It can be difficult to come up with the perfect Christmas gift ideas for friends and family year in, year out. So, save your mum from having to pretend to be surprised when she unwraps yet another shower gel and body lotion gift set, and get her (and everyone else) something that they can really be WOWED by this year. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of great Christmas gift ideas, featuring businesses within Essex.

Spa Break at Stoke by Nayland Resort

Located in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Stoke by Nayland Resort are an award-winning, family-owned spa hotel in the beautiful countryside of Essex. Their spa breaks are the perfect Christmas gift for anyone in your life that is in need of a little TLC. They have an array of amazing and unique treatments, such as their Rasul Mud Therapy Experience – a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual – or their Hammam & Hydrotherm treatments, designed to revitalise body and mind on their heated Hammam stone bed or heated Hydrotherm water bed.

Tiptree Tearoom Gift Vouchers

There are many Tiptree Tearooms dotted all over Essex where you can enjoy a freshly baked scone with Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Jam, washed down with a classic English breakfast tea. Enjoy an afternoon tea after a morning rowing along the River Stour in Dedham, or tour the factory where Tiptree Jam is made and learn all about the history behind brand in their museum before you sit down to enjoy the sweet preserves served in the tearoom for yourself.

Down Hall – Eat, Stay, Love Package

Treat a couple of lovebirds to a romantic staycation in Essex this Christmas with the Down Hall Eat, Stay, Love Package. This deal includes one night away at the breath-taking Down Hall in Hatfield Heath, Essex, as well as a delicious three-course meal from their Garden Room menu and breakfast the next morning for two. During their stay, couples can enjoy the range of facilities that hotel, spa, and estate have to offer. Book a couple’s massage, stroll around the stunning grounds, or read peacefully by the poolside.

Colchester Zoo Gold Pass

How does unlimited entry all year round, money off animal experiences and the gift shop, entry to annual special events, AND free entry to other selected major zoos sound? Pretty fantastic, if you ask us! The Colchester Zoo annual pass is a must have for families and animal lovers whose perfect day is one spent admiring the magnificent elephants, watching outstanding live shows, and enjoying the playgrounds and various eateries that Colchester Zoo have on site.

Adventure Island Annual Pass / Adventure Inside Annual Pass

One of Essex’s greatest attractions for fairground ride fanatics is Adventure Island and Adventure Inside at Southend-on-Sea, both of which have annual passes that would make an ideal gift for the family. Found right on the waterfront near the world’s longest pier, Adventure Island is home to thrilling rides such as the Rage rollercoaster, the mighty Skydrop that is bound to make your belly bounce, and the Screature, the Island’s newest Orbiter ride. For rainy days, you can purchase your loved ones an annual pass for Adventure Inside, where you’ll find rides, arcade games, and soft play, so the fun never has to stop!

The Lock Climbing Wall Annual Pass

The perfect Christmas gift for the athletic person in your life! Encourage your friend or family member to venture outside of the gym for a different kind of workout with an annual pass to The Lock Climbing Wall. Open all year round, The Lock offer courses for both adults and children, no matter your experience or skill level with climbing, as well as kit available to hire and bespoke tuition.

Brentwood Brewing Beer Club Membership

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift idea for your dad, husband, or any lover of real ale in your life? The Brentwood Brewing Beer Club Membership is just £60, and upon purchase you will receive a polo shirt, beer glass and 4 pint take away container. Throughout the year, members can look forward to a range of benefits such as money off Brentwood bottled beer, regular updates through their exclusive e-newsletter, and invites to special events.

Tuffon Hall Gift Packages, Tours and Tastings

You can’t go wrong with a gift package from local Essex vineyard Tuffon Hall! Choose from their wonderful selection of locally sourced and bottled wines and gin to gift to someone special on Christmas. If it’s an experience day you want to gift your loved one, then why not book them a tour and tasting at the vineyard, where they will be able to take a walk through the beautiful vineyard in the North Essex countryside, and learn about how the grapes are grown, harvested and then used to produce their award-winning English wine.

RHS Gift Membership

A unique Christmas gift idea for the person who loves all things nature and gardening. The RHS Gift Membership includes unlimited access to all five of the stunning RHS gardens, including the RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford, Essex. As well as this, members will receive a copy of The Garden magazine, unlimited personalised RHS Gardening advice, regular emails with exclusive member content, free entry to over 220 Partner Gardens for the member, and savings on tickets to RHS Shows.

Essex Wildlife Trust Membership

If you know someone who is passionate about wildlife and conservation, then make their Christmas extra special this year with an Essex Wildlife Trust membership! Not only will you get major props for great gift giving, but you will be helping to support the amazing work that the Trust do for our local wildlife. Membership includes receiving the Wild magazine four times a year & the accompanying What's On guide, which lists all of their events to get involved with, email updates about wildlife around the county & news from behind the scenes at Essex Wildlife Trust, a membership card, access to Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves around the UK, 100's of events and activities to take part in every year, an Essex Wildlife Trust car sticker, and the opportunity to get involved in a local group.

When it comes to annual passes, memberships, gift vouchers and weekends away, the many businesses in Essex have got you covered for great gifts this Christmas. If you’re interested in Christmas events in Essex, be sure to take a look at our What’s On page.