#MerryBristmas Bristol Christmas Gift Guide - Review

‘Tis the season for gift-giving, to avoid the usual unwanted toiletries and socks, why not get your loved ones some truly unique gifts that they will treasure and love. I’ve created a Bristol Christmas gift guide to suit all members of your family, whilst supporting some great local businesses.

For The Animal Lover. Adopt a Bear at Wild Place Project

With the opening of Bear Woods at Wild Place this year, bring four ‘extinct’ British species, wolves, lynx, wolverines and the European brown bears back to the woods of Bristol, it’s easy to fall in love with the woods four resident bears. On my visit, I spent well over an hour watching these waddling fur boulders, play and exploring their massive enclosure, which is actually the size of the whole of Bristol Zoo, climbing trees and strolling in the stream that runs through the woods. For just £25 you can adopt one of the bears, to help continue the conservation work globally as well as looking after the bears.

For The History Fan. National Trust Membership at Tyntesfield House

Visit the Gibbs family home, the very grand Tyntesfield House for a beautiful step back into time to experience the 1844 house and all the secrets it has to have on offer. Find the bank of maid’s bells, the wonky eyed moose in the billiards room and have a spin and waltz in the grand lounge. By giving the gift of a National Trust Membership, you give the gift of discovery not just to Tyntesfield House but to hundred’s of properties across Great Britain and in turn helps to protect, conserve the properties for many more years for others to enjoy. With a strong team of volunteers, to impart fact and interesting titbits throughout the properties, you’ll leave with a new sense of understanding. Being a member with also allow you to attend wonderful events, like a Very Victorian Christmas.

For The Hostess With The Mostest. Customised Wooden Chopping Board from Harbourside Market

Know a friend that always has the strongest snack game when visiting? Offers more than a Babybel when it comes to a cheese night? Then why not get them something slightly different this year, the beautiful Resin Rustic Olive Boards from the lovely Paige Alexander who can be found on weekends at Harbourside Market. These stunning boards have a natural edge and a striking resin edge which is food safe and the colours can be picked out to complement kitchen colours. With eight main colours to choose from and paired with the natural grain of the wood, no two boards are the same for a truly unique gift. If anyone would like to buy me her gorgeous medium board in blue, I would be very happy. Harbourside Market is running throughout the festive weekends. Say hi to Paige!

Olive Wooden Board with Resin Colour - www.foodnerd4life.com

Photo- Paige Alexander

For The Foodie. Build Your Own Food Hamper at Tobacco Factory Market

Running every Sunday, the Tobacco Factory Market is always a favourite for a Sunday stroll and to blow the cobwebs out for the start of the week. During December they have their Christmas market on with even more tempting goodies on offer. Whether it’s picking up treats for yourself, I would recommend building your own hamper for the foodie in your life. Think of the joy of turning up and gift family and friends a selection like dreamy, chewy, custardy cannelés de Bordeaux from Farro Bakery, a festive chai mix from Bombay Brrrrrunch with the perfect chai mix for Christmas morning, a 5-litre keg of vegan craft beer from Zulu Alpha Brewing, fresh produce like the stunning mushroom selection from Five Acre Farm and to curl up in the warm with a mug of Pip’s Real Hot Chocolate. There’s a great selection of makers there and you can build a hamper for everyone’s tastes!

For The Social Butterfly. Vouchers for 91 Ways Supper Club

I’ve you’ve been following me for a while then you would know I’m a huge fan of 91 Ways and the brilliant work this charity does for the many communities in Bristol. Their main way of fundraising is by hosting fantastic supper clubs, each with a different cuisine as a theme and a member of the community cooking dishes from their backgrounds to share with everyone. They are wonderful evenings and a definite highlight in my calendar. You can get gift vouchers for their future supper clubs, which is a nice way to buy a great meal for a friend and doing some good in the community.

For The Nature Lover. Westonbirt Arboretum Membership

Give the gift of calm and peace with a membership to a space of greenery at Westonbirt Arboretum. With over 2,500 species, you can wander through at ground level right up to the Tree Top Walkway, the trail path suitable for families with prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies, to make sure everyone can enjoy the utter beauty in the arboretum. My personal favourite time of the year to visit is when the leaves are changing at Autumn, where the leaves are flaming reds and oranges with crisp leaves underfoot. Being dog-friendly, you can bring your four-legged friends to enjoy the fun too! There is even an Enchanted Christmas event with luminations and naughty fairies who enchanted the trees for Santa!