Support local with our guide to North East Christmas gift ideas

November has arrived and with it, the festive hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping returns to the high streets of Newcastle and Gateshead.  

With the first whispers of 'Black Friday deals' beginning to float around and the pull to shop online for Christmas gifts, it is tempting to head to the big brands but there are some great ways to buy your festive presents from North East independent shops and businesses - as well as enjoy a day out in the toon! 

Surprise your friends, family and other halves with something a bit different this Christmas and at the same time, support local shops, cultural venues and restaurants. Choose from gifts, promises of future experiences in NewcastleGateshead and explore more of what's on offer in Newcastle and Gateshead from local businesses. 

We've picked out some of our highlights, so read on for our guide to Christmas shopping in NewcastleGateshead...

Christmas Markets are BACK and we can't wait to wander through countless stalls while sipping mulled wine and browsing the unique gifts and treats on sale. 

Newcastle Christmas Market returns to Grey's Monument in 2021 from 2 December and will have a distinctly North East focus. Local traders will set out their festive stalls and have a brilliant range of items perfect for gifts, treats, local beers and stocking fillers.

The weekly Sunday Quayside Market is another brilliant location for a day out and a chance to buy some specifically North East gifts and products.

If it is festive food shopping that is top of your list, then hustle your way along Armstrong Bridge on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. Jesmond Food Market run its local-focused event twice a month along Armstrong Bridge and have a season of festive and wintry editions with their Christmas special on Saturday 18 December, 10am - 3pm. 

Wander the aisles at Grainger Market to sock up the festivities and pick up some local beers, sweet treats and gifts.

For the art lovers out there - populate your Christmas list with a fabulous range of original art, ceramics, homeware and jewellery by local artists and available to buy from The Biscuit Factory in Ouseburn. 

Treat your friends and family to a totally unique gift from local, independent retailer BALTIC Shop who also have an online presence selling vouchers, prints, mugs, Geordie souvenirs, 'Bowie' baubles to adorn your Christmas tree, fun jewellery and quirky gifts with an arty focus.

You’ll feel very smug with your purchases and have supported Newcastle and Gateshead shops and creatives while ticking off your Christmas list.

Browse the Mushroom Works shop every first Saturday of the month (12pm - 4pm) to find a fantastic range of original pieces created by their resident furniture makers, jewellers, illustrators, artists, designers, textile artists and potters - or wander further into Ouseburn to explore the local artists that call the Valley their home and shop at the Ouseburn Open Studios on 27 & 28 November 2021.

Image from BALTIC Shop.

Fenwick Newcastle invite you in (once you have marvelled at their Shaun the Sheep Christmas Window!) to shop until you drop this Christmas, and with a dedicated Christmas floor - there are luxury gifts, quirky presents and fun stocking fillers to keep everyone happy. There's a great selection of North East inspired gifts too so head down to the lower floor with your Christmas list. 

If it's cheeky gifts with a North East flavour then Geordie Gifts in Grainger Market or Upside Down on Dean Street are great, independent shops to check out.

Shop from across all nine of the North East museums and galleries managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums when you browse their new TWAM online shop. From fine jewellery and crafts offered at Laing Art Gallery to the essentials for walking Hadrian's Wall found at Segedunum Roman Fort, plus much more. This is a brilliant way to support the region's fantastic museums at the same time as giving great Christmas gifts.

Award-winning outdoor attraction, Beamish Museum launched an online gift shop in 2020 which is packed with excellent and unique Christmas gift ideas which reflect the exhibits and collection on show at the museum. From Edwardian-inspired spiced apple bath salts and sweet treats from the museum's famous Jubilee Confectioners onsite sweet shop to Beamish’s own version of Monopoly, hand printed Christmas cards and an exclusive bauble - take your pick from a range of wonderful presents.

For any fans of history or friends and family who enjoy exploring the rich heritage across the North East - choose from a number of guided tour gift vouchers. Available in a number of amounts, Iles Tours gift vouchers can be redeemed against a fascinating range of tours in Newcastle city centre, Northumberland, Durham and Tyneside.

CBK Adventures also sell gift vouchers which can be redeemed against their lessons, courses and experiences including the popular winter Quayside Glow Tours where you can discover NewcastleGateshead from a kayak on the River Tyne itself, at night! (Pictured)

We're not sure quite what message you would be giving if you bought a gift voucher to an escape room for a family member at Christmas but we love the creativity! Buy vouchers to take part in a tricky escape challenge when it is safe to do so and buy vouchers for Newcastle's only independent escape room - Escape Key.

Food lovers are well catered for this Christmas. Choose from vouchers at some of the top restaurants in Newcastle and Gateshead including Trakol, Marco Pierre White and SIX or order a luxury cheese board to be delivered from Matthew's Cheese Specialist who are resident in Grainger Market. 

The lucky recipient of a gift voucher from Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle can choose from a range of experiences, Afternoon Tea, a meal out or book a workshop or cookery class.

Fenwick Food Hall is a must-visit location for anyone looking for 'foodie' Christmas gifts. Browse the racks of high-end food and drink from local suppliers and luxury brands. 

There are nearly two years of holidays to make up for so why not gift a city break to your friends, family or loved one? There are so many reasons to visit Newcastle and Gateshead so why not treat a loved one or best pal to a city break in NewcastleGateshead in 2022 so they can see for themselves? With hotels, self-catered apartments and B&Bs to suit all budgets, a long weekend or a staycation in the North East can be on the cards for 2022. Choose from a range of hotels including Maldron Newcastle which is ideally suited if arriving in the city by train as it is centrally located, or Motel One, also in the heart of Newcastle and even welcomes dogs. Alternatively, The Vermont or INNSiDE by Melia both provide a luxurious experience with beautiful views of Newcastle Quayside (INNSiDE) and Newcastle Castle (The Vermont)

Hands up who is loving the return of trips to the theatre, cinema or a live gig? Surprise the performers and music-lovers in your life with a gift which will create lasting memories. There is plenty to get you excited about in 2022 including all of this...

• Kynren (pictured) is a spectacular annual, outdoor theatre experience which is offering gift vouchers for its 2022 performances.
• Sunderland Empire: Let your loved one choose from a vast array of performances which are already lined up for 2022 at Sunderland Empire including Beauty and The Beast: The Musical (January - February 2022), Dreamgirls (February - March), The Cher Show (April) and Rob Brydon (July). Buy a gift card for Sunderland Empire here. 
• Northern Stage: Why not book tickets to hear documentary maker and tv presenter Stacey Dooley in conversation or share the thrills with a trip to The Invisible Man (both in February)
• Sage Gateshead: Music lovers, concert goers and want-to-be musicians would appreciate a gift certificate for Sage Gateshead this Christmas - their eclectic music line-up for 2022 already includes An Evening with Randy Newman (February), Marti Pellow (April) and Diversity (May).
• Tyne Theatre and Opera House: Tyne Theatre and Opera House has established itself as the go-to theatre for comedy in Newcastle - bring the laughs for your friends with tickets to see Joe Lycett (May), Sandi Toksvig (June) or An Evening with David Sedaris (July).  
• Live Theatre: Famed for their experimental theatre and original productions, Live Theatre have gift vouchers available so your theatre-buff can choose the performance that tickles their fancy once the Quayside-based theatre launches their new season.
• Utilita Arena have a gift voucher too - so give the gift of live music and entertainment. 
• Theatre Royal Newcastle: The historic theatre in the centre of Newcastle will treat you to the following theatre in 2022 - Fatal Attraction (January), The Da Vinci Code (April) and We Will Rock You (August) so why not grab a gift voucher and share the experience with someone? 

If you're looking for an alternative to Netflix subscriptions then give the gift of escapism this Christmas with an online foray into Seven Stories' independent bookshop. The family-friendly attraction in Ouseburn has a fabulous independent bookshop which stocks a great array of signed copies of favourite books and gifts for all your book-loving friends and family. Drop into the bookshop and browse the shelves or discover their online presence. Seven Stories Bookshop is part of a collective of independent book shops who are rivalling Amazon with an online presence ready for you to stock up on great children's books this Christmas.

A gift that keeps on giving! Treat your family and friends to a year-long experience with an annual pass to brilliant attractions across the region including Alnwick Garden and Alnwick Castle (closed for winter until spring 2022), English Heritage or National Trust.

St James' Park is one of Newcastle's most iconic landmarks - choose from a range of gift vouchers from Newcastle United including a Stadium Tour & Pub Lunch or Rooftop Tour which will give any football fans the chance to go behind the scenes at the Toon's much-loved football stadium.  

For the cost of a couple of spiced pumpkin lattes or a Gregg's Festive Bake, why not donate a hot meal to the people in Newcastle and Gateshead community who are homeless this Christmas? Local charity North East Homeless will be spreading some much needed Christmas joy to those in real need in our local community on Christmas Eve. The charity and their volunteers will be out on Christmas Eve providing warm Christmas dinners to the most vulnerable. 

Find out more and make your £5 donation through NEOffer.co.uk's Christmas campaign.

Discover a wealth of independent shops, boutiques, second-hand shops and much more along the local high streets of Newcastle's suburbs from Fenham to Jesmond, Heaton to Gosforth. Explore a treasure trove of gift ideas at places like Flea Circus in Heaton or Big Lamps Antiques along the Westgate Road.