Giving presents and seeing the joy on a loved one’s face can be the best part about Christmas but buying them should be just as joyful! Getting gifts for friends, family, and that special someone can really add up. So why not this year head out in Norwich to shop locally, in bricks and mortar stores to soak up the Christmas atmosphere as you go whilst also maybe stopping for a little treat along the way – perhaps a glorious hot chocolate to keep you fuelled.
There are plenty of brilliant independent shops where you can find unique and thoughtful gifts that don’t empty your wallet or purse. Read on for our round-up of lovely Christmas presents for £20 or less, which you can find right here in the City of Stories!
And if you’re looking for even more wonderful places to shop this Christmas, be sure to check out our ‘10 Places to Shop at Christmas in Norwich‘ blog for our top recommendations this Christmastime!
Norwich Market is full of spectacular finds and unique gifts that won’t break the bank! And while you’re there, you can even reward your hard work with a mouth-watering treat. From fresh fish & chips, to tempting bakes (more on those later), this iconic market has it all.
Start your festive search on Planted, which can be found opposite the Sir Garnet Walkthrough. On this gorgeous market stall, you’ll find an impressive assortment of, you guessed it, plants! From indoor to outdoor tropical plants, books and pots, and so much more, there’s something for every nature lover on this stall. Why not grab a handmade terrarium, or a plant and pot combo? From big to small, you’re sure to find the perfect gift here.
And if you’re looking for a gift that’ll last, the market’s wonderful clothing stalls are the place to head. Check out Taxi Vintage Clothing on rows D & E on the back of the market for some of the funkiest garments all the way from the 1940s to the early 1990s! There are some great deals found here, including jumpers, fleeces, pullover jackets, t-shirts, with so much more available for £20 or less! It all looks great, and it’s sustainable too! Now that’s a good Christmas gift.
Norwich Market has something for everyone!
Jarrolds is Norwich’s flagship independent department store that is usually known for its high-end fashion and furnishings. However, there’s some real bargains and tasty gems to be found in the food hall and deli. Stocked from top to bottom with delicious treats, many of which are made by local businesses, there’s a huge range of options to choose from.
The Jarrolds Foodhall and Deli is full of delicious local produce – making for great Christmas presents!
Shopping for someone who loves cosying up to a hot drink? Treat them to the Gnaw Mixed Bomb Cracker, which comes with three individually flavoured hot chocolate bombs (milk chocolate, salted caramel, and sweet orange) for £10. Plus, marshmallows are included! And there’s a Gnaw Vegan Gift Set available too for £9, which also comes with three indulgent hot chocolate bombs to enjoy!
Sticking to the theme of chocolate – because who doesn’t love it at Christmas? Anyone who has a sweet tooth will adore the Booja Booja Gourmet Selection No.1. This selection comes with 25 chocolate truffles, truffle loglets, and a truffle star, with a range of flavours like honeycomb caramel, cherry bakewell, hazelnut crunch, and more! This selection costs slightly over £20, setting you back £24, but it’s well worth it!
Looking for something a bit stronger? Jarrolds have got plenty of options, like their Mindful Mixology Cocktails. These ready-to-pour cocktails come with two servings, and cost £10.99 per bottle. Choose between Salted Coconut Espresso Martini and Grapefruit Margarita (which have both won Great Taste Awards!), or go for the Aperol Negroni, which comes with three servings!
There are few better places for unique stocking fillers than County & Eastern. Tucked away on Bethel Street, you’ll find this museum and shop selling all things South Asian. It’s a fantastic visit, and quite the scenery to do some shopping in! Be sure to check out the decorated boxes, metal and wooden figures, and printing blocks, they all make for brilliant gifts, and are a bit different from the usual presents!
Country & Eastern is a real hidden gem in Norwich, and absolutely worth a visit.
For even more fantastic gift ideas while supporting local, independent business, look no further than Lisa Angel! In their beautiful Lower Goat Lane and Chantry Place shops, you can find equally gorgeous arrays of homeware, jewellery, dried flowers, and accessories.
And nothing is as thoughtful as their ‘Christmas Build Your Own Gift Hamper‘! With this gift, you can customise everything from the box it comes in, through to mini gifts and main gifts! Great for keeping your gifting to a price range that suits you, while letting someone know how much they mean to you.
Finally, who doesn’t love a board game? Great at any time of year, but even better at Christmas, tabletop games are the perfect way to get friends and family involved in all the fun. For a fantastic selection of small games, larger party games, and even stocking fillers like dice sets, Slice + Dice is your one-stop shop! Pop into their shop on St Benedicts Street to find their full selection.
Sometimes the best gift is time shared. You don’t need to spend a fortune to show someone they are important to you – spending some quality time together can do the trick! And luckily, there’s plenty of experiences in Norwich that you can treat a special someone to.
Castle Quarter can spoil you for choice with their range of experiences. From games of mini golf at Putt Putt Noodle (from £7 at off-peak times and £8 during peak times), to watching the latest blockbuster hit at Vue (available online from £5.89), or even a round of bowling at Superbowl UK (£8.50 per adult for 1 game, or £13.50 for 2 games), there is so much to do get involved in here!
Or how about a visit to one of the city’s museums? Norwich Castle, the Museum of Norwich and Strangers’ Hall all make for a great day out, with so many interesting exhibitions showcasing modern art, historic artefacts, and much more. Tickets are £7.40 for adults (Norwich Castle, Museum of Norwich) or £6.50 for adults (Strangers’ Hall).
Perhaps an evening out is just the ticket? Enjoy a performance at Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich Playhouse or The Garage to see a comedian, touring West End musical, or dance show – all venues have tickets available from £10 per person.
Fancy a bit of friendly competition this Christmas? The Bowling House is a brilliant choice for an afternoon or evening of family-friendly fun. With their shortened lanes and lighter bowling balls, everyone can enjoy racking up a high score here. Gift cards are available from £10, or you can go for the ‘2 Games and Milkshake‘, which costs £20 and, you guessed it, comes with 2 games and a milkshake for one player!
Who’ll come out on top at the Bowling House?
Finally, if you’re buying for someone who really loves getting out and about, an annual membership to Plantation Garden might be the perfect purchase. This marvellous, 3-acre, Grade II, English Heritage registered garden has been tucked away here in Norwich for over 100 years and is still a hidden gem to this day. It’s absolutely wonderful at any time of year, and with a joint membership, your loved one and a guest get unlimited access to the garden for the year for £12. They’ll love it.
If you want to treat someone to a bigger present or experience, but can’t afford to pay for it all, why not choose a gift card? There’s plenty of places around the City of Stories where you can get gift cards from £20 that a friend or family member can put towards something extra special.
For extra fun activities, check out gift vouchers from The Shoebox Experiences, Paul Dickson Tours, Gyre & Gimble’s Gin Academy experience, and Cinema City. And fabulous restaurants that offer gift vouchers include: The Assembly House, Cosy Club, Farmyard, The Ivy, and Slice + Dice (which is valid for both their food & drink and board games!).
Paul Dickson Tours are a great way to see the city in a different light!
