There’s no better time to support local than at Christmas. As we all know, when you shop small, the owners do little happy dances, and happy dances at Christmas are the best! Plus, here in Teesside and the surrounding areas, we’ve got oodles of small businesses to buy from at this time of year.
If you’re stuck for what to buy for someone tricky or someone that simply loves food, a hamper is always a good idea. And sure, you can buy a hamper from many spots, but why not have a go at making your own? In this post, I’m sharing lots of Teesside businesses and market faves that can help you fill up a food and drink hamper with ease!
I’ve put this list together based on the businesses selling items with a fairly long shelf life, so if you know of any more, please drop me a comment or slide into my DMs!
Quick jump
- Sauces, oils and spices
- Jams, chutneys and honey
- Cheese
- Biscuits
- Chocolate and sweets
- Tea and coffee
- Alcohol
- Shops and delis
Sauces, oils & spices
Adding sauces, oils and spices into your Teesside food hamper gift will allow your recipient to take their meals to the next level.
Diablo Seasonings
Diablo Seasonings is a fantastic local spice merchant. He sells a whole host of spice packs and mixes, including faves like all spice and cinnamon, as well as incredible mixes like Chinese salt and pepper (hugely recommend!), and jerk seasoning. Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Yorkshire Sea Salt
Yorkshire Sea Salt has become a real staple in our pantry, for both baking and cooking. As the name might suggest, this business specialises in pure, natural sea salt harvested from the North Yorkshire coast. It packs a real punch and a little goes a long way! Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce
Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce is a staple at many a local market and are loved across the country. If you’re looking for heat, this is the biz for you! They create a huge range of chilli sauces, as well as Chimponnaise, chilli oil and Chimpotle Powd-aaahhh. Buy online and follow on Facebook for more.
Balefire Sauce
Forged in the North, Balefire Sauce is a family run, small batch hot sauce biz. They marry up science and creativity to produce sauces with balanced heat and flavour, so there’s something for everyone. They have a brilliant range and a little gift set, so be sure to buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Really Indian
If your recipient loves making their own curries, they’ll love Really Indian. Their hand crafted fresh sauces are deliciously authentic, gluten-free, and suitable for veggies and vegans. They’re a win-win! There’s mild Halka sauce, super spicy Rajasthani sauce, and everything in between. Buy online and follow on Facebook for more.
Garth Cottage Herbs
Garth Cottage produce a sensational range of oils and balsamics that would be ideal to add to a hamper. They grow all of their own plants and herbs, then create oils that are perfect for drizzling, dipping, cooking and baking. You can find them at local markets (check out Facebook to find out when) or order via email.
Lovesome Oil
Rapeseed oil is a cupboard staple and there’s no place better to find it than Lovesome Oil. Their cold pressed oil is created with no chemicals or extreme heat, so you can expect the highest quality. Whether your recipient loves to dress, fry, roast or dip, this oil is a must have. Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Jams, chutneys & honey
Jam and chutney is a staple in a hamper, thanks to their fairly long shelf lives and ability to be added to all kinds of meals.
Rosalind’s Larder
If you’re looking for a bit of variety when it comes to jams, marmalades, relishes and chutneys, Rosalind’s Larder is a brilliant choice. The lovely Rosalind creates a massive assortment of jars, including faves like Seville orange marmalade, to more unique blends, like blueberry, Pinot Noir and liquorice jam. You can shop her range on Facebook and follow for more.
Calder’s Kitchen
Piccalilli can be used in an array of ways – in sandwiches, on a Ploughman’s, in a burger, with a jacket potato – and no one agrees with that more than Calder’s Kitchen. They create fresh, vegan-friendly and gluten-free piccalillis and chutneys that are a must for any kitchen. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
South Durham Honey
Honey is a must have in any food hamper as it goes well with and in so many things! South Durham Honey are Spennymoor beekeepers who produce their very own beautiful honey. You can grab taster tins that include various flavours, large jars and even half cut combs. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Cheese
If you’re grabbing some chutneys from the businesses above, it would be silly not to get some cheese to pair with it!
The Cheese & Wine Shop
As the name might suggest, The Cheese & Wine Shop in Darlington is an absolute haven for all things cheese and wine. Their artisan cheese cabinet is stocked up with oodles to choose from, like Colston Bassett, Isle of Mull and Mrs Kirkham’s, as well as wine, preserves, crisps and so much more around the shop. Visit them in store at 8 Clarks Yard, Darlington, DL3 7QH and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
The Yorkshire Dale Cheese Company
Find top quality and delicious cheese at The Yorkshire Dale Cheese Company. This biz showcases cheeses from amazing creameries across the region, so you can expect real Wensleydale, goat’s cheese, creamy blues and so much more. They also have lots of chutneys and marmalades to accompany. Buy online.
Teesdale Cheesemakers
Teesdale Cheesemakers create their own artisan cheese using milk from their farm. This biz takes pride in their craft and sell various top quality cheeses, such as Teesdale blue, Teesdale goat and Barney Brie. You can buy online or pop in and see them at Pond Farm, 11 Copley Lane, Butterknowle, DL13 5LW. Follow on Facebook for more.
Parlour Made
Based in Sedgefield, Parlour Made create handmade cheese with traditional methods and their own fresh milk. Their artisan cheese are loved throughout Teesside and beyond, and would make the perfect addition to a hamper. You can buy online and follow on Facebook for more.
Biscuits
There’s no one on the planet that doesn’t love a biscuit, surely? These sweet treat businesses are ideal to include in a hamper.
The Sawley Kitchen
The Sawley Kitchen are a market staple in Teesside and for very good reason! They bake the most beautiful shortbreads in a sensational array of flavours, like salted caramel, rhubarb and custard, and peanut butter. Their other biscuits, like cookies and ginger thins, are another great option. Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Coastal Bakes
A lot of bakes need to be eaten fairly quickly, but I have on good authority that Coastal Bakes‘ rocky road and fudge will last up to a week! Plus, she’s doing collections up to and including Christmas Eve, so you can fill your hamper with all kinds of goodies. Check her out on Instagram or Facebook to order.
The Mann’s Vegan Scran
If you need sweet treats for a vegan food hamper, try The Mann’s Vegan Scran. All of their gluten-free and vegan treats are handmade, and I’ve also heard that they could be persuaded to make jars of lemon curd too! Follow them on Facebook to find out which markets they’re at, preorder online or email them for more details on purchasing.
Chocolate & sweets
If you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth with your hamper, shop at these local businesses!
Amare Patisserie
Amare Patisserie are the purveyors of incredible, artisan chocolates. All of the individual bon-bons are handmade and look like tiny works of art. And they taste pretty darn amazing too! The vanilla is my top favourite, but the rhubarb is also phenomenal. Pick up a box online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
La Chocolatrice
Coxhoe-based La Chocolatrice are the Queens of beautiful bars. There’s something for absolutely everyone, such as dark chocolate fruit and nut, white chocolate and raspberry, and caramel. It’ll be hard to stop yourself from slipping a bar for yourself into the basket too! Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
tr:Eat
Take a bite into high quality confectionary with tr:Eat. Their chocolates are so indulgent and the kind where you struggle to have just one, but know you should because the box wouldn’t last too long otherwise! Shop their bars online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Sugar Noms
No one should be left out when it comes to scrumptious sweets, so if you need vegan-friendly treats, try Sugar Noms. They offer all kinds of deliciousness – pick & mix, premixed packs, chocolates, bon-bons, fudge, marshmallows… the list goes on! Shop online, visit them in store at 5b Station Rd, Redcar, TS10 1AH and follow on Instagram.
Chocolinis
Chocolinis in Saltburn is a speciality chocolate shop that stocks all kinds of chocolate treats. From individual bars to bon-bons, and shapes to stirrers, they’ve got absolutely tons to choose from. You can buy online or visit them in store at 3 Windsor Road, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AX. Follow on Facebook for more.
Tea & coffee
Tea or coffee is an ideal addition to a hamper. Your recipient will get a lot of use out of it and there’s so many variations for you to explore.
Whole Lot Of Rosie
If your recipient is a tea lover, you have to pop a bag of loose leaf from Whole Lot Of Rosie in there. Not only is loose leaf much better for the environment than bagged tea, Miki lovingly creates all of her blends by hand. She has LOADS to choose from, including fruit teas, green teas and classics. Shop online and follow on Facebook for more.
The Tea House Middlesbrough
Another tea staple in Teesside is The Tea House Middlesbrough, not just for their amazing cakes and sandwiches, but also for their bags of loose leaf tea. Their teas are stored in jars on the wall, so you can see every flavour and choose which one you’d like. Either pop in store and see them at 86-88 Grange Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2LS or drop into their DMs on Facebook or Instagram.
Rounton Coffee
Finding good coffee can be tricky, but with the gift of quality beans or filter coffee, your recipient can enjoy good coffee from home. Rounton Coffee have their own coffee shops in the area, but they also sell their own coffee. You can choose from whole bean, filter, cafetiere, AeroPress or espresso too! Shop online and follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
The Teesside Coffee Co
The Teesside Coffee Company is a micro-roastery in Skelton, specialising in responsibly sourced 100% single origin Arabica beans. The beans are small batch roasted for the highest quality flavour and you can purchase whole beans or ground. Buy online and follow on Facebook for more.
Runway Coffee
Runway Coffee is the sister brand of Signals in Saltburn. The coffee is a dark roast with Costa Rican tones of dried fruit and rich dark chocolate tones of Honduran beans – ideal for an espresso! You can pick up a bag online or buy in store at 1A Station Square, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, TS12 1QA.
Adoro Caffe
Adoro Caffe offers a little something for everyone. From coffee gift sets and experiences, to bags of beans and hot chocolate, it’s a haven for coffee lovers. They have lots of smooth and flavoursome blends to choose from and options for beans and ground. Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Alcohol
Need something boozy? We’re so lucky that Teesside and the surrounding areas are home to lots of fantastic distilleries and breweries.
Salt Steel Brewing Co
Salt Steel are passionate about growing the craft culture and creating quality beers. The brewery has roots that stretch from the salt mines of Cheshire, to the steel mills of Teesside and beyond, so it’s a brewery with real heart. Strip Tees or Under The Bridge would be amazing in a hamper for a beer lover! Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Steel River Drinks
Everything that Steel River Drinks stands for revolves around Teesside pride. They are active in the community, work with charities and produce a flawless range of gins. From bottles to cans, you can be certain that no matter what you choose, you’re supporting a great business and gifting fantastic flavour. Shop online or in store at Unit E, Lustrum Trade Park, Ascot Drive, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2QQ. Follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Revelry Gin
Their hometown of Yarm, with cobbled streets and winding yards, inspired Revelry to kickstart their business. This small batch distillery prides itself on creating, packaging and labelling everything by hand, and creating beautiful gin and vodka. Buy online or visit them in store at 5 Danby Wynd, Yarm, TS15 9SF. Follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Three Brothers Brewing Company
Three Brothers are a firm Teesside favourite, with beers in pubs across the region and beyond. But you can give the gift of Three Brothers in the home by grabbing a few cans or bottles for your hamper. This award-winning brewery have tons to choose from, but I definitely recommend the North East IPA! Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Guisborough Brewery
Guisborough Brewery think good tasting beer is a crucial catalyst for a well-rounded life. If your recipient is of the same mindset, this could be a match made in heaven! The inspiration for the recipes is the ingredients. They get the best, keep it simple and the results are glorious. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Daisy Distillery
Daisy Distillery are all about creating delicious handcrafted gins and celebrating the local area. You can’t miss their distinctive bottles, which feature the Roseberry Topping crest. And speaking of Roseberry, the Roseberry flavour is definitely one to try! Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
LemonTop Gin
The clue is definitely in the name with LemonTop Gin! Designed for lovers of the Teesside coast, LemonTop tastes like the ice cream classic, complete with lemony, sherbety zing. And what’s even better is they stock gift sets that include cream soda and socks, so you can take your hamper a step further. Buy online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Yarm Distillery
Yarm Distillery is an independent, family run company specialising in gins and rums, with whiskey coming in 2023! The produce a range of sloe and London dry gins, as well as pink and spiced rums. They have a heck of a lot of choice, so it’s a great option if you want to buy lots of little taster bottles. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Fourteen Drops
Fourteen Drops are the purveyors of quality artisan wines. Their shelves are stocked to the brim with fantastic wines in all forms from around the world – including classic reds and whites, to fortified and sweet wine. Their collection needs to be seen to be believed and the staff are incredibly helpful at finding the right wine for you. Shop online or in store at 77a High St, Yarm, TS15 9BG. Follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Shorty’s Gins
Back when Shorty’s Gins established in 2017, it was one of the few female-owned distilleries. It has since become an award-winning business, with their Endeavour Gin bagging gold and bronze awards. Give the gift of this Guisborough-based gin in your hamper and let your recipient get a taste of adventure. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Caps Off Brewery
Based in Bishop Auckland, Caps Off is a craft beer, cider and spirits shop that specialises in local products made in the heart of the industrial North East. They have an extensive range that’s loved across the whole of the region and is bound to become your recipients’ favourite. Shop online or visit them in store at 3 Bob Hardisty Drive, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7TL. Follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Hops and Dots Brew Co
Hops and Dots are all about bringing accessibility to the craft beer world, so promote braille through their creations. You can expect to find small batch stouts, IPAs, lagers, ciders and so much more from a variety of brands, not just their own. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram for more.
Talking Tides Brew Co
Talking Tides Brew Co is passionate about two things – making delicious craft beer and shouting about how incredible our local area is. Their beers are inspired by the Teesside coastline and are loved across the region (and have even been sent over to Amsterdam!). I highly recommend the Headland Hazy pale ale! Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Play Brew Co
Play Brew Co is Middlesbrough’s first craft beer brewery and taproom in the heart of Teesside. It’s a fun, bold, and innovative company, striving to bring joy to people with their daring craft beers. With brews like honeycomb & marshmallow knickerbocker glory, crumble pastry sour, and melon fizz, your recipient is in for something unique. Shop online and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Shops & delis
I’ve provided lots of individual small businesses for you to check out, but if you want to browse a shop or deli to see what they offer for a hamper, try these out!
The Village Deli, Hartburn
Not only can you sit in for amazing grazing and hot drinks at The Village Deli in Hartburn, but you can also purchase from their small shop. They’ve got oodles to buy to make your own hamper and pair up with some of the other products mentioned in this post! Visit them at Darlington Road, Hartburn, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 5BD and follow on Facebook for more.
Roots Farm Shop, Northallerton
Who doesn’t love a good farm shop? Roots in Northallerton is famed for its shop and for good reason too. They sell all kinds of artisanal products, such as cheese, crackers, jams, wines, beers and more. Pay them a visit at Home Farm, East Rounton, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2LE and follow on Facebook.
Fletchers Farm Shop, Great Ayton
Located in Great Ayton with an unrivalled view of Roseberry Topping, Fletchers Farm has a fantastic shop to find all kinds of hamper goodies. You can find dried goods, preserves, honey, sauces, chocolate, sweets… the list just goes on and on. Pay them a visit at Woodhouse, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, TS9 6HZ and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Five Houses, Crathorne
Five Houses is owned by the top class butchers behind Kitsons & Sons, so you can expect only the best. And not only is this spot an incredible eaterie, but they also have an extensive farm shop! They pride themselves on stocking local produce, so you’ll find lots of treats from across Teesside on the shelves. Visit them at Five Houses Farm Shop, Crathorne, North Yorkshire, TS15 0AY. Follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Real Meals, Saltburn
Real Meals know exactly how to take a meal from 0 to 100 with all of the amazing products that they stock. They’ve got lots of hamper-worthy things to try, such as pasta, spreads, coffee, oils, crisps and so much more. Pay them a visit at 25 Milton Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1DJ and follow on Facebook for more.
Black Olive Deli, Darlington
Delis are a fabulous place to find lots of bits and bobs to add to a hamper, and Black Olive Deli in Darlington is a great one to browse. With crackers, nuts, biscuits, condiments, cheese and more, there’s sure to be something that you hadn’t thought of before. Take a look in store at 9 Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NA and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Hutchinson Hobbs, Yarm
Hutchinson Hobbs are a family-run business who pride themselves on working with local farmers to bring the best to the plate. Their farm shop is the place to be if you want high quality food and drink for your hamper, including wines, spirits, olives, vinegars, oils, nibbles… and that’s just the start. Visit them at Holdenfields Farm, Castlelevington, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, TS15 9PB and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
I also want to give a mention to The Jar House, who sell amazing bread baking kits. They’ve got loads to choose from and they’d make an amazing addition to a hamper for savoury fans, along with some oils and cheeses.
Will you be putting your own foodie hamper together with lovely produce from Teesside and the surrounding areas? Let me know! And tell me if any of these businesses have caught your eye and winged their way on to your Christmas list.
If you have any other recommendations for this post, please tell me!
