A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate. I’m really spoilt for choice here - but these are some of my favourites for the festive season

The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.  

---

      PYJAMA SET, The Luxe Company, West Park.  £348

What?  £348?  What?  Yes.  It is a lot of money.  But they’re fabulous.  There’s a kimono jacket and there’s silk, lace and some transparency going on.  The pyjama bottoms are wide legged with a deep hem that gives them a good strong line and they hang well.   They’re flattering.  They’re made in Italy and inspired by renaissance Florence.  I would be delighted if someone bought them for me.  The Luxe Company have a great collection of classy lounge and sleep wear, and the shop stocks homewares too.  Highly recommended if you’re stuck for ideas.

---

LANTERN, Oxfam, Montpelier Parade. £8.99

Charity shops are great for ethically sourced and often unusual gifts.  I found this lovely lantern which just needs a tea light to add a bit of seasonal sparkle. It’s part of the ‘Sourced by Oxfam’ range – independent businesses, social enterprises or co-operatives that share the charity’s values.  This comes from Asha Handicrafts, who support artisans in India. You can get your fair trade Divine chocolate Christmas coins (obligatory in a Christmas stocking I believe) here too.

---

SHEEPSKIN LADIES SLIPPER, Westmorland Sheepskins, Montpelier Parade.  £69

Sheepskin slipper with a metallic gold trim anyone?  Yes I thought so.  These are from the Swedish (read very tasteful) Shepherd range.  There are plenty of other styles, and men’s slippers as well.  Nothing wrong with a pair of slippers, especially if they’re really good quality, super-tasteful ones, for Christmas.

 

---

 BAROQUE PEARL EARRINGS, India Mahon Jewellery, Montpelier Mews £396.

Wow.  These are just gorgeous. Baroque pearls – the ones which are irregular, non spherical and I think the most attractive - are very fashionable. These earrings are some of the best I’ve spotted on my shopping adventures.  They’ll look good with day or evening wear, whether you’re in jeans or a posh frock.  The store also carries jewellery in gold and silver with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires.  It also offers a custom design service using fairtrade gold.

Plus there’s a beautiful – fully colour co-ordinated -  golden retriever in the shop sometimes too, so its all-round well worth a visit.

---

VINTAGE CRAVATS AND SCARVES, Space Vintage, The Ginnel, £10

Don’t say you’ve never been tempted to a cravat.  Or, when all other options have been exhausted when you’re looking for something for a male loved one, to buy a cravat for someone else. Ironic or not, fancy dress or not, if you’re running out of Christmas gift ideas, I would have a rummage through.  It takes a certain amount of panache to carry one off, but maybe you, or a  a man in your life, can rise to the occasion.

 

---

CAP, Hats on Top, Station Parade. £19.50

A well dressed man, particularly of a certain age, often benefits from a cap.  This shop with its hundreds of hats for men and women, to suit all occasions, surely has ‘the one’.   This flat cap has nice country ‘Harrogate-y ‘ feel, but you could equally well go for one in corduroy, or even a Peaky Blinder, a Fedora or a Trilby.  Hats on Top also do bespoke.

 

---

MENS TRENCH COAT, Jaeger at Marks and Spencer, Cambridge Street, £279

Hurrah Jaeger have a concession in M & S. How Jaeger has been missed in Harrogate since it closed its doors in Cambridge Crescent earlier this year. Judging by a steady stream of quite excited fellow browsers I chatted to, this new strategy, of teaming up with established brands, might just help the troubled national treasure department store pull through.  I hope so.  There’s a good selection of women’s clothes, and I particularly liked this men’s trench coat.  It’s water resistant with a detachable gilet.  But its main attraction is its clean, simple, elegant lines.

---

THONG, Rigby and Peller, Station Bridge, £56

I’ve been a Rigby and Peller devotee ever since they sorted out my friend’s cleavage (madame was very ‘close set’ apparently). Equipped with a new top of the range bra she launched into a passionate affair, which turned into 20 plus happy years and several dogs together. Underwear might be a cliché for Christmas – but when it’s nice who cares?

 

---

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, Antique Market, Montpelier Mews. £10 each

For a 50s/60s kitch vibe (Christmas isn’t supposed to be tasteful so I think its okay) these are perfect.  My favourite is the bird, which still has its fibre tail intact.  I have one at home that belonged to my parents.  But minus the tail, so might be snapping this oe up myself.

Get down there quick and Happy Christmas Stray Ferreters.

---

Read More: 

• Getting your home ready for Christmas? These local businesses have what you need


• Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district

---