From open air markets to indoor shopping centres, Nottingham has everything you need for a cracking Christmas shopping spree.
Whether you are looking for big brands or bespoke handmade gifts you will find them in the city over the coming weeks.
But if you are struggling to get into the festive spirit, don't worry there are plenty of places pulling out all the stops to ensure the magic of Christmas is alive and well in Nottingham this year.
From November 21 the Old Market Square and Smithy Row will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a 40foot tree, delicious food stalls and a craft market.
Spread across three streets the traditional market offers an array of handmade gifts, seasonal treats and even a family of real reindeer.
But if you are in need of a break of shopping there are plenty of enjoyable distractions including a two storey fully roofed Victorian bar with an animatronic singing snowman or the popular Star Flyer ride.
The whole area will be brought to life with the Christmas lights switch on November 21 during an evening of live music, entertainment and celebrations.
For more on the city centre craft market and our pick of the other top places to shop in Nottingham this Christmas check out our list below:
1. Christmas Craft Fair at Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross, Nottingham, NG1 2GB, 0115 948 9750. Type: Craft market. What's for sale? Handmade crafts, jewellery and gifts. Open: Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Featuring some of the East Midlands' most exciting designers and makers the Contemporary's Christmas Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up a unique present. The event features an array of stalls offering everything from jewellery to homeware and vintage clothes to original artwork. Throw in mulled wine and mince pies from the cafe and you have everything you need for a fantastic festive shopping trip.
2. House of Fraser, Victoria Centre, 2 Union Road, Nottingham, NG1 3HF, 0844 800 3751. Type: Department store. What's for sale? Designer clothes, homeware and beauty products. Open: Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am-6pm, Tuesday 9.30am-6pm, Wednesday 9am-7.30pm, Saturday 9am-6.30pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. One of the flagship stores in the city's Victoria Centre, House OF Fraser is something of a one-stop shop for Christmas present buying. Offering designer fashion, homeware and beauty products, it is a great place to check out a wide range of gifts under one roof. From Armani Jeans to Yves San Laurent there are over 1000 brands to choose from.
3. Le Chien et Moi, 60 Derby Road, NG1 5FD, 0115 979 9199. Type: Independent store specialising in vintage and designer clothes, gifts and accessories. What's for sale? Clothes, gifts, fragrance, ceramics, jewellery and antiques. Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II Listed building a short walk from the city centre, Le Chien et Moi offers a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the high street. Furnished with fittings from old shops and chemists, the store stocks a wide range of interesting pieces from around the world. They include stationery from Portugal, cards from Japan, fragrances from Brooklyn and jewellery from Nottingham. All the pieces are vintage or sourced from little-known designers, ensuring you can find some truly original Christmas presents.
4. Paul Smith, Willoughby House, 20 Low Pavement, NG1 7EA, 0115 9685990 or 10 Byard Lane, NG1 2GJ, 0115 9506712. Type: Designer fashion store. What's for sale? Designer clothes from Paul Smith. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm , Sunday 11pm – 5pm. For a slice of fashion with a Nottingham flavour head to one of the city's Paul Smith stores. Proud of his roots, the local-designer-made-good has two shops in the city. Both showcase a wide range of the work that has made him world famous, from his new autumn/winter fashion lines to fragrances, homeware and gifts.
5. Tokenhouse, 39-41 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GN, 0115 950 2121. Type: Gift shop. What's for sale? Stationery, ceramics, jewellery, homeware and gifts. Open: Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. With a range of gifts for people of all ages, Tokenhouse is well worth a visit during your Christmas shopping spree. From Emma Bridgwater ceramics to toys and novelty books, the store is packed with present ideas and possible stocking fillers. The shop also offers a range of seasonal necessities including cards, wrapping paper and Advent calendars.
6. Chocolate Utopia, 30 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DQ, 0115 947 0016. Type: Chocolatier. What's for sale? Handmade chocolates. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. If you want to give a deliciously decadent gift this Christmas then head to Chocolate Utopia. A chocoholics dream, the shop offers the very finest handmade chocolates in around 35 delectable flavours. From classic combinations like Champagne truffles and caramel hearts to daring chilli or basil chocs there is something for people of all tastes. As well as the delicious range of individual treats you can also buy a selection housed in their very own edible treasure chest. Other novelty items include chocolate hearts and teddy bears.
7. Nottingham Christmas Gift and Craft Market, Smithy Row, Albert Street and Lister Gate, Nottingham. Type: Market What's for sale? Traditional handmade crafts, gifts and food. Open: Daily from November 21. Bringing a festive feel to the city centre, this traditional Victorian-style gift and craft market is not to be missed. Offering a range of fantastic handmade presents and seasonal foods it is ideally located just a short walk from the Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square. As well as the shopping there is plenty to conjure the Christmas spirit, including roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, carol singers and a family of reindeer.
8. Evolution Gifts, 75 Broadmarsh, Nottingham, NG1 7LJ, 0115 950 4649. Type: Ethical gift shop. What's for sale? Photo frames, candles, jewellery boxes and gifts. Open: Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm. For Christmas gifts that won't trouble the conscience, check out Evolution. The shop sources and trades all its products ethically, with proceeds used to support social projects around the world. The store's stock includes photo frames, candles and unusual gifts from around the world including Kenya, Bali and Guatemala.
9. The Entertainer, Unit 302B, Victoria Centre, Nottingham, 0844 800 5125. Type: Toy shop. What's for sale? Toys for children of all ages. Open: Monday to Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday and Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-8pm. If you are struggling for ideas on what to buy your kids this Christmas then a trip to The Entertainer should set you straight. The store is a treasure chest of toys from enduring favourites like Lego to the latest handheld computers. There are also a number of revamped retro toys making a comeback this year including Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies. Other must-haves set to top Christmas lists include Nerf soft-dart guns and a dance version of the classic game Twister.
10. Newstead Abbey Christmas Gift and Food Fayre, Newstead Abbey Historic House and Park, Ravenshead, Newstead, NG15 8NA, 01623 455 900. Type: Market. What's for sale? A wide range of handmade crafts and local produce. Open: November 16-18, 10am-4.30pm. If you are looking to escape the Christmas crush for a spot of more relaxed seasonal shopping then head to the beautiful Newstead Abbey between November 16-18. Set in picturesque surroundings far removed from the stress of the city centre, the fayre offers an array of locally sourced produce and handmade gifts. As well as discovering presents you won't find elsewhere, you can also get your hands on delicious food items that will give your Christmas a real taste of Nottinghamshire. Entry is £5 per adult, children get in free.
1. Christmas Craft Fair at Nottingham Contemporary, Weekday Cross, Nottingham, NG1 2GB, 0115 948 9750. Type: Craft market. What's for sale? Handmade crafts, jewellery and gifts. Open: Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Featuring some of the East Midlands' most exciting designers and makers the Contemporary's Christmas Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up a unique present. The event features an array of stalls offering everything from jewellery to homeware and vintage clothes to original artwork. Throw in mulled wine and mince pies from the cafe and you have everything you need for a fantastic festive shopping trip.
2. House of Fraser, Victoria Centre, 2 Union Road, Nottingham, NG1 3HF, 0844 800 3751. Type: Department store. What's for sale? Designer clothes, homeware and beauty products. Open: Monday, Thursday and Friday 9am-6pm, Tuesday 9.30am-6pm, Wednesday 9am-7.30pm, Saturday 9am-6.30pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. One of the flagship stores in the city's Victoria Centre, House OF Fraser is something of a one-stop shop for Christmas present buying. Offering designer fashion, homeware and beauty products, it is a great place to check out a wide range of gifts under one roof. From Armani Jeans to Yves San Laurent there are over 1000 brands to choose from.
3. Le Chien et Moi, 60 Derby Road, NG1 5FD, 0115 979 9199. Type: Independent store specialising in vintage and designer clothes, gifts and accessories. What's for sale? Clothes, gifts, fragrance, ceramics, jewellery and antiques. Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm. Housed in a beautifully restored Grade II Listed building a short walk from the city centre, Le Chien et Moi offers a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the high street. Furnished with fittings from old shops and chemists, the store stocks a wide range of interesting pieces from around the world. They include stationery from Portugal, cards from Japan, fragrances from Brooklyn and jewellery from Nottingham. All the pieces are vintage or sourced from little-known designers, ensuring you can find some truly original Christmas presents.
4. Paul Smith, Willoughby House, 20 Low Pavement, NG1 7EA, 0115 9685990 or 10 Byard Lane, NG1 2GJ, 0115 9506712. Type: Designer fashion store. What's for sale? Designer clothes from Paul Smith. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-6pm , Sunday 11pm – 5pm. For a slice of fashion with a Nottingham flavour head to one of the city's Paul Smith stores. Proud of his roots, the local-designer-made-good has two shops in the city. Both showcase a wide range of the work that has made him world famous, from his new autumn/winter fashion lines to fragrances, homeware and gifts.
5. Tokenhouse, 39-41 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GN, 0115 950 2121. Type: Gift shop. What's for sale? Stationery, ceramics, jewellery, homeware and gifts. Open: Monday to Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. With a range of gifts for people of all ages, Tokenhouse is well worth a visit during your Christmas shopping spree. From Emma Bridgwater ceramics to toys and novelty books, the store is packed with present ideas and possible stocking fillers. The shop also offers a range of seasonal necessities including cards, wrapping paper and Advent calendars.
6. Chocolate Utopia, 30 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DQ, 0115 947 0016. Type: Chocolatier. What's for sale? Handmade chocolates. Open: Monday to Saturday 10am-5.30pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. If you want to give a deliciously decadent gift this Christmas then head to Chocolate Utopia. A chocoholics dream, the shop offers the very finest handmade chocolates in around 35 delectable flavours. From classic combinations like Champagne truffles and caramel hearts to daring chilli or basil chocs there is something for people of all tastes. As well as the delicious range of individual treats you can also buy a selection housed in their very own edible treasure chest. Other novelty items include chocolate hearts and teddy bears.
7. Nottingham Christmas Gift and Craft Market, Smithy Row, Albert Street and Lister Gate, Nottingham. Type: Market What's for sale? Traditional handmade crafts, gifts and food. Open: Daily from November 21. Bringing a festive feel to the city centre, this traditional Victorian-style gift and craft market is not to be missed. Offering a range of fantastic handmade presents and seasonal foods it is ideally located just a short walk from the Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square. As well as the shopping there is plenty to conjure the Christmas spirit, including roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, carol singers and a family of reindeer.
8. Evolution Gifts, 75 Broadmarsh, Nottingham, NG1 7LJ, 0115 950 4649. Type: Ethical gift shop. What's for sale? Photo frames, candles, jewellery boxes and gifts. Open: Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm. For Christmas gifts that won't trouble the conscience, check out Evolution. The shop sources and trades all its products ethically, with proceeds used to support social projects around the world. The store's stock includes photo frames, candles and unusual gifts from around the world including Kenya, Bali and Guatemala.
9. The Entertainer, Unit 302B, Victoria Centre, Nottingham, 0844 800 5125. Type: Toy shop. What's for sale? Toys for children of all ages. Open: Monday to Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday and Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 9am-8pm. If you are struggling for ideas on what to buy your kids this Christmas then a trip to The Entertainer should set you straight. The store is a treasure chest of toys from enduring favourites like Lego to the latest handheld computers. There are also a number of revamped retro toys making a comeback this year including Cabbage Patch Kids and Furbies. Other must-haves set to top Christmas lists include Nerf soft-dart guns and a dance version of the classic game Twister.
10. Newstead Abbey Christmas Gift and Food Fayre, Newstead Abbey Historic House and Park, Ravenshead, Newstead, NG15 8NA, 01623 455 900. Type: Market. What's for sale? A wide range of handmade crafts and local produce. Open: November 16-18, 10am-4.30pm. If you are looking to escape the Christmas crush for a spot of more relaxed seasonal shopping then head to the beautiful Newstead Abbey between November 16-18. Set in picturesque surroundings far removed from the stress of the city centre, the fayre offers an array of locally sourced produce and handmade gifts. As well as discovering presents you won't find elsewhere, you can also get your hands on delicious food items that will give your Christmas a real taste of Nottinghamshire. Entry is £5 per adult, children get in free.
