The Skinny's Christmas Gift Guide 2023
From design gifts to delightful houseplants, our favourite indie boutiques to your new favourite bottle shops, here's our guide to making the most of your Christmas gift-giving
If you're looking for cool gifts, interesting independent stores and one-of-a-kind items – or you just want to do your Christmas shopping without funnelling more money directly into Jeff Bezos' wallet – we've got you covered. This list covers some of our favourite design, art, food, clothing and homeware shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. Click the links below to jump to the relevant section, or just scroll on and start browsing.
Independent Shops in Edinburgh
DESIGN, HOMEWARES & GIFTS
An Independent Zebra
88-92 Raeburn Pl
A hub of independent designer-makers of homewares, prints, furniture and gifts from across the UK.
anindependentzebra.com
Handsel
336 Leith Walk
An independent one-stop-shop for art, homewares, jewellery, cards and zero-waste products.
handsel.uk
Logan Malloch
13 Leith Walk
Art, books, ceramics, greeting cards, plants, stationery and gifts mostly sourced in Leith, Edinburgh and wider Scotland.
loganmalloch.com
Flamingosaurus Rex
22 Bruntsfield Pl
A dynamic, multifunctional gallery, shop and art space.
flamingosaurusrex.com
Red Door Gallery
42 Victoria St
Long-standing hub for local artists’ prints, artworks, crafts and jewellery in prime sight-seeing location.
edinburghart.com
Curiouser & Curiouser
93 Broughton St, 106 Bruntsfield Pl
Art, framing and gift shop with two locations in the city.
curiouserandcuriouser.com
Agitate
6 William St
Recently relocated photography gallery and shop, they’re hosting a Christmas market of local artists 16-17 December.
agitate.gallery
FOOD & DRINK
George Mewes
3 Dean Park St, Stockbridge, Edinburgh; 106 Byres Rd, Glasgow
For all your cheese-related needs. They sometimes (at least once) give away samples and mulled wine when the Christmas queue is too long.
georgemewescheese.co.uk
Beerhive
24 Rodney St
A carefully-chosen selection of beers, wines and spirits with a local emphasis.
thebeerhive.co.uk
Winekraft
6 Brandon Ter
Organic, biodynamic and natural wine shop, also stocks the crisps and olives you’ll remember from lockdown Instagram.
winekraft.co
I.J. Mellis
30 Victoria St; 6 Bakers Pl; 330 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh; 492 Great Western Rd, Glasgow
The OG of Edinburgh cheesemongers, Mellis focus on small scale farmhouse producers alongside a range of wines and artisanal foodstuffs.
mellischeese.net
Cork and Cask
136 Marchmont Rd
Thoughtfully sourced wine, beer and whisky.
corkandcask.co.uk
Cornelius
18 Easter Rd; 128 Leith Walk
An Easter Road institution that’s also branched out to Leith Walk, Cornelius stock the very best wine, beer and spirits.
corneliusbeers.com
Salt Horse
57 Blackfriars St
Centrally-located craft beer shop and bar for all your beer fan gifting.
salthorse.beer
Lupe Pintos
24 Leven St, Edinburgh; 313 Great Western Rd, Glasgow
Specialist deli supplying Scotland with hard to find Mexican, American and Spanish ingredients, for all your hot sauce, bean and taco needs.
lupepintos.com
Locavore
118-126 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh, 349 Victoria Rd & 449 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow
A social enterprise selling a wide variety of local organic produce at affordable prices.
locavore.scot
Great Grog
2 Dalkeith Rd
Specialist in local and international craft beers and wines.
greatgrog.co.uk
The Beer Cave
43 Dalry Rd
Well stocked local favourite with a focus on European craft beer.
IG: @thebeercavescotland
PLANTS
Grow Urban
92 Grove St; 8B St Vincent St
A leafy haven for all your plant gifts inc. hand painted pots, cards by local artists and terrariums for your low maintenance plant gifting.
growurban.uk
Moss and Fern
84 South Clerk St
Plants and gifts, including dried floral arrangements, art, prints and homewares.
mossandfern.shop
Rose and Ammi Flowers
2 Gillespie Cres
Bespoke wreaths and beautiful pots.
roseandammiflowers.com
Green Meadows
137 Buccleuch St
A modern take on a tropical plant shop with social and environmental sustainability at its core.
greenplantshops.co.uk
Broughton St Flowers
87 Broughton St
Newly opened in the old Narcissus site, with a fresh coat of yellow paint, serving all your flower and plant needs.
broughtonstreetflowers.com
Independent Shops in Glasgow
DESIGN, HOMEWARES & GIFTS
Fat Buddha Store
81 Queen St
Urban clothing, hip trainers, accessories and spray paints, in a store reflecting street culture.
fatbuddhastore.com
Forty Clothing
11 Royal Exchange Sq
A Scottish brand dedicated to producing high quality, affordable streetwear clothing with an edge.
fortyclothing.com
The Blankfaces
427 Great Western Rd
The UK's first Clothing label aimed at ending homelessness – each of The Blankfaces’ designs is inspired or created by someone who is or has experienced homelessness.
theblankfaces.co.uk
The Woom Room
The Barras Market, 244 Gallowgate
A creative platform supporting the Glasgow art community, The Woom Room sells prints, original artworks, accessories and clothing by local artists.
thewoomroom.com
Risotto Studio
The Glue Factory, 22 Farnell St
Scotland’s leading risograph studio, producing vibrant stationery, calendars, prints and subscription services for the gift that keeps on giving.
risottostudio.com
Hoos
715 Great Western Rd
An eclectic mix of homeware, design and lifestyle, from Nordic design houses to beautifully crafted pieces by local artisans.
hoosglasgow.co.uk
Welcome Home
CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St
The shop in the Centre for Contemporary Arts celebrates contemporary craft and design from a range of artists based in Glasgow and beyond.
welcomehomestore.co.uk
Decadent Riot
11 Park Rd
An alternative gift shop in Glasgow’s West End which promises to deliver ‘everything for those punks in your life.’
decadentriot.co.uk
Velvet Moon
1203 Argyle St
A lifestyle boutique supporting local artists specialising in cards, clothes, homewares and accessories.
IG: @velvetmoonglasgow
Gallus Alice
1017 Argyle St
Finnieston’s premier destination for gifts for dog toys (human presents also available).
IG: @gallusaliceglasgow
Wild Gorse Pottery
684 Pollokshaws Rd
Wheel-thrown, contemporary stoneware in beautiful colours made and sold in Glasgow’s Southside.
wildgorsepottery.com
Ruthven Mews
Athole Gdns
A warren of tiny antique shops and small independents in a lane behind Byres Road – a joy to explore.
Mr Ben
Unit 6, Kings Court, 101 King St
A longstanding favourite for vintage fans, a treasure trove of 80s tracksuits, sequin dresses and souvenir jumpers from the Glasgow Garden Festival.
mrbenretroclothing.com
Minted
Kings Court, 105 King St
Specialists in vintage streetwear from Stone Island to Carhartt.
Orzel
678 Dumbarton Rd
Menswear store specialising in brands with sustainability and quality at their core.
orzel.store
ReJean Denim
Studio 3, Rogart Street Campus, 4 Rogart St
Based in the Barras, this gender neutral fashion label reclaims and repurposes old jeans to make new denim products.
rejeandenim.com
Doyenne Skateboards
Glasgow’s very own women-run skateboarding brand created to celebrate and promote diversity in the determined pursuit of equality and unity.
doyenne-studio.com
SPOT shop
1139 Pollokshaws Rd
A permanent home for the team who bring you the much-loved SPOT design markets.
thespotdesignmarket.co.uk
House Party
525 Victoria Rd
An inclusive, welcoming space with a focus on queer and minority-owned brands from around the world.
The Cooperage
674 Pollokshaws Rd
Glasgow’s sustainable retail hub or ‘Shawlands’ answer to Ashton Lane’ is home to a variety of small independent businesses, including vintage clothing, tattoos and a deli.
thecooperageglasgow.co.uk
Odd Dogs
1067 Cathcart Rd
Serving the Southside’s dog population all the artisanal gifts and treats they could desire.
odddogsstore.com
FOOD & DRINK
Valhallas Goat
449 Great Western Rd
Subtitled ‘liquid treasures’, you’ll find a fine selection of beers, plus wine, Cuban cigars, handmade chocolates and a range of interesting spirits.
valhallasgoat.com
Roots Fruits and Flowers
455 Great Western Rd
Local institution serving generations of Glaswegians flowers, fruits and organic foods.
rootsfruitsandflowers.com
PLANTS
Glasgow Plant Mama
70 Bell St
Everything you need to grow your own urban jungle indoors.
glasgowplantmama.com
Blooms
182 Dumbarton Rd
Serving all your botanical needs, from plants and fresh flowers to beautiful pots, seeds and dried flowers.
bloomsglasgow.co.uk
Plantique
286 Dumbarton Rd
Newly opened, packed full of an ever-changing selection of plants, vintage homewares and work by local designers.
plantique.co.uk
Independent Shopping in Dundee
DESIGN, HOMEWARES & GIFTS
Dundee Contemporary Arts Shop
152 Nethergate
A well-curated selection of design pieces, artworks, homewares and knitwear, with an emphasis on local talent.
shop.dca.org.uk
V&A Shop
1 Riverside Esplanade
Design gifts and specifically-commissioned pieces by Scottish designers and curators engaging with exhibition themes.
shop.vandadundee.org
Kist
151 Perth Rd
An independent with a focus on Scottish makers, quality, handmade, sustainable and beautiful design.
IG: @kistdundee
Volk Gallery
The Keiller Centre, 3 Chapel St
A repurposed nappy machine selling monthly-changing artist commissions for £3 a pop.
volkgallery.com
Hayley Scanlan Shop
186 Perth Rd
Original pieces from local fashion designer (and Netflix star) Hayley Scanlan.
hayleyscanlan.com
Arkive
36-40 Seagate
Stockists of urban fashion, streetwear and footwear, also housing Ozzy’s skateboard and BMX shop.
arkiveclothing.co.uk
SookSouk
153 Perth Rd
Specialists in vintage and pre-loved clothing.
sooksouk.co.uk
Image credits (top to bottom): V&A Dundee gifts by Kevin Linnet, Grow Urban, Hoos by Rimbaud Patron, SPOT by Mark Gillies, Roots Fruits and Flowers