Independent shopping is one of the Winchester’s main strengths, with everything from luxury designer boutiques to stationers occupying our ancienct city streets. In this guide we’ve rounded up the best of the best to help you find something truly magical this festive season. Make sure you check out as many of Winchester’s independent shops as possible in the run up to the big day as we think you are quite likely to stumble upon a new firm favourite. As it is the season of goodwill, we do hope that you will consider donating to our diverted giving scheme Spare Change for Real Change, which funds vital support for homeless people throughout the year. It is difficult for those of us who haven’t experienced it to understand the reality of spending the festive period without a fixed address.. Text REAL17 followed by £2, £5 or £10 to donate. All proceeds will be passed directly to Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Trinity Winchester and can help to rebuild the lives of vulnerable people this Christmas. If you’re local to Winchester then make sure you like the View Winchester Facebook page to keep up to date with events in the city throughout the year and keep your eyes peeled for our year-round independent shopping guide.
Merry Christmas & Happy Shopping from the View Winchester team xx
The Perfect Christmas bauble - £4.50
3
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk Tourist Information Centre, The Broadway
Getting into the spirit
Classic images of a festive Winchester helping to raise funds for the vital work of Naomi House & Jacksplace £4.00 per pack of 10 Naomi House, St Georges Street
Decorations don’t all hang on the tree. This Gisela Graham robin doorstop is a lovely extra touch. £13 - Warren & Son, High Street
Champagne at Christmas is old news, mix things up a little with Ferghettina Franciacorta Milledi Brut which is Italy’s answer to the world famous wine region. £26.50 - Toscanaccio, Parchment Street
4
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
Twisted Nose Gin is a firm Winchester favourite. Pick up a bottle from Kingsgate Wines and Provisions for £32.95
Indulge your sweet tooth with your decorations this year and opt for this confectionary wreath.
Embrace British tradition this Christmas with these classic emblems transformed into delicate Christmas decorations.
£12.99 - The Sweet Treat Company, City Road
from £3.99 - Warren & Son, High Street Create your own selection of advent treats with this hanging santa advent calendar £11.00 - Warren and Son, High Street
Bring an additional festive flair to your baking with these sugar toppers. from £2.35 - Dinghams, The Square The Chococo Advent Selection box contianing 25 fresh, luxurious, handmade chocolates £21.95 - Chococo, High Street
This wooden reindeer advent calendar can provide years of memories and makes a lovely rustic decoration as well. £24.99 - Cornflowers Gift Shop, College Street Yankee Candle advent calendar £24.99 -The Candle CO, Parchment Street
5
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
For Kids
Meet Wild Thing - tumbly, tusky and cosy all over he is ready and waiting to be somebody’s new best friend. £18 - Cornflowers Gift Shop, College
The second installment of the story that captivated a generation has been re-released in this gorgeous illustrated format. Pick yours up in a bookshop that could almost be Flourish and Blotts.
Brighten up any bedroom with this fun customisable light box. £32 A4 or £20 A5 - ParkLifeKids, Upper Brook Street
£30.00 - P & G Wells, College Street
Are you hoping for a future GBBO champ in the family? These novelty cookie cutter shapes help make baking even more fun. £3.99 - Dinghams, The Square
If you want to buy this retro style space hopper as a present for yourself instead of the kids we promise we will understand. £17 - The Toy Cupboard, St George’s Street
6
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
Chocolate nutcrackers and sugar plum fairies are surely the cutest way yet to serve up Chococo’s award winning chocolatey goodness! Pokemon has made a staggering comeback in time for its twentieth anniversary. If there’s a little collector of Pokemon cards in your life then they are sure to love these special edition boxsets.
£5.95 per tube - Chococo, High Street
£19.99 - The Toy Cupboard, St Georges Street
Snap on a ready made secret identity and become a crime fighting super hero with these fun masks. £5 - ParkLifeKids, Upper Brook Street
The classics are classics for a reason. Pick up a GALT Marble Run set and inspire a future structural engineer. £12 - The Toy Cupboard, St Georges Street
7
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
8
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
Secret Santa Is there an office in England that isn’t ruled by the power of the kettle? Give someone’s desk mug a makeover with one of these Keith Brymer Jones numbers, potentially a subtle way to confess your true feelings to the woman at the desk next to yours. £10 - Kingsgate Books & Prints, Kingsgate Arch
Clocking in at a secret santa friendly £10 a piece these passion fruit and raspberry flavoured vodkas are perfect for pimping up prosecco or mixing up into fruity cocktails and are sure to keep your office mates happy. £10 - Toscanaccio, Parchment Street
Is there a better working lunch than a pie with gravy, mash and a pint of tea? We think not. The good people of Piecaramba cater to all types whether you’re veggie, vegan, coeliac or a fan of eating pheasant. If your office is in the city buy a voucher for your work BFF and slip off for a long lunch together - we promise we won’t tell the boss! from £5 - Piecaramba, Parchment Street
Cocktail Challenge tabletop game - £7.50 Mint Tea Boutique, The Consortium, Jewry Street
Trying to tell your boss that you’re fed up of of sitting in the woods using words like ‘synergy’. Then buy this fun spoof edition and still have change from a tenner. Success! £7.99 - Warren & Son, High Street
9
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
For Her Give the tools of the beauty trade a shiny new home this Christmas with this gorgeous leatherette bag.
Wrap up warm with this beautiful handmade lambswool scarf from locally owned Sprig Knitwear.
£20 - Mint Tea Boutique, The Consortium - Jewry Street
£75 - Bell Fine Art, Parchment Street
Nothing says Christmas like the scent of a festive candle. You can pick up this seasonal selection of the world’s most popular candles from an independent business right here in Winchester £8.99 - The Candle Co, Parchment Street
There are few statmeents more powerful than this beautiful cushion by Santorous £110 - Jane McIntyre Design and Eccentricites , Southgate Street
This sterling silver and rose gold plated bracelet from Thomas Sabo is a delicate beauty well worth the climb to the top of the High Street. £125 - Offord and Sons, High Street
10
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
More than just a decoration, stitch through your travel ambitions as you make your way around the globe. £25 - Mint Tea Boutique, The Consortium - Jewry Street
These beautiful Catherine Aitken messenger bags are made with genuine Harris Tweed £65 small, £95 large - Vintage Hound, Southgate Street
If you are looking for something truly unique why not visit the newly opened Mayam Bazzar to pick up one of their hand-picked Turkish rugs Various prices - The Mayam Bazzar, Parchment Street
There’s more to vintage than fancy frocks. This Pygmalion Sonata Compact will surely be the most beautiful little mirror any owner has had. £63 - Stardust Years Vintage Fashion, Walcote Place
These Cara Tonkin Siren chain drop earrings make a great statement while staying classy. Crafted with oxidized silver and gold vermeil £99 - Justice Jewellers, Parchment Street
11
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
Perfect Party Pieces Remember last Christmas when Linda from purchasing wore the same dress to the office party as you? Of course you do. No one can really blame Linda for picking out the same beautiful party piece but if you want to avoid the same conundrum this year, it’s time to mix up your party shopping habits or take some drastic action about Linda... Winchester is home to some lovely dress agencies and vintage outfiters selling top quality pieces that will make sure you stand out from the crowd. Everything in store is unique so you will have to hurry to find these particular pieces but you are sure to find something exciting hiding amongst their rails.
Karen Fitzsimmons sells stock from the Victorian era right up to the present day at Stardust Years on Walcote Place near the top of the High Street.
This gorgeous sequined number is part of the stock in The Clothes Line who have been trading on Bridge Street for 24 years. We saw L.K. Bennett, Reiss and Karen Millen on the rails when we visited.
You’re sure to stand out from the crowd with these Butler & Wilson pieces from Vintage Hound. The compact boutique on Southgate Street stocks hand-picked vintagestyle from the past and present.
12
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
[ Another ad - WFW? ]
13
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
DO NOT BUY A MAN PORCHE BRANDED SHOWER GEL TO APOLOGISE FOR NOT BUYING HIM A PORCHE. A MAN WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY LIKE AN ITEM BECAUSE IT HAS THE BADGE OF HIS FOOTBALL TEAM STITCHED INTO IT. HOWEVER MUCH HE LIKES A DRINK A MAN CAN ONLY USE ONE NOVELTY PINT GLASS AT A TIME. MEN (AND WOMEN) NEED NO MORE COMEDY COASTERS CLAIMING THAT THE WIFE IS ALWAYS RIGHT. THIS CHRISTMAS, JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR PROPER PRESENTS. WINCHESTER HAS GOT YOU COVERED. THE MANTIQUE, ELEPHANT RECORDS, CHOCOCO, VINTAGE HOUND, THE HAMBLEDON, P&G WELLS, JEREMY FRANCE JEWELLERS, CADOGAN & CO, TOSCANCACCIO, B.E. CHAPLIN, PAVILION, BURRELLS, & MORE... 14
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
It’s not all diamond rings and sparkling tiaras under The Pentice. Pick up a pre-owned Rolex as a truly timeless gift. £5350 this model, various price points avaliable - Jeremy France Jewellers, High Street
If you think an umbrella isn’t a real present it’s because you haven’t seen these Walker umbrellas yet. Other colours are avaliable.
We’re pretty sure you know at least one young man with a beard. Keep their looks in order with this Reuzel grooming set. £18 - Hugo Barbers, Jewry Street
£75 - The Mantique, Stonemason’s Court, Parchment
BUY A MAN THESE PRESENTS INSTEAD WE PROMISE HE’LL PREFER THEM There’s a time and a place for a novelty cufflink but if you are looking for something a little more serious then these classic numbers are sure to do the trick. £240 - Jeremy France Jewellers, High Street
The idea that only women need wash bags is an outdated and foolish one. Fortunately you can pick up this beautiful Harris Tweed Catherine Aitken number in town. £45 - Vintage Hound, Southgate Street
15
OK, we know we said it’s time for serious presents but this ‘One For Me, One For My Dad’ sock set from The London Sock Company is too cute to ignore. £28 - The Mantique, Stonemason’s Court, Parchment Street
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
Winchester Exclusives
Repeatedly recognised as one of the UK’s top places to live there is little doubt that Winchester folk are so keen on their lovely city. If you know a die hard Wintonian why not brighten up their festive season with a local focus this Christmas.
A tour of the parts of Winchester that you never normally look at - Look Up Winchester is avaliable in locations across the city including the Tourist Information Centre on The Broadway - £6.99
The way we see it you have two options - treat someone you love to a locked room mystery or try and get somone you don’t like stuck inside!
This little guy has become a bit of a Winchester institution of late. Of course there is only one Binky Bear but you can buy a mini Binky for his fans.
£70 for up to three people, Clue Capers, The Broadway
Various locations including The Toy Cupboard and Cornflowers Gift Shop
Winchester Cocktail Week is returning for 2017. A wristband for the week would make a great gift for any cocktail lover and if you act quickly you can still get your hands on an early bird ticket for just £10. Head to www.winchestercocktailweek.co.uk to find out more.
16
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
17
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
18
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk
19
www.christmasinwinchester.co.uk