Christmas shopping – a favourite festive activity or just fa-la-la-stressful? Maybe it depends on the person, the place, and the weather. In any case, shopping for your loved ones online makes things significantly easier. Whether its clothes, gadgets, knickknacks, snacks and sweets, toys… I mean, you could buy a house online these days. In a world of choice, however, analysis paralysis sets in quickly. You started browsing mugs, went over lamps and rugs, somehow ended up in the stationery department. There needs to be a better way.
Why not make your presents special and unique in a different way? Today we will help you help the local economy of one of the most beautiful yet sometimes overlooked places in Croatia. In a bid to keep things developing and implement some new strategies, Paul Bradbury of TCN officially proposed the idea of the Vukovar Card and presented an itinerary for your visit. Here, we will show places where, once you do visit, you can buy souvenirs, but for now, browse through their offers and find the perfect Christmas presents.
1. Ella Design: Facebook Mamine Ručice, Instagram mamine_rucice
To open a series that aims to explore positivity in Vukovar, we presented Lidija Azinović with her brand Mamine Ručice. Lidija runs a small family business creating gifts of wood, plywood, acrylic, MDF, etc. Among the many beautiful things that she and her husband design and create by hand, there is a variety of Christmas-themed presents to discover.
2. Cvjetni Studio Čarolija, Instagram Čarolija Vukovar
You can never go wrong with flowers! Whether it’s flowers on their own, beautiful bouquets, arrangements, door or table wreaths, advent decorations, tree ornaments – you name it, the girls make it.
3. Vu Creator, Instagram VU Creator
Lucija and her husband, as they say, enjoyed making and decorating baby furniture so much that they decided to make it into a business. With the main goal for all their creations to be unique and of outstanding quality and durability, Vu Creator will surely provide you with something special for your little ones to love this Christmas.
4. Lima baby, Instagram lima__baby
Talking about little ones, Lima baby will delight you with the offer for the youngest members of any family. Stuffed with the softest hypoallergenic materials, they sew all their crib protectors by hand, and the same goes for the cutest all-natural and baby-friendly bedding that you’ll find.
5. Vu Life Shop, Facebook Vu Life Shop
Whether it’s gifts for the young ones you’re looking for, natural cosmetics, clothes or traditional footwear, even souvenirs, Vu Life Shop liaises with small businesses in the Vukovar area to put out natural, homemade and handmade products that will bring a smile to every face.
6. The Vučedol Culture Museum’s souvenir shop
For all those history buffs and archaeology nerds, the Vučedol Culture Museum is the place to shop! Whether you’re looking for decorative items and want to go for replicas of the essential findings, clothes with Vučedol motives or jewelry inspired by the fashion of the 3000s (BC), you are in the right place.
7. Slatkoteka Vukovar, Instagram slatkoteka_vukovar
The sweet tooth is strong with this one. Of course, cake is always a good idea, but nothing beats festive cakes in green and red, gold, filled with delicious chocolate, vanilla, fruit, whatever your heart desires. The shop’s offer includes cake pops, cupcakes, a dozen other little wonders. And a partridge in a pear tree.
If you decide to bake yourself, why not get some homemade honey? Even if it’s just for tea, make sure that you enjoy this top product. The Štalmajer family keep their bees and produce the finest honey and beeswax products like beautiful advent candle sets and single candles, propolis, pollen powder, and more.
9. Vrhunsko Vukovarsko, Facebook Vrhunsko Vukovarsko
When the search for presents makes you hungry or thirsty, quickly stopover in Vrhunsko Vukovarsko. This collaborative of top local produces of homemade deli meats, cheese, honey, wine, and so much more will make you want to shop for yourself secretly. On top of all that, they offer unique souvenirs, business gifts and packages for different occasions. So give them a call or send a message and see what they can put together.
And now for those who feel like they lack protein. Presents or Christmas dinner – you pick. Mesnice Bođirković is an old local butcher’s shop where you know for sure that you’ll find the finest and freshest cuts of meat. That is not the main reason you should visit their website, though. It’s the sausages with the perfect balance of spices, smoked meats, ćevapi and čvarci. The best of Slavonia, all in one place.
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
