Six of the Best: Unusual Christmas Gift ideas in Yorkshire

HAMPERS - MILLIE’S, LEEDS

Whether you’re looking for fine food or gluten free, Millie’s in Leeds should have you covered, with their extensive range of Christmas hampers, it’s a present which is bound to impress. In addition to food hampers, which range in price from £19 right up to £120, they also do beauty product hampers, ranging from £38 to £130. Located on Vicar Lane, they can also be found on facebook, or by calling 0113 2429 217 and are open seven days a week. Millie’s is independent, family run with 30 years experience, stocking everything from locally produced meat to body care products - it even has a beauty salon.

JEWELLERY - BY TRUDI, LEEDS

Offering a range of eye-catching and unusual jewellery made in Leeds using dichronic glass, swarovski crystals and sterling silver. The pendants are individually made using layers of glass and enamelling to build up images fused into the glass.

A high quality, exclusive range of designer jewellery. Whether you are looking for something for yourself or a gift for a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, Christmas or valentines day .Pendants start from around £17 at jewellerybytrudy.co.uk

CUSHIONS AND CUPS - THE LITTLE BUTTON CO.

This independent shop, based in Ossett, began almost by accident back in 2010 when the owner decided to have a go at making her own home furnishings. Their range now includes bespoke cushions, memo boards, lampshades and mugs.

They have so many cushions with so many captions and designs, there’s bound to be one to suit your needs. See www.thelittlebuttonco.co.uk for more details.

They say: “No project is too big or small - whether you’re looking for a personalised cushion or a wholesale order for your gift shop.”

SOAP - OAKWOOD AROMATICS

Whether it’s soaps, lip balm, moisturising, hair care, ‘man products’, bath bombs or gift boxes comprising the lot, Oakwood Aromatics, North Yorkshire, has the lot and what’s more, their products do not contain artificial or harmful ingredients.

Choose from delicious sounding soaps such as gingernut or The Bees Knees, shampoo bars containing essential oils to help scalps or men’s beard oil bars.

Soaps start from £3 at www.oakwood-aromatics.com. They also do wedding gifts and run hen paries, with courses on how to create your own health products.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE - TEMPLE NEWSAM

Virgin Balloon Flights are offering a number of Christmas packages, including balloon rides over Temple Newsam.

Enjoy breath-taking views, landmarks and the wonder of nature from a different perspective, rising to 5,000ft.

Once your flight is over and your feet are back on the ground, you can sip Champagne and enjoy Christmas cake. Prices start from £139, with more than 100 locations, including Temple Newsam, Ripley Castle, Harrogate, York Racecourse and Cusworth Hall, Doncaster. See: www.virginballoonflights.co.uk for more details.

CHRISTMAS BLANKETS - YORKSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

About 10 years ago Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was given a small flock of about 60 black Hebridean sheep to be used for conservation grazing. Over the years this flock has been managed so that now there are over 500 sheep which are kept at three home sites and sent out in “teams” to graze more than 35 of our reserves to maintain important habitats for wildlife.

In the last two years the Trust has begun to develop this resource and the results are high quality, warm wool products.

All proceeds go to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. £130 from ywt.org.uk