This year, more than ever, is the year to do your Christmas shopping in Arrowtown. Need a good reason not to heed the siren song of the big box stores? Well here are five to be going on with:

1 It’s a lot less stressful than battling the crowds at a large shopping complex.

2 Your spending will boost the local economy – when you buy from our small to medium businesses much more of the money stays in the district.

3 You’ll be supporting local entrepreneurs, the people whose bright ideas make our community tick

4 You’ll find unique, locally made gifts you won’t get at the chain stores.

5 You’ll get great service and advice, often from the store owners themselves.

If you need more inspiration, check out these independent, locally owned and operated retailers. You’ll find a gift for everyone in your life here. And for a bonus shopping experience, come to Arrowtown on a Sunday between 10am and 2pm and you can scout out more gourmet food options and arts and crafts at the Arrowtown Farmers Market!

Oh, and one last thing, you don’t even have to come to Arrowtown to shop here – many of the retailers have online stores and can deliver to your door!

Homewares, gifts and crafting

Attic Homestore specialises in vintage and design pieces from New Zealand and around the world that allow you to express your personality as you add the finishing touches to your home. Ramshaw Lane. Open 10am to 5pm daily plus online store.

Ogle sells a wonderfully eclectic range of gifts and homewares for all budgets, ages and stages. Buckingham St. Open 9.30am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

The Gold Nugget has a wide selection of jewellery, crafts, clothing and gifts, with a focus on New Zealand products. Buckingham St. Open 9am to late afternoon daily.

Francis Patterson has a carefully curated collection of quality gifts and homewares, some of them hand-made. Buckingham St. Open 10am to late afternoon daily.

Rainbow Doorways carries a wide array of spiritual gifts to illuminate your soul, including crystals, books, singing bowls and angels, as well as local art and jewellery. Coachman’s Hall. Open 10am to 5pm daily.

A Little Something is the new venture from the people who brought you Honey & Cocoa. It specialises in locally made gifts, including handcrafted soap, candles and reusable coffee cups, as well as food items. Butlers Green. Open 10am to 5pm daily.

Blue Moon Rummage hand selects homeware, giftware, furniture and vintage ski memorabilia from around the world. Online only.

Arrowtown Post Office sells stationery, books, cards, gift wrap and ribbons as well as gifts for all ages. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 4pm Mon–Fri.

Arrowtown Pharmacy has a great selection of gifts for all ages. Buckingham St. Open 8.30am to 6pm daily.

The Stitching Post is the only shop of its kind in the Queenstown Lakes District, selling wool yarns, patchwork fabrics, quilting and embroidery supplies and other craft products. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5pm daily plus online store.

Stitchwallah offers unique gifts hand made by award-winning Indian master weavers, dyers, printers and craftspeople. Coachman’s Hall. Open 10am to 5pm daily until 13 Dec, then 16 to 24 Dec.

Art

Birdwoods South Gallery sells African textiles, artwork, craft and stone sculpture, all hand selected by the Zimbabwe-born owner. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 4pm daily or by appointment.

Jenny Mehrtens sells distinctive gold-leafed paintings on oak board from her studio. Butlers Green. Open 12pm to 5pm daily plus online sales.

Nadene Milne Gallery is a dealer gallery for major New Zealand artists including Séraphine Pick, Max Gimblett, Shane Cotton, Laurence Aberhart and Gretchen Albrecht. Buckingham St. Open 11am to 5pm Wed–Sat or by appointment.

Astor Bristed holds year-round exhibitions for emerging and established contemporary artists and stocks a range of original works and limited edition prints. Coachman’s Hall. Open 10am to 3pm Wed–Sat or by appointment.

Lakes District Museum Gallery From 11 December local artists showcase their small canvases, prints, photos and sculptures for sale. All works are in a strict(ish) 30cm x 30cm format. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 4pm daily.

Jewellers

The Jade & Opal Factory has the region's only working jade carving factory. The family-owned store makes and sells jade pendants and sculptures in traditional Māori designs. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 4pm Mon–Fri, 9.30am to 4.30pm Sat–Sun, plus online store.

The Gold Shop has unique natural gold flake lockets, earrings and rings, as well as natural gold nugget pendants, a large range of pearls and art deco jewellery. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 5pm daily.

The Old Smithy sells contemporary jewellery featuring New Zealand greenstone, paua shell and basalt. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 5pm daily.

Books

Dorothy Brown's Cinema Bookstore  has an excellent selection of literary fiction, non-fiction and children's books, plus gift packages for the cinema. Buckingham St. Open 11am till late daily.

Lakes District Museum specialises in New Zealand children's books and hard-to-find local history books. Buckingham St. Open 10am to 4pm daily.

Clothing and footwear

21 Buckingham sells cashmere, merino and merino/possum knitwear, America's Cup clothing, genuine Ugg boots and slippers, as well as sheepskins, woollen rugs and throws. Buckingham St. Open 9.30am to 5pm daily plus online store.

Goals is a luxury leisure and active wear store that embodies stylish, casual living. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

Golden Fleece specialises in New Zealand made clothing and products, including soft and luxurious merino/possum and pure merino knitwear. Buckingham St. Open 9.30am to 5pm daily plus online store.

Hawksburn High Country sells beautiful New Zealand made and sourced merino and possum clothing, knitwear, giftware and accessories. Buckingham St. Open 9.30am to 4.30pm Mon-Sat, 10am to 4.30pm Sunday, plus online store.

Ikon has the latest and greatest in men’s and women’s fashion, with sought-after European, Australian and New Zealand brands. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

Te Huia stocks the most extensive range of outerwear luxury brand Canada Goose in the Southern Hemisphere, along with NZ designed and made Untouched World™, Paula Ryan, and more. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

Wallace & Gibbs has been a feature of Buckingham St since 2006. The shop stocks NZ clothing designers like Trelise Cooper and Ricochet, as well as international brands. It’s also a New Zealand knitwear specialist. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

Smith & Western uses exotic fabrics combined with relaxed styling to create investment pieces for women. Designed and made in NZ. Ramshaw Lane. Open 10am to 5pm daily plus online store.

The WoolPress Family-owned and operated for more than a quarter century, The WoolPress carries top brands in outdoor and lifestyle apparel. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 5.30pm daily plus online store.

Seletti Concept Store merges fashion and art with luxury brands of women’s wear including Ganni, Golden Goose, Isabel Marant, Balenciaga, Chloe, Yves Salomon Army and Anine Bing. Buckingham St. Open 9.30am to 6-ish daily plus online store.

Food and drink

Remarkable Sweet Shop carries a comprehensive range of confectionery. All the British favourites including hard-boiled sweets, gummies, gifts and novelties plus homemade fudge and nougat too! Buckingham St. Open 9am to 6pm daily plus online store.

Gibbston Valley Cheesery sells sheep, cow and goat milk cheeses hand-crafted in the European style, plus all the fixings to go with them. Ramshaw Lane. Open from 9am daily plus online store.

Patagonia Chocolates caters to all your chocolate cravings with chocolate products made with artisan techniques. Ramshaw Lane. Open 9am to 6-ish daily plus online store.

Honey & Cocoa offers a massive range of raw New Zealand honey and bean-to-bar chocolate. Online only.

The Cake Society sells specialty home-style baking mixes for celebrations, lunchboxes, or just for the love of cake. Online only.

Black Box makes buying for the special people in your life easy with gift boxes of quality products. Shop pre-curated or build your own. Online only.

Wolf Coffee Roasters uses high-quality beans from Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil. Coffee brewing accessories also available. Online only.

Arrowtown Wine Store has a range of wines to suit all tastebuds – from Central Otago wineries to the best from all over the world. The store specialises in local and international craft beer as well as spirits. Ramshaw Lane. Open 10am to 7pm Sun–Thurs, 10am to 8pm Fri–Sat.

The Winery sells a huge range of New Zealand and international wine. Try before you buy with their unique tasting experience. Ramshaw Lane. Open 9.30am to 8pm Sun–Thurs, 9.30am to 9.30pm Fri–Sat, plus online store.

Betty’s Liquorstore can help you stock up your drinks cabinet with wines, beers and spirits. Buckingham St. Open 9am to 11pm daily.