Christmas Gift Guide v1: Local to Us
Let’s be honest here. Living and working through a pandemic has been hard. So it’s no surprise that we’re all starting to think of Christmas a little earlier than normal this year. We all need a top-up dose of cheer and fun this winter.
At Laura Thomas Co we have had people buying Christmas gifts since the beginning of October.
This week I was driving through the next door village to us and there was a house clearly displaying a decorated Christmas Tree. Because why the hell not?
We’re stepping into a very different Christmas… let’s face it, our special place will be our homes this year, so let’s go all out to embrace the change and see it as a fun opportunity to support independent North Berwick businesses for gifts and become creative creatures, splashing festive vibes throughout our homes.
The LT team has collated our favorite local independent North Berwick businesses from our local area, East Lothian and Edinburgh for this first edition. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you our picks from across the UK over a series of Gift Guides.
Gift Guide
General
Moleta Munro Edinburgh. Online and by appointment in store. For Design-led homeware gifts look no further. Awesome gifts for the home.
Miel Botanicals East Lothian. Online. Soaps, face masks, and balms handmade using natural botanicals and skin-loving oils.
Wild Swimming Stories Edinburgh. Online. Coffee table Books. ‘Taking the Plunge’ by Edinburgh locals, Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan, and just released ‘For the Love of Trees’. Showcasing different people who love wild swimming and love trees.
Pajama Pantry East Lothian. Online. Pj supplier. Unisex. Small design runs and bright colours.
Laura Thomas Co Of course, we couldn’t write a gift guide and not mention our name 🙂 Online and pop into our workshop in North Berwick! Vouchers for products and workshops available.
Pyrus Botanicals East Lothian. Online. Our Wreath making workshops are now full but you can still get your hands on a beautiful wreath from local florist Pyrus.
NB Dogs Gullane. Online + Instore. A Dog boutique that has a treasure trove of gifts for furry friend lovers.
Fun stuff for the Children and Grandchildren
Archerfield Walled Garden East Lothian. Shop instore (only) for everyone in this very well-stocked gift shop, an array of beautiful wooden toys and oh so soft cuddly toys, as well little keepsakes and stocking fillers.
Turnbulls North Berwick. Shop Instore. For all those Harry Potter enthusiasts, 10 Floating LED Candles, an absolute winner for creating the Hogwarts Dining Hall at home!
Coastal Kids North Berwick. Online + Shop Instore. Fair Trade and sustainably produced educational and role play wooden toys and clothes.
Restoration Yard Outside Edinburgh. Online + instore. Great gifts from kids’ toys, books to adult toiletries, and clothing. Worth a trip to this beautiful estate. Cafe and Restaurant open.
Yumikeys East Lothian. Online. Awesome Plastic-free and non-toxic baby teething toys and personalised gifts.
Food and Drink to Enjoy
Valvona Crolla Edinburgh. Online + Instore. Scotland’s Original Italian & Scottish Food & Wine Specialist. Est, 1934. Cheese suppliers to the Queen. An absolute favourite for gift hampers and for everyone in your life who likes fine Italian food and wine.
Spice Pots East Lothian. Online. Perfectly pre-blended spice curry kits, cookbooks and curry refills.
Spice Witch East Lothian. Online store. An award-winning range of artisanal chutneys, relishes, and mustards.
The Brand Family Larder East Fortune Farm Shop + Online. Incredible range of locally produced items from their specialty home reared Pork and Lamb to bread, chutney, and everything in-between.
The Cheese Lady Haddington. Online + Instore. A curated selection of complex farmhouse and artisan cheeses. They source only cheeses that are made from pure ingredients and with no chemical or artificial additives by those who really understand and care about the traditional cheese-making craft.
Lockett Bros North Berwick. Online + Instore and deliver. A great selection of wines and spirits that are not otherwise found in Supermarkets.
East Coast Lobster North Berwick. Online. Delivers freshly prepared seafood directly to your door.
Give an Experience and Create Memories
Coast to Coast Surf School Dunbar. Surf lessons (junior + adult), Surf Camps, SUP Tours, and Coasteering Adventure. Vouchers available.
Katy Wakefield Yoga North Berwick. Fun, uplifting yoga for all levels, barre & sculpt & yin, as well as workshops currently delivered online. Monthly passes available and a video library of classes included ensuring you always have time to be on the mat.
Kinship Yoga North Berwick. Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga – create space, re-connect, stretch, and empower yourself with Sally. Also providing Indian head massages, hand reflexology, reiki healing & meditation from her studio.
Foxlake Dunbar. Something for everyone and an awesome place to challenge yourself and have fun! Wakeboarding, Foxfall rope course, Ziptrail, Off-road segway.
Vharri McMinn Personal Training North Berwick. Commit and focus on health + fitness with Vharri McMinn guiding you all the way with personal training, classes, and injury rehab. Vouchers available.
Michelle Denham Spa North Berwick. Massages and beauty treatments all in the rustic-styled calmness of Michelle’s Spa. Voucher available.