T'is almost the season of giving. Well, buying. If you haven't started your Christmas shopping, the realisation that December starts this Sunday may make you quake just a little.

So what do you get the people who seem to have everything? Or don't but can't decide what they want? Or do that annoying 'Oh, I don't know – surprise me!' or 'Just get me something for the house' or worst of all, 'You don't have to get me anything!' 

They'll soon stop saying that after a Christmas morning spent opening yet another tub of body butter, a blender or absolutely nothing. Because 'You don't have to get me anything!' actually means the complete opposite – not only do you have to get 'something' but you also have to make sure it's a total surprise and just what they wanted without ever having to tell you.

Are you confused yet? Yes, so am I.

So it stands to reason that a lot of us will get in the car this Saturday in a bit of a panic, drive to the nearest shopping centre or retail park and try to buy as much as possible in a four hour window. However, there are a few problems with this. Firstly, by automatically heading to the 'big brands', you are more likely to end up buying the same thing as everyone else. Not very imaginative, is it? And secondly, you'll be lining the pockets of the bigwigs whilst a whole host of local shops, filled to the brim with unique, quirky gifts lose out. 

Wouldn't you prefer to support your local community and earn major brownie points in the individual, thoughtful gift stakes? Wouldn't you prefer to explain that you bought those swanky hair products from a local hair salon rather than from a generic supermarket or chemist? 

Haverhill has so many fantastic local shops and gift specialists that it would be a crying shame not to take advantage of the many options they offer this Christmas.

For example, Haverhill hair salon Avant Garde not only has the all-important gift vouchers, but also special Christmas gift boxes, featuring Vidal Sassoon Professional Illuminating Clean Shampoo and Illuminating Conditioner for coloured and chemically treated hair, which are currently down from £35 to £30. 

Please click here to download the Avant Garde voucher.

Further information about Avant Garde in Haverhill can be found by clicking here. 

Another treat for beauty aficionados is a gift voucher from Haverhill beauty salon, arevolution. Of course, if you know the recipient's schedule and personal beauty preferences, you could always book a particular treatment at arevolution, but a gift voucher is always the safest option!

Please click here to find out more.

Christmas, birthday, anniversary... it really doesn't matter what the occasion or time of year - jewellery is always the perfect present! And here at thebestof Haverhill, we can't recommend Tony Strowger Jewellers enough. Earrings, necklaces, rings, watches, cufflinks, giftware... whatever your budget, you are sure to find a stunning item that goes down a treat on Christmas morning.

Please click here for more information about the Haverhill jewellers.

Food, glorious food! Christmas is not only a time for giving and receiving; it is also a time for stuffing yourself silly! However, not all of us are kitchen gods and goddesses, so if you are tired of the over-processed, mass-produced cakes you find at the supermarkets, indulge in a box of Christmas cupcakes, courtesy of Cupcakes by Simone in Haverhill. Christmas cupcakes make a fantastic alternative to the traditional Christmas cake or pudding, or a thoughtful, delicious gift for a loved one... if you can keep your hands of them of course!

Indulge in your sweet tooth; click here to contact Cupcakes by Simone.

Please keep an eye out for more Buy Local this Christmas blogs in the coming weeks. We have information about Aerocycles, Haverhill Leisure Centre, Perform Sports Therapy, Haverhill Cineworld and David Doughty @ The Gallery so there's lots more inspiration from your local shops and gift specialists to come!