In the midst of all this year’s bad news, the one constant positive is the way that communities have come together in new ways to support one another. Something I have noticed in a bigger and more unanimous way than I have ever seen before, is a tidal wave of public support for small, independent businesses. These are the companies that bring vibrance to our communities. They are the drivers of ethical and sustainable business, and the curators of creativity.
Small businesses have been some of the hardest hit this year, and without them, our lives would be so much more dull. Shop my small business Christmas gift guide 2020 to support the companies that make our communities more colourful this year.
Accessories
By Pippa
Dainty, well priced, and beautifully handmade freshwater pearl jewellery.
Receiving a gift from By Pippa feels like getting a treat from a much larger designer brand. A portion of all Christmas sales are going towards Social Bite and she has a limited edition surprise up her sleeve too so watch this space!
The Pretty Mask Company
Furloughed, fashion grad, flatmates Lucinda and Hannah started making masks when the UK went into lockdown earlier this year. Their designs are oh so pretty, and their website is always being updated with fun new fabrics. Every mask is handmade to order from their flat in Edinburgh, so they advise leaving two weeks between ordering and expected delivery. They use 100% cotton fabric, and sew a filter pocket into each mask if you are looking for an extra layer of safety. They currently have a super cute Christmas collection with handy pouches to store your masks when not in use. Don’t miss out!
Spex Pistols
Quirky, colourful, and filled with fun; the yellow shop front of Spex Pistols is instantly recognisable and the tiny store itself has become something of a destination in Dundee! They have a wide range of delightful vintage and classic frames, but spex aren’t all they sell. Self-professed collectors of curiosities, their wee store is filled to the brim with vintage cameras, record players, and various vintage frivolities. They also have some great branded tote bags and t-shirts for the spex lovers in your life.
Food
Parlour Cafe
A stalwart of the Dundee food scene, Gillian Veal, owner of the Parlour cafe has been doing incredible dine at home mezze meals during the crisis. A firm weekend favourite in our household, these mezze meals are a smorgasbord of incredible flavours with something new to try every week! And now, you can gift the experience to a friend with their new gift vouchers. The perfect opportunity to support a small hospitality business and gift a dining experience fit for a fanatic foodie.
Royal Mile Whiskies
Girls Who Grind Coffee
Got a feminist coffee addict in your family? I have just the thing for them. On their website, Girls Who Grind explain that, while the coffee supply chain industry is a male dominated one, at least 70% of the work that goes into producing coffee is carried out by women. They aim to empower women in the coffee industry by stocking only female-produced coffee beans from across the world. They work to support change-makers who are making a difference in their communities and provide female coffee producers access to the speciality coffee market. I have been ordering from these guys all year and every different batch of beans I’ve had has been as tasty as the one before. They also sell subscriptions, gift cards, and the coolest branded merch!
Nic’s NYC Deli and Donuts (Glasgow – no online store but you can message on Facebook to order!)
If you are based in Glasgow and looking for a fun gift idea for a kid, why not try Nic’s new DIY donut kit? Started during lockdown number one as a fun activity for families stuck at home, you will get everything you need to create your own eye-catching donut designs in this gift box. Or, if you are more of a donut-eater than a donut-designer, gift one of their impressive donut cake-stacks or a simple box of favourites such as the Hungry Hippo donut. These gorgeous gift boxes are (in their own words) perfect for birthdays, graduations, divorces, and more!
Books
Golden Hare Books
This gorgeous Stockbridge store is a book-lover’s dream. It is always well stocked with a carefully curated selection of new fiction and non-fiction titles. This is a lot more than a bookshop, however, with a cosy kids reading nook tucked in the back and a wood-burning stove, creating a very calming shopping experience.
They have recently launched an online store so you can support them from afar, and also sell a membership where you can sign up for a year (or ten) to receive discounts online and in-store, as well as access exclusive member’s only events.
The thing that excites me most, however, is their PostBooks Subscription service through which they deliver a beautifully packaged, thoughtfully selected book to your door each month. Ranging from three months to two years, this would be one of the most exciting gifts a budding bookworm could receive!
Lighthouse Books
In their own words, Lighthouse is a ‘queer-owned and woman led independent community bookshop. [They] are an unapologetically activist, intersectional, feminist, antiracist, lgbtq+ community space.’ Who were nominated Scotland’s Best Independent Bookshop 2020!
I have never actually stepped foot in their shop but during lockdown they were one of the very few indie bookshops who had an online store so I have been buying from them all year. Their site is easy to browse and I absolutely admire their commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and championing marginalised voices. It feels good to support such a well-intentioned, activist organisation.
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org launched very recently in the UK as an antidote to Jeff Bezos’s empire of destruction. Countless independent bookstores have been put out of business by Amazon’s unsustainable strategy of convenience over anything (even human rights).
Every purchase from this incredibly easy to use and, dare I say, convenient, online bookshop goes towards supporting independent bookstores in the UK. You can either support a specific shop by finding them on their searchable map, or the profits from your purchase will go into a pool of money that is split evenly between indie bookstores.
This incredible site puts power back in the hands of the wonderfully unique bookshops that make up such a vibrant part of our communities, and gives consumers the convenience they have come to expect from online shopping – its a win win!
Vinyl
Le Freak Records
Another Perth Road local, this is the spot for all your new and second hand vinyl needs. The cosy, colourful store is a wee treasure trove that is always fun to rummage through, and in less socially-distanced days they have hosted some great events. Here’s hoping we’ll get more of that in 2021!
Assai Records
Assai Records’ two new locations, 33 Union Street, Dundee (they recently relocated from their Broughty Ferry store) and 1 Grindlay Street, Edinburgh, host a collection of vinyls to make any music lover go mad. They also have a snazzy, and easy to use online store so there’s really no need to buy from Bezos!
What stands out most about this store is their dedication to supporting the Scottish music scene, with a whole section of their site dedicated to albums from Scottish artists.
Be sure to check out their latest offers as well as their fun extra bits and bobs such as t-shirts, hoodies, and classic album puzzles!
Homeware
Kist (Dundee – no online shop)
This is your one-stop-shop for all the fab Scottish indie makers (many of whom were featured in last year’s Christmas gift guide). Stockists of brilliant makers such as Kerrie Aldo, Nmarra Designs, and Lucky Cloud skincare – there is something here for everyone!
Habiib
If you are looking for mid-century furniture and homeware, look no further than Habiib. Based in Glasgow, their instagram aesthetic is to die for, and their new website is sleek, professional, and makes me wish I was a millionaire so that I could just fill my home with their gorgeous vintage furniture.
Each piece is personally sourced so they regularly sell out, but don’t worry, if you are looking for something specific, they also have a sourcing service where they do their very best to make your mid-century dreams come true!
Tartan Blanket Co.
Super soft scarves, cosy blankets, and oh-so thoughtful gift boxes, a little something from the Tartan Blanket Co. would make the perfect present this Christmas. Their transparency, and commitment to ethical, sustainable production at every stage of their supply chain is admirable. They have even signed up to 1% for the planet and promised to donate 1% of all their revenue to the planet and 1% to the people. So every time you purchase from them you are contributing to their carbon offsetting commitment, as well as community projects around the world. Not bad, aye?
Snapdragon Flowers
This gorgeous Bruntsfield shop is famous for its incredible flower arrangements, but they also stock a wonderful range of independent makers themselves.
Their Christmas arrangements could have been plucked from the set of any of your favourite Christmas movies (they wouldn’t look out of place in the Home Alone mansion!). They are classy, festive, and totally aesthetic.
Candles
Stickleback candles
Vegan, soy candles, hand poured in the Scottish countryside, with four dreamy scents to choose from.
These cute little candles have strong cottage-core vibes and come in a handy tin with a lid so you can even take them with you on all your Scottish staycations. Imagine being cosied up by a roaring fire, large glass of vin rouge in hand, and a lavender soy candle burning gently in the corner while the rain batters the windows outside – dreamy…
Stickleback candles have only recently opened their doors and have very limited stock so get in quick!
Pixie Divine
Pixie Divine’s colourful candles are almost too pretty to burn, but they are guaranteed to level up any shelf you put them on.
This small shop was set up during lockdown in memory of founder, Fankie Davies’ mum, and a portion of some sales go to charity.
Prints
Badbish Design
Dundee-based graphic designer, BadBish Design’s prints are loudmouthed and just as colourful. Her bold designs are eye-catching, brilliantly bright, and full of cheeky Scottish-isms (don’t tell me a ‘Yer da sells avon’ print would’t make the perfect gift this Christmas). She currently has a selection of fabulous 2021 calendars available for pre-order so don’t miss out!
Anna Rickards Redbubble
Buy illustrator Anna Rickard’s fun, colourful designs on phone cases, mugs, t-shirts, flasks, or as a simple print through her Redbubble store!
Kaitlin Mechan
Loved my small business gift guide 2020? Why not check out last year’s?