I used to work at a office based in Soho, and had a very enlightened boss who when it got to December, would let my department take our lunch hour at any time, so we could do our Christmas shopping in the non peak times. It was bliss - you could pop out at 11 and get a few presents and there would be no-one else around. Times have moved on, and I've never had it so easy since. However, recently my shopping woes have been put in perspective. I have a lot of friends with small children - and if you think it's hard to do your Christmas shopping solo, but tied to nine-to five office hours, imagine trying it with a large wailing, wriggling bundle as well. Thought so....
So what are the alternatives? Internet shopping is easy, but can be very - well - boring, dare I say it... Amazon or John Lewis online is fine, but it's not the same as rootling through those little shops you keep secret, finding the perfect thing for that difficult to please friend or relative is it? But all is not lost - now some of the best and quirkiest items are on the web - and here's a line up of my top websites to shop at when you can't get out of the house...
Ho ho ho
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/
http://www.etsy.com/
http://www.littlebabycompany.com/default.asp
http://www.retrosixty.co.uk/index.html
http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/
http://www.toast.co.uk/
http://www.pedlars.co.uk/
