Even though I'll also be sharing my top bookish gifts and books to gift, as well as my top beauty gift sets and favourite candles. I always think that gifting someone an experience or supporting a local business is one of the best gifts to give. Plus, we also all know how tough it is right now for small businesses, so I wanted to dedicate an entire gift guide to supporting some of my favourite Scottish businesses. And there's something for everyone, every budget and every taste in today's Scottish businesses Christmas gift guide.
So whether you're looking to treat someone to a spot of pampering, an experience that they won't soon forget, something to start 2023 off in the best way or a beautiful beauty or homeware buy, I've broken each section down by category. And here they are;
Wellness inside and out
A facial with Skin by Zoe
Depending on who you're gifting this Christmas, there are some great options available at Glasgow-based facial studio Skin by Zoe. If the person you're buying for has never had a facial before, the express 30mins facial is a great introduction to what Zoe does. Whereas, if they love a good facial, the 60mins lymphatic facial, which incorporates the neck, shoulders and upper chest to the facial to enhance lymphatic drainage, is such a treat. Each facial or skincare consultation is bespoke and designed to promote self care and confidence.
So instead of buying someone a skincare gift set, without really knowing what their skin needs. Or opting for a generic spa day. Why not gift a personalised facial catered to that very individual? You can either buy a digital gift voucher, with them starting at £10. Or physical card vouchers are also available to purchase via DM or email.
Start 2023 by getting moving at ALT Fitness
Many of us will be thinking about New Year's Resolutions come January. But why not bin the gym and do something much more fun. Based in Laurieston in the Southside of Glasgow, ALT Fitness is a gym with a twist and exactly that; fun. If you or the person that you're buying for often struggle to stay motivated or haven't found the class or activity that makes them want to keep going, I've got a feeling they'll be counting down the days until their next trip to the ALT Fitness gym.
From Pole Dancing to Hula Hooping to Aerial Hoop and Silks, their studio offers the biggest variety of alternative fitness classes in the city. With classes accessible for all levels, from complete beginners and up, their classes are designed to get you moving and put a smile on your face. With a gift voucher, you can join a regular class, or treat yourself or someone else to a private lesson or PT session.
Lifestyle
A Rare Birds Book Club Subscription
You will have no doubt seen me rave about Rare Birds Book Club many times before, both here on the blog and on social media. And for a good reason. The physical bookstore is based in Edinburgh but they also have so much to offer online, no matter where you live in the UK. From unbelievable smelling Book Smells candles, to book bundles and what they started out as, the book club subscription.
So, if the person that you're buying for this Christmas loves to read or is hoping to get back into reading in the new year, gifting them either three, six or twelve months of reading, by way of the book club, is the gift that keeps on giving. Every month the lucky recipient will be able to choose from two fantastic hand-picked books to receive. Then the book is delivered through the letterbox and they can join in the discussions in the online book club. I've discovered so many books that I wouldn't have on my own through being a member of the book club. And there are lots of other perks too, like half price books and expert reading guides.
A GFT CineCard
If the person that you're buying for this Christmas loves a trip to the cinema or has a list of upcoming movies as long as their arm that they'd like to see, why not support a Glasgow institution; the Glasgow Film Theatre. Their CineCard costs £45 for a year and supports the work of the GFT, which you may or may not be aware is a charity.
By gifting an annual CineCard they will get four free cinema tickets, £1.50 off every standard GFT screening, a 3-month subscription to online film streaming service MUBI, up to £5 off live event screenings and much more. I love that not only are you supporting the GFT but this is a gift that the recipient will be excited to use all year round. You can also pick up a free 15-25 Card with other great benefits, if they person that you're buying for falls within that age range.
Experiences
A Christmas Wreath Workshop at 1 Hillside Studio
I always think that gifting experiences that you can enjoy, either with others or as a special day out yourself, can be the ones that you remember the most. Which is why I've included two in today's gift guide. And the first is one that you might want to gift in the run up to Christmas, instead of on the big itself.
Located in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Hillside Studio have plenty of dates to choose from in November and December. Each ticket is priced at £60 and everything you will need to create a stunning Christmas wreath is provided for you, as well as festive drinks and nibbles. And what I really appreciate about this specific workshop is that there will be a maximum of eight people per workshop, making it a cosy and attentive atmosphere.
A decadent stay at House Of Gods
Having visited House Of Gods earlier in the year to celebrate my 30th birthday, I cannot recommend the boutique hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh highly enough. If you're looking to get away for a romantic getaway or an evening of some serious self care on your own, it is a hotel experience like no other. And how exciting will it be to give a Christmas gift that will have you feeling like a king or queen.
And what really takes the stay into a whole new league of its own is their ‘Treat Me Like I’m Famous’ package. For an additional £99, you get; a £50 bar tab, a luxury upgrade breakfast hamper, late check out, a bottle of House of Gods x San Samone DOCG Prosecco Superiore, bedtime milk and cookies, an in-room cocktail service, a rose petal, balloon-filled room and exclusive handmade chocolates. I mean, what an absolutely fabulous deal is that! And what a way to spoil the special person in your life, or yourself, this Christmas.
Food and drink
itison+
If the person that you're buying for this year loves to sample lots of different delicacies from local businesses. Or, again, you want to gift an experience instead of a present, a gift voucher can be a great option. But not just any old gift voucher. itison have launched a new gifting service, itison+, in perfect time for the festive season. Even though itison+ gift givers can pick from a range of experiences from local businesses, they have so many incredible food and drink options to choose from.
Every participating local business has been vetted by the itison+ team to recommend some of the best places in Scotland at a range of different prices. From restaurants like Ka Pao and Ox and Finch, to bakeries and brunch spots, afternoon tea, brewery tours and whisky and gin experiences, there truly is something for everyone and every taste. The vouchers also have a very handy 'remind me' function, longer validity, less restrictions. And crucially for those last minute Christmas shoppers; next-day delivery. This is why it is one of my top Scottish businesses Christmas gift guide picks.
Mimi's Bakehouse delivery or Christmas Afternoon Tea
How incredible would it be to have festive baked goods delivered right to your door? Especially when the winter weather has you wanting to do anything other than leave the house. Well, that's where a Mimi's Bakehouse Christmas-themed traybake box comes into play. Available UK-wide from the 24th November, these will be dispatched every Tuesday until Christmas and will be filled with lots of festive tasty treats. Or you can opt for a hamper, with them starting at £34 for the Time For Tea one, all the way up to £60 for the Ultimate Mimi's Hamper.
If you're able to visit the Leith bakery, their Christmas Afternoon Tea, is available from the 24th of November until the 24th of December. And how incredible does it look? You'll also be able to take away the Christmas Afternoon Tea to enjoy at home. Or why not collect the Candy Cane Wreath cake, which has layers of vanilla and red velvet sponge inside? You'll be able to pick up everything from cookies for Santa, large gingerbread men, Yule Logs and Sticky Toffee Pudding too.
Homeware
Tartan Blanket Co.
If you don't already know about the Edinburgh-based Tartan Blanket Co, not only do they sell beautiful blankets, scarves (I can't get this particular one out of my mind) and accessories. But they also sell a wonderful range of baby items, pet blankets and customisable gift boxes. And with more of us thinking about how to keep warm this winter, investing in a recycled wool, renewable lambswool or cashmere blanket to wrap yourself, or the person you're buying for, is both a practical and lovely gift idea.
I'm a real sucker for all of the gingham and tartan designs. But you'll also find solid colours, houndstooth and much more to choose from. Whether you're looking for a larger blanket to add a pop of interest to your living room or bedroom. Or you'd rather have a cosy knee blanket, there is something for every interior style and taste.
Bluebellgray
Whether shopping online or in the Glasgow store, Bluebellgray have some of the most magical homeware pieces that I've ever seen. And that's saying something as someone who spends a lot of time looking at homeware for my freelance interiors work. You'll find unique, quirky and colourful designs, plus plenty of pattern for every room in your home.
If you're looking for something festive, their new Christmas collection includes lovely tea towels, napkins, place mats, a table runner and table cloth. And these will be pieces that the lucky recipient will no doubt look forward to bringing out every Christmas. I also simply had to mention the gorgeous Gaaee Frilly Duvet Set, which I've had my eye on for most of the year to be honest.
Beauty
ARRAN Sense Of Scotland
Created on the Isle of Arran and proudly made in Scotland, ARRAN Sense Of Scotland, have everything from bath and body products and hand care to haircare, fragrance and home products. And they all smell absolutely incredible.
They have a great selection of gifting for the festive season this year. And two of my favourite gift sets have got to be the great After the Rain Wash Bag (£60) and the Hydrating Hand Cream Gift Set (£30). I absolutely adore their After the Rain fragrance. And the canvas wash bag that comes with it will have you dreaming of where to travel to next. You also really can't go wrong with a hand cream gift set. And this one features three of ARRAN's most iconic scents.
VIEVE
And last but certainly not least we have VIEVE. When I began thinking about including a Scottish makeup brand there was only one choice, especially when it is one that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Created by makeup pro and beauty digital creator, Jamie Genevieve, VIEVE have so many special makeup products to choose from. And I've got a feeling that many will already have some bits from VIEVE on their Christmas wishlists.
Regardless of if you're looking for a glowing and radiant look, a monochromatic style or something modern or minamilist, you'll find all the products that you need on the VIEVE website. And my personal favourites have got be the beautiful Cherub Lip Dew, the Modern Radiance Concealer, glow-getting Skin Nova and Modern Powder Perfector. Expect a blog post review of them very soon.
So there you have this year's supporting Scottish businesses Christmas gift guide.
What do you think of my picks? Will you be shopping from any of them this festive season? And who are you buying for?
1