November 17, 2011 11.05 am This story is over 148 months old

Top 5 quirky Christmas gifts ideas in Lincoln

Creative gifts: Looking for a unique gift for loved ones this year? Here are few local ideas to inspire you!

With Lincoln’s Christmas Market starting on the December 1, Lincolnites will soon be searching for that special gift to give their loved ones. But with so many independent retailers in Lincoln, why limit yourself to getting them chocolates or a CD?

To help you get creative with your shopping, The Lincolnite hand-picked five alternative and local Christmas presents to really show you care.

Russian Doll Katyusha – Annushka Russian Dolls and Gifts

Here’s something they really won’t expect. Located at the top of Steep Hill, Annushka Russian Dolls and Gifts is a treasure trove of all things Russian doll related, with a huge range of dolls and friendly staff who are passionate about their trade. The dolls range in price greatly, from small pieces under £10, to beautiful hand-made sets upwards of £200. Our pick is Katyusha, a ten piece, non-traditional doll, made of natural wood and hand painted in Semenov. At £30, it’s expensive enough to look good as an ornament, but affordable enough to let the kids have a play.

Pictured: Annuska Bowman

Salt Crystal Lamp – Naturally Gifted

Naturally Gifted is a quaint and friendly gift shop located at the start of Steep Hill. They sell various products, including tarot cards, cushions in the shapes of cats, oil burners, gems, decorative crafts, and feng shui items. Although spoilt for choice, we finally settled on the Salt Crystal Lamps, made from orange crystals that cast a warm, comforting glow into the room. At £18, these are perfect ornaments for your loved ones, and will turn their living room into a snug, cozy cave.

Pictured: Karen Steer

1980s Decade Box – Goodies of Lincoln Traditional Sweet Shop

Located on the Strait, Goodies of Lincoln is Steep Hills’ renowned sweet shop, selling everything from West Indian Limes to black and White Liquorice Mints to Giant Gobstoppers. With such a variety of sugary delights, we found it hard to pick just one, but in the end we settled on the Decade Boxes – gift boxes of sweets, each one packed with the landmarks sweets of your chosen decade. Priced at £7.95, these are perfect if you have a grandmother with a sweet tooth for the 1930s, or a spouse who wants to reminisce with goodies from the 80s.

Pictured: Richard Baxter

Bracelets – In Vitro

Tucked away in a corner of the Mall Shopping Centre, it can be easy to miss In Vitro Art Gallery, which is a shame, because you will be missing out on some of the finest artwork on display in the city. The gallery features a wide range of paintings, prints and photographs that will look great on a loved one’s wall. A selection of necklaces, earrings and smaller crafts are also available at a smaller price. Our choice was a beautiful selection of locally made bracelets, starting at just £4, that any female relative would love to own.

Pictured: Laura Whitehead

Agate Crystal – Lapid-Art

If you have any dinosaur lovers in the family, this is the perfect place to shop. Lapid-Art specializes in selling Crystals and Fossils, with a spectacular variety of both common and rarer specimens, including a range of Lincolnshire Gryphea fossils, that are just £2 each. Our pick though was the Agate gemstone – a beautiful azure mineral, formed from the bubbles of gas in volcanic rock. These gems are originally from Brazil, and will stand out on any mantelpiece. Prices vary depending on weight, but you can pick one up for about £12.

Pictured: Gareth Jones
Main Photo: Gaby Av