8 original gift ideas for family and friends across the North East this Christmas

From personalised keepsakes to exciting experiences, there is lots of choice

Every Christmas comes the question of what to get your nearest and dearest. You don't want to get something similar to what you've given before, and you also want something they'll really like and use. In short, gift buying and giving can be a stressful process!

So, if you’re struggling on what to get your family and friends this Christmas, we've got you covered. Take a look here for a list of original and fantastic gift ideas, available at places across the North East, guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces this festive season.

1. Personalised story book

The perfect personalised gift for children at Bang on Books this Christmas.

Add your child’s photograph, enter their name, choose a character that looks like them, and write a special message to be printed at the beginning. These are the fabulous personalised elements that are all featured in Bang on Books’ new range of illustrated stories.

There are currently three books on offer: Unicorn Oo, The Golden Key and the Christmas spectacular, Santa Socks, each featuring 40 pages and finished with luxury soft-touch covers and shiny foil detailing.

Personalising your story book takes as little as 30 seconds and orders are delivered within five working days.

Where to go: Online only

Get in touch: Visit www.bangonbooks.co.uk or email hello@bangonbooks.co.uk

2. Reward membership at Costco

Give the gift of Costco membership this Christmas.

Gift a trade membership to a business owner, manager or self employed worker. The annual membership fee for standard trade membership is £22 + VAT.

For specific employment groups, an individual membership is ideal. The annual membership fee for a standard individual membership is £28 + VAT.

For those with an executive membership, you can earn an annual two per cent reward on most of your Costco purchases - excludes fuel, cigarettes, stamps and baby milk. The annual membership fee for an executive trade membership is £56 + VAT and for executive individual membership is £62 + VAT.

Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made.

Where to go: Mandela Way, Gateshead, NE11 9DH

Get in touch: Visit www.costco.co.uk

3. Luxury skin treatments

Get ready for the festive season with Novellus Aesthetics, the award-winning facial rejuvenation clinic in Jesmond.

From facials, skin peels and laser hair removal, to anti-wrinkle and lip fillers, Dr Land and Nurse Ness are wizards when it comes to aesthetics.

So, whether you’re looking to get your glow on, banish pesky wrinkles, or fix that feature you dislike so much, Novellus Aesthetics has your back.

If you’re looking for a gift for someone special, why not treat them to a Novellus Aesthetics voucher, where they can choose from a range of different skin treatments.

Where to go: 1 Benton Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1QU

Get in touch: Visit www.novellusaesthetics.co.uk or call 07973 204 276.

4. Festive food hampers

Established in 1978, the award-winning North Acomb Farm Shop sells a range of its own high quality, locally grown produce.

Currently taking orders for Christmas, North Acomb is offering free range turkeys, geese, ducks and chickens, as well as Aberdeen angus beef, home-cured gammon, pork, lamb and a full range of game.

The farm shop also has a scrumptious selection of festive treats available, including mince pies, Christmas cakes, puddings and more.

And if you’re searching for a Christmas gift with a personal touch, North Acomb offers gift vouchers and hampers.

The farm shop is open from 9.30am to 5pm on Tuesday to Saturday and 9.30am to 1pm on Sunday.

Where to go: North Acomb Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7UF

Get in touch: Visit www.northacombfarmshop.co.uk, call 01661 843 181 or email shop@northacomb.co.uk

5. Calming yoga experience

This Christmas, why not spoil someone you love with the gift of yoga? Yoga Den in Morpeth offers a wide range of weekly classes and workshops for all levels.

For beginners, sign yourself or a loved one up to the six week beginners course starting January 8, 2020 from 5 to 6pm, or the beginner's workshop on Saturday, January 18 from 12 to 3pm.

Or if group classes aren't what you're looking for, one-to-one yoga is £25 per session.

If you really want to spoil someone, sign up to a four night retreat in Spain, in June or September 2020, from £616pp.

Gift vouchers are available for one-to-one sessions, class passes, workshops, courses and international retreats.

Where to go: Yoga Den, Wellwood House, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1SU

Get in touch: Visit www.christieharleyyoga.com

6. Outdoor clothing

A leading manufacturer of lightweight, breathable clothing and equipment, Montane has been making cutting-edge products for mountain athletes and outdoor professionals for over 25 years.

Based in Ashington, the Montane Outlet Store sells limited edition, clearance and sample Montane products at up to 60 per cent off the recommended retail price.

The outlet store has a fantastic range of Christmas gift ideas whatever your budget, including hats, gloves and base layers starting at £10, fleece from £20, walking trousers from £35 and waterproofs from £65.

All of the store’s products are also available through its ebay store, Mountain Kit, where you can enjoy the same discounted prices.

Where to go: 15 Merchant Court, North Seaton Ind Est, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 0YH

Get in touch: Visit the website, Facebook page, email outlet@montane.co.uk or call 01670 817 932

7. Unique artisan gifts

On Sunday, December 1, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and the National Glass Centre will be joining over 1,000 cultural organisations worldwide by putting cultural shops in the spotlight for Museum Shop Sunday.

To mark the occasion, Sunderland Culture is offering everyone who spends over £10 in one of the shops a FREE local souvenir that day!

In celebration of the products on offer from local designers and makers, there will be live artist demonstrations and a book signing at each venue, as well as FREE Christmas gift wrapping available all day at National Glass Centre.

Where to go: National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL

Get in touch: Visit www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/museum-shop-sunday

8. Fun family days

Get into the festive spirit with Direct Pets’ fantastic family events in the run-up to Christmas.

Direct Pets’ exciting festive programme has kicked off with the Giant Octopus Dog Toy Prize Draw, which will run until December 15, 2019.

There is also a special Black Tag event taking place for Black Friday until November 29, and from November 30 to December 1, families can visit Santa’s Pet Grotto and get involved in a wonderful Family Fun Day.

Head down for puppies’ first Christmas parties on various dates from December 4 to 11, and also take part in a super fun ugly sweater contest from December 23 to 24.

Where to go: Unit 3, Tenth Avenue West, Team Valley Trade Park, Gateshead, NE11 0HL

Get in touch: Visit www.direct-pets.com or call 0191 487 6735