Because Woodbridge is ideal for presents with pizazz and fine food with a flair

The ideal place for Christmas shopping would have a range of shops of the kind you would normally find only in a big city. It would be even better if such shops were all within easy walking distance of each other, and mostly in a pedestrian area.It goes without saying that the place would have to include shops where gifts that little bit out of the ordinary are displayed (often in specialist shops), where seasonal food of prime quality is offered, and where greetings cards and gift wrapping are sold.

Such a place would also have to look after the partying side of Christmas, with plenty of fashionable clothes shops, hairdressers and beauticians. And, of course, there would have to be a good selection of off-licences.

To find this ideal place, you need look no further than Woodbridge with its 110 independent and specialist shops, as well as multiples such as Woolworth, Budgens, Currys and Boots.

In fact, if you choose Woodbridge for your Christmas shopping you will be spoilt for choice. For instance, the town has six off licences, four butchers/delicatessens, two traditional bakers, a patisserie and two mini-markets. It has three card shops, four book shops (one of them specialising in children's books), two giftware shops, a Belgian chocolate shop and a toy shop bulging with toys for all ages. Ladies can choose from ten fashion shops, ten hairdressers, five beauty/health salons and three jewellers.

But one of the glories of Woodbridge is its specialist shops, which are often the best places to find a gift for that person who already seems to have everything. So there are 3 antique shops, three art galleries, a lighting shop, a kitchen shop, a luxurious bathtime shop, a china shop, a fancy dress shop, and a leather and sheepskin shop.

Gifts for the person with hobbies can be bought from a specialist sport shop, a superbly stocked artist's materials shop, a craft shop and a fascinating violin shop. There is even a shop, Bears and Stitches, for collectors of teddy bears and of doll's house furniture, which also sells materials for making tapestries, embroidery, jewellery, cards and picture frames.

And when you have shopped till you have dropped, there are coffee shops, restaurants and pubs to restore you. These, and all the shops, are to be found within 10 minutes' walk, most of them in the pedestrianised Thoroughfare, which is itself just a short distance from several car parks.

And what more can you ask for when there is FREE all day car parking on Saturdays in December, and on the day of the Street Fair (100 stalls) on Sunday 3 December at Suffolk Coastal Council's office car park at Melton Hill.

When you are buying for Christmas, you look for something that little bit out of the ordinary and with an upmarket quality. And when you are buying for your Christmas table, you want food a gourmet would be glad to eat. Above all, you need plenty of choice, and in Woodbridge you will be spoilt for choice. Choose Woodbridge for your ideal Christmas choice.

To find all these shops, get a copy of The Woodbridge Town guide from the Tourism Office at the Railway Station or at shops in town or take a look the Woodbridge Town Guide.