Christmas: Velvet’s top 12 local gifts for everyone on your list

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me. . . a Cambridge Satchel bag. On the second day, a Rutherford’s punting trip. On the third, a cheeseboard from The Gog. Velvet finds great local gifts for all 12 days of Christmas

1: Cambridge Satchel
The Pushlock in Red Velvet Celtic Grain, £100
A special gift handcrafted in England from high quality leather, The Pushlock is the perfect clutch-to-crossbody bag, made in a warm tone reminiscent of a red velvet cake’s crimson sponge.
Visit: 2 St Mary’s Passage, Cambridge
Web: cambridgesatchel.com
Follow: @cambridge_satchel

2: Rutherford’s Punting
Private punting tour, £270
Enjoy a private punting tour gliding along the Cam with a bottle of Saffron Grange wine and a box of Fitzbillies Chelsea buns.
Visit: Jesus Green Moorings, Cambridge
Web: rutherfordspunting.com
Call: 01223 322200

3: The Gog Farm Shop
Neal’s Yard Dairy four-cheese selection, £50.52
Celebrating some of the best of British Farmhouse Cheese, this four-cheese selection - Colston Bassett Stilton, Isle of Mull Cheddar, Dorstone goat’s cheese, Winslade soft cheese - is perfect for the festive season. Available to pre-order online.
Visit: Heath Farm, Shelford Bottom, Cambridge
Web: thegog.com
Follow: @the_gog_

4: Freckleface
RHS Heritage glass candle in Wild Berries, £26
The RHS + Freckleface Heritage range features four fragrances that bring the outdoors into your home all year round. The winter scent is Wild Berries; think sweet berries with notes of wood and floral undertones. ® The Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262
Visit: Rose Quarter, Cambridge
Web: frecklefacehomefragrance.com
Follow: @frecklefacehomefragrance

5: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Single annual membership, £52; joint annual membership, £87
Friends’ membership gives year‐round access to more than 40 acres of beautiful gardens in the centre of Cambridge - plus exclusive events, tours and updates.
Visit: 1, Brookside, Cambridge
Web: botanic.cam.ac.uk
Call: 01223 336265

6: The Botanical Nest
Gifts for all ages, various prices
Discover a thoughtful selection of gifts and curated homewares at The Botanical Nest. Offering a delightful shopping experience, it’s a treasure trove of Christmas gifting ideas and stocking fillers, from alpaca teddy bears to hand-poured advent candles.
Visit: Unit 5, Dry Drayton Industries
Web: thebotanicalnest.com

7: Discover Newmarket
Guided experience, from £16.50
Gift a special guided experience at the home of horseracing this Christmas. Go behind the scenes on one of the public or private tours and enjoy a truly memorable occasion.
Web: discovernewmarket.co.uk

8: Extraordinary Objects
Campo del Cielo (‘Valley of the Sky’) meteorite, £950
Formed as the result of two asteroids colliding at cosmic velocity in interplanetary space, the ‘Valley of the Sky’ meteorites impacted Earth an estimated 4,700 to 4,200 years ago and are approximately 4.5 billion years old. Bespoke stand included.
Visit: 14 Green Street, Cambridge
Web: extraordinaryobjects.co.uk
Email: carla@extraordinary-objects.co.uk

9: Small & Green
Gemma Koomen’s Everyday Magic 2024 Calendar, £18
A 12-month calendar with beautiful artwork on each page. A lovely gift for any art-lover with space to write in each day, to keep track of appointments throughout the year.
Visit: 82 Mill Road, Cambridge
Web: smallandgreen.com
Follow: @smallandgreencambridge

10: Ben’s Yard Restaurant
Afternoon tea gift voucher, £26 per person
With gift vouchers now available, treat someone to afternoon tea at Ben’s Yard this Christmas. Enjoy scones with Tiptree strawberry jam and clotted cream, a selection of mini cakes, savouries and finger sandwiches, plus, of course, a pot of tea!
Visit: Stuntney Estate, Ely
Web: bensyard.co.uk
Email: restaurant@bensyard.co.uk

11: Sew Knit Craft
Crafting gifts for all ages and abilities, various prices
An Aladdin’s Cave full of crafting gifts for the whole family. Come along and see a wide range of yarns, fabrics and sewing machines for that perfect Christmas gift.
Web: sewknitcraftltd.com
Visit: King Street, Cambridge
Call: 01223 350691

12: Love Cambridge
Love Cambridge Gift Card, from £5
One gift card, thousands of choices! The Love Cambridge Gift Card is the perfect gift as it is accepted by more than 180 businesses in Cambridge. Available to purchase from £5-£500.
Web: love-cambridgegiftcard.com