By Linda Steelyard

You're on the Hinckley Road side of the city, minding your own business, when you have a sudden, stomach-churning thought. You need to buy your mum/ dad /child /host/grandparent/partner/best friend a fantastic gift. You don't have the time/desire to join the masses in the city centre. Shops in the nearest town/village don't sell the type of thing you're after.

What on Earth are you going to do?

Luckily, dear reader, a lovely shop called Cherry Tree Gifts has opened just a few seconds off Hinckley Road, in Kirby Muxloe, and it's amply equipped to come to your rescue.

It's in a teeny parade in a quiet, residential oasis of well-kept houses and manicured gardens, and it's unlikely you would come across it by accident – it's exactly the sort of gift shop you'd expect to find at the picturesque heart of an upmarket, tourist-trap village.

Cherry Tree Gifts' thoughtfully-chosen, tasteful goodies include lovely greetings cards, fresh flowers, special gifts for parents and grandparents inscribed with heartfelt messages, "new baby" gifts, pretty jewellery for grown-ups and for children, picture frames, fair trade toys, perfect pink sequinned keepsakes that will make little girls' hearts soar, activity sets to occupy busy young hands, objets d'art that will please those impossible-to-buy-for people who have everything, eye-catching furniture, bejewelled keyrings and more.

It also sells teas, coffee and cake, which you can enjoy sitting in the sunshine at one of its outdoor tables, or inside sitting on a big, comfy sofa.

If you like the idea of chic gift shopping with zero hassle – no searching for a parking space, no hustle and bustle, no distractions to turn what should be a quick, pleasant task into a lengthy, laborious one – Cherry Tree Gifts is a must for your little black book.

Information

Cherry Tree Gifts is at 5, Cherry Tree Court, off Maytree Drive, off Hinckley Road, Kirby Muxloe.

It's open 9.30am to 5.30pm, from Tuesday to Saturday.