Edinburgh is full of unique businesses but it can be difficult to navigate all the independent gems within the city. How will you find the right gifts this Christmas? Well, don’t spend hours looking online or waste your time getting a generic gift, instead set some time aside and go on a Christmas shopping crawl! This way you can find the right gift that reflects your loved one. It’s likely this may even mean more than what they asked for – after all, isn’t the aim to make them all emotional when they open it on Christmas Day?
Now, if you’re in for the journey, start at The Gift Tree Corstorphine on Station Road. This charming café and craft shop is the perfect place to kick off the shopping crawl, with a home-made treat and drink in hand to fuel you from the get-go.
Take a detour to The Mindful Enterprise where you can buy your loved ones a Christmas themed mindful experience, there’s a range of trips based around mindfulness, ranging from weekend retreats to eight-week courses – contribute by a gift voucher!
The Red Door Gallery on Victoria Street showcases art prints and unique gifts. This affordable artwork can brighten up your friend’s room. Or even better, you could buy the first piece that reminds you of them and attach a memory to it. Perfect! Now you have a piece that is worth more than you paid for and even more personal.
Around the corner from the University of Edinburgh, the radical Lighthouse Bookshop sells a diverse range of books. Make sure you stop here for the booklovers that you know, I guarantee there will be one they are just dying to read. This bookshop has a friendly atmosphere and is absolutely brimming with cute books, there is no way you won’t find something.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas shopping crawl without a stop off at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Here, you can buy a unique decoration that is exactly what you are looking for – if you don’t find it in store you can always browse the collection online.
Moving down Leith Walk, take a break at Handsel and get lost in the variety of art, jewellery and zero-waste products. Hidden in the corners, there may be a candle holder or trinket that your friend is just meant to have. Even better, if someone you know has moved into a new house, you can find a decoration to add to it (or go with a classic throw).
Next stop is Argonaut Books, where there is a diverse collection of genres. If you’re not looking on behalf of an avid reader, you can always bring them back for one of the in-person events (book launches, discussion groups or a board game night).
Final stop, Bard Scotland. Here, you can find some art or buy your loved one a gift card (avoiding any awkward reactions!). Maybe end the journey with a walk through the Scottish craft and design gallery.
Image provided by Alice Locker.