The Edinburgh Christmas gift guide

By Ben Walker on 01 December 2020

There really is no better time to show our support for small local businesses.

As we edge towards the festive period and the end of what’s been a difficult and uncertain year for many, we’d like to share some of our favourite local businesses in Edinburgh. From stylish homeware and bespoke jewellery, to tropical plants and mouth-watering chocolate, we’re here to spark some inspiration, whether you’re shopping for gifts, or creating your own wish list.

Art and homeware

House Edinburgh

House Edinburgh specialises in all thing’s homeware. Pay a visit to the store on Easter Road to browse their gorgeous soft furnishings, home interiors and even paint, from an eclectic range of brands.

Jenni Douglas Designs

Local artist Jenni Douglas’ collection spans prints, homeware, jewellery and textiles in her signature bold prints and bright colours. As well as perusing her online shop, you can find Jenni’s designs in a range of shops and galleries in Edinburgh and beyond.

Lifestory

If you love Scandinavian and Nordic design, you’ll find it difficult to resist temptation in Lifestory. Shop the collection in their lifestyle store and coffee bar or on their website to discover everything from ceramics, to children’s toys from a range of designers.

Marchmont Gallery

This independent gallery and picture framers showcases original art and crafts, as well as stocking homeware and gifts created by local makers and ethical suppliers. Be sure to pop into the gallery to discover handmade designer products, jewellery, ceramics, cards and much more.

Studio Emma

Renowned for vibrant colour combinations, you can find unique collections of concrete vessels, home wares and art objects on Studio Emma’s website and various shops around the city. We’re all big fans of Emma’s concrete letters here at Firefly, which you can commission for a truly personalised gift.

The Travelling Basket

This carefully curated ethical lifestyle atelier and coffee bar in Marchmont stocks quality, handmade gifts, homewares and flowers. Their natural, dried flower designs and wreaths would make gorgeous festive presents.

Food and drink

COCO chocolate

Luxury chocolate wrapped in stylish packaging – need we say more. With packaging designed by local artists, COCO’s extensive collection effortlessly combines chocolate and creativity (we’re particularly intrigued by their haggis spice bar).

Pickering’s Gin

Made at Summerhall Distillery, Pickering’s offer an impressive range of handcrafted gins, guaranteed to delight any gin connoisseur. Be sure to check out their festive flavours and gin baubles this Christmas.

Redcastle Gin

A personal favourite and one of our lovely client’s, Redcastle handcraft Scottish gin and rum. Their Christmas sets, which are sold in a variety of delicious flavours, are ideal if, like us, you’re struggling to choose just one.

Sebastian Kobelt

Another of our wonderful clients, we can certainly vouch for Sebastian Kobelt’s delicious, handmade chocolate and patisserie (we’ve tried enough to know!). But don’t just take our word for it, check out their website to peruse their irresistible selection.

Gift shops

Cloud 9 Edinburgh

If you’re planning a trip to House Edinburgh, we highly recommend popping across the road to Cloud 9 Edinburgh, their sister shop. Full of affordable gifts, including house plants, flowers and prints, they are definitely worth a visit if you need creative gift ideas.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Based at both Bruntsfield Place and Broughton Street, this gift shop champions local designers through their quality jewellery, illustrative prints and homewares. They also offer a bespoke framing service, adding the finishing touch to your gift.

Flux

Nestled in bustling Leith, Flux stock an eclectic array of gifts, from stationery and books, to lifestyle and eco-friendly products. Visit their website to start ticking off your Christmas shopping list or visit them in store.

Handsel

Leith based interior and lifestyle gift shop, Handsel, is brimming with home inspiration. From handmade gifts, to Scandinavian homewares, this independent shop caters to every style – and we love the fact that they stock zero waste products.

Logan Malloch

Logan Malloch in Leith stock books and plants, as well as contemporary craft and design products sourced in Scotland, including jewellery, artwork and ceramics. Check out their Instagram feed to get a closer look at some of the hidden gems in their shop.

Jewellery

Kinnaird Jewellery

Inspired by traditional and tribal jewellery from her travels, Carolyn primarily makes metal-based jewellery in her studio in Edinburgh. Head to the Kinnaird Jewellery website to discover their bold, yet beautifully minimal pieces.

Moira Patience

Located in the centre of Edinburgh, Moira Patience create exquisite one-off pieces from their workshop in Scotland, using rare and ethically sourced gemstones. If you’re interested in commissioning an extra special gift this Christmas, check out their website.

Plants and flowers

Aperçu Edinburgh

A recent addition to Edinburgh’s growing plant scene (no pun intended!), Aperçu in Haymarket specialise in house plants. Brighten up your home this Christmas or discover the perfect gift for any plant lovers in your life.

Green Meadows

Green Meadows is bursting with vibrant colours and tropical plants. What’s more, they champion sustainability, pledging to use their shop plant as many trees as possible, among other fantastic initiatives.

Grow Urban

Tucked away in Fountainbridge this plant shop is an oasis of calm in the busy city. If you don’t fancy visiting them in store (where you can also buy locally roasted coffee), they offer a delivery service for those within the Edinburgh city bypass.

Rose and Ammi Flowers

Based in Tollcross, this independent florist offers a variety of constantly changing fresh flowers and house plants, as well as vases and pots to complete your gift. You can shop their collections in store or online for deliveries in Edinburgh.