Last year's gift of choice was a goat, a chicken or several. From some hasty research it seems likely to remain the same for 2005. Unsurprisingly, even within the realm of ethical gift giving there is a certain element of keeping up with the Jones's, so some of you should be expecting camels this year. Apparently. (I read it in The Guardian the other day.) 

Anyway, much as I admire this - and I honestly do - such gifts are not going to please everyone, and so I've selflessly trawled the shops of Stoke Newington on your behalf so that, when some evil person feels the need to shriek that there are only twelve shopping days till Christmas, blind panic need not descend upon you.

First things first: gifts, items, trinkets etc. Stoke Newington is a veritable treasure trove, so here are some of the highlights. The recently opened McGeko (84 Stoke Newington Church St) is run by husband and wife team Alastair and Colette, and is full of beautiful products imported from Bali. Their intention is to bring unique, handmade Indonesian arts and crafts to London, many of which will be familiar to people who've travelled in the area. Prices range from £5-£1200. Beaded necklaces (£10), shell and leather belts (£10-£12), photo-albums and candlesticks are all good gifts ideas. Large wooden bowls range from £20-£40, and pretty chandelier-style lampshades in pink and blue are £35. If you're feeling more adventurous, the four-poster bed, which dominates the shop window, is a snip at £1200, and I'm assured it's made from kilnrendered wood and therefore there's absolutely no risk of warping. It'll look great with a big bow on.

Tana Mana (150-152 Stoke Newington Church St) has its usual eclectic array of goods. Particular favourites are the miniature gods £4, flower fairy lights £17.50 and silk scarves £15-£28. Other good gift ideas are silk notebooks (£7-£9), mango wood pencil boxes (£10), batik sarongs (£15), hemp purses (£3) bracelets (£3) and silk pads (£15).

Hamiltons (96 Stoke Newington Church St), as ever, is a cornucopia of gift ideas for Christmas, from stocking fillers, such as 1950s ashtrays and coasters to photoframes and lampshades, through to special treats such as the odd dressing screen, leather chairs and coffee tables.

Rouge (158 Stoke Newington High St) is another new opening, offering a range of goods imported directly from China, including reclaimed furniture, handmade ceramics and decorative items. Prices start at £1 for boxes of matches and £1.50 for pretty, painted chopsticks. Red and black Chinese lanterns are £22, and large, teal vases £38.50. Beautiful ceramic tea sets in greens and purples would make excellent gifts. 

Pictures and Lights (141 Stoke Newington Church Street) is one of my absolute favourites and has some darling tea sets, glass vases and lampshades, as well as an array of posters, prints and mirrors which would look lovely on lots of N16 walls this Christmas. The old fashioned wooden toys at £35 might also be just the thing for any overgrown children you might know.

As well as being a one-stop shop for all your cards and gift wrap needs, Earlybird (86 Stoke Newington Church St) has some good comic stocking fillers from Fag Tags (you know, those witty labels along the lines of Smoking is Sexy to cover the more sombre Smokers Die Younger) to Elvis key rings, and notebooks to novelty badges and ceramics.

Metal Crumble (13 Stoke Newington Church St) is always a staple of Christmas shopping in Stoke Newington. Coloured beaded necklaces - millefeurie - (£28) with matching bracelets (£16) and earrings (£12) are expected to be the big sellers of the season, along with the signature amber pieces, which dominate the window. Amber necklaces range from £16-£400, so there should be something to suit all budgets. Metal Crumble also take commissions right up until the last terrifying minute for an extra special gift.

Given the demographic of the area, it's unsurprising that children are so well catered for around here. Route 73 (92 Stoke Newington Church St) has an array of toys for Santa to bring down the chimney, and they've made some predictions for the top sellers this year. 

Born 168 Stoke Newington Church St), another relatively new addition to the area, has some great gifts for babies and parents. HABA rattles and toys are made from splinter-free wood and painted with vegetable oils to ensure they are absolutely risk-free, and range from £5-£20. New Parent Survival Kits contain essential oils and treatments for frazzled nerves, £24.95 with Babyboxes at £9.00. Wheeliebugs - ladybirds, bees etc - are great and start at £50 (1-3 years) to £60 (3-5 years). Sadly, there doesn't seem to be one for those who are 26 years old.

Big gifts. TVs, DVD players, and stereos are all available from Vision Link 97 Stoke Newington High St). Panasonic MP3 players are £49.99, and digital radios start from £70, with the massively popular retro Roberts version 

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