Gifts For Kids

Minimise Plastic, give them your time and inspire budding eco champions with these alternatives to new toys!

  1. Are unused toys taking up too much space in your home?  Borrow something from Lewisham Toy Library. Membership starts from £2.50 per month – Lewisham Shopping Centre
  2. December Tickets to Christmas Show, The Snow Queen is a great way to make festive memories!  This show has an age appropriate climate theme “The Seasons Aren’t Behaving” – The Albany, Deptford
  3. Another show that’s on in the run up to Christmas is The Wonderful; a magical African take on the Wizard of Oz.  More memories just waiting to be made.
  4. Theatre Peckham
  5. If the kids are getting itchy to be outside some more then why not share the gift of woodwork skills at the Wildcat Wilderness Mud Club Sessions (low income options available) – Riverview Park, Catford
  6. A sure-fire hit for all the family, membership to the Horniman Museum includes free access to the Butterfly House and Aquarium (paid singular visits are also available) – Forest Hill
  7. Know kids who get bored of their toys in five minutes? Whirli run an extensive Toy Swap Library from £9.99 per month – Available Nationwide
  8. Looking for a creative way for your little loved ones to connect with the natural world?  Mud and Bloom offer plastic free Gifts and Subscription Boxes for 3-8 year olds – Available Nationwide
  9. For little kids and big kids alike, Woodland Trust Membership is a great way to encourage someone’s love for nature while helping to actively protect it at the same time – Available Nationwide
  10. Charity shops are a great place to check for stocking fillers, and there’s lots of them throughout the borough. Lots of them also have online shops for new items, including ebay shops for pre-loved items.

Gifts For Grown Ups

Buy sustainable and second hand gifts, and help to support local businesses.

  1. Get stuck in to some sustainable, eco friendly goods at Magazyn 105, including sunglasses made from recycled fisherman’s net, recycled crayons and more – Forest Hill
  2. Ansa sell beautiful Vintage clothes, just perfect for party season – Forest Hill
  3. And for vintage trinkets and accessories, check out Wild Horses – Forest Hill
  4. Culture Mid-Century run a vintage pop up shop, open every other Sunday – Blackheath
  5. And Traid sell some of the most exciting second hand and vintage fashion on the high street; you’ll have fun trying even if you’re not buying – Lewisham
  6. Halycon Books is a treasure trove of second hand books, and they’ve got a coffee shop too if you need some time to leaf through things! Lee
  7. Or The Bookshop on the Heath is another local gem, selling a wide range of pre-loved books – Blackheath
  8. And Crofton Books also stock a brilliant selection of second hand books as well as some new ones – Brockley
  9. And the Shop Without Packaging, aka SWOP not only stock your cupboard essentials, but an interesting range of gifts and stocking fillers too – Lee Green

The Gift of Experience

Hurray, we can go out again! So why not spend some quality time with the people  you love. Experiences make a great alternative to “more stuff”, and they give much needed support to local organisations, groups and businesses. Remember to travel there in an environmentally friendly way to really seal the Climate Action deal. 

  1. With an extensive programme including live music, theatre, family fun and cabaret, why not book tickets for a show or become a member of The Albany Theatre – Deptford
  2. The 600-piece-strong collection of paintings at Dulwich Picture Gallery includes work by artists such as Monet, Rubens and Rembrandt.  Visit an exhibition or treat your loved one to a yearly membership, for a classic, cultural experience – Dulwich
  3. If you want to feel like you’re getting out of London without actually having to get out of London, then head to Eltham Palace or the Rangers House for some local “English Heritage”- Blackheath
  4. You could always treat a loved one (or two or 3) to see a classic Christmas Film at the Rivoli Ballroom, get booked into one of their dance classes, or get tickets for their New Year’s Eve Party – Crofton Park
  5. Ninth Life is a great venue to check out for Immersive Theatre, Music Gigs, Exhibitions, Art Classes, Food, Drinks, and even an Escape Room if you’re feeling daring – Catford
  6. Beckenham Park Place not only has beautiful grounds that are free to walk around, but also offers events from Magic Nights and Kids Cooking, to Yoga, Cello Recitals and more – Beckenham
  7. Catford Mews is an independent, community focused entertainment venue that includes food vendors, gig space and a cinema.  Gifting membership to a loved one will get them freebies throughout the year and there’s a discount to Lewisham Local Card holders too –  Catford
  8. From big name Comedy to Classical Music, Family Theatre and more, Blackheath Halls is a great venue for a local trip out – Blackheath
  9. Or does your “special someone” just LOVE the pub? Then why not buy them a share in the Ravensbourne Arms, Lewisham’s hottest soon-to-be community venue!  It’s so exciting, even Jools Holland has invested – Lewisham
  10. Arcola Theatre is further afield but it’s London’s First carbon neutral theatre! Creating trailblazing shows for everyone, they pride themselves on social engagement, diversity, and challenging the status quo – Dalston

And The National Art Pass is a great gift for the culture vultures among us. Offering free access to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic sites across the UK, membership helps to support these projects for future generations to enjoy – Available Nationwide

The Gift of Relaxation

Gift your loved one that precious thing they’ve always wanted – time out

  1. Offering Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Yoga courses and more, The Honor Oak Wellness Rooms are an evidence based health and wellness specialists, whose blog is full of interesting articles and info, should you want to dip your toes in first – Honor Oak
  2. As well as as their stunning gardens and impressive events program Beckenham Park Place run a range of therapeutic courses including Pre & Post Natal Pilates, Meditation  and Yoha – Beckenham
  3. My Inner Sanctuary provides refuge for the mind, body, soul and spirit.  From Qi Gong to Sound Healing, Counselling, Massage Therapy and more, this welcoming space is brought to you from the “LoveGift Vegan” community (see Foodies below) – Lee High Road
  4.  And for everyone, Rise Osteopathy are a family friendly practice who offer a range of services including Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology –  Forest Hill / East Dulwich
  5. Or why not get limbered up for the year ahead!  Offering gift cards, short courses and super affordable membership, More Yoga are a great place to invest your gifting pennies – Lewisham
  6. But if your loved one is in need of a speedy blast of something treatsy, get them booked into The Russian Banya & Steam Baths.  This traditional bath house is a great way to warm your cockles throughout winter – Canning Town

Foodies

Take your loved one out for a special meal, or have a catch up over some tea & cake!

  1. In their bright and inviting cafe, LoveGift Vegan offer Caribbean inspired food, which you can also learn to cook at one of their nutrition-focused workshops – Lee High Road
  2. My Jamii Cafe are a Non-Profit, Social Enterprise who help to support, engage and develop the skills of young people in the community.  They also have a shop selling a lots of eco-friendly products – Honour Oak Park
  3. The Guava Kitchen Vegan Café is a plant based eatery with a tropical twist, and if you’re wanting to get a real health kick in the New Year, they offer wellness-based meal plans and fitness programmes too – Forest Hill
  4. Eat of Eden have six eateries throughout London, mostly south of the river including one in Lewisham.  The offer healthy, vegan plates as well as not-so-guilty pleasures including mac n’cheese, burgers and cake in a jar – Lewisham
  5. The Hill Station Cafe is a Social Enterprise in the north of the borough that won Lewisham’s 2021 “Community Space Award”, and for good reason!  Offering games nights, pop up kitchens, art exhibitions, theatre, a craft shop and more, a Christmas date here is a great gift to give – Lewisham
  6. And ticking eco-boxes left right and centre, The Farmacy are a consciously sourced, plant based restaurant whose bio-dynamic farm, helps to support multiple food projects throughout London – Notting Hill / Bayswater
  7.  OmVed is an urban greenspace that grows, cooks and and serves nutritious meals, with the health of the planet in mind.  Also offering workshops, concerts and an exhibition space, ecological transformation is at the heart of what they do – Highgate

Learn Something New

Gift someone the opportunity to learn a new skill

  1. As well as their selection of beautiful crafted gifts, including handmade Christmas stocking, Stag and Bow run regular Knitting and Darning workshops for beginners – Forest Hill
  2. Soundheart Music has got it all covered!  Not only do they offer rehearsal space, pre-loved instruments, sheet music and repairs, but they also offer taster lessons and courses on a range of instruments, for adults and children alike – Forest Hill
  3. Granville Park and Brockley Rise Adult Education  offer a wide variety of courses for adults including Drawing, Painting, Clothes-Making, Childcare, Computing, Upholstery, Floristry, Photography, Music, Pottery, Languages, Glasswork, Printing and more Crofton Park / Perry Vale / Lewisham
  4. Fostering creativity from 6 months, through retirement and beyond, Blackheath Conservatoire run Music, Art and Drama classes for everyone – Blackheath
  5. As well as making bespoke items and offering a repair service, SE12 Woodworks run small-group woodwork lessons for beginners and intermediates; a fitting festive treat for all those budding carpenters – Lee
  6. Running courses and workshops for adults and children, Lewisham Arthouse is a no-for-profit, artist led cooperative who offer specialist facilities including a photographic dark room and a kiln, as well as hosting experimental live music, art exhibitions and more- New Cross
  7. As a non-profit, community education project, Edible Landscapes run events and workshops for all ages, focusing on Food Growing, Forest Gardening, Nature Crafts and more – Finsbury Park
  8. And The Cookery School run London’s most sustainable cooking classes, powered by 100% renewable energy!  From singles classes, to courses and even professional certification, there’s an option for everyone who wants a little nourishment – Marylebone

Free Things to Do

Whether you’re on a budget or not, not everything needs to cost money – sometimes just a day out with your loved one is the best gift of them all!

  1. The Museum of Neoliberalism offers a really great introduction to the political forces that have shaped the world we live in.  It’s satirical displays are easy to follow, poking fun but firm holes at the system we’re governed by.  Spaces need to be booked online, but it’s free to visit – Lee Green
  2. Located inside Lewisham Shopping Centre The Migration Museum weaves stories of those who have migrated all over the planet, for all number of reasons.  Thought provoking, gut wrenching and heartwarming too, this should be on everyone’s to-do list.
  3. The Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art is a world class art gallery, right here in Lewisham Borough!  Located in a Grade II listed building with a rich community history, the current incarnation of this site is one of the reasons Lewisham’s on the 2022 map as London Borough of Culture – New Cross
  4. After a difficult couple of years for most of us, some loved ones might find that getting out and about is a bit overwhelming. Lewisham Healthy Walks facilitate free, group walking sessions throughout the borough.  Hosted regularly each week, perhaps your loved one would most appreciate some encouragement and structure to get them up, out and meeting people again.  And if you take a thermos with you, you can tag a free coffee date on the end of it too – Throughout Lewisham