The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide (part 1)

Haven’t started your Christmas shopping? Fear not. Over the next four weeks we’ll be showcasing the best marketplace gift ideas for friends and family from Funding Circle borrowers. So instead of heading to the high street for your presents, stocking fillers and Christmas Day fayre, why not support local businesses up and down the country and make your Christmas extra special this year.

We will be showcasing each business on Funding Circle’s Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram pages and would love for you to share the ones you like! #GiftGuide2015

Day 1 : Lapland Sack Company

Spoil little ones rotten this Christmas with a personalised Santa Sack from The Lapland Sack Company, who have borrowed over £300,000 since February 2014. The sacks, which are made by the Vendequm (the oldest, most experienced of Santa’s Elves), are printed using eco-friendly inks in Essex and £1 is donated to ‘The Wings of Hope’ Charity for every sack sold. They even come with a special wooden ‘Made by Elves’ tag and measure a large 50cm x 80cm so there’s plenty of room to store all your marketplace gifts. Excellent!

Day 2 : The Stripes Company

You’ll find seasonally striped fabric gifts for home and garden at The Stripes Company in Chester, who’ve borrowed more than £175,000 across multiple Funding Circle loans since 2011.

A new pair of striped oven gloves are perfect for brightening up your kitchen this Christmas. Why not get the matching apron and tea towels too?

Day 3 : Moo Free

Looking for an indulgent stocking filler to enjoy on Christmas Day? How about a cute snack sized Santa chocolate bar from Moo Fee Chocolates? Moo Free, who manufacture dairy-free, gluten-free, organic and vegan chocolates from their base in Reading, borrowed £85,000 from 844 people in 2013. Yum!

Day 4: Laird Hats

Looking for a trilby, porkpie or flatcap to see you through the festive season in style? Stand out from the crowd with a new hat from Laird Hatters, who borrowed £140,000 from more than 2,000 Funding Circle investors to expand their range of handmade hats and caps. There’s something to suit all styles and tastes.

Day 5: Hackney Brewery

The perfect gift for any craft beer aficionado is a selection of Hackney Brewery ales. The brewery, who used their business loan to buy a new fermenter, produce a range of beers including a Golden Ale, an American Pale Ale and a New Zealand Pale Ale, with the odd guest beer from time to time. Now what to eat…

Day 6: Newton Farm Foods

Are the in-laws descending on you for the Christmas period? Stock up on free range meats, artisan cheese, chutney and local honey from family-run Newton Farm Foods.

Set in the picturesque Somerset village of Newton St Loe, Newton Farm Foods borrowed £60,000 in 2014 to expand their food emporium and continue to sell award-winning produce. At this year’s Great Taste Awards, widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation for artisan producers, Newton Farm’s ‘home-grown’ belly of pork (from a native breed – a cross between British saddlebacks and Gloucester Old Spots) won Gold, the highest accolade. Order yours today!

In next week’s list of marketplace gift ideas we’ll be showcasing some statement party jewellery, winter warmers from the US, luxury leather belts and much, much more. Find out more on Monday!

Thank you to all investors

Thousands of people and larger investors have lent over £945 million to 12,000 UK businesses through the Funding Circle marketplace since 2010. Thank you for all of your support in 2015, and we look forward to bringing you more lending opportunities in 2016.

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