Get off the high street (and the internet) this Christmas and make a beeline for Clifton Village and its beautiful shops, delis and antiques stores.
Here are just a handful that are great for gift hunting:
Pod
The Pod Company
First opened in Clifton back in 2001, Pod has since expanded out to Cheltenham and Oxford. It’s a great spot for design-led, colourful and kitsch products from brands including Nicky James, Orla Kiely, Caroline Gardner and Tyrrell Katz, with a particularly good selection of novelty homewares and baking equipment.
It’s got plenty of bits and pieces for children, too, and for Christmas you’ll also find fittingly twee decorations on the ground floor.
Pod, 24 The Mall, Bristol, Avon, BS8 4DS
Arch House Deli
Arch House Deli
Everyone loves to receive something edible for Christmas. At the Arch House Deli, you'll find something a little more special than the usual giant Toblerone, with Bellevue tea, infused oils, and spices and herbs sold by the gram.
If you're after something sweet, there's confectionary from James Chocolates, Montezuma, Valrhona and local chocolatier Frances Cooley. The deli can also rustle up a gift hamper if you’re after a Christmas Day showstopper, with prices ranging from £15 to £250.
Arch House Deli, Arch House, Boyces Avenue, Bristol, BS8 4AA
Otomi
Otomi
Otomi is a small Mexican shop in Clifton Arcade named after a tribe from Guadalajara, where the brand began. The store sells colourful stock you definitely won't find on the high street, including kitchenware, tiles, hot sauces, dried chillis, salsas, herbs, spices and even wrestling masks.
If you’re after something functional yet exciting, go for one of their cast iron tortilla presses.
Otomi, 7 Cifton Arcade, Boyces Avenue, Bristol BS8 4AA
Focus on the Past
After something with a bit more backstory? Focus on the Past is a small store with affordable antiques, furniture and collectables – perfect for any lover of all things vintage, classic and retro.
While you're in the area, don’t forget to swing by Clifton Arcade, where there are several other antiques and vintage shops worth checking out, including Jemima Rose, Jan Morrison and Monty’s of Clifton.
Focus On The Past, 25 Waterloo Street, Bristol, BS8 4BT
The Mall Deli
The Mall Deli
Another one for edible gifts, the shelves are heaving with locally-produced, artisan-made products at The Mall Deli. Along with In a Pickle’s award-winning chutneys and preserves, you'll find Zara’s chocolates, Extract coffee, teas from the Bristol Tea Company, Mullion Cove’s ginger fairings and shortbread.
You'll also be able to pick up home baking products, oils, dressings, herbs, spices and condiments.
The Mall Deli, The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DR
About Face
About Face
About Face is a small shop on the corner of Princess Victoria Street, where you’ll find a good selection of interesting and unusual gifts. With jewellery, scarves, notebooks, kitchen accessories and more, it’s one of those places where you’ll end up leaving with something you couldn’t resist for yourself.
About Face, 22 Princess Victoria Street, Bristol, BS8 4BU
Pickles and Poppets
Pickles and Poppets
With stores in Clifton and Westbury on Trym, Pickles and Poppets will help you ditch plastic toys and flashing lights for a little more quality when seeking Christmas gifts for nippers.
Along with bright and colourful clothes, there’s also a selection of books, toys, games and stationery, plus playful wellies for winter puddle-splashing and animal slippers for cosy snoozing on the sofa once the turkey’s been polished off.
Pickles and Poppets, 34 The Mall, Bristol, BS8 4DS
Can you think of any other shops that belong on this list? Let us know.
Don't forget, you can also pick up unique gifts at one of Bristol's Christmas markets.