You survived Black Friday and maybe hopped online for Cyber Monday. How about a much more satisfying Christmas shopping experience to mark Small Business Saturday this weekend?
We asked 10 top independent stores across Hull and East Riding to come up with unique gift ideas for Christmas.
These ten are just a handful of the great small stores across the region with unique Christmas offerings. So from cakes to mugs, and classic clothes to traditional models, why not shop small for that special gift?
1 House of TownendWhere: Wyke Way, Melton West Business Park, Melton
Yorkshire's oldest wine merchants offers premium wines, spirits and champagne that might be hard to find elsewhere.
The family-run company has been in business for more than 100 years and runs regular tasting evenings for customers to sample their best products.
The store's Cellar Door Manager Stuart Shenton said that Christmas is an extremely busy time for wine cellars.
"We are swamped with Christmas orders at the moment – it's a hectic time for everybody here.
"We have a lot of orders for wine and champagne but we also have a lot of interest in our gift sets."
The company offers premium spirits and glasses sets for whiskies and brandy as well as selections of beers from local brewers.Christmas idea: Get a discount on the best grape varieties to pair with a roast turkey. There's Septima Malbec, reduced from £9.99 to £7.99 and a Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, for £9.49, down from £12.99.
Website: www.houseoftownend.com
2 Sugar 'n' Spice CakesWhere: 175 Hallgate, Cottingham
Sugar 'n' Spice Cake's first store was opened in September 2009. Five years on, the company is proving as popular as ever.
Judy Newlove and her team bake cakes throughout the year and there are a number of festive cakes currently available including Black Forest Gateaux, Christmas Minion cake, Christmas Pudding cake, Christmas Stocking cake and a Gingerbread House.
Judy, who founded the company, said: "All our cakes are handmade. They are bespoke and not mass produced."
Cakes are big business in Hull right now, with Nancy Birtwhistle scooping the Great British Bake Off crown earlier this year.
Judy added: "It's boom time for cake decorating and wanting to learn to bake."Christmas idea: A wide range of festive treats including a Gingerbread House for £25. Personalised Christmas cakes are more than half price with a choice of seasonal designs.Website: www.sugarnspicecakes.co.uk
3 Lolah and JamWhere: Unit One Red Lion Court, Wilson Street, Anlaby
Lolah and Jam is a gift boutique based in Anlaby. The shop, which opened in September 2013, specialises in luxury products and its success has led to a re-location, which is planned for January.
Products include accessorised cushions, and bags, with lily flame candles also proving a hit with customers.
Owner Nichola Mell said: "We've been really successful and have traded to Essex, Birmingham and Wales."
Nichola added that personalised hoodies are the must-have gift for girls this Christmas. Lolah and Jam will also be selling bespoke festive gifts in the run up to Christmas. Christmas idea: A Mistletoe Kisses Seasonal Scented candle for £8.50 is among popular Christmas ornaments and gifts. Website: www.lolahandjam.co.uk
4 The Real Model ShopWhere: 502 Beverley Road, Hull
"Come and try a new hobby," says Wayne Lawson, at The Real Model Shop in Hull.
The shop, in Beverley Road, has been open since October 2013 and has seen its customer base continue to grow in store and online. Model aircraft, ships, cars, bikes and boats are sold at the shop, as well as all kinds of accessories, paints and glues.
Visitors to The Real Model Shop can also buy radio-controlled boats and model buildings.
Wayne added: "It's a great way for parents and kids to sit around the table and try something new."
The shop also recently introduced a 3D printing system to create bespoke accessories. Christmas idea: Model gift sets start at just a few pounds but for a quiet Boxing Day how about taking on a longboat from Captain Cook's HMS Endeavour. It's more than a foot long, has pre-sewn sails and costs £48.99.Website: www.therealmodelshop.co.uk
5 EdenWhere: Prospect Centre, Hull
Located in Prospect Centre, Eden is an independent department store that specialises in handmade, bespoke gifts. Eden opened in July after the success of last year's pop-up Christmas shop.
Products include candles, jams, clocks, clothing, dolls, artwork, books and jewellery.
Eve Lomax, labelled by her peers as the 'mastermind' behind the store, said: "You're supporting 30 independent small traders and boosting the local economy by shopping here.
"Every item is made with love." Christmas idea: Two 'Ull Born and Bred' mugs for £10. Eden have a special deal offering 10 per cent off a different item every week until the New Year. Website: www.edenhull.co.uk
6 Reads FootwearWhere: 2 Savile Row, Savile Street
Reads Footwear, in Savile Street, is one of Hull's most successful independent shoe retailers.
Founded in 1999, the store prides itself on good quality men's footwear. The majority of their products are British-made.
Over 200 styles are on offer, including classical, casual, English-style, brogues, toecaps and handcrafted.
Owner Mark Read said: "We can offer a good quality product that is good value for money and well made.
"We are trustworthy, we provide a good service and an array of products."
As well as men's shoes, the store also sells gloves, scarves, coats, wallets, bags and female footwear. Christmas idea: An Excursion Tan Canvas Washbag from traditional English leather makers Tusting for £99.Website: www.readsfootwear.co.uk
7 Leonard Silver menswearWhere: 51 Savile Street, Hull
Leonard Silver is one of Hull's most established menswear stores. The company was founded in 1946 in Hull and has since opened a Beverley store.
The store offers high-quality products from high-end designers.
Eric Silver, the current owner of the store, said: "With the years of pedigree we have, we're a store you can trust."
Leonard Silver ships worldwide, delivering clothing to the UK, Europe and North America, among other locations.
It may have formed 68 years ago but Leonard Silver has managed to move with the times and continues to have its finger on the fashion pulse. Christmas idea: An Ibex Classic Men's Brown Leather Belt for £35.Website: www.leonardsilver.com
8 Freetown SportsWhere: 70-76 Prospect Street
Bikes have always proven to be popular Christmas gifts, especially among children. For range of choice, there is no better place in Hull to visit than Freetown Sports in Prospect Street.
Customers can choose from a wide range of mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes accessories and clothing.
Manager Rob Johns said: "We are the largest, biggest and best cycling store in Hull."
Freetown Sports is open from 9am-5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. It has been open since the summer of 1990. Christmas idea: The store is currently offering 25 per cent off on all its clothing to make sure customers can wrap up warm when they are out on the road. For a gift how about a Blackburn Local Combo Lights Set £19.96Website: www.freetownsports.co.uk
9 Berry's JewellersWhere: 4 Queen Victoria Square
Berry's in Hull is one of the city's premier jewellers.
The store, which opened in October 1991, also has branches in Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, York and Windsor.
The store predominantly specialises in diamonds but also showcases a variety of high-quality watches, ranging from the simple to the elaborate.
Customers who choose to shop at Berry's this Christmas can expect to be given expert advice on the products in store.
"We offer unrivalled customer service," said assistant manager Susan Wiles.
Susan added that this year's gift collection is selling very well, and that this season's must-have designers are Mark Jacobs and Michael Kors. Christmas idea: A Marc By Marc Jacobs Dinky Henry Watch £135 or for something cheaper a Ti Sento White Pearl Bead Stretch Bracelet for £25.Website: www.berrysjewellers.co.uk
10 Riley'sWhere: 11 North Bar Within, Beverley
Riley's of Beverley is a family-run fashion boutique, which has been in business for more than 30 years.
The store stocks a wide range of luxury clothing and accessories for men and women.
Manager Dom Riley said its designer clothing appeals to customers of all ages.
"We try to stock something for everyone," said Mr Riley.
"Our customers span from around 14 years old to their late seventies so we try to cater for people of every age.
"We also stock a lot of popular Christmas gift items such as scarfs, hats and suits as well as designer dresses or shoes."Christmas idea: Keep cosy this winter with some fashionable White and Blush Pink UGG Ear Muffs for £70Website: www.facebook.com/RileysFashion
