With the countdown to Christmas firmly on, choose to shop sustainably this year by looking to local businesses to provide the perfect solution. Not only does shopping within the Surrey Hills support small businesses and people locally, but it also reduces the carbon footprint of the products purchased, provides the ability to track provenance and quality more closely and makes a tangible difference to the local economy.

The Surrey Hills boasts a wealth of talented artisans and creative small businesses offering a huge array of experiences, events and products right on the doorsteps of those living locally and Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that provides a support network for local businesses – represents the very best. Start shopping for the ideal Christmas present or gift experience, order delicious locally crafted food or drink to adorn the Christmas table or kick start the festive season by attending a Surrey Hills event or two – there’s something for everyone when you look to local.

Here are some inspiring ideas from local businesses and Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members offering an enticing array of festive gifts, experiences, stocking fillers, local produce and events this Christmas:

Gift Products

Natural skincare company, Puremess, has cosy gifts for wellness lovers this Christmas. Their ‘Soy Wax Melts with Ceramic Wax Melter’ (£12.50) includes non-toxic, non-paraffin Pumpkin Spice Melts, each of which can last between 10-15 hours. The wax melts contain Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg and Cardamom essential oils to fill your house with the perfect festive aroma and packaging is 100% biodegradable. Alternatively, their ‘‘Love’ Christmas’ gift pack (£25) contains everything needed for a relaxing night in this winter. With a pair of fluffy socks, Puremess Sleep Balm, Hand Cream and a Lip Balm, all cosied up in a beautiful hessian bag and tied with a Christmas bow and gift tag, this is the dream gift for snuggle season.

Talented writer and founder of Winning with Words, Steve Markwell, has produced ‘Surrey Hills SuperHeroes’ (£13.99), new stories perfect for children and adults this Christmas-time. A collection of tales set in the Surrey Hills, where real-life and magical characters battle threats to the beauty of our landscape, this beautifully-illustrated book invites you to find your inner hero this Christmas. Get a copy of the illustrated book by emailing: stevemarkwell1l@gmail.com.

‘The Christmas Pamper Hamper Box’ (£44.95) from Sensiful makes the ideal present for someone who needs to take the weight off their feet and relax. They can kick back with Semi Sparkling Wine by Sea Change (or a gin from Wessex Distillery) and Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles by Wicked & Wonderful, whilst enjoying the subtle scents of the Dove for Peace Soy Candle by INZHO. There’s also a Spacemask and a Fika Bag full of selfcare products from Puremess to make the pampering session complete! All products are Surrey-sourced with sustainable packaging and free UK shipping, making shopping with Sensiful the easy way to shop locally this Christmas.

Local Drink

Coffee lovers will enjoy counting down to the big day with 12 Days of Discovery 2022 – Coffee Advent Calendar (£45) from Dorking-based Chimney Fire Coffee. Within this specially curated collection of coffees from the company’s 2022 Discovery Coffee range, each coffee has been carefully selected by the roastery team to satisfy different tastes and introduce a new and interesting coffee from around the world. Be that a new origin or region that hadn’t been sourced from before, a new process or varietal, or something seasonal with a unique flavour profile, from Malawi to India, there is something new for everyone to discover. £1 from every box will be donated to Re-Cycle, a small charity who refurbish donated bicycles from the UK, working with local partners to distribute them to rural communities in Africa. The Coffee Advent Calendar includes 12x70g bags of coffee, plus a guide containing more information about this year’s Discovery selection.

Albury Vineyard is a small, family-run biodynamic vineyard producing the highest quality organic English wines. This Christmas they are offering the Albury Estate Sparkling Wine Case (£159.70) to bring more than a little sparkle to your festive period. Enjoy £20 off a case of sparkling wine with free delivery when you use the code CHRISTMAS20 online and celebrate Christmas in style with English fizz!

Birtley Estate in Bramley has launched a limited edition brandy, crafted using apples grown from the estate’s cider apple orchard of 700 trees. The orchard was planted in 2012 and is managed with environmental care. The small batch premium apple brandy, in the style of Calvados, is matured at Birtley then distilled at the Silent Pool Distillery in Albury. The delicious spirit is then aged in oak barrels before bottling. BEORC LEAH – the old English name for the Birtley Estate – retails at £70 per 50cl bottle. To order, call 01483 678394 or email juliet.b@birtleyhouse.co.uk.

Local Food

RoniB’s Kitchen, the award-winning producer of artisan Philippine flavoured sauces, condiments and preserves, has launched the Tropical Sauces Gift Box (£15) in time for Christmas shopping, locally. A unique Christmas gift packed with tropical flavours for foodie family or friends, this gift box contains Ihaw Ihaw BBQ Sauce, Banana Ketchup and Labuyo Hot Chilli Sauce.

Hampton Estate boasts 2250 acres of historic parkland, grazing meadows, arable fields, award winning woodlands and traditional farmyards in Seale, Farnham. As a producer of fresh Hampton prime beef, wild roe venison, Special Steak Pies and Sausages of all varieties, their Christmas Collection Day will take place from 10.30am to 3.30pm on 2^nd December for those who wish to buy local for their festive fayre and get ahead on their Christmas meal planning. Plus there will be mulled wine and other local producers on site with their own stalls to browse for that early Christmas present. Order in advance and don’t miss out!

Surrey Hills Experiences

Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD) are offering a number of festive fun activities during December for both families and corporate groups. During ‘TAZ Festive Family Fun’, enjoy a festive session in the outdoors making rustic seasonal decorations, play festive games and enjoy toasting marshmallows over an open fire with the family. Sessions are priced at £22 per adult, £17 for aged 5-18 years and free for under 5s. Alternatively, ‘TAZ Holiday Fun’ will take place from 9.30am-4.15pm on 20^th and 21^st December. For children 6 – 11 years, enjoy outdoor activities, make a festive decoration and enjoy a Christmas lunch, priced at £52 per child.

Corporate groups and those businesses looking for an alternative Christmas party this year should also look to SOLD for the solution. Their ‘Festive Team Gatherings’ is the ideal Christmassy get together with colleagues. Make rustic seasonal decorations, enjoy festive team games and savour a hearty, homemade meal served over an open fire. Book either 2.30-5pm or 6-8.30pm on weekdays from 12^th December. Priced at £30 per person (min 10/max 30) – just wear warm clothes and bring along festive spirit! The beautiful Barnett Hill Hotel near Guildford is offering a tempting ‘Festive Afternoon Tea’ this winter season. Priced at £26.50 per person, indulge in delicious treats from delicate finger sandwiches to freshly baked patisserie items. Dressed to impress, the hotel is positively decked and just waiting for the sounds of the clinking of glasses and the popping of corks – visit Barnett Hill to celebrate in style this Christmas.

The beautifully-maintained parkland Bramley Golf Club will host special festive lunches throughout December with all the Christmas trimmings.

The ‘Christmas at Bramley’ menu offers the choice of 1 course (£19.95), 2 courses (£24.95) or 3 courses (£28.95) and features delicious dishes including Smoked Salmon, Leek and Dill Tarlets, Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, Confit of Duck on a Chorizo and Bean Cassoulet, Caramelised Oranges with Rum and Raisin Ice Cream and Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce.

 

Gift Vouchers

The Village Spirit Collective has ‘Gin Distillery Tour & Experience Vouchers’ (£25), perfect for that special someone this Christmas – or for yourself! Meet the distiller and gain an insight into the distillation process whilst enjoying a welcome drink. Explore the intriguing gin range and the individually distilled botanicals to determine your flavour profile. Vouchers are sent by email and are ideal for family or friends.

A Photography Gift Voucher from Sian T. Photography is the perfect solution for that difficult to buy for person this Christmas. A personal gift that won’t break the bank, Sian is offering the chance to double your money this festive period. Purchase a £100 gift voucher for just £50 or a £200 gift voucher for just £100 using coupon code ‘XmasX2’ on the website for a voucher that can be used against all Sian T. Photography services and products. Vouchers valid until 30^th November 2023.

Give the gift of Barnett Hill this Christmas with an indulgent voucher for something to look forward to in the New Year. Including relaxing massages, scrumptious afternoon teas, al fresco suppers or a Surrey Hills getaway, there is something for everyone in the Barnett Hill gift shop.

Festive Events

Get fully in the festive spirit by booking onto the Wreath Making Workshop (£65) at Gate Street in Bramley.Taking place from 7pm-9pm on Tuesday 29^th November, arrive to a welcome drink and enjoy festive nibbles, then be guided by the Gate Street floristry team in creating a festive wreath to add a touch of homemade charm to your front door this year. All materials needed will be provided, including foliage foraged from Gate Street’s woodlands and surrounding farmland to build up the frame and an array of decorations to suit your style, including natural greenery and dried orange slices plus a variety of other joyful options. The wreath-making workshop is intimate, allowing for one-to-one support, and is the perfect event to kick off festivities with friends or family.

The Surrey Circle Winter Event will take place in the enchanting Garden Cobham from 10.30am-9pm on Thursday 1^st December and from 9.30am-4.00pm on Friday 2^nd December. Start your Christmas celebrations with family and friends by browsing sumptuous stalls, taking part in creative workshops, enjoying tantalising food and drink and soaking up the festive atmosphere with live music and carols. Advance purchase adult tickets are priced at £3.50, or £5.50 on the day, with 25% donated to local Surrey charities.

Visit the atmospheric Silent Pool in Albury from 11am-5pm on Saturday 3^rd December to attend Silent Pool Distillers‘ popular and evocative Christmas Market. Enjoy exclusive offers, a lucky dip, stalls by talented local artisans, rousing carol singers, steaming mulled gin and more as part of this magical festive event.

 

The Kelly’s Santa Run from Kelly’s Storage Charity Events is back on Sunday 4^th December, this time with a Christmas market! Enjoy a winter run round Stoke Park, choosing from the 2.5k (fully accessible) or 5k route around the park, then finish off with a wander through the Christmas market to enjoy festive food and drinks, activities and gifts – children can even visit Santa in his grotto! Each entrant gets a Santa hat to wear for the run (or a festive bandana for any four-legged friends) and a decoration for the tree when they finish! Every penny donated will go to Challengers, a local charity that provides truly inclusive, fun and safe places where all disabled children and young people can spend time with their friends. Non-runners who just wish to attend the market are welcome too, with free market entry from 10am-2pm.

For more Surrey Hills Christmas shopping ideas, visit: www.surreyhills.org/support-your-local-businesses-this-christmas.