This Christmas, do good with your gifts.
By shopping local, not only can you bag some brilliant, unique gifts for your loved ones, but you support your local community and creators, too – and with the STO Gift Guide, you can shop with ease from our picks of the best local buys this Christmas.
So, shop local, shop social, and put your money back into your community. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Homebaked Bakery
Gift fresh from the ovens of Homebaked, the community-owned bakery opposite Anfield. With everything from classic breads to cakes and pastries, give your friends and family some deliciousness with a local twist this Christmas, or let them take their own pick of Homebaked’s famous pies with a voucher.
Kitty’s Launderette
Community launderette and social space Kitty’s has got cosy, relaxing, and beautifully scented winter nights in sorted with this gift bundle, with a fresh laundry scented soy candle, a £20 laundry services gift voucher, and a portrait postcard of namesake Kitty Wilkinson.
Squash Nutrition
Rooted and home-grown on Windsor Street in Toxteth, Squash is an ambitious community organisation with an environmental focus and a commitment to affecting positive social change locally. Create a delicious hamper of locally grown Squash produce such as fig jam, preserved cherries, Christmas chutney and much more, delicious and ready for gifting. Or, go for a natural willow wreath, lovingly and locally handcrafted.
Greens for Good
Grown from an innovative, vertical farm in the heart of the Baltic Triangle, Green’s for Good’s produce is super tasty, and sustainable as well. Give the gift of greens this Christmas, with fortnightly subscription boxes of aquaponic, sustainably-grown goodness.
Momo’s Coffee Shop
Momo’s is the place to go for a family-friendly atmosphere, offering everything from coffee and take to books and boardgames, and even events from crafting to tea blending workshops. We love the heritage talks it has on offer, and we’re sure the history buffs in your family would appreciate a ticket to learn more about their local history. See what’s on here…
Cafe Laziz
Cafe Laziz is supporting refugees, getting them into work cooking and serving delicious delicacies – and learning English in the process. Drop in to pick up some mouthwatering gifts for your friends and family, and support a great cause in the process.
Make Liverpool
Creative-led Make has spaces across the Liverpool region for people to collaborate and create. For those in your life who love to learn new skills, Make’s classes vouchers are sure to be a hit. Or treat your loved ones to locally-made gifts, and even raw honey made by local bees.
Future Yard
Future Yard’s Craig Pennington is thinking about music as a “transformative opportunity”, and putting it into action with Future Yard, the first music venue celebrating new music in Wirral. Gift a great night out with tickets – see what’s on here…
Bloom Building
Bloom is home to some of Birkenhead’s most creative STOs, including Open Door Charity, Convenience Gallery and the PositiviTree – plus the workspace, bar and all-round community spot hosts regular events. You can get great gifts too for your fashionable friends with some merch, from Bazaar and Bloom Building t-shirts to tote bags. Head over to see them to purchase.
Rhythm Reaction
Improving lives one beat at a time, Rhythm Reaction provides an outlet and channel for people to realise potential, exercise, and build self-esteem with their drumming groups. Get your loved ones moving, communicating, team building – and having some great fun – with the gift of a drumming workshop.
Dot-Art
Dot-art Services CIC supports emerging and established visual artists across the region by helping them develop their careers and gain exposure for their work. All this is alongside Dot-art’s programme of public-art classes hosted across Liverpool, and the Schools programme, which is an inter-school art competition celebrating young artists in the region. Why not brighten a loved one’s living space with some local art?
Granby Workshop
To gift artistic tiles and eye-catching dinnerware, look no further than Granby Workshop. With bowls, plates, and mugs made from ceramic, glass and stone waste, and colourful, hand-made tiles, you’re sure to find unique and beautiful gifts.
Made in Bootle
With an online marketplace showcasing Bootle’s makers, growers and creators, there are some locally-grown gems on offer from Made in Bootle this Christmas. This includes the best-selling Bootle Gift Box, filled with a variety of locally-made goodness from The Gateway Collective and B4Biodiversity, such as seasonal jams, lavender and sandalwood hand balm, and a zine with info the creators behind the items.