Here are our top 10 tips to get the most from Newbury. It’s not meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive, and newbury.net fans can add their own discoveries on our forum.

Tiger Tiger has some tempting treats for the home, from handmade Christmas decorations to contemporary vases, cushions and lamps. It’s located in Craven Road, where you can also pick up a couple of bath bombs from Soaperior (http://www.soaperior.co.uk) for a stocking filler.

If you’re buying for the inlaws, a Nature’s Corner Christmas hamper for organic food and natural treatments and remedies. Combine chocolates with Italian deli ingredients, with aromatherapy oils, salt scrubs and chilli treats. Prices £100 or less.

Dare you risk a makeover for the missus? It may sound risky, but she will love an afternoon’s pampering in the salon, as Newbury’s stylists work their magic. Try Bravo in Bartholomew Street, or the new Encore makeover studio by the church in West Mills. A day’s spa treatment at the exclusive Vineyard will also help collect some brownie points!

Older men can be notoriously difficult to buy presents for, so why not treat them to a course. A days’ shooting tuition (clays only) in Curridge, makes an unusual gift, go to http://www.pennsport.co.uk for more. Perhaps treasure hunting is more their thing. In which case, put some money towards a metal detector (a decent one is £400), in the detector shop, Kennet Centre.

Jewellry buying brings most men out in a cold sweat, but Newbury has a great range. Desmoulin gallery in the Wharf is well known for locally made quality trinkets, while Hinds in the Kennet Centre has some great ‘bling’ watches from Accurist (£90). For further inspiration, try Lawrences, or Bradley & Willows in Northbrook Street, for a little something in platinum. It will be appreciated!

Nostalgic board games (Buckaroo, Kerplunk and Mousetrap), are all the rage this year, available in Hoggasaurus or Cramarrs, Kennet Centre, where you can also find unusual toys and models.