Shop local - 20 of the best Christmas gifts produced in Kent
At Girl About, we love supporting local businesses and discovering tasty, beautiful, inspiring produce right on our doorstep. So why not shop local this year and treat your loved ones to some of the huge array of incredible, artisan products made right here in Kent?
From sparkling wine to scented candles; local artwork to luxury skincare, there’s something for everyone in our guide to the best Christmas gifts produced in Kent.
Oast & Rye
Providing a great sustainable choice for luxury gifts, Oast & Rye produce a lovely selection of candles, diffusers and room sprays. Based in Cranbrook, they have 14 fragrances (including ‘Winter Solstice’) to choose from and pride themselves on being paraben free and vegan friendly. They offer beautiful gift boxes which would make the perfect gift for any home.
Balfour Winery
Located on the outskirts of Staplehurst, family-run Balfour Winery boasts award-winning sparkling and still wines, as well as beers and ciders. I highly recommend a bottle of Leslie’s Reserve Gold for any lovers of fizz, or if you want to splash out a bit more, they have some hampers complete with sparkling wine, cheeses and chutneys which are sure to impress.
Fox & Bloom
Using natural, local-sourced ingredients, Fox & Bloom create fragrant cleansing balms and soaps. Inspired by founder Donna’s late grandmother who believed in ‘the simple things in life’ and her background in biology, the company makes their products using a cold compress method. With gift boxes and beautiful packaging, their products make for a gorgeous, relaxing present.
Romney Marsh Wools
From baby products to home accessories, Romney Marsh Wools have a wonderful selection of soft and sumptuous gifts to choose from. Their knitted Christmas lambs are adorable, and their Bed Buddies socks are such a cosy way to stay warm this winter. They also sell gift boxes and vouchers online.
Elle’s Bakery
There are few more rich and decadent baked treats than those from Elle’s Bakery. Based in Rochester, this homegrown brand makes a range of gooey, chocolatey brownies and deep dish cookies. Flavours include Toblerone, Gingerbread Pretzel, Biscoff and Chocolate Orange, amongst others. I highly recommend their cookie pies which are to die for!
Debbie Draws Maps
Celebrate all things Kent with Debbie Draws Maps’ beautiful illustrations of local areas. From Sevenoaks, Debbie put her graphic design skills and passion for drawing to good use during lockdown and now creates a range of gorgeous art prints, tea towels, magnets, coasters and puzzles highlighting some of her favourite parts of Kent.
Tunbridge Wells Coffee Roastery
Founded in 2019, Tunbridge Wells Coffee Roastery is another brilliant artisan producer which makes perfect gifts for coffee lovers. They offer free delivery over £20 (I’ve been lucky enough to have them hand deliver on numerous occasions which is a nice, personal touch) and have a huge range of blends from around the world.
Sacred Skincare
Based in Sandgate, eco-luxury brand Sacred Skincare was founded in 2020 and promotes a natural, minimal approach to skincare. With vegan candles, glow face oils and gorgeous gift sets, their products made ideal stocking fillers.
Cocktail In A Bottle
Launched in 2019, Deal-based Cocktail In A Bottle creates handmade pre-mixed cocktails in a range of deliciously unique flavours. Their Blackforest Gateaux flavoured Death or Cake even won Gold at the World Premix Awards this year, whilst the Gypsy Tart White Russian is sure to be a local favourite. Whether you fancy a traditional espresso martini, pear margarita or blackcurrant negroni, there’s a huge selection and something for everyone.
West Kent Smart Indoor Gardens
For anyone who loves plants but hasn’t had much success in keeping them in bloom, these smart indoor gardens are genius. With self-watering features, LED lights and automated timers, you can plant vegetables, plants or herbs without any of the stress. Based in a warehouse in Tunbridge Wells, you can buy the machines, seeds and bundles all online.
Red Hen Jewellery
Based in Staplehurst, Red Hen Jewellery is run by Alix Leeds and inspired by her love of nature. Using eco-friendly materials, she creates handmade jewellery with simple, folk patterns and designs in her home studio in the Kent countryside. She also offers free UK first class postage in plastic-free, recyclable gift packaging. I particularly love her cufflinks and stud earrings which are gorgeous.
Kingcott Dairy
What’s better than some locally-produced cheese during the festive season? Made from the freshest milk from their farm just outside of Staplehurst, this family-business creates delicious Kentish blue cheeses. With a number of awards to their name, they offer beautifully packaged cheese boxes complete with crackers and chutney. Check out their Christmas shop on their website for great gifts.
The Wells Candle Company
Hand-poured in a home studio in Tunbridge Wells, The Wells Candle Company created sleek, luxurious candles, wax melts and diffusers in a range of fragrances. Created in 2020, the company was born from the founder’s passion for home fragrances. From ‘Winter Spice’ to ‘Peony & Blush’, there’s a lovely selection of beautifully designed products to choose from and they offer a free click and collect service for those in Tunbridge Wells.
Sally Seal Art
I absolutely love Sally Seal’s vibrant artwork. Capturing colourful natural scenes of landscapes around Kent, her abstract paintings of flowers and fields would be a wonderful gift for art and nature lovers alike. Her work is available on Etsy, plus she will have a stall at the Horsmonden Christmas Market on Saturday 3rd December.
Created with sustainable plastic, Made Happy design and print a range of LEGO compatible decorations, keyrings and letters which are ideal stocking fillers for kids big or small. Fun, colourful and unique, their personalised stocking tags are particularly lovely.
Made Happy
Pipehouse Gin
Produced in Tunbridge Wells, this craft gin is very special. Created in beautiful bottles, Pipehouse Gin prides itself on using innovative pairings and delicate infusions. There are two flavours to choose from – Cucumber & Earl Grey which has a lovely crisp taste, and Pink Grapefruit & Thyme which is equally aromatic.
Wise Owl Cider
Family-run business Wise Owl Cider creates craft ciders using apples grown in Kent. Priding themselves with being vegan friendly and gluten free, they produce delicious still and sparkling traditional ciders, as well as a range of flavoured ciders.
The Kentish Soap Company
This award-winning, family-run company creates vegan friendly and plastic free soaps, bath bombs, body butters and candles. Made using a traditional cold pressing method with natural products and fragrant scents, their eco-friendly products would make a fabulous stocking filler.
Jenni Rogers Jewellery
Offering unique pieces created with silver and natural stones, Maidstone based jeweller Jenni Rogers creates a range of stunning necklaces, earrings and bracelets which would make for a special gift.
Canterbury Brewers & Distillers
Housed in the historic industrial foundry, Canterbury Brewers & Distillers is a family run business who create a range of award winning beers and craft spirits. From Apple Pie Moonshine to Smuggler Sam’s Spiced Rum, they boast an eclectic array of gins, rums and whiskeys along with Golden Ales, IPAs and Pale Ales. Glassware and gift boxes are also available to build.
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