Welcome to the cosy side of Christmas at Meridian Shopping Centre — where festive fun, family time and creative inspiration come together under one roof. Whether you’re planning a lively games night, stocking up on craft supplies for homemade decorations, or searching for the perfect book to curl up with on a winter evening, Meridian has everything you need.
With shops like TG Jones, The Works, Card Factory, One Beyond, and The Warp, you can fill your Christmas season with playful moments, crafty afternoons and thoughtful gifts — all without breaking the bank. This guide breaks it all down into handy categories so you can shop smarter and enjoy the magic of Christmas with ease.
🎲 Games Night
If you want to organise a cosy, fun evening with family or friends this Christmas, there are great places to pick up games and toys across the centre.
-
TG Jones — This store carries toys and games (through its in-store “Toys R Us” section), which makes it a solid go-to for board games or party games — ideal if you’re gathering a crowd.
-
The Works — Known for toys, games, puzzles and board games, The Works is a good bet for family-friendly games nights.
-
One Beyond — As a discount-style store (often with budget-friendly products), One Beyond can be handy if you’re after inexpensive games or seasonal toys that kids will enjoy.
-
The Warp — For a slightly different games-night vibe, The Warp is focused on tabletop and hobby gaming. If you or friends like wargames or miniatures, you might find starter sets, minis or materials for a hobby-style games evening.
💡 Tip for Christmas: mix in classic board- or card-games from TG Jones or The Works with a tabletop/hobby-game from The Warp. It gives a fun variety: something casual for everybody + something niche for fans of strategy or wargaming.
🎨 Crafting & Creative Fun
Christmas is a great time for cards, decorations, home-made gifts — and a few shops at the centre are perfect for that.
-
The Works — Probably the star for any arts & crafts theme: they offer a wide range of craft supplies, kits, stationery and materials that work really well for DIY decorations, homemade cards, gift wrapping, creative projects, and more.
-
Card Factory — While mainly a greetings-cards, gift-wrap and party-products shop, Card Factory can be useful if you want ready-made cards, gift bags, wrapping paper and small decorative touches — handy if you prefer simpler or faster Christmas crafts and wrapping.
-
One Beyond — Because it’s a discount store, it may have inexpensive decorative items, simple craft supplies, or seasonal trinkets that work well for home crafts or making fun DIY gifts without spending much.
If you’re inspired, you can easily plan a crafty afternoon: pick up a budget craft kit and materials from The Works, grab some gift-wrap or gift bags from Card Factory, and maybe a few novelty bits from One Beyond for quick festive decorations.
📚 Books, Quiet Fun & Stocking-Filler Reads
When the evenings get darker and you want a quiet moment to yourself (or with a loved one), a good book or puzzle can be the perfect companion.
-
TG Jones — This store sells books (among other things), so it’s ideal for picking up novels, children’s books, or festive reading — especially if you want something simple and quick for a winter’s evening.
-
The Works — With a broad and usually budget-friendly book section, The Works is great for grabbing fiction, children’s books, or even colouring/ activity books — ideal for gifts or a cosy read by the fire.
🎁 Stocking fillers tip: Books or small puzzle-books from either shop make thoughtful yet inexpensive gifts — nice for friends, family, or neighbours without overspending.
🎄 Why Meridian (and these shops) Work Well for Christmas
-
According to the centre’s own “Christmas Shopping Made Easy” guide, shops like Card Factory, The Works and TG Jones are highlighted as key places for budget-friendly gifts, stocking fillers, and creative options under £10.
-
The mix of shops also means you can cover multiple needs in one visit — games, crafts, books, wrapping, cards — which saves time and gives you variety.
-
If you’re on a budget (or want to spread out costs), using discount or value-oriented retailers like The Works or One Beyond helps you get more for less — which is especially useful around Christmas when expenses can add up.
