It’s Christmas shopping time!
You’re too late for Black Friday and Cyber Monday - but that doesn’t mean there’s no time left to get that perfect gift for your loved ones.
And there’s no need to rely on your phone to find gifts either. You can head into the real life shops in Birmingham city centre which are bursting with presents.
Although, it has to be said, there aren’t quite as many shops around as there used to. I previously ranked Birmingham's Christmas shops for a festive feature for a news website back in 2015 - just after John Lewis had opened and the shopping landscape has certainly changed since then.
Birmingham boasted of being one of the few UK cities that were home to the big six department stores back then. Of course, John Lewis in Grand Central is no more - and we no longer have Debehams. But town is still full of some fantastically festive shopping experiences in its stores, away from those outdoor Christmas markets.
We took a look at some of the Christmas gift shop offerings in Birmingham’s biggest stores - that’s Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, M&S, Primark and House of Fraser - and ranked our experiences, with the best at the top. So here we go:
And there’s no need to rely on your phone to find gifts either. You can head into the real life shops in Birmingham city centre which are bursting with presents.
13. Christmas at House of Fraser Outlet, Birmingham
Fionnuala Bourke
14. Number four: M&S Birmingham Bullring
So M&S isn’t quite as big as it used to be now it’s moved out of its original home on the high street. But they haven’t forgotten about Christmas, although you’ll have to travel up the escalator to find the gift shop. There were a fine selection of gifts for all the family, decorations, clothes and items for home - and of course, food. There’s no mistaking the new M&S food store is impressive, so we’d definitely recommend a look around there for some ultimate, delicious Christmas treats. | Fionnuala Bourke
15. Christmas at M&S Birmingham Bullring
Fionnuala Bourke
16. Number five: World's Biggest Primark, Birmingham
So Birmingham is home to the World’s Biggest Primark - yet we were amazed at the lack of festive cheer in this prime retail outlet in the city centre. No Christmas trees, no Santas - just lots of clothes at bargain prices. We had to ask one of the assistants on the ground level at the High Street entrance, if there was any Christmas gift section and we assured there was, on the level above. However, there wan’t that much up there either. Plenty of Christmas jumpers to choose from and festive pyjamas. There’s a huge push on Grinch branded items alongside affordable stocking fillers - guess it’s the price to pay to be able to offer cost of living friendly prices. | Fionnuala Bourke