Shop Like A Local: Edinburgh Christmas Gift Guide 2022
I wrote my first Edinburgh gift guide back in 2020 during the lockdown. Local businesses were struggling with restrictions and it seemed like a small but important way to support them. While life is considerably better this year (thank goodness!) Edinburgh businesses still need your support. Shopping local, handmade and independent is more important than ever. With that in mind, I’ve put together a selection of products and gift ideas from some of my favourite Edinburgh-based businesses.
Let’s dive in, shall we…
The Tartan Blanket Co.
Located in the heart of Leith, the Tartan Blanket Company make gorgeous blankets and scarves from natural and sustainable wool. They're super soft and come in an array of patterns and tartans. They have a whole section on their website dedicated to Christmas and, personally, I think their personalised gift boxes make the perfect gift. They’ve recently opened a shop in Leith so if you’re in the area you can shop in person too!
Druid Edinburgh
Edinburgh is home to some truly lovely candle makers and Druid are one of my absolute favourites. They have a gorgeous shop on Dalmeny Street in Leith or you can catch them at the weekend farmer’s market at Castle Terrace. They make stunning candles and diffusers in an array of scents - my particular favourite is “Saddle”.
Ellen Catherine Jewellery
Catherine, the maker behind Ellen Catherine Jewellery, is one of the loveliest and most talented jewellers in Edinburgh. She makes beautiful hand-crafted pieces here in Edinburgh and specialises in dainty rings and minimalist designs.
The Secret Herb Garden Distillery
The Secret Herb Garden is a beautiful café/shop/garden centre just outside of Edinburgh. They also happen to have their own distillery on site where they produce their own small-batch gin using 100% natural products. The gin is distilled, hand-bottled and labelled on-site and they have a lovely Christmas gifting selection.
Pretty Pickled
Founded by Edinburgh foodie Ailidh from @plateexpectations (if you don’t follow her already, go go go!) Pretty Pickled makes amazing embroidered clothes and accessories for food and drink lovers. You can shop online or find Ailidh in the Egg Community pop-up in Waverley Mall till 23rd December.
The Wild Glow Candles
Another gorgeous candle recommendation, The Wild Glow makes small-batch eco, vegan and cruelty-free candles right here in Edinburgh. Their scents are gorgeous and they have a lovely range of Christmas scents, including Christmas Eve, Gingerbread and Winter Spice.
Jay Frazer Ceramics
Jay Frazer is an Edinburgh-based ceramicist who produces stunning pieces from stoneware clay. I first discovered her work in a small gift shop on the Isle of Skye and was thrilled when I realised they were Edinburgh-based. You can shop her ceramics online through her website - or browse her jewellery collection on Etsy.
Shibui Tea
Shibui Tea is a gorgeous award-winning tea company based in Edinburgh. They stock over 100 loose-leaf teas so you’re bound to find something to suit every tea lover in your life! Their packaging is fully recyclable/compostable and they donate 1% of their annual sales to help protect the environment. They also sell the most incredible tea advent calendar which would be really gorgeous gift!
Kingdom Scotland
Founded by Edinburgh-based Imogen Russon-Taylor, Kingdom Scotland, Scotland’s first fragrance house, creates beautiful and unique unisex perfumes. Their perfumes are crafted in Scotland and they recently paired with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh to create “Kingdom Botanica”, a scent celebrating their 350-year anniversary.
Shop Like A Local (Online)
Another lovely way to support your favourite Edinburgh-based businesses is to shop local gift shops online. Here are just a few of my Edinburgh-based favourites!
Style Your Spaces
Style Your Spaces has become something of an Edinburgh institution. They stock a gorgeous range of unique homeware and have quickly become one of my favourite shops to visit in Stockbridge. Fortunately, they have an amazing website where you can shop from the comfort of your own home!
Lifestory
Edinburgh's Lifestory is a mecca for lovers of Scandinavian design. Owner Susan Docherty (who just happens to be one of the loveliest women in Edinburgh!) has curated the most irresistible range of products, including ceramics, scented candles, jewellery and homewares.
You can support Lifestory directly by shopping through their website.
Topping & Company Booksellers
One for the bookworm in your life. Topping & Co have a few bookshops in Scotland and England and their Edinburgh location is one of my favourite bookshops of all time. You can order from their impressive catalogue on their website.
Curiouser & Curiouser
Curiouser & Curiouser is without a doubt one of my favourite shops in Edinburgh. I'm always popping into their Broughton Street branch - it's my go-to shop for gifts and stationery (their card selection is second to none!) Their website is equally lovely and hosts a wide range of homewares, prints, children's toys, gifts, and jewellery.
Rare Birds Books
Rare Birds Books, a bookshop championing female authors, opened in Edinburgh in August 2021 and is Scotland's only bookshop dedicated entirely to women's writing. They have an incredible online shop too, full of bookish gifts (I am obsessed with their “Writer’s Block” candle). You can also subscribe to their book club subscription which I think would be an amazing gift for a book lover!
…and that's a wrap!
There are so many incredible Edinburgh-based brands and businesses and I will try and add to this over the coming days to include as many as I can! In the meantime, I hope this Christmas gift guide helps you on your way with your shopping local this year.
Happy shopping!
