Love it or hate it, we will all have to be doing some late Christmas shopping over the next few days. Fortunately, if you live in the area of the North Wales Borderlands that includes Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire, you will not be short of places to go to pick up those last minute gifts.

Unfortunately, this year the Wrexham Christmas Markets had to be cancelled. However, the good news is that there are still plenty of alternatives in the area for doing some great shopping. Providing something for all the family, Eagles Meadow remains a vital part of Wrexham's town centre. Full of quality restaurants including Nando's, Frankie and Benny's and Pizza Express, the centre also has plenty of fun activities for kids and adults alike, including a cinema complex and tenpin bowling.

There is nonetheless no shortage of shops which include some fantastic independent stores in addition to favourites such as Marks and Spencer's, Debenhams, Boots and Next. The area is open on weekdays from 9am until 5.30pm, except Thursday when you can shop until 8pm. At weekends shopping continues from 9am to 7pm on Saturday and from 11am until 5pm on Sunday.

Alternatively, at nearby Plassey the whole family can enjoy a fantastic, traditional shopping experience as the area opens for the festive season with the inclusion of an Edwardian Craft Centre and accompanying craft fair. Further highlights include fairground rides, a horse and carriage ride and a variety of fun activities for kids and adults.

Denbighshire is fortunately blessed with shopping opportunities by way of the Tweedmill Shopping Centre Outlet. Covering more than 300,000 square feet of shopping space filled with both great shops and fun attractions, Tweedmill has now become the foremost shopping outlet in North Wales.

Here, you will not be disappointed if you are hunting for some last minute bargains, whether you are looking for famous global brands or more local produce. In addition, the variety of leisure pursuits and kids' activities make this the ideal place for a great family day out. The outlet is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 6pm and from 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sunday. Over the Christmas period the centre will remain open every day, bar Christmas Day itself.

Finally, in the area of Flintshire, Broughton Retail Park and the market town of Mold offer plenty of opportunity for doing some great shopping. Situated some six miles to the south of Chester (just off junction 35a of the A55), Broughton Retail Park is home to every popular high street name you could think of. Burtons, Next, Topshop and British Home Stores are all here if you are looking for clothing, whilst River Island, Carphone Warehouse, WH Smith and Boots are just a few picks of the further highlights.

In addition, when you have had enough of shopping, head for the Mill House pub for a quick break or squeeze yourself into the popular Costa Coffee for a pick-me-up. From the end of November the centre is open until 9pm and also includes some 2,100 free car parking spaces.

For something more traditional, visit the quaint market town of Mold. Located beneath the Clwydian Hills, this town has had a market since medieval times and it is now the foremost market in the whole of North Wales. The street markets take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the year and include over 70 diverse stalls offering everything from fruit and vegetables to cheese and from crockery to plants and clothes.

Let us know about any Christmas shopping you get upto in the North Wales Borderlands!