The Ultimate Edinburgh Independent Gift Guide!
With just over two weeks till Christmas, we’ve put together the Ultimate Edinburgh Independent Gift Guide to not only provide you with inspiration for any last minute gifts but also to take this opportunity to shine a light on the many fabulous independent businesses based in Edinburgh and their wonderful products. The gift guide will include gifts for women, men, and children, all under £75! We hope you enjoy browsing through our gift guide as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
1. Helen C. Stark’s Colouring Edinburgh Book
- Price: £8.99
- Where to buy: www.helencstark.com/colouring-edinburgh
Adult colouring books have gained popularity over the past few years and last year the talented Helen C. Stark brought out one dedicated to Edinburgh, and it’s stunning! This would be the perfect gift for a friend or family member or maybe even a treat for yourself.
2. Studio Emma
- Price: Small Letters (£4.50) Large Letters (£14.00)
- Where to buy: www.emmamcdowall.co.uk/shop
Emma, the founder of Studio Emma, creates concrete vessels with beautiful splashes of vibrant colour. Each item is handmade from start to finish from found and recycled materials in Emma’s studio in Edinburgh. We particularly love her quirky colourful concrete letters and think they would brighten up any shelf or look terrific in a child’s bedroom.
3. Karen Mabon Scarf
- Price: £48-£150
- Where to buy: www.karenmabon.com/collections/scarves
Despite Karen Mabon’s scarves being made in Italy, Karen is Edinburgh-based and studied at the Edinburgh College of Art. Karen has become known for her illustrative silk scarves, with each illustration telling its own story. The collection has introduced cashmere scarves, silk sleepwear, and cushions, growing into a full range of decorative pieces. Furthermore, over the festive period, all her silk and cashmere scarves come in an embossed presentation box.
4. Coco Chocolatier Chocolate Bar
- Price: £4.95
- Where to buy: Their Boutiques (Bruntsfield & Stockbridge) or online (www.cocochocolate.co.uk)
Coco Chocolatier craft their portfolio of premium chocolate bars in Edinburgh, using the world’s finest South American couverture, before enveloping them in original designs by independent artists. We think this would be the ideal secret Santa gift (because who doesn’t like chocolate?), or stocking filler! Also, a selection of their chocolate is vegan and gluten-free.
5. Bon Tot Hand Knitted Children’s Aran Jumper
- Price: £48
- Where to buy: www.bon-tot.com/hand-knitted-newborn-set-aran-jumper
Bon Tot is a beautiful children’s shop located in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. This particular jumper is knitted by Edinburgh knitwear virtuosa, Rosa Barron. Rosa has been knitting for over 50 years, designs her own patterns, and these sets are only available online via Bon Tot!
6. Edinburgh Candle Company
- Price: £8
- Where to buy: www.edinburghcandlecompany.org
These candles are not only beautiful but also have an amazing social cause behind them. The Edinburgh Candle Company was founded to empower women to achieve their full potential, by engaging local unemployed women to make soy wax candles and teaching them valuable business skills, they make long lasting change possible. One of their lovely candles would make an ideal present!
7. Mr Eion Stockbridge Blend Coffee
- Price: £6.20
- Where to buy: www.mreion.com/coffee/stockbridge-blend-v20
Mr Eion Coffee Roaster is based in Stockbridge and run by is Eion Henderson. We think his “Stockbridge Blend Coffee” would make a lovely present for any coffee lover. Well rounded, chocolatey and full bodied with a great nutty aftertaste. A delicious coffee for all methods, occasions, and time of day!
8. Marshmallow Lady
- Price: From £3 – £4
- Where to buy: 14 Rodney Street or www.burghbakes.com
Every single marshmallow is lovingly made by The Marshmallow Lady herself (since 2010). The Marshmallow Lady is self-taught and has often been told by head pastry chefs (including Ross Sneddon of The Balmoral in Edinburgh and Mark Greenaway) that they are the best marshmallows that they have tried.
There are an impressive 14 flavours including Chocolate Orange, Prosecco & Rose, Gin & Tonic w/lemon, and many more to choose from. Not forgetting, her delicious Smores Marshmallow Donuts which comes in a lovely stamped box.
9. The Scottish Soapworks’ Gentleman’s Grooming
- Price: £27.95
- Where to buy: www.thescottishsoapworks.co.uk/gentlemans-grooming
The Scottish Soapworks pride themselves on sourcing the very best natural and sustainable ingredients. Where possible they use local ingredients, such as Edinburgh honey, oatmeal from Fife and even Scottish Malt Whisky! They have been producing their soap in Edinburgh for over 14 years.
They have a wide range of products for everyone, but, we’ve opted to feature their Gentleman’s Grooming Compendium as we know how difficult it can be to buy for men!
10. Eteaket Tea Club
- Price: £29.95 (for 3 Months)
- Where to buy: www.eteaket.co.uk/eteaket-tea-club
Eteaket started in 2008, and have been impressing tea drinkers ever since. We’ve opted to feature their new Eteaket Tea Club, as we think it would be an interesting and unique gift. The 1st month includes a Coveted Collection gift box (worth £13.95) containing 7 special teas (Isle of Harris Gin Tea, Tomatin Whisky Tea, Sea Buckthorn Infusion, Yellow Gold Oolong, Jasmine Pearls green tea, Second Flush Darjeeling black tea and Silver Needle white tea). A mint green infuser mug (worth £9.95) is also included and a tea bag tote (worth 8.95). Then every month after you’ll receive a selection of 3 other special teas to enjoy.
11. The Method Treatment (Experience)
- Price: £35(30 mins) & £65(60 mins)
- Where to buy: www.themethod.life/treatment
The Method is lifestyle store based on St Stephen’s Street in Stockbridge, where you’ll find very carefully sourced beauty and lifestyle products and a massage therapy space where you can unwind. We thought it would be a good idea to feature “experiences” as gifts too, the perfect gift for that someone who has everything. The Method’s treatments are individual and the therapist will decide upon products in accordance with your consultation.
12. Walker Slater’s Hip Flask
- Price: From £28 – £42
- Where to buy: www.walkerslater.com
If you’re after a traditional tweed jacket or a made-to-measure suit you will find what you’re looking for at Walker Slater on Victoria Street. You’ll also find knitwear made from local Scottish yarns, fabulous accessories, and gifts.
We’ve selected their hip flasks, as we think they would make a stylish gift for anyone.
13. Doodles Ceramic Workshop (Experience)
- Price: From £2.50-£65
- Where to buy: Doodles Workshop in Marchmont (www.doodlesscotland.co.uk/location)
This is a fun one for the family or a lovely outing for friends! Doodles ceramics is based in Marchmont and offers a unique opportunity for everyone to discover their creativity. No experience is necessary and in 3 easy steps, you can create your own work of art. This gift would also come along with the great memories made while designing and making your very own bespoke piece of ceramic!
14. 50 Shades of Scotland by Emily Mackenzie
- Price: From £20
- Where to buy: Curiouser and Curiouser (www.curiouserandcuriouser.com/50-shades-of-scotland)
Edinburgh-based illustrator Emily Mackenzie works primarily in watercolour and coloured pencil and has a great sense of humour which shines through her work. We first spotted this fun and quirky print in Curiouser and Curiouser, and we think it would make a delightful gift!
15. Handmade Terrariums by David Mola
- Price:£45
- Where to buy: www.shop.narcissusflowers.co.uk
David Mola is an Edinburgh based stained glass artist. He creates beautiful geometric spheres out of clear glass. Narcissus has collaborated with David in the form of these living terrariums. Using cacti, succulents, mosses, and stones they will create a micro-ecosystem for your own Urban Habitat.
Visiting Edinburgh over the Festive Period?
This one bedroom contemporary pied-a-terre, located at 35/(2) Leith Street, is right in the heart of Edinburgh. You couldn’t be more central, as you are just seconds from Princes Street, so the whole of central Edinburgh is easily available on foot.
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