). This experience is equally enjoyable for adults on their own or sensible children over four years of age.
There are also miniature donkeys, teddy bear sheep and alpacas. General gift vouchers are available from their website https://www.huckleberrywoods.co.uk/ or email belinda @huckleberrywoods.co.uk
BeeBox from Edible Culture, near Abbey School (£37)
The BeeBox is perfect for all the garden/nature lovers. Encouraging wildlife into your garden is essential, the Beebox contains both Bee bombs and our own ‘meadow in a can’ seed tin. The Green and Blue Bee Block is made from waste from the china industry and, to top it all, the honey is from Hives in St Mary’s Road. How local is that!
Edible Culture aims to not pass single-use plastics on to customers and has a plastic-free Christmas shop found on https://edibleculture.co.uk/shop/. They have a great selection of gardening tools and make-your-own gift boxes, which also make great presents.
Gift voucher for Evermore Tattoo Space – from £40
Not sure what to buy that twenty-something relative? How about a voucher for a tattoo (starting from £40). The artists at ETS cater for a range of styles. This modern, friendly studio is not far from the rec. See @evermoretattoospace on Instagram for more details or search Heather Moore Tattoo on Facebook.
Cleve Hill Lego Set from Swale Friends of the Earth (£44.99)
Celebrate Christmas with a bang with the new Lego Cleve Hill Little Solar Park! Comes with real lithium exploding batteries to poison the in-laws.
Loadsa fun for creative kids with parents who aren’t too fussed about the environment. Special 10% discount for Swale Friends of the Earth members.
Half-day target experience from Joe’s Bows, Mount Ephraim Gardens, Hernhill (£45)
Fed up with your teenagers being stuck on screens? Get them out of the house with some outdoor activities at Joe’s Bows. They can unleash their inner Robin Hood, seeing how good their aim is with crossbows, axe throwing, target archery and field archery with this two-and-a-half-hour experience. Age 11 upwards and includes full-day entry to Mount Ephraim Gardens.
There’s also falconry, laser clay shooting and owl flying. See https://www.joesbows.co.uk/ for more information.
Faversham Creek Cream from Faversham Farma (£49.99)
A carefully guarded secret formula handed down through countless generations of bargemen, this facial poultice was used to keep them looking youthful throughout their lives despite the harshness of the nautical environment they worked in.
Recently rediscovered, the Faversham Creek Cream is now being made available by Faversham Farma™ after undergoing extensive testing at the University of West Ospringe Dermatology Department.
Say goodbye to wrinkles and hello to a younger-looking you.
Contact the Faversham Eye Marketing Division for details of this exciting beauty product.
The first batch of this triumph of silt science will be available from January at an introductory price of £49.99 for a whole 30-day supply.
UNLIMITED
Italian Christmas Hamper from Macknade (£150)
If you’re feeling generous this would make a great gift for a foodie. The Italian Christmas Hamper features a hand-picked selection of produce that can always be found at the heart of a festive Italian table. Items include panettone (the classic Italian tear & share!), prosecco, cannoli and mostarda (or mustard fruits) to enjoy with your Christmas cheese board. A bit on the pricey side but you could put together something more affordable with a bit of imagination. https://macknade.com/
Hugh Ribbans’ Print from Top Hat and Tales, West Street (£160 unframed)
This wonderful linocut print of Richard’s plant stall under the historic Guildhall in Faversham depicts a regular and popular aspect of Faversham life. Richard’s plant stall has almost, if not definite, iconic status in the town and this print captures it beautifully.
They also sell a selection of Hugh Ribbans’ prints, his portrayal of local scenes are very popular and make a lovely Christmas gift. As well as Hugh’s artwork they sell hats, scarves and gloves, gift stationery and a curated selection of new books, all of which make great present. https://www.top-hatandtales.co.uk/.
Kids Lightweight SQUISH Bike from the Bike Warehouse, Preston Street (£279.99)
Much better quality than the bikes you get from the big retailers, this lightweight kids’ bike will be a real winner on Christmas day. See https://www.thebikewarehouse.net/ or ring 01795 539439.
CHARITY
Faversham Royal Cinema, one of our treasured businesses, has suffered more than most this year. Peter and his team will be available on the telephone (01795 591211 or 535551) to take orders for gift vouchers for 2021 – see their website for more details. They also have a JustGiving page where donations can be made to help the Royal ride these very strange times.
Faversham Community Christmas Lights are aiming to raise £4,000 to keep the lights twinkling for another year! The big light switch-on is a special event in Faversham, especially for children waiting for the tease of Santa messing up the switch-on after multiple countdowns. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled this year along with their “See your name in lights” and raffle, so please donate on their JustGiving page instead.
Mile of Pounds for Faversham Pools are aiming to raise £70,000 for their charity by making a virtual mile of £1 coins. This sum will secure the longer-term
future of Faversham Pools, helping keep swimming, and this very special place, at the heart of our community. See their JustGiving page to donate.
Faversham Foodbank is run by local people for local people – they rely on the community’s support to ensure they can continue to stop people going hungry. Can you invest in the future of our project and help us provide much-needed support to people in crisis in our community? Big or small, every gift you give helps transform lives. Visit JustGive or their website to make a donation.
MORE INFORMATION
Christmas Shopping in Faversham is a Facebook group where you can share ideas or list your wares to encourage people to buy locally.
Faversham Markets have a website and Facebook page with information about opening times and stalls.
Faversham Unlisted is a new online marketplace that aims to offer a curated collection of signature gifts and experiences from local creatives, craftspeople and small businesses. See @Favershamunlisted for more information.
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