Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and for many of us the quest for the perfect present is far from finished.
In an era where internet shopping is the go-to choice due to its vast range, we decided to go on a quest to find the most unusual and quirkiest gifts in Bristol's high streets, starting with Cotham Hill, a street that recently became permanently pedestrianised.
From crafts and jewellery to drinks and skincare products, here’s what we found in Cotham Hill:
1. Soukous
At Soukous, which has a wide range of stylish and unusual gifts, they recommended their top-selling three products: their book nooks ranging from £24.99 to £36.99, their cocktail-making sets ranging from £13.99 and £24.99, and their Jellycats product which is by far their most popular product ranging from £11.99 to £124 and includes Jellycat's 25th anniversary limited edition bunny.
2. Amphora Aromatics
At Amphora Aromatics, which offers one of the most comprehensive range of pure essential oils and aromatherapy skincare products in the UK, they recommend their Frankincense and Rose range as a Valentine’s Day gift. The range includes facial serums (£12), face creams (£8.60), shea butter (£9.80) and body lotions (£12). They also sell rose petals for £5 and also have gift sets including a Cedarwood and Black Seed Beard and Bristles Skincare Duo for men made of a shave gel and a face serum for £24. Massage oils are also on sale for £7.90 for a more sensual-based gift.
3. Corks of Cotham
At the Corks of Cotham wine shop, they recommend the Masai Salat organic cava (£15), and the Dry Dragon Sparkling Tea (£9) and Doppio Passo Primitivo Alternativa (£9) as alcohol-free alternatives.
4. Flux
At Flux they pride themselves on the diverse range of makers of contemporary craft from across the UK work they host in the shop and gave us multiple recommendations to fit different budgets. They recommended Keeley Traae’s colourful vases which range from £30 to £40 as well as earrings by Jenney Llewellyn which range from £25 to £90 and have a very satisfying squishy texture and glow in the dark. They also recommended the work of award-winning jewellers Poppy Norton, Sheng Zhang and Caitlin Murphy. But ultimately, the gift they most recommended was their workshops where visitors can create their own jewellery starting from £90.