Christmas Shopping in Wisbech

With Halloween and Bonfire Night just around the corner, Wisbech traders have been busy getting ready for the next big event in the calendar. Yes, it's only 50 something shopping days until Christmas!

Local retailers rely heavily on the festive season to bring much needed customers into their stores, so why not save on time and fuel, and Keep It Local this Christmas?

If you are looking for presents for the children, Argos is conveniently located right next to the Horsefair Shopping Centre and offers a full range of everything that your little ones desire, from the Doggie Doo (predicted to be this year's number One Christmas gift and priced at about £22.00) through to the more expensive Let's Rock Elmo, also predicted to be in the Top Ten best sellers at about £70.00.

Understandably, most  youngsters are oblivious to the financial strain facing families this year and have compiled lists for Santa with scant regard for their parents' wallets and purses. According to a survey for Asda, three in four parents are planning to spend up to £199 on presents per child. And one in five expect to spend up to £499.

So, perhaps those unusual and inexpensive gifts are likely to help make Christmas special without breaking the bank. The Octagon Gallery in Market Street and Imagica in Norfolk Street both stock great gifts from around the world and you won't be in danger of getting the same gift as Auntie Dottie!

Or if you believe that Christmas is about giving in the wider sense, take a look at Oxfam, where you can buy eco-gifts that will provide clean water for a community, or stick to the traditional, and get an eco radio and torch for under £20. You might also pick up a bargain from one of the other charity shops in town such as the British Heart Foundation where all second-hand books are given a thorough check before they go out on the shelves, and in a lot of cases, look as though they have hardly been read.

For those with a few more pounds to spend, jewellery is a good option and usually well received so take a look at the sparkly range in H Samuel in the Horsefair. For more unusual and distinctive pieces at great quality and value for money, wander along to Picturesque (yes, we DO mean the framing shop) on Hill Street where David stocks a fabulous range of glass and metal based trinkets.Deaveson's is also worth a look, especially as they stock the very popular Pandora range.

If you prefer to do all your gift shopping in one place, don't forget that the newly re-branded Beales Department store (used to be the Westgate) is still very much open for business, and as part of the takeover deal, you can still earn Anglia Co-operative Society dividend points here, which might help ease the burden! And they open on a Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and as Wisbech is quiet on a Sunday, that might be the ideal time to do a little peaceful Christmas shopping.

Let us know if you want to recommend any of the stores in Wisbech for a great Christmas shopping experience, and if you've got the time to write a review and let other shoppers know what you think, just click on the 'Rate It' button above.