Local Christmas Gift Guide 2019

VisitScotland’s Local Gift Guide

VisitScotland has compiled an inspiring list of gifts and stocking stuffers from a variety of independent Scottish suppliers so you can sit back, enjoy the festivities and avoid the mad Christmas eve dash all whilst supporting brilliant local businesses!

For those who love a cuppa!

The cold winter months makes the perfect excuse for a nice, warm cup of tea, coffee or an indulgent hot chocolate. In Scotland, there is no shortage of cosy beverages. Here is just a snapshot of some of the delicious treats that friends and family will love cuddling up with.

Glasgow based coffee roasters, Dear Green pursue excellence in coffee and work closely with communities to train, educate and ensure every coffee they source meets their ethical policies whilst tasting great.  Coffee beans, equipment, classes, vouchers as well as coffee subscriptions can be bought from Dear Green’s online shop, so your loved ones never have to go without a delicious caffeinated fix!

Eteaket, based in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, pride themselves in stocking the highest quality selection of unique, innovative and ethically sourced loose-leaf teas in Scotland such as Pumpkin Chai, Harris Gin and Strawberries and Cream tea. From delicious loose-leaf tea bags, they also have a wide range of stunning tea pots, cups and mugs as well as gifts and vouchers.

Who doesn’t love a hot chocolate during the festivities?! Dornoch based Cocoa Mountain has become something of a pilgrimage for adventurers on the North Coast 500 route and is famed for serving the ‘World’s Best Hot Chocolate’. But friends don’t have to venture out on an epic road trip to try one of these delicious drinks, with their very own Original Highland Recipe Hot Chocolate they enjoy it from the comfort of their own home.

For the house-proud friends!

Christmas time is always associated with beautifully decorated homes, well lit trees and cosy fireplaces. When the festivities come to an end it can sometimes feel a little bare- treat them to something they can decorate their home with at any time of the year.

For flower loving friends and family members who live in the central belt, a gift from Mud Urban flowers are a must. The contemporary Glasgow based online florists offer 3 sizes of bouquets with gorgeous new designs every day (little, luxe and bespoke), house plants, dried flower bouquets, a range of beautifully scented candles, vases and deliver to a huge area of postcodes across the central belt area. Why not treat someone to one of their wreath making classes or send them a festive bouquet?

Alloa based designer Nikki McWilliams has a cutesy collection packed with plenty of quirky and bold stationary pieces, homeware items as well as jewellery and charms. From sweetie themed prints to statement biscuits cushions, any item from McWilliams’ collection makes a perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and a love for soft furnishings

Inspired by fairy tale magic, rugged rocks and the contrasting golden beaches of the ancient Isle of Harris comes Essence of Harris candles. Each fragrance is named and inspired by five of the islands beaches, which aim to evoke memories and their auras range which aims to promote focus, relaxation and wellbeing- the perfect gift for those hard to buy for people!

For those who love to treat themselves!

From cosy bath-soaked evenings in, to full on glam nights out- Christmas is always a perfect excuse to give yourself and your loved ones a good ol pamper.

Glasgow’s instafamous nail bar, NAF! Salon creates some of the most bold and interesting nail designs in Scotland. Whilst they’ve been busy keeping Glasgow residents’ hands looking beautiful, they have also launched a range of compact and easy to use cuticle oil pens in a variety of unique and exciting fragrances- they have even launched a festive range with scents such as gingerbread, chocolate orange and cinnamon apple.

Wishaw based Beauty Kitchen prides itself in providing effective, natural and sustainable skin, hair and body products. From Eco Glitter balm to under eye super serums, the Beauty Kitchen range has something to suit everyone. Recently voted Skincare Brand of the Year at the Sustainable Lifestyle Awards, the brand also offer a return, refill, repeat programme at all participating Holland & Barret stores across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Belgium. With their brand-new Christmas range just launched, you can give the gift of sustainability this Christmas.

This is one for the real make up geeks! Award winning Scottish makeup artist, Sara Hill has been a force within the beauty industry for over 22 years. As well as educating aspiring makeup artists, founding The Academy of Makeup UK in Glasgow and working with high end, international fashion brands, campaigns and editorial spreads on some of the world’s leading magazines, she has also found her own range of make up and beauty tools. From stunning lipsticks to pyramid blending brushes, this would definitely be a warmly received treat for any beauty buff!

Derived from the word ‘Uisge’ (Scots Gaelic for water) comes Ishga, an organic skincare range from the Isle of Lewis. Born from a passion for beauty, science and seaweed, Ishga use 100% organic ingredients and Hebridean Seaweed from some of the cleanest waters in the world due to the natural anti-oxidants and anti-ageing properties which help protect the skin. The brand has also partnered with Blythswood Square, a luxury five-star hotel and spa in Glasgow to provide their guests with the finest Hebridean skincare- A perfect gift for those at home spa sessions.

For the fashionistas!

If anyone needs an excuse to dress up, then Christmas is definitely the time to do it! From cool shades to dazzling jewels, there is something on list to impress even your most fashionable friends.

. Founded by 3 Highland photographers and inspired by the rich, warm colours of photo editing filters, Tens sunglasses promise to show off the world in a different light verses the dull everyday sunglasses lens whilst providing strong UV protection and using sustainable materials. They have a variety of frames and lenses available to chose from and have even recently released a lens inspired by the colours and filters of Wes Anderson films.

Why not treat someone special to a gorgeous piece of jewellery from Glasgow based Katie Lees Jewellery? Her collection contains stunning art deco inspired heirloom pieces through which she hopes to create treasures of the future as well as many other bespoke, unconventional pieces which are ready to wear but can also be tailored and reworked to suit each individual.

Independent Dundee shop and cult online boutique, Little Lies, has a unique range inspired by music and the rock n roll life style. From floaty bohemian kimonos, stand out sparkly, party dresses and unique home décor items, you’re bound to find something for the Rockstar in your life in this stunning online shop.

For the ones who enjoy a festive tipple!

Probably the easiest gift to give of all- a bottle of something nice to enjoy for the Christmas period. Here is a roundup of some the best festive alcoholic drinks to treat someone with this year!

St Andrew’s Eden Mill are back with their delicious festive Candy Cane Gin. With light berry flavours, a warm, rich minty character and a stunning bright red colour, this makes the perfect festive bottle. Enjoy it served with cranberry juice or even add a measure into a hot chocolate for a delicious minty treat!

Designed especially for the cold, Dalwhinnie’s Winter’s Gold makes a perfect gift for any whisky lovers. This unique and wintery bottle is made using whisky distilled in the cold winters and is intended to be served from the freezer, delivering a rich sweetness with hints of honey and peat as the glass warms up.

Bringing together all the traditional flavours associated with mulled wine is The Isle of Skye’s Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin. With botanicals of cassia bark, orange, lemon, star anise and liquorice root before being soaked in rich Italian red wine prior to distilling, this gin makes the perfect Christmas refreshment. Enjoy with good quality Scottish tonic water, a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick.