Christmas is such an important time for small businesses across the country. It can literally be make or break time for independent, where every pound we spend truly makes a difference.
I see this first hand, both at the bricks-and-mortar level at my workplace Godiva, and through my online store here at Willow. Shopping small and shopping local means your hard-earned cash goes back into the local economy (independents are way more likely to support other independents, whether that's through packaging, business supplies or even buying lunch!) rather than gilding a millionaire's mansion or staffing a super-yacht. Plus, us little guys pay our taxes. ;)
I'm so lucky to live in Edinburgh and be surrounded by beautiful, quirky and unique independent shops. Here's a wee guide to ditching the high street chains and department stores (who wants to be fighting over the last "must-have gift" in John Lewis anyway?) and navigating Edinburgh's cobbled streets for something truly unique this Christmas - click here for the Google Maps version.
PS - check out the Holly & Co #campaignshopsmall hashtag on Instagram for a feast of independents from across the globe!
WOMENSWEAR
ALC: 61 Thistle Street, EH2 1DY
Bill Baber: 66 Grassmarket, EH1 2JR
Epitome: 35 Dundas Street, EH3 6QQ
Godiva: 9 West Port, EH1 2JA
Jane Davidson: 52 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN
Kakao by K: 45 Thistle Street, EH2 1DY
Totty Rocks: 45-7 Barclay Place, EH10 4HW
Walker Slater: 44-46 Victoria Street, EH1 2JP
MENSWEAR
The Brotique: 39 Queen Street, EH2 3NH
Dick's: 3 North West Circus Place, EH3 6ST
Kestin Hare: Customs Wharf, EH6 6PL
Walker Slater: 16-20 Victoria Street, EH1 2HG
JEWELLERY + ACCESSORIES
Covet: 20 Thistle Street, EH2 1EN
Clarksons of Edinburgh: 87 West Bow, EH1 2JP
Fabhatrix: 13 Cowgatehead, EH1 1JY
Galerie Mirages: 46a Raeburn Place, EH4 1HL
Hannah Zakari: 43 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QB
Sheila Fleet: 18 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AL
BOOKS
Armchair Books: 72-74 West Port, EH1 2LE
The Edinburgh Bookshop: 219 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4DH
Golden Hare Books: 68 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AQ
Lighthouse: 43-45 West Nicolson Street, EH8 9DB
McNaughtan's Bookshop & Gallery: 3a & 4a Haddington Place, EH7 4AE
FOOD + DRINK
Anteaques: 17 Clerk Street, EH8 9JH
The Beerhive: 24 Rodney Street, EH7 4EA
Cork & Cask: 136 Marchmont Road, EH9 1AQ
Cranachan & Crowdie: 263 Canongate, EH8 8BQ
I. J. Mellis: 30a Victoria Street, EH1 2JW
I. J. Mellis: 330 Morningside Road, EH10 4QJ
I. J. Mellis: 6 Bakers Place, EH3 6SY
MUSIC
Coda: 12 Bank Street, EH1 2LN
Elvis Shakespeare: 347 Leith Walk, EH6 8SD
Underground Solu'shn: 9 Cockburn Street, EH1 1BP
Voxbox: 21 St Stephen Street, EH3 5AN
ART + STATIONERY
Curiouser and Curiouser: 93 Broughton Street, EH1 3RZ
Curiouser and Curiouser: 106 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4ES
Paper Tiger: 53 Lothian Road, EH1 2DJ
Paper Tiger: 6A/8 Stafford Street, EH3 7AU
Red Door Gallery: 42 Victoria Street, EH1 2JW
GIFTS
Bonkers: 54 Hanover Street, EH2 2DX
Caoba: 56 Rayburn Place, EH4 1HJ
The Cat's Miaou: 36 Elm Row, EH7 4AH
Elk & Wolf: 19 East Market Street, EH8 8FS
Flux: 55 Bernard Street, EH6 6SL
Life Story: 53 London Street, EH3 6LX
Mr Wood's Fossils: 5 Cowgatehead, EH1 1JY
Present: 18 St Mary's Street, EH1 1SU