Valentine’s has creeped up on us again. If you’re stuck for the perfect gift try these local independent stores where you’ll be sure to find your match
The Savvy Baker
For a sweet treat shop at The Savvy Baker. Based in Oaktree business park, the Savvy Baker has a huge range of homemade brownies, cookies, blondies. Orders are currently being taken for their valentines day brownie slabs, a huge ‘slab’ of heart shaped brownie decorated with chocolate hearts, biscuits and chocolate lettering.
Daisy Chain
There’s no better way to show someone you love them than to buy them flowers and Daisy Chain has all of your floral needs covered. Here you can grab a florist’s choice of flowers for £35 or there are more expensive options available, such as ‘All of the Roses’ which is a carefully crafted bouquet of 100 roses for £600. For a gift that keeps on giving, purchase the year of flowers for £350 and get a bouquet of flowers delivered monthly.
The Handmade Collective
The Handmade collective is a gift shop that stocks entirely hand picked independent businesses. This store won gift shop of the year in 2022 so you can be sure to find something here with a variety of products such as hand poured candles, ceramic jewellery, body scrubs and so much more.
Flavour Like Fancy
Meanwood based independent gift shop, Flavour Like Fancy was set up to support the northern hub of creative independent makers. Products range from homeware goods to jewellery, clothing and accessories and each item has been carefully selected for its quality. Favourites are the handcrafted earrings and necklaces with a multitude of shapes, colours and sizes to choose from.
Green & Field florists
Another option for floral gifts is Green & Field florists, they have a store in Horsforth but is also available online. Green & Field has options no matter what your budget is, a jam jar bloom, a jam jar filled with a selection of seasonal flowers, will cost you £12. Seasonal full bouquets begin at £25 but they also sell house plants such as a Monstera Delciousa or £22 if you want a gift that you can keep forever.
Glasshouse Gallery
If your partner is spiritual you will find the perfect gift at Glasshouse Gallery. A mystic and alternative gift shop in Chapel Allerton stocks handmade glass, jewellery, candles, crystals and incense. Although full of many wonderful things, the beautiful handmade glass ornaments stand out, so carefully crafted and bursting with colour they would certainly make a memorable gift.
The Yorkshire Soap Co.
With their bright pink exterior and luxury bakery style window display this store is hard to miss. At their Albion Street store you can get their iconic soaps and candles or a luxury gift hamper for both men and women. Hampers begin at £25 and the most expensive is £75 depending on content and size, for £25 you get a bath bomb, shower gel, soap cupcake, soap bar and a gold bath truffle.
FreckleFace Fragrance
Freckleface Fragrance is supplying ethical, independent home fragrance products, perfect for a guilt free valentines gift. All products stocked by Freckleface are suitable for vegans, made in England and plastic free or sustainably packed. Set the valentines mood at home with one of their rose geranium essential oils or a peony and vanilla garden three-wick candle.
The Great Yorkshire Shop
Keep Yorkshire close to you and your loved ones’ hearts this valentines day and get your gifts at The Great Yorkshire Shop. As the name indicates many of the gifts here have a Yorkshire theme such as the ‘chuffin love yer’ rustic wooden sign and keyring for £6.50 or the little book of Yorkshire humour. They also have luxurious handmade soap, bath salts and shaving lotions.
Colours May Vary
Colours May Vary is an independent bookstore inside the Corn Exchange, the heart of independent businesses and creatives in Leeds. This store is a bookworms heaven with a stock of unique books like ‘Vampires: The literary anthology’ and ‘How to get your s*** together’. Why not try a recipe from ‘The Italian Pantry’ to make an intimate date night from home.
The Cheesy Living Co.
Spend your valentine’s day in cheese heaven with The Cheesy Living Co. Perfect for a romantic date night is their ‘Fancy Pants’ charcuterie box for £37.50 filled with premium meats and cheeses or get a little messier with and create cheese fondue at home with their ‘Fondue it Yourself’ for £27.50. All cheese and charcuterie products are 100% British.
Images: Colours May Vary, The Yorkshire Soap Co., Glasshouse Gallery
