There are 17 shopping days to Christmas. Which means you have just over two weeks to get the presents, food, decoration and everything else sorted before the Big Day!

And the best place to do this is in the magical New Forest.

From Farmers’ Markets selling delicious local produce and the kind of gourmet goodies everyone wants to receive, to artisan chocolate-makers, vineyards, up-market retail chains and individual, boutique emporia, our towns and villages have got the lot.

Check out the sleek stores of Ringwood’s Furlong Shopping Centre where they have everything from a Waitrose & Partners, to Joules, Crew Clothing, Moshulu, Whistles FatFace, Phase Eight and many more.

Play it smart and check out the fantastic gift shops you can find in all of our towns and villages - you are sure to find that perfect New Forest gift.  Attractions including National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World and New Forest Heritage Centre all have their own gift shops too, with many products locally made.

Alternatively, have a browse around the gift shops and independent stores that can be found in Burley, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Lymington and Lyndhurst. Some towns & villages are even doing late night shopping!

If your loved-ones are keen on the outdoors, we’re a good place to shop – not only because of the huge choice, but because the stores themselves can give expert advice on the right items for the right activity. You’ll find cycling shops in Brockenhurst, Burley and Lyndhurst, an outdoor superstore at Lyndhurst too, and fishing tackle shops in Ringwood, New Milton and near Hythe.

Treat your friends, family or colleagues to a wonderful gift from Simply Beauty. With wonderful Clarins products, for both men and women, available to purchase and gift this Christmas. Or you could even treat someone to a treatment at the salon!

And don’t forget our garden centres. Yes, they are perfect for picking up a poinsettia or Christmas tree but their gifts are amazing too – especially if you’re looking for ideas for gardeners. Including Fairweather’s Garden Centre in Beaulieu, which stocks high quality garden plants, plus giftware, accessories and furniture.

Looking for a piece of original art? We have quite the selection of galleries! There are several art galleries where you can purchase artwork for your home, plus the gift shop at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington is also a good place to source arty gifts too.

For those with a sweet tooth, or if you are looking for a gift for a loved one, there are some tempting treats on offer here in the New Forest. In the village of Burley, the Burley Fudge Shop is well-worth a visit. Homemade fudge is on offer here with a tempting range of flavours including vanilla, rum and raisin and chocolate, plus a ‘fudge of the month’. The shop also has vegan and sugar alternative fudges, plus a range of other sweet treats such as Turkish Delight.

Looking for that perfect drink to give as a gift? Why not pick up some New Forest Cider at their store in Burley - visitors can try the various ciders straight from the barrel.

If ales are more your thing then you can purchase some of Ringwood Brewery's finest from the Brewery Store, or merchandise and clothing from the brewery. You don’t have to be on a brewery tour to visit the shop, either.

As well as being a fantastic bar where you can enjoy food and drinks, The Cave in Milford-on-Sea is also a shop, offering an exciting range of wines from around the world as well as delicious beers and ciders from local brewers and micro breweries.

For gin lovers, did you know that Bombay Sapphire Distillery is located just outside the New Forest too?

And, when searching for food and drink gifts, don’t forget our regular town & village and farmers markets which take place throughout the Forest. Or for a selection of delicious local food & drink, buy a hamper from The Forest Foodie.

Still not sure what to buy? Search our hotel websites for their gifting options. You can purchase gift vouchers for indulgent treats, such as afternoon tea, dinner or a stay at a number of amazing hotels, restaurants and pubs. It’s the same with beauty treatments and spa days – we can’t think of a better gift for frazzled folks for Christmas 2020 and - best news of all - you can order online and have the vouchers sent directly. They also make wonderful last-minute gifts, too, as do vouchers for some of our top attractions and activities.

We all love a saving, and our amazing Go New Forest Card gives you access to over 300 exclusive offers at top businesses in the area, including a huge choice of retail deals!

We have a special offer on buying the card this December – 2021 Go New Forest Cards are BUY 1 GET 1 FREE until 31 Dec… and you can use them straight away! You can buy your Go New Forest Card quickly and easily online, or if you’re local, head to one of our local card retailers dotted around the New Forest.

Then, once you’re set, plan your shopping around this and save even more!

And, when you do go out, check the latest government advice, including Hands (you can sanitise them safely in-store), Face – wear your mask (or pick up some fresh new ones – many of our stores sell them) and Space – always leave plenty of social distance between you and the next person.