Looking for the perfect holiday gift? This year, ditch the chain stores and discover the magic of shopping locally (Picture: Getty Images)
From handmade fragrances to festive favourites, London’s independents have your Christmas shopping sorted
Every gift you buy comes with a story. Behind each one is a passionate maker – someone who’s spent years perfecting a recipe, honing a skill, or mastering a craft passed down through generations.
When you shop local, you bring home more than a gift; it’s something unique, and the thrill of finding unexpected new presents is part of the joy of Christmas shopping.Meeting and connecting with the makers behind your gifts makes every purchase that much more special.
Grow London Local is here to champion and celebrate these businesses, and to showcase the city’s brilliant independents. They’ve curated a Festive Gift Guide packed with unique finds, from handmade fragrances and cosy homewares to delicious teas and stylish fashion. It’s the easiest way to make your Christmas shopping feel good and do good.Ready to shop local this Christmas? Here are seven of their favourites to get you started:
Hand-Painted Taper Candles
£12 from Tired Starling Studio (tiredstarlingstudio.com)
Know a friend who loves festive entertaining? Then they’ll love these stunning hand-painted taper candles from Tired Starling Studio, a London brand founded by designer Katie Wells.
Each candle is painted a deep navy blue and adorned with a gold moon and star design, creating a mesmerising night sky effect.
Crafted using eco-friendly, water-based paint, they’re perfect for dressing a dinner table or setting the mood for a romantic evening.
And because they are handmade and individually painted, every candle is slightly different, making each one truly unique.
Bamboo Incense Burner
£30 from 3RD/DIADEM (3rd-diadem.com)
Founded in East London by Gow Tanaka in 2020, 3RD/DIADEM brings a Japanese sensibility to contemporary design.
A highlight of their line-up is the Bamboo Incense Burner, a classy interior piece that manages to look both modern and timeless at the same time.
Consisting of a honey-coloured central block beneath a dark layer covered in elegant carving, the burner is made from a blend of bamboo and recycled paper fibre composite, boosting its sustainable credentials.
Christmas is a great time to gift one. After all, few things feel as comforting as the soft glow and soothing scent of incense on a dark winter evening.
Silk Skin Collection
£95 from Skiniri (skiniri.com)
Winter skin doesn’t have to be a battle, especially if your loved one’s bathroom shelf is stocked with a few seasonal heroes.
Skiniri’s plant-based lineup brings a touch of luxury to the chilliest months, with rich textures and soothing scents that make your routine feel like a warm escape.
The Silk Collection is proving a cold-weather favourite, ideal for gifting or keeping all to yourself. From the velvety Shea Silk Mousse to the gently buffing Coco Salts and the calming Twilight Recovery Oil, each piece is crafted to help your skin feel pampered, comforted and ready to take on frosty mornings.
Sacred Radiance Body Oil 100ml
£45 from Dibia (dibia.co.uk)
London-based wellness brand Dibia draws on natural African botanicals, which have been used by generations of traditional healers to care for the skin and body.
Their Sacred Radiance Body Oil includes a blend of 10 nutrient-rich oils to soothe the senses after a long day – making it a great choice for friends or family members juggling busy schedules.
It can be used as a daily moisturiser for deeply nourished, radiant skin, added to a warm bath, or worked into hair for a soft, conditioned feel.
In fact, it’s so indulgent you’ll want to buy at least two bottles – one for your loved one, and one for yourself!
Medina Mint – Whole Leaf Silky Pyramids
£6 from Nauteas (nauteas.com)
Bring a little Marrakech magic to your morning brew with Nauteas’ Medina Mint, a fragrant, caffeine-free tisane that feels like a mini escape in every cup.
Inspired by the city’s bustling bazaars and the iconic heaps of fresh mint on display, it blends cooling peppermint with North African Nana mint for a refreshing sip that’s as vibrant as it is soothing.
Brew it strong, pour into small glasses and add sugar for a touch of Moroccan flair. Blended and packed in the UK in small batches, it’s a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves their tea time with a twist.
LAW (Love Always Wins) Sweatshirt
£55 from Ding! Ding! Duck (dingdingduck.com)
What if clothing could help create a better world? That’s the philosophy of Ding! Ding! Duck, a London microbrand that gives 100 per cent of its profits to charity.
We’re big fans of their LAW sweater, a comfy piece ethically made from organic cotton and featuring a fun, eye-catching design.
Know someone who’s always wanting to make a difference? Then they’ll love this head-turning blend of style and sustainability, with a hefty dose of kindness thrown in.
And once their sweater has served its purpose, they can send it back to be recycled into something new. No landfill, no fuss!
Baby Island Cardigan – Made to Order
£85 from Wovenbeyond (wovenbeyond.com)
One of the biggest benefits of using small, local suppliers is the option to get items custom-made to fit your requirements.
With Wovenbeyond, you know you’re doing good too, with every item made from natural, fully traceable yarns grown by farmers using regenerative practices.
Their Baby Island Cardigan is a made-to-order, kid-sized masterpiece crafted using exquisite Allo yarn, a luxurious blend of 70 per cent Himalayan nettle and 30 per cent French Merino d’Arles wool.
You can customise each jumper with your chosen colours from the Wovenbeyond palette, or mix shades for an utterly personal piece.
It’s the dream Christmas gift for the little one in your life!
Your front door for small business support
While you’re out there backing small businesses by choosing them for your Christmas shopping, it’s nice to know someone is helping them behind the scenes.
Grow London Local is the single front door to free support for small businesses in London – from online guides and webinars to one-to-one consultations with a business-support manager.
