Today marks 50 days until Christmas Day!
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
This year is more important for local businesses than it has been for many years.
Stand Up For Southport is urging everyone to Shop Local this Christmas – every penny you spend locally counts.
Festive shoppers can enjoy lots of fun new attractions in town this year thanks to Southport BID, including a Gingerbread Trail, a Trail of Trees and a Digital Winter Wonderland – see full details here.
Lord Street will be lit up with 300,000 lights thanks to Southport BID and contractors IllumiDex UK Ltd, giving our town a lovely festive feel.
There are lots of great things to buy in Southport, with just a few of them here to give you some ideas. If you have more, please add to our post in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group!
1 – Southport Flower Show tickets
For the first time since World War Two, Southport Flower Show has been absent for two years in a row – but it is back with a bang for 2022!
This year’s event takes place between Thursday, 18th August and Sunday, 21st August, 2022.
Buy now as Christmas presents for great early bird discounts. Under 16s go free with a paying adult.
Visit: www.southportflowershow.co.uk
2 – Southport Gift Card
Southport Gift Card, run by Southport BID, is accepted in more than 70 local businesses in Southport including shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions.
Visit: southportbid.com
3 – Paul Curtis Artwork Calendar
One of the greatest talking points of this year in Southport has been the magnificent sand lizard mural at Toad Hall in Ainsdale in Southport!
The work is believed to be the largest UK mural outside London completed by a single artist.
4 – Letters To Santa Christmas Candle
Lord Street is the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping, with lots of great shops including Gifts Delight. Why not try their Christmas Candle:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CVw-EiMqk-G/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
5 – Works by local artists at The Atkinson
The shop at The Atkinson on Lord Street showcases a range of handmade items from local artists. The small collections are regularly updated and reflect our ongoing commitment to champion local creativity. Discover some of the artists featured in the shop here.
6 – Restaurant voucher
Southport is home to some great restaurants! Now that we’re all enjoying eating out again, why not buy Restaurant Vouchers for the ones you love?
7 – Odonata Crystals
A former ballerina from Southport is gaining a new army of fans due to her work as a talented resin artist.
Clare Coleman has bounced back from losing her family business during the Covid-19 pandemic last year to launch Odonata Crystals, selling beautiful hand-made jewellery and ornaments.
She is a popular fixture at the regular Southport Makers Market, on the first Sunday of every month, and also sells her pieces online through her website.
8 – Southport Calendar 2022
Talented local photographer and regular Stand Up For Southport contributor Roger Green has unveiled his Southport Calendar 2022, full of stunning images of our town. Also whilst stocks last, if you buy a Calendar at Southport Calendar (£7.99 + P&P) he will add a 150mm Christmas card at no extra cost.
9 – Naked Peak Candles
Among the independent businesses inside Cambridge Arcade and Cambridge Walks in Southport town centre is Naked Peak, which sells natural, organic and vegan friendly candles and body products. Visit: www.nakedpeak.com
10 – Southport FC home shirt
Looking for the perfect gift for the Southport FC fan in your life? Visit the club shop on Haig Avenue, or order online here: southportfc.ktckts.com
For sale are Southport FC shirts, caps and scarves, mugs, pin badges and more.
11 – The Snow Queen Panto by All Souls Dramatic Club
All Souls Dramatic Club produces superb pantos every January at The Atkinson in Southport!
This year’s offering is The Snow Queen, which runs 13-23 January.
Book your tickets at: www.theatkinson.co.uk
12 – Southport Community Lottery
Buy a gift that will make a difference to our local community.
Community Link Foundation is a local charity with a difference; it assists anyone in Southport and surrounding areas who need financial support in the form of a variety of ways. Joining their Southport Community Lottery costs just £5 a month.
For Christmas, sign someone up here: www.clfoundation.co.uk
13 – A Little Light At Christmas
Children will love a book specially written for Christmas, which has been created by a Southport author.
‘A Little Light At Christmas’ by R.J. Furness and Kathryn Short is available on Kindle, paperback, Audible and iTunes. The paperback is available to order online at all great bookstores.
Youngsters can listen along too – with the song ‘A Little Light At Christmas’, based on the book, released on most major music streaming platforms on Friday, 5th November.
14 – A Jukebox
Love records? The Jukebox Joint, in Cambridge Walks, is an Aladdin’s Cave of classic and vintage jukeboxes! Visit their Facebook page here.
15 – Chocolate Christmas Hamper
16 – Ode To Southport
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
