Go local this festive season: a gift guide from London's small businesses

The festive season is upon us – a time for celebration, reflection and thoughtful giving. It's also an opportunity to make a difference with your purchases.

London is home to countless small enterprises bursting with creativity, passion and craftsmanship. By choosing gifts from small and independent businesses, you're not just finding something unique for your loved ones – you're also supporting the lifeblood of our communities.

Supporting small businesses means more than just buying a product – it's an investment in the dreams of artisans, entrepreneurs and local families who pour their heart into their work.

It's a way to give back while giving gifts that truly stand out. With options ranging from artisanal foods to handmade jewellery, there's something for everyone on your list.

This guide spotlights a number of these local gems that have been supported by Grow London Local.

Food and drink

London's small food and drink businesses are a haven for gourmands and culinary adventurers. From decadent chocolates to delicious oils and gourmet pantry staples, these makers serve up flavours that inspire connection and celebration.

Cake Owls

Cake Owls creates bespoke cakes and cupcakes for all occasions, combining artistic design with delicious flavours. Its handcrafted creations are perfect for celebrations, offering a sweet centrepiece that delights both the eyes and taste buds.

Eminent Wines

Eminent Wines provides a curated selection of fine wines from around the world, catering to both connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts. Ideal both for gifting and personal enjoyment!

Gourmet Luxe

Gourmet Luxe curates luxury gift hampers featuring artisan foods, executive accessories and designer items, making them a great option for corporate gifting or special occasions. Each hamper is tailored to delight and impress.

Happy Heads Food Co.

Happy Heads Food Co. offers plant-based, gluten-free and refined sugar-free treats, including energy balls and snack bars. If you're buying for health-conscious individuals seeking guilt-free indulgence this festive season, here's where you go.

Liza Green Chocolates

Liza Green Chocolates crafts artisanal chocolates using high-quality ingredients, offering a range of flavours and beautifully packaged selections. Creations that make for exquisite gifts or indulgent personal treats.

Mouse and Grape

Mouse and Grape specialises in curated cheese and wine pairings, offering hampers that combine fine wines with artisan cheeses. Its selections are perfect for gifting or enjoying a gourmet experience at home.

Victoria Sponge Wholesale

Looking for traditional baked goods? Look no further. Victoria Sponge Wholesale offers a range of nostalgic treats like classic Victoria Sponge cakes and lemon drizzle loaves. All high-quality, homestyle bakes.

Handmade chocolates (copyright: Liza Green Artisan Chocolates).  

Homewares

For those who love to make a house a home, London's independent homeware brands offer a treasure trove of thoughtful finds. Think gorgeous candles, handcrafted ceramics and unique décor that adds warmth and character to any space.

The Candle Bar

The Candle Bar provides a unique experience through its candle-making sessions, which are ideal for friends, family or coworkers. Its workshops use natural, eco-friendly materials, allowing participants to create personalised candles in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Glaze Me Pretty

Glaze Me Pretty offers handmade ceramics from a London studio, featuring colourful tableware and home décor crafted from stoneware clay. Its collection includes tealight holders, candlesticks and oil burners, each piece designed to bring joy and a pop of colour to any space.

Noriko Nagaoka Ceramics

Inspired by nature and Japanese aesthetics, Noriko Nagaoka creates unique stoneware pieces by hand. Her collection ranges from delicate sake cups to larger vases and reflects both the fluidity of glaze and the natural environment.

Purscents

Purscents crafts 100% natural, vegan and cruelty-free aromatherapy candles and reed diffusers. Its therapeutic scents are designed to refresh homes and improve wellbeing, with options like candle refills to promote sustainability.

Ribbon and Bow Store

Ribbon and Bow Store specialises in thoughtful gift boxes for all occasions, including wellness, bridal party and new baby themes. It also offers luxury candles, personalised gift options and workshops, all curated with a touch to celebrate life's special moments.

So Camden

So Camden sells unique, handmade pop-up greeting cards for all occasions. You can buy artisan gifts, fun accessories, toys and Camden originals, making it a go-to destination for thoughtful and creative presents.

The Urban Vintage Affair

The Urban Vintage Affair curates antique and vintage homeware, offering items like old bottles, decanters and unique décor pieces. The company caters to modern creatives seeking distinctive, historical items to enrich their living spaces.

Antique and vintage pieces by The Urban Vintage Affair (copyright: The Urban Vintage Affair).

Fashion and jewellery

Style meets sustainability in the offerings of London's small-scale fashion and jewellery designers. From bespoke pieces to ethical wardrobe staples, these creations let you give gifts that sparkle with personality and purpose.

Atlas Accessories

Atlas Accessories offers handcrafted jewellery that blends rugged elegance with meaningful symbolism. Each piece is meticulously made in London using ethically sourced materials like recycled metals and organic gemstones.

Its collections – including bracelets and necklaces – provide unique, thoughtful gifts that resonate with personal stories and values, making them perfect for the festive season.

Beyond Black

Beyond Black is a lifestyle brand dedicated to empowering and uplifting Black women through fashion. Its apparel line embodies the essence of Black women, showcasing heritage and culture for self-expression within a collective identity.

From statement tees to cosy hoodies, each piece is designed to inspire and celebrate individuality. Consider them as a thoughtful gift that will resonate with meaning and style.

Let's Jam

Nestled in Camden Market, Let's Jam offers handcrafted accessories that radiate personality and charm. Specialising in matching bracelets, unique jewellery and ethically sourced home decor, this brand is perfect for anyone seeking meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts.

With a commitment to ethical craftsmanship and creativity, Let's Jam delivers items that celebrate love, connection and individuality.

Lola earrings, real faceted rock quartz/healing jewellery (copyright: Let's Jam). 

Arts and crafts

For the creative soul, London's artisans bring you one-of-a-kind gifts – and nothing beats the charm of handcrafted art and bespoke stationery.

Craft Bear Studios

Craft Bear Studios specialises in handcrafted crocheted plushies and accessories. Each creation embodies owner Sarah's philosophy of finding joy in the little things, offering adorable companions for all ages.

Among the collection are a variety of cute plushies, each meticulously crafted to bring a smile to your face this festive season.

Made by May Cards

Made by May Cards creates beautifully designed, handmade greeting cards for all occasions. Each card is crafted with attention to detail, featuring unique designs that convey heartfelt messages. These cards are perfect for adding a personal touch to your gifts, making every occasion special.

Sew Yeah Social Club

Sew Yeah Social Club offers a vibrant selection of craft kits and workshops, perfect for crafters of all levels. Their offerings include embroidery, quilting and paper crafts, providing everything needed to create beautiful handmade items. These kits make thoughtful gifts, encouraging creativity and the joy of crafting.

Sarah Trieu runs Craft Bear Studios, making handcrafted crocheted plushies. (Image credit: Sarah Trieu, courtesy of Craft Bear Studios.)

Beauty and wellness

Encourage your loved ones to indulge in self-care with gifts from London's wellness entrepreneurs. Soothing skincare, sustainable hygiene products and natural Indian crystals are perfect for promoting relaxation and balance.

Blackmarket

Blackmarket introduces an innovative, eco-friendly approach to hand hygiene with its refillable liquid handwash. Its waterless refills reduce carbon emissions and eliminate single-use plastic packaging. A sustainable and convenient solution for your daily handwashing needs.

Fayglow

Fayglow specialises in handcrafted, organic skincare solutions that promote healthy, glowing skin. Its range includes products like Organic Glow Day Cream and Organic Sculpt Serum, all made with high-quality, earth-friendly ingredients.

HFS Oils

HFS Oils sells a variety of 100% natural, cold-pressed oils suitable for health, beauty and culinary uses. You can find items like Black Seed Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil and Natural Eczema Oil, all designed to support a healthier lifestyle through natural remedies.

Kerressence London

Kerressence London is dedicated to offering natural and vegan skincare products designed to enhance your natural glow. Its collection features items for hair and skincare routines, all free from chemicals and crafted with carefully selected, natural ingredients.

Naturally Argan

Specialising in organic argan facial oils, Naturally Argan blends traditional Moroccan ingredients with modern skincare practices. Among its range, you'll find classic and bespoke oils, such as Damask Rose and Lavender, each crafted to rejuvenate the skin.

SASARAworld

SASARAworld curates premium quality, natural crystals aimed at improving wellbeing and personal growth, such as the Abundance and Growth XL Crystal Set and the Black Tourmaline Orgonite Pyramid.

SheaClass

Believing strongly in ethical and sustainable ingredient sourcing, SheaClass handcrafts skincare products for people with sensitive skin. Its range includes African Moisturising Black Soap and specialised bundles for women, men and children with various skincare needs.

Eco-friendly refillable liquid handwash (copyright: Blackmarket).

Supporting London's small businesses

So, whether you're shopping for a foodie, a design lover or someone who deserves a little TLC, this guide highlights local treasures that make gifting meaningful.

Let's explore the best that London's small businesses have to offer this festive season – and support the creators who make our city so vibrant.

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