With the last big shopping weekend before Christmas now upon us, we've been out and about speaking to some of Leicester's independent shops to see what are best-selling gifts that people have been buying for their nearest and dearest. According to shop owners, the most common themes for presents this Christmas have been recycling and 'upcycling', and items that are unique, handcrafted, rustic or period.
Here's out list of each store we visited and their most popular gifts. And if you're looking for some ideas for some last-minute Christmas shopping we've broken the list down to under £15 presents and gifts that cost more than £15 to help you with your festive budgeting.
Watch This Space, St Martins Square
Under £15: A range of handmade jewellery priced £7-15 including earrings and necklaces has proved very popular.
Over £15: Bespoke bags handmade from real leather, priced £28-30.
The Very Bazaar, Silver Street
Under £15: An incense gift set, including incense sticks, cones, holder and candle, have been flying off the shelves at £6.
Over £15: The shop's big bestseller has been their handmade mosaic Turkish lamps, priced £60-£200.
Cocoa Amore, Silver Arcade
Under £15: The basic range of bars has been selling well, priced at £4 or 3 for £10, with many customers taking advantage of the offer to get quality gifts at a decent price. Included in the range are handmade dark and milk vegan chocolate bars, Austrian chocolate bars, 6 packaged chocolates and more.
Over £15: Arising from a desire to "create a hamper but not a hamper", Cocoa Amore's £30 gift box is a great choice to indulge someone. Included inside are Austrian boleros, a homemade lolly, a 72g chocolate bar, a filled chocolate bar, bags of chocolate pearls and a box of chocolates. Their £20 version contains the above, minus the box of chocolates.
Eskimo Blue Boutique, Silver Arcade
Under £15: Handmade ceramic brooches have been snapped up, especially the very appropriate gingerbread man. Each brooch is made by hand, making each one a unique present. Priced £6-£15.
Over £15: Eskimo Blue's Christmas garlands have been so popular that people have been ringing up to make sure they'll be able to get their hands on one. Priced at £35, they make an excellent decoration for above the fire.
Mosaic, The Lanes
Under £15: Mosaic's range of bangles has been selling really well, priced at just £14.95.
Over £15: Custom made sterling silver sentiment jewellery has been a huge seller for Mosaic. The range includes rings, bangles and pendant necklaces, priced £45-£60.
Pomponette, The Lanes
Under £15: Just about making it into this category, Pomponette's duck-shaped stainless steel salt and pepper shakers have been a big hit. They come boxed, and have repeatedly sold out, coming back into stock just in time for Christmas. Priced £14.99.
Over £15: A stag pourer has been very popular with men, making it an excellent gift purchase. The pourer also comes boxed, and is made of stainless steel. Priced £24.99.
Set, High Street
Under £15: School Milk Bottles. Many adults will remember the real thing fondly, which makes them a great surprise for drinking cocktails on New Year's Eve. They are also a novel way for children to have a drink at Christmas dinner. Priced £2.99.
Over £15: With around 250 sold after its first six weeks in stock, Set's smartphone projector has been a huge hit. The projector has sold out so many times that they are being sold on ebay for over £50. Get one from the shop for £19.99.
All About Daisy, St Martins Square
Under £15: At just £3, beautiful tree decorations fashioned into the shapes of hearts and swirls from recycled Spring/Summer catalogues have been very popular.
Over £15: Bright and festive owl-shaped backpacks have been a surprise hit, priced at £16 for average orange ones and £22 for larger red ones.
Amabis, High Street
Under £15: Amabis' bestseller under £15 has to be the stainless steel Nomination bracelet, a charm bracelet costing £11 that can be personalised with links that start at £16.
Over £15: Designed and made by storeowner Josephine Bott, Prey features themes of animals of the night on necklaces, bracelets and rings. Owls, cats and moths all appear, but most popular of all is of course the fox. Prices range from £65 for a ring to £175 for a necklace.
Leaf, Highcross
Under £15: One of the most unique items on our list is Leaf's wooden ducks, available both with and without Wellington boots. The ducks are priced £5-£7.
Over £15: At £18-£20, Leaf's most popular cushions feature designs including stags in woolly winter jumpers, and colourful cats and dogs.
