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The IsleOne team has been wondering what presents to buy for one another this Christmas. So we decided to do a secret Santa using gifts from some of our favourite shops in Thanet. Then someone objected that ‘Santa’ was a very American term, a huge argument developed amongst some of the junior staff writers, and now no one’s having any presents this year.

Anyhow, these were some of the ideas we came up with.

Starting in Ramsgate, Nice Things have loads of stuff that would make ideal stocking fillers. Our picks include books for children by PatrickGeorge, including Opposites and What’s in a Name?, and handmade bits and bobs by Bonboo.

In Bay 158 in Broadstairs, you’ll find the perennial favourite for distant relatives: the ever popular and highly ironical ‘I’d rather be in Broadstairs’ mug. They also have a large selection of Christmas decorations you wouldn’t find in any large store… Dare to be different this Christmas.

We also whole-heartedly recommend popping into The Bottleneck for a bottle or two of Chateau Musar for Christmas Day – as a gift to yourself, not anyone else.

Finally, you can find loads of gift ideas in Margate’s Blackbird. We particularly like the hand-printed tea cosy. They also do a good range of greeting cards. And as it’s only next door, you could get one of them cupcakes mugs from the Cupcake Cafe.

So, basically, what we seem to be recommending as gift ideas is mostly beverage-based, with a particular emphasis on mugs and cosies. Christ.

Anyway, we also liked this wrapping paper from Nancy & Betty as it’s got brussels sprouts on it. Try it.