EACH YEAR WE COMPILE THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO COMPLETING YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN BIRMINGHAM.

We’ve curated a hugely extensive gift guide to show you that there is something for every single person on your list that can be bought from a local shop, artist, creative or small business. Birmingham is bursting at the seams with talent and personality, and your money is so much more valuable to these small businesses than it is to the big corporations who multiply their profits at this time of year. After a difficult couple of years, it is more important than ever to shop local and celebrate everything that is great about our city.

Each year we add more and more independents to our gift guide to give you the most thorough and extensive list we can possibly pull together. We have tried to include as many different independents across Birmingham and Solihull as we possibly can, and choices at as many different price points as we can, to give you as many gift options as possible. And we’ll keep adding to this guide, updating it every few days to include EVEN MORE amazing independents for you to support.

As we do every year, we have split them into categories to make it even easier to discover the perfect gift for every single recipient on your list.

Settle in with a cuppa and a mince pie because this is going to be a long one – it’s a bumper edition. Have a scroll through the guide, pick out a whole bunch of gift ideas created by Brum’s very best indies and handmade with love, support local in a massive way, and then give the gift of local this Christmas

Without further ado, here’s Independent Birmingham’s Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2025…

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOCAL WITH THE INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM APP – £29.90

Know someone who loves to support local and wants to explore more of Birmingham’s vibrant independent scene? We have just the thing:

Spread the indie love by gifting a year’s IB Membership to another person so they can enjoy up to 50% off, alongside exclusive 2-for-1s, freebies and more at 170+ of the very best independents across Birmingham and Solihull.

With new independents and deals added to the IB App all of the time – IB App Membership really is the gift that keeps on giving!

And if you’re looking to treat a group of people ((your employees/team, residents, students etc) we also offer a bulk purchase option where you can buy multiple IB Memberships for a discounted price.

ESSENTIAL BRUM MERCH

This is possibly our favourite category. If you know someone who is born and bred Brummie, and damn proud of it (as they jolly well should be), then we have some incredible gift ideas for you. Made by Brummies, for Brummies, this is a selection of gifts that give a not-so-subtle nod to our hometown and will definitely put a smile on the face of that special someone on the big day.

SPACEPLAY MINI BIRMINGHAM CENTRAL LIBRARY: MINIMA – £40

The iconic former Birmingham Central Library immortalised in a tiny concrete statue – need we say anymore? Essential purchase.

OZZY OSBOURNE PRINT BY BRUMHAUS – FROM £55

Everyone loves a Brumhaus! In honour of the late, great Ozzy, pick up one of these incredible prints for the metal fan in your life (or simply a proud Brummie) in Brumhaus’ signature style. Check out his shop for more beautiful designs.

JEWEELERY QUARTER MAP BY TOM WOOLLEY – £20

A fun print for any Brummie in your life – this beautifully illustrated map by brilliant local artist Tom Woolley is the perfect gift.

ASTON VILLA PRINTS: THE URBAN GIANT – PRICE ON REQUEST

The Urban Giant creates some truly awesome illustrations, and you can DM him to order prints. He has recently added some Aston Villa prints to his page, and you can pick up a bundle of 3 prints for £100 – the perfect gift for an avid Villa fan in your life.

ELECTRIC CINEMA COLLAGE BY THE BRUMMY ARTIST: LUX GALLERY – FROM £80

From ceramics and jewellery to photographic prints and unique pieces of artwork, Lux Gallery has a wonderful array of potential gifts. We fell in love with this fun and unusual collage artwork by The Brummy Artist and think it would look amazing on someone’s wall!

PRINTS: THE CRAFTY BRUM – FROM £14.91

These pretty watercolour and fine line prints from The Crafty Brum feature a whole host of Birmingham landmarks and are perfect for your Brum-loving pals. We love this Floozie in the Jacuzzi one, but there are lots of others to choose from (including BT Tower, Pigeon Park, The Cadbury Factory and more).

BIRMINGHAM ARCHITECTURE TEA TOWEL FROM DOT MOTH – £10

Practical, fun and showing off your Birmingham roots. We LOVE these tea towels! Perfect for a proud Brummie.

BRUM IS FOR LIFE ORGANIC TEE FROM PUNKS AND CHANCERS – £30

If you don’t have at least one Punks and Chancers tee, are you even a Brummie? They come out with a new fun and festive design every Christmas and it’s one of the most hotly anticipated merch drops of the year. Go get yours now – it’s the ideal addition to everyone’s wardrobe.

EAT VIETNAM PRINT: JD ALLEN ART – £25

We’ve fallen head over heels for James Allen’s fun prints of our favourite Birmingham independents. Level up your wall art game and gain extra Brummie points by collecting them all.

VINTAGE TRAVEL POSTER PRINTS BY DRAW MY CITY – £15 – 26

We love a vintage travel poster and these ones by the talented Stacey Barnfield (of Draw My City) are the perfect addition to any Brummie’s home. Other landmarks and print styles are available too.

BOURNVILLE PRINT BY MILAN ILLUSTRATOR – £20

We’ve been massive fans of Milan Illustrator for many years (he even designed one of our old Independent Birmingham Membership Cards). This print is the perfect present for any loved one or friend who lives in Bournville and loves to represent their ‘burb.

KING OF BORDESLEY JUNCTION A4 PRINT: ANNATOMIX – £40

Annatomix’s iconic artwork is legendary across the city. Gift a Brummie friend one of these lovely prints so they can have a beautiful Annatomix artwork of their own. Check out the online store for more awesome prints, tees, keyrings and lots more too!

LUMINATE TRAIL: BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS – FROM £12.70 (children) and £19 (adults)

Give the gift of magic this Christmas and gift someone tickets to the brilliant light trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens (on until 1 January). They can explore the mesmerising illuminated displays around this iconic Brummie venue for an experience like no other.

BIRMINGHAM ALPHABET PRINT BY YETI CARDS AND GIFTS – FROM £19.99

An A-Z of all things Brum? We’ll take 10 of these prints please. And then we’ll gift them to everyone we know.

BENNY’S BABBIES POSTER (CREATED BY COLD WAR STEVE) FROM BMAG – £20

This poster screams FUN from the top of the Rotunda. All of our favourite Brummies in one poster, surrounded by our favourite Birmingham landmarks? We couldn’t have dreamed anything better.

BIRMINGHAM 2026 CALENDAR BY MilanIllustrator – £10.99

Give your pals the gift of an organised year complete with beautiful Brum illustrations.

BIRMINGHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS FROM TALENTED LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER ROSS JUKES – FROM £40

Ross Jukes is known for his striking photographs of Birmingham and one of his prints makes a very welcome addition to any home. Make sure to order by 5 December to guarantee delivery in time for the big day.

BLACK TONG LAU BUILDING T-SHIRT: BLOW WATER CAFE – £30

Casual Hong Kong eatery Blow Water Cafe makes some yummy yummy food, and they also have some cool merch! Grab one of these tees for a Brummie foodie friend.

BIRMINGHAM THE BRUTIFUL YEARS BY THE MODERNIST: IKON BOOKSHOP – £25

If you know someone who loves the iconic brutalist architecture found across Birmingham, make sure to pick up this book for them. A gift for architecture, history, brutalist or Birmingham fans alike.

MINI DIGBETH PRINTS: ABBIE SEVERN – FROM £10

These A5 mini Digbeth prints make the perfect gifts – choose your favourite as a stocking filler, secret santa or thoughtful gift.

BULL AND PIDGE PRINT BY ROOTS0121 – £18

This fun and quirky print would make a fine addition to any Brummie’s wall.

STUNNING BIRMINGHAM PRINTS FROM TALENTED LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER VERITY MILLIGAN – FROM £75

Verity Milligan captures the beauty of Brum like no one else. Her stunning photographs are available as prints and make a lovely gift.

OZZY THE BULL PENDANT FROM I CHOOSE BIRMINGHAM – £18.99

Following the success of their Ozzy pin badges, I Choose have created the ultimate statement piece. A super fun prezzie for for any proud Brummie, so they can rep their fave bull wherever they go.

STOCKING FILLERS

Sometimes those little extras are the best bits. The small stocking fillers that have had just as much thought behind them as the bigger gifts can be just as fun and exciting – and we have a great selection of stocking fillers for you.

YES BAB BAUBLE FROM PUNKS AND CHANCERS – £15

Fun and funky, this bauble is the ideal stocking filler for Brummie pals.

2 SANTA MILK HOT CHOCOLATE SPOONS FROM THE CHOCOLATE QUARTER – £7.50

These cute Santa spoons can be melted into a cup of hot milk to create the most delicious and indulgent hot chocolate. A fun stocking filler for a chocolate fan.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: HOW BRAVE IS THE WREN – FROM £6.99

A sweet stocking filler for a child, a new story book from this fantastic children’s bookshop.

CLASSIC FUDGE FROM SWEETMEAT INC. – PRICES IN STORE

Sweet tooth but not a big fan of chocolate? Get them some delicious fudge from Sweetmeat Inc. – it truly is the best fudge we’ve ever tasted. Pop into Chancer’s to browse the stock they have.

BOX OF CHRISTMAS MACAROONS FROM MISS MACAROON – FROM £15

Miss Macaroon make beautiful French macaroons and help to create employment opportunities for young people in need. A truly delicious taste-good and feel-good gift.

ZERO WASTE GIFTS FROM THE CLEAN KILO – VARIOUS PRICES

Zero-waste supermarket The Clean Kilo are known for their eco credentials. If you’re looking for a lovely eco-friendly gift this year, check out their gift options both online and in store from reusable water bottles to eco friendly soap and locally made gifts.

TRUFFLES FROM KNEAL’S CHOCOLATES – £10.95

Who doesn’t love handmade choccies?

CHRISTMAS PUDDING CHOCOLATES FROM 1683 CHOCOLATE PLACE – £6

These little chocolates are as adorable as they are delicious. 1683 Chocolate Place have a whole range of luxury, artisan chocolate gifts to choose from, but these sweet little Christmas puds make a great stocking filler for kids and grown-ups alike.

HAND WARMERS FROM VESTA LIVING: £14

These cosy little hand-warmers can be re-used time and again for that friend who is always cold. Pop them in pockets and keep hands toasty. Vesta Living have lots of other eco-friendly gifts too.

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR JEWELLERY MAKING CLASSES AT THE QUARTERWORKSHOP – FROM £5

The Quarterworkshop offer fun jewellery making workshops where participants can learn new skills and create their own piece to treasure forever. Gift vouchers are available for a whole class or a nominated value to put towards these classes.

HANDMADE NOTEBOOKS – BIRMINGHAM STATIONERY CO – FROM £20

Birmingham Stationery Co stock a range of beautiful stationery, but they also make some themselves. Their own range of notebooks come in gorgeous prints and patterns and can be personalised for a little extra.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AT BEAR BOOKSHOP – FROM £6.99

Bear Bookshop in Bearwood has lots of lovely stories for children for you to discover. Shop their range of books online whilst their store is closed.

BOARD GAMES FROM GAME GURU – FROM AROUND £7

The awesome Game Guru stock a range of games that you can buy (as well as play in sotre), plus they have loads of merch and collectibles – perfect for the gamer in your life. Shop in store or online.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM LIV’S – FROM £2

A Christmas decoration specially chosen for the recipient makes a lovely, thoughtful gift! They can look back on it year after year and think of you. Liv’s have an incredible selection of decorations as well as homeware, candles, gifts and more. It’s well worth a browse in store or online for some unique gifts.

PLEASE LEAVE BY 9 COASTERS FROM DRIFTROOM – £3.99

We’re not saying we need these coasters… but, we definitely need these coasters. Driftroom have a great selection of quirky gifts to browse too – great for those hard-to-buy for people.

PEWTER LABRADOR DOG KEY RING: SMITHSONIA – £16.95

Smithsonia have an awesome selection of gifts on their online shop so it’s well worth a browse to hunt out those unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else. From jewellery to ceramics and lots more, they have a wide selection of special pieces to choose from.

A FUN NEW GAME LIKE MANTIS FROM CHANCE AND COUNTERS – £9.99

Everyone loves playing games at Christmas so a new game to add into the mix is always a great idea. Chance & Counters have a great selection to choose from, hand-picked by the board game experts.

TEA FROM CAKE & CULTURE – £15

Know someone who loves tea? Pick them up one of the signature loose-leaf tea blends from Cake & Culture and they’ll be delighted.

HIMALAYAN SALT TEA LIGHT HOLDER FROM ZEN – £6

For the spiritual person in your life, you can’t beat a gift from Zen. From crystals to incense, they have it all, including this soothing himalayan rock salt tea light holder.

BIRMINGHAM COLOUR PALETTE MAGNET FROM THE BMAG SHOP – £4

We could have picked one of any number of amazing Birmingham-centric gifts that can be found on the brilliant BMAG Gift Shop online, but we couldn’t resist this fun magnet! Head to their shop to browse all sorts of wonderful gifts inspired by Birmingham, their museums, and the city’s history.

FOR THE FOODIE

We all have that special someone in our lives who is obsessed with food. Always going out to the best restaurants, taking Instagram snaps of their food, and cooking up a storm in their own kitchen trying to recreate their favourite dishes from their favourite restaurants. If this sounds familiar, then you’ll want to get them one of these gifts.

SAINT PAUL’S MARKET GIFT VOUCHERS – CHOOSE YOUR VALUE

If you know someone who loves Brum’s newest foodie hotspot and loves trying new dishes each visit, then grab them a voucher for Saint Paul’s Market. Equally, if you know someone who has yet to visit but has been meaning to go, give them that little nudge to make sure they check it out by gifting them a thoughtful voucher so they can enjoy some delicious food and drink on you! How thoughtful you are.

FESTIVE FAVOURITES CHRISTMAS SELECTION BOX FROM BRUTALLY HONEST BAKERY – £29.99 (£25.49 in November)

The ace Brutally Honest Bakery make delicious goodies that are free from allergens (no gluten, no nuts, no dairy) but pack lots of flavour! If you pre-order their Ultimate Indulgence or Festive Favourites box before 30 November you’ll get 15% off too. Available for delivery or collection from 1 December.

CINNAMON BUN MAKING WORKSHOP AT HAMPTON MANOR – £70

For the baker in the family, get them the gift of a fun, hands-on workshop learning to make delicious cinnamon buns, taught by the pros at Hampton Manor Bakery. Lots of other workshops can be booked too from Sourdough to Stollen and more!

FOODIE HAMPERS FROM DELI 17 – FROM £40

We love a ready made gift and a hamper packed with delicious treats is one of our favourites. Deli 1 have you covered with wine and cheese hampers available to order online, or pop in store to order your favourite supplies directly.

BAKED GOODS FROM BOHO BAKEHOUSE – FROM £10

Pre-order some delicious baked goods from the fabulous Boho Bakehouse in Dorridge for the perfect gift to whoever is hosting Christmas this year. Check back to see if they add any Christmas specials to their pre-orders.

FOR THE ONE WHO LIKES IT HOT: BLACK MASS HOT SAUCE FROM PIP’S HOT SAUCE – £8

The legendary Pip’s Hot Sauce is the perfect gift for those who like all things spicy. There are a number of delicious sauces you can choose from, with differing levels of heat, and a taster gift set too. But our pick of the bunch this year is this awesome collab with Home Of Metal, forged with black garlic, the finest chillies and roasted onions.

CAKES AND BAKES: PAUSE – PRICE TBC

Pick up some of Pause’s legendary baked goods and you’ll win at the Christmas gift giving this year. Keep an eye on their page for any updates as they usually do a pre-order for goodies.

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CHEESE SELECTION FROM GRACE & JAMES – FROM £39

If you know someone who loves cheese, you can’t go wrong with a hand-picked selection from the brilliant Grace + James (available for pre-order). This is the perfect foodie gift all wrapped up and ready to go – so you can sit back and relax, knowing you’ve smashed it. You can order a wine selection too… *Adds to basket*

CHEESE, MEAT AND WINE GIFT PACKAGES FROM ARCH 13 – FROM £36.50

Arch 13 are known for their amazing cheeseboards, so for the cheese lover in your life, one of their filled totes is a no-brainer of a gift.

PIZZA AND COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT SMOKE + ASH – £50pp

Edgbaston’s Smoke + Ash serve up some of the very best pizzas in Brum. Fact. And now you can learn to make their epic pies yourself with their pizza and cocktail masterclass. Fun for couples, fun for mates, fun for everyone – who wouldn’t want to learn to make mouth-watering pizzas and delicious cocktails? The perfect gift for that foodie in your life looking to up their home-cooking game.

COOKERY CLASSES AT LOAF – FROM £85

If you have a wannabe chef in your life, no matter what their skill level is, there’s a class for them at the brilliant Loaf. Grab a voucher so they can choose the class they want to attend and help them learn something new (and maybe they’ll cook a delicious meal for you with their newfound skills). *If they’re all sold out, more dates will be released soon – sign up here to be notified when they drop.

IN DELHI, IT POURS: INDICO STREET KITCHEN – £30

If you know a budding chef looking to try their hand at some tasty new recipes, you can get them this fantastic debut book by Indico Street Kitchen featuring recipes for Indico’s staple Punjabi dishes alongside 30 heart-warming fictional stories. Level up the gift by adding in their signature spice blends to help recreate their dishes.

EUREKA COOKBOOK: SIMPSONS – £19.95

Michelin-starred chef Andreas Antona has poured 80 fabulous recipes into this cookbook which foodies will love to open on Christmas Day. The book features a collection of starters, mains and desserts as well as basics and staples.

CHOCOLATE MAKING EXPERIENCE AT THE CHOCOLATE QUARTER – £150 per couple (groups available too)

For the chocaholic – what could be better than your very own chocolate making experience. Two hour experience includes introduction, truffle making masterclass, a chocolate feast featuring fondue and Prosecco, and your own handmade truffles to take home.

PREMIUM ASSORTED BAKLAVA BOX: DAMASCENA – £19.95

Know someone who loves Baklava? Get them a box of their favourite treats from Damascena and put a smile on their face this Christmas.

BONEHEAD T-SHIRTS – £25

Everyone’s favourite fried chicken dive bar also happens to sell some seriously cool merch. For the BoneHead fan in your life. We have a bunch of their t-shirts ourselves and not only are they mega cool, they’re mega cosy.

FESTIVE BAKED GOODS AT SILVER TREE BAKERY – VARIOUS PRICES

Head to the awesome Silver Tree Bakery closer to Christmas to pick up some gorgeous baked goodies and make up your own little treat box for someone special. Whilst you’re there, you can pick up some goodies for yourself too, right?

SUSHI MASTERCLASS AT YAKINORI – £40 PER PERSON (£20 FOR CHILDREN)

Know someone who loves sushi? Book them in for a sushi making masterclass at the brilliant Yakinori in Solihull for an unforgettable experience learning how to make their favourite food. Start with a Japanese breakfast, followed by a 2-hour class preparing some of Yakinori’s signature sushi pieces. Enjoy your sushi and finish with a shot of sake! A vegan class is available too.

AUTHENTIC BALTI BOWL FROM THE BIRMINGHAM BALTI BOWL CO – £27.99

The perfect gift for a curry lover – these authentic balti bowls only get better the more you use them.

SPICE BLENDS FROM MATT COOPER BITES – FROM £6.99

If you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to that balti bowl, why not grab some of these brilliant spice mixes so your pal can cook up some curries in style.

FESTIVE HAMPERS FROM THE EARLY BIRD BAKERY – FROM £27.50

Every year the brilliant Early Bird Bakery packs their online shop with epic cakes (both whole and half-sized – the perfect showstopper for your Xmas lunch), tarts, mince pies and baked goods which are available to pre-order via their bio (for both delivery to B postcodes, or for collection). This year they’ve also introduced some amazing festive hampers – the perfect gift for that certain foodie in your life (or for yourself, you earned it!). With 6 different hampers to choose from (ranging from sweet to savoury, and one which includes wine from Grace + James), these hampers are highly giftable and even tastier.

EPIC COOKIES FROM THE COOKIE COTTAGE – FROM £3.75

If you know someone who loves cookies, get them some of these absolute delights from The Cookie Cottage which come in a range of incredible flavours. Pick some up from their stores in Birmingham’s Selfridges or Touchwood, Solihull, or you can also order online!

CHRISTMAS BOX: AKTAR AT HOME – £240 – £400

Give the gift of curry this Christmas! £400 might seem like a lot but these boxes contain a SERIOUS amount of food (enough to feed at least 8 people). So if you know someone catering for a larger group this year, send them this box and do the hard work for them. Or, if you’re having a smaller celebration you can order individual curries (great for stocking up the freezer). Delicious!

BAKED GOODIES FROM BAKEHOUSE BY BAKED IN BRICK – PRICES IN STORE

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing bakeries in Birmingham. Pop into one of Baked In Brick’s bakeries to browse the delectable pastries and baked goods and pick out some delicious treats for a friend.

CHEESE AND WINE HAMPERS FROM LA SANTE – FROM £42

La Sante are offering a selection of cheese and wine hampers for pre-order this year, available for collection on 23 or 24 December. Have a browse and select a hamper for an easy, delicious gift.

DELICIOUS PASTRIES: LEVAIN & CHERRY – FROM £1

Pre-order some delicious goodies from the awesome Levain & Cherry for a pastry-lover in your life and they’ll be very happy indeed. Pre-orders close on Sunday 14 December for collection from their Stirchley store on Christmas Eve, so get ahead now or head in-store closer to the big day to shop in person.

SAREHOLE MILL BAKES & CAKES: SAREHOLE MILL – £7.50

Featuring 30 delicious recipes that are fun for the whole family, this lovely little book is a great gift for a baker.

RAID THE LARDER AT BAKERY AT HAMPTON MANOR AND CREATE YOUR OWN GIFT HAMPER – VARIOUS PRICES

Festive hampers are always a very awesome gift to receive. If you fancy making your own bespoke hamper (for those extra brownie points), Hampton Manor Bakery stock all manner of goodies in their larder. We’re talking local honey, cheeses, cured meats, wines, bread, chocolate, coffee and (of course) plenty of glorious baked goods (their cinnamon rolls are heavenly). And while you’re there, you may as well treat yourself to a coffee and some baked goods – ’tis the season, after all.

FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOVER: SOKO PATISSERIE CHOCOLATES – FROM £17

Delectable, delicious and beautiful. These gorgeous chocolates will make a wonderful gift.

BAKED GOODIES: MEDICINE BAKERY – PRICES IN STORE

We just love baked goods as gifts, and here in Birmingham we’re spoilt for choice on where to get them from. You can’t go wrong with the sensational goodies from Medicine though – gift them to everyone you can think of.

FOR THE DRINKS LOVER

If you know someone who loves their booze, we have some excellent suggestions for you. Whether they love to shake up their own cocktails or they fancy themselves as a bit of a sommelier, we have a gift for them all.

TAKEAWAY COCKTAILS FROM COUCH – £7.50 EACH OR 3 FOR £20

If you know a cocktail lover, you can’t go wrong with some bottled cocktails from the awesome Couch. DM them to order and then pick them up in store.

OUTER CITY LIMITS 2024 FROM MIDLAND PRESS – £26

This wine, produced and bottled right in the heart of Digbeth would make such a great gift! You can also buy distillery tours too which would also be a really cool gift for a wine lover.

WHISKY TASTING FROM GRAIN & GLASS – FROM £20

Know someone who loves whisky? Get them a voucher for a whisky tasting with those in the know and they can up their knowledge and enjoy a fun evening out.

ENJOY COCKTAILS FROM PASSING FANCIES IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME – FROM £25

Passing Fancies is one of the very best bars in the UK (with co-founder Matt being ranked the number 2 bartender in the ENTIRE WORLD). We’re lucky to have such a great bar in Brum, and now you can enjoy their glorious cocktails at home. The perfect tipple ready to pour out over ice when you fancy a delicious drink. Wonderful. At the time of writing, most were sold out, but check back for any restocks closer to Christmas.

FOR THE WINE LOVER IN YOUR LIFE: A WINE SUBSCRIPTION FROM LOKI – FROM £95 EVERY 2 MONTHS

If you REALLY want to spoil the wine lover in your life, gift them a wine subscription from Loki. Featuring a selection of wines (choose 6 or 12 bottles) delivered every month or every 2 months, handpicked by Phil ensuring a blend of timeless classics and hidden treasures that reflect the current season.

IRISH WHISKEY TASTING AT FOX & CHANCE – £50 per person

Whiskey fan? Treat them to a whiskey tasting experience at Fox & Chance. They’ll taste 5 different whiskies and enjoy two Irish whiskey cocktails, including an Irish coffee, as well as learning more about the history of Irish Whiskey.

BOTTLE OF PISCO: CHAKANA – FROM £25

If you know someone who loves drinking Pisco sours – grab them a lovely bottle of Pisco from Chakana for them to make their favourite drink at home.

WINE BY THE BOTTLE FROM CONNOLLY’S – FROM £6.59

If your recipient has a favourite wine or likes to discover new ones, head to Connolly’s to pick out a fantastic bottle. You have to walk through Arch 13 to get to the shop, so stopping for a mouth-watering meat and cheese board with a glass of wine is basically mandatory. Connolly’s also offer a wonderful subscription service too – so sign up someone you know who loves their wine and bless their year with amazing bottles!

BRINGING SESHY BACK T-SHIRT: GLASSHOUSE BEER CO – £20

Beer fan? Get them this stylish tee from Glasshouse Beer Co.

NATURAL WINE BY THE BOTTLE FROM WINE FREEDOM – FROM £13

If you know someone who loves natural wine, there’s no better place to grab them a gift than the brilliant Wine Freedom.

FOR THE CRAFT BEER AFICIONADO HEAD TO STIRCHLEY WINES AND SPIRITS TO PICK UP SOME UNUSUAL BOTTLES/CANS – FROM AROUND £2.55

Why not pick out a few different cans or bottles for the craft beer lover you know and make up your own little craft beer hamper. Head to Stirchley Wines for an unrivalled selection.

SAKE BY THE BOTTLE: KOKUSHU – FROM £15

Know someone who loves Sake? Grab them a delightful bottle of their favourite drink, hand selected by local Sake expert Sam Boulton and they’re bound to be thrilled with your thoughtful gift.

ENGLISH SINGLE POT STILL VODKA FROM SPIRIT OF BIRMINGHAM – £41

This award-winning vodka is made right here in our lovely Brum – the ideal gift for any drinks lover and the perfect addition to the festive drinks cabinet.

HOODIE FROM LEVIATHAN BREWING – £20

Who doesn’t love a cosy hoodie? This one is both warm and stylish, and they can rep their favourite brewery in the process. Nice.

MINI KEGS FROM ATTIC BREW CO – FROM £26

The ace Attic Brew Co have made treating the beer lover in your life super easy with their mini kegs! A great gift, or perfect for Christmas parties. Stock up while you can.

BURNING SOUL BREWING CANS: BURNING SOUL BREWING COMPANY – FROM £3.50

Know someone who loves Burning Soul? Get them a selection of their favourite cans and you can’t go wrong. Keep your eyes peeled for a restock…

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT THE VICTORIA – £25 PER PERSON

If you know a cocktail fanatic who’d like to brush up on their skills, or someone who just loves a tipple or two, what could be more fun than a cocktail masterclass with the pros at The Victoria?

THE BOLD & SPICED COLLECTION FROM SPIRITS OF ANARCHY – £15

Spirits of Anarchy like to celebrate independent spirit brands and they’ve curated some lovely little gift sets which make the perfect present.

BUILD YOUR OWN MIXED CASE FROM BIRMINGHAM BREWING COMPANY – AROUND £30

The ideal gift for any craft beer aficionado in your life. Hand pick a selection of 12 cans and get 10% off. Add in a can or two of their ‘Merry Brummie’ for bonus festive points.

GIN, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING AT 40 ST PAUL’S – £38 PER PERSON

Three of our absolute favourite things, all in one. In this tasting, five gins are expertly paired with award-winning cheeses and handmade chocolate truffles. The experience lasts for 2 hours. Email to enquire. But remember, they’re closing from the end of the year so you’ll need to get your tasting in before then.

BURNING BARN GIFT SET: BURNING BARN RUM – £16

A great little gift for someone who likes rum, this gift set contains three 5cl bottles of Burning Barn Rum (1 each of Spiced Rum, Smoked Rum and Honey And Rum Liqueur). Help them discover their new favourite rum!

MANGO PALE ALE PACK OF 4 FROM THE INDIAN STREATERY – £20

For the craft beer fan, stock up on their favourite Pale Ale and they’ll be delighted on Christmas morning.

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER

We all know someone who can’t function before their first (or maybe third) coffee in the morning, who frequents the city’s finest coffee shops in search of that perfect cup. If this sounds familiar, here’s our pick of the best gifts for a caffeine lover.

RETAIL COFFEE FROM PAUSE – PRICES IN STORE

The wonderful Pause certainly know a thing or two about coffee, so pop in store to chat to Rory and browse their retail coffee selection of the finest beans. They will have some awesome brewing equipment available to buy too.

COFFEE PRINTS: WAYLAND’S YARD – FROM £14

For the caffeine addict in your life, you can’t go wrong with one of these brilliant coffee prints. There are three different designs to choose from and they’re made to order, so be sure to leave plenty of time.

COFFEE SUBSCRIPTION FROM QUARTER HORSE COFFEE – FROM £34.50

Coffee obsessed? A coffee subscription from the brilliant Quarter Horse Coffee is the gift that keeps on giving. Choose from 3, 6 or 12 months worth of delicious coffee for your coffee loving friend.

BAGS OF COFFEE FROM FACULTY COFFEE – PRICES IN STORE

The lovely folks over at Faculty Coffee always have an excellent range of bagged coffee, beans and brewing equipment to peruse on their retail shelf in store. Next time you pop in for a coffee stock up on some excellent gifts for the coffee fans in your life.

XMAS HAMPERS FROM NGOPI – £20 – £40

The ultimate coffee gift set, packaged and ready to slip under the tree, featuring a selection of drip coffees and roasted beans.

RETAIL COFFEE FROM FOLKLORE – PRICES IN STORE

Pop into Folklore to browse their lovely selection of coffees and equipment and you’ll be sure to find something to please the coffee lover in your life.

FOR THE CULTURE VULTURE

Is there a special someone in your life that loves to go the theatre, is always catching the latest exhibitions, or loves their music? Well, we have some ideas to make their Christmas the best one yet. If you have someone on your list who loves all things culture, then choose one of these gifts for them and show them how much you care.

TICKETS TO THE NUTCRACKER BY BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET AT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – FROM £26

There is nothing quite as magical at this time of year than watching the incredibly talented dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet performing The Nutcracker. It’s a Christmas classic and a truly unmissable show, but it finishes its run on 13 December so get booking fast. If you miss out, there are lots of other incredible shows you can get tickets to.

PHOTO: BELLA KOTAK

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – VARIOUS PRICES

If you know a theatre lover, a gift voucher for Birmingham Hippodrome is a wonderful gift. From musicals to ballet and spoken word to comedy, there’s an incredible programme of events on next year and a gift voucher allows them to pick their favourite show to enjoy.

MEMBERSHIPS AT BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE – FROM £60

Theatre buff in your life? Get them a membership to The REP so they can enjoy a full year of amazing benefits. Perks include: priority booking, up to 15% off tickets, exclusive member events and more.

PHOTO: DAVE MUSSON

GIFT VOUCHERS FOR MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE – CHOICE OF VALUE

For the arts fan in your life, a gift voucher for MAC is a great gift, and you can choose the value you wish to gift. With a packed programme of exhibitions, screenings, performances and events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy whether they’re a cinema lover or a modern art fan, an avid theatre-goer or a fan of comedy.

LOVE THEIR MUSIC? HEAD TO A LOCAL RECORD SHOP SUCH AS SWORDFISH RECORDS AND PICK UP SOME UNUSUAL RECORDS FOR THEM – FROM £5

For the music fan in your life, there’s nothing like hunting down a hard to find, limited edition record – or picking up something to add to their growing collection. Either way, Swordfish Records is the place to go.

PHOTOZINE 007: BIRMINGHAM #3 1970s & 80s: IKON GALLERY BOOKSHOP – £10

There’s nothing quite like flicking through a fascinating new book and the place to go to find the best books to gift is The Ikon Gallery Shop. They have loads of amazing books on all manner of topics from art to architecture and more, as well as a fantastic selection of gifts made by local creatives. Go check out their shop now and we guarantee you’ll find some special gifts.

RECORDS AT POLAR BEAR RECORDS – PRICES IN STORE

Yet another fantastic record shop – Polar Bear Records is well worth a browse to discover some true hidden gems for a music lover.

Photo: Brum On Brum

MEMBERSHIP TO MOCKINGBIRD CINEMA – FROM £17.99

Know someone who absolutely loves their movies? Gift them a membership for The Mockingbird Cinema and they can enjoy perks like free tickets and 10% off concessions.

WALK BIRMINGHAM BOOK BY BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY – £7.50

If you know a keen walker or a history lover, this book is a great gift. Filled with 20 glorious walks around Birmingham designed to help you experience the city’s history.

TICKETS TO MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL – FROM £52 (ADULTS) AND £33 (CHILDREN)

Tickets for Moseley Folk Festival 2026 are on sale now! Grab some tickets for a live music loving friend and you’ll win at Christmas gift giving!

FOR THE JEWELLERY WEARER

Looking to buy something for a loved one who loves wearing jewellery? Well we have suggestions for them too. Whatever their style – classic or quirky, minimal or maximal, there’s a great suggestion out there. From chic and timeless, to fun and vibrant, here are some great local jewellery makers.

TIMELESS ART DECO JEWELS: LAURA VANN – FROM £40

Laura Vann make beautiful art deco-inspired jewellery, foregoing fashion trends and opting for timeless designs that will be treasured forever, such as the stunning Pamela Shell Necklace pictured below (£105).

RETRO RUDOLPH EARRINGS BY FRILLY INDUSTRIES – £25

If you know someone who loves all things Christmas, these statement earrings are a show-stopper.

ALRIGHT BAB NECKLACE FROM WORKING CLASP – FROM £20

For the proud Brummie in your life, this necklace makes a fun gift. It also comes in a range of colours to choose from, including some festive glittery colour ways.

GEODE EARRINGS FROM NO BASIC BOMBSHELL – FROM £24

Know someone who loves a statement earring? These fun dangly earrings are the perfect gift – they’re a bestseller for a reason!

FIG LEAF NECKLACE: HANNAH KYRIAKOU – FROM £55

Hannah is a trained silversmith and jeweller making beautiful jewellery inspired by the natural world. This stunning fig leaf necklace from her new collection is available in both sterling silver and 24ct gold plated.

TASSEL PENDANT NECKLACE BY THE CLUTTERY: RBSA GALLERY – £26

This beautiful pendant would be a lovely gift for a jewellery lover. Check out the RBSA Gallery shop for more jewellery, ceramics, textiles and other gifts – they have a great selection of unique pieces, lots made by local artists.

SILVER MOTH RING: THE NINE OF HEARTS JEWELLERY – £135

Bryony’s beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery are inspired by her love of skulls, antiquities and all things vintage. She hand crafts each piece herself, right here in Birmingham.

FOR SELF-CARE, BEAUTY AND GROOMING

From soaps to candles and beard kits, here are some suggestions for those who like a little pampering or could do with a relaxing treat.

LUXURY GROOMING PRODUCTS FROM SHEPHERDS – VARIOUS PRICES

Shepherds have a great range of gifts for the well-groomed gent in your life. From hair care and beard care to travel guides, socks, beanies – there’s something for everyone. Order online or visit their store in Piccadilly Arcade to shop on person.

HARVEST EAU DE PARFUM: HARVEST – £115

Harvest stock a gorgeous range of natural beauty products from lip balms to shampoo and everything in between. This year they’ve launched their very first fragrance (and it’s like autumn in a bottle). This would make a wonderful gift, but you could just as easily pick up one of their delightful candles for around £32. Really, anything from Harvest would make a great gift.

BEE HAPPY GIFT SET: LET IT BEE – £22

This lovely little pampering set features a pair of pure beeswax candles, a hand balm, a lip balm and a handmade soap. These all natural products are made using honey and beeswax from local hives.

DAPPER DAN MATT CLAY FROM THE BARBER HOUSE – £13.75

If you know someone who likes to keep their hair in tip-top condition and the latest styles, a gift from The Barber House, like this styling clay, is the perfect choice.

FOR THE FASHIONISTA

Want a gift to make the most stylish person in your life happy? We have just the thing. Whether they’re into the latest styles or love accessories, there are plenty of choices that don’t involve heading to the usual high street stores. Here are our top picks for fashionable finds.

PROVIDE HAND BEANIE FROM PROVIDE – £30

Design aficionados, Provide, create some of the finest merch we’ve seen, including this delightful beanie – as practical as it is stylish, and a great gift.

FOR CLASSIC CLOTHES THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE: LIQUOR STORE

Liquor Store is your one stop shop for all those high quality, timeless wardrobe staples and have you covered from head to toe. For the fashionista in your life you can’t go wrong with a gift from here.

O.P.M. SOCKS: ORIGINAL PATTY MEN – £10

Everyone loves a new pair of socks at Christmas! For the burger fan in your life, these cheeky socks will be just the ticket.

LIMITED EDITION 10TH BIRTHDAY TOTE BAG: THE NIGHT OWL – £12

Everyone needs a cool tote bag or two in their lives and this chic version celebrating 10 years of legendary Northern Soul club, The Night Owl, is just the ticket.

CHOOSE BRUM T-SHIRT FROM I CHOOSE BIRMINGHAM – £19.99

For the proud Brum-lover in your life, get them one of these awesome tees from ICB.

FOR THE BUDDING INTERIOR DESIGNER

Need a gift for the interiors lover in your life? We’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who is houseproud and loves to add those special touches to their home, we have some great suggestions from amazing local designers and retailers. Find them something they can treasure forever and put in pride of place in their home.

SCENTED CANDLES: HOUSE OF TWO TREES – FROM £14

Candles always make a great gift and these hand-poured, vegan, small-batch candles are made right here in Brum and smell delightful.

HAND-THROWN CERAMICS BY KT ROBBINS CERAMICS – FROM £25

Local potter, Katie, creates the most beautiful hand-thrown ceramics (mugs, vases, candle holders and more) in small batches. This year she has created more of her popular tealight houses, as well as some gold-accented pieces for extra festive sparkle. Browse her store for some special gifts and make sure to sign up to her mailing list so you don’t miss out on any future drops.

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP AT CAKE & CULTURE: BLOSSOM BY KAYLEIGH – £70PP

For a lovely festive gift for the home, making your own wreath is both a fun activity and a great way to spend quality time together. Gift an early present to someone you love by booking this workshop on 27 November together and then admire your handiwork all season.

bFRIENDS PEN POT: BIRMINGHAM DESIGN SHOP – £20

Birmingham Design Shop is a treasure trove off unique design related gifts from books to coffee cups, lots of Brum merch and more. We like this funky pen pot.

HOUSEPLANTS: THE JUNGLE CLUB – FROM £4.99

The fantastic The Jungle Club is a haven of beautiful houseplants. If you have a green-fingered loved one on your list (or even a plant lover with a track record of killing plants), head to their Moseley store to pick out the perfect plant, big or small.

You can get a FREE baby houseplant when you spend £10 or more at The Jungle Club with the Independent Birmingham App too – a perfect little gift for a loved one.

FLOWER SUBSCRIPTION FROM IN BLOOM – FROM £140.97

Give the gift of fresh flowers every month with a subscription from In Bloom. The gift that keeps on giving throughout the year you can choose from 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions and a gorgeous bouquet will be delivered to the recipient on the last Thursday of each month.

IN THE NAME OF CHESTER BENNINGTON PRINT: KNOWN AS UNKNOWN – £40

Known As Unknown creates fun prints based around pop-culture icons including famous musicians, tv characters and rap superstars among others. If you know a Linkin Park fan this print is the perfect gift, paying homage to the late frontman. Head to the site to browse the full collection.

PROUD PLANT PARENT TOTE BAG: ROOT 13 – £12

The ace Root 13 have lots of lovely houseplants and plant-related gifts for your green-fingered friends. This tote bag is the perfect accessory for any proud plant parent.

STUDIO ARHAJ GHOST: KIN – £18

For the person who has everything – get them one of these cute ghosts to keep them company. Available in a variety of colours. Why not?

KINTO COFFEE MUG: MINIMA – £23.50

Mugs are another gift that you can’t go wrong with and this sleek and stylish mug will have the coffee enthusiast in your life swooning.

WREATH MAKING KIT: HEDGE – £85

If you know someone who loves to get creative then this wreath making kit makes a thoughtful gift. They can enjoy creating something to proudly display over the festive period. Hedge also stock lots of gorgeous gifts, so have a browse for more inspiration. Pre order now for 28 November or 5 December.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

For that extra little Brummie touch – send all of your out-of-town friends a little slice of your favourite city with a Brummie Christmas card.

NOVELTY CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM THE URBAN GIANT – £15.50 FOR PACK OF 10

If you’re looking for something fun to send to your loved ones this year, look no further!

CHRISTMAS CHINATOWN CARD: MilanIllustrator – 5 FOR £7.99

Milan’s signature illustrations make beautiful Christmas cards which will wow your loved ones. There are lots of different Birmingham focussed designs to choose from.

CHRISTMAS CARD PACKS FROM BRUMHAUS – £12.50 FOR PACK OF 9

Festive designs in the iconic Brumhaus style. Perfect.

MERRY XMAS BAB CARD FROM  SPARKLYMOUSE – £3.50

For something a little different to the usual snowy scenes and robins – festive colours, embroidered design, heartfelt greetings. Merry Xmas Bab!

CHRISTMAS CARDS: PUNKS & CHANCERS – £8 FOR 4 OR £15 FOR 10

You can always rely on Punks & Chancers for something a little more rebellious than the usual cutesy cards.

CHRISTMAS CARDS: IN BLOOM – £3.25

In Bloom stock a lovely range of card designs to choose from.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM BRUM CARD: BRUM BOX – £3

Brum Box have a fun range of Christmas cards to choose from but this is our favourite.

MERRY CHRISTMAS BAB PLANTABLE SEEDED CARD FROM BLOOMING HECK – £3.95

Brummie greetings printed on eco-friendly, plantable seed cards. The love lives on after the season is over.

BIRMINGHAM SKYLINE CHRISTMAS CARDS – MADEONTHECANAL – SET OF 10 FOR £20

Simple designs, Brummie landmarks and fun festive elements all combine to make a beautiful card.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM RBSA GALLERY – FROM £2.95

The RBSA Gallery shop has a range of Christmas cards featuring artistic designs, with something for everyone, including this ‘Winter Hugs’ design.

GIFT VOUCHERS

Last but not least, most independents (including lots of fantastic restaurants, bars, shops and services) will be offering some form of gift voucher at this time of year. This gift guide is already a (very) lengthy one, so we won’t include every single independent who is offering a gift voucher. If you have a favourite independent you want to share with your loved ones, or they have a favourite place themselves, a gift voucher makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift that they can enjoy at a later date.

If you need some restaurant inspo, check out our Independent Birmingham App – scroll down the list of 170+ independents to find your faves (or discover new indies you’re yet to try) and then grab a gift voucher for them. Or use the IB App as your guide to supporting local and create your own wish list of restaurants, bars and pubs you want to visit and support this festive season. Either way you do it, you’re supporting local in style and we salute you.