Hey! Nashy here π
This week: We built you a festive gift guide.
25+ gifts from Edinburgh independents! browse it, share it, screenshot it, send it to your group chat.
It's interactive, shareable and fun!
Plus: What's on this weekend, weather forecast, and events worth your time.
π The Festive Gift Guide Is Here
Interactive Festive Gift Guide
The big picture: We've done the hard work so you don't have to. 25+ gift ideas from Edinburgh independent businesses!
Why it matters: Every purchase goes straight back into our local economy and supports real people building something in this city.
β‘ The quick hits:
Jewellery lover? Recreation Jewels: waterproof, hypoallergenic, starts at Β£29.99
For the minimalist? Workshop After Six: hand-stitched leather card holders, Β£29.90
Sweet tooth? Blinkbonnie Biscuits: hand-iced festive biscuits, Β£10.95
Craft beer fan? Closet Brewing: Cocoa Cannonball imperial stout, Β£6.20
Gift an experience? Studio 48 Art: sip wine, paint, no skill needed, from Β£24
π₯ The ones that'll sell out:
Chulos Christmas Cookie Boxes: Β£45, absolute crowd pleaser
Lannan Bakery pastries: yes, the one with the Stockbridge queues
Woolkind fingerless mittens: made to order in colours like "Sunshine Yellow"
The bottom line: Shop local, support independent, keep Edinburgh thriving.
π HAPPENINGS THIS WEEKEND (12thβ14th December)
EMOJI KEY: π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Family Friendly | π Date Night | π Night Out | π¨ Hands-On/Creative | ποΈ Book Ahead | π Free | π§ Great for Kids
β Sober Curious Coffee Catch-Up π π
Lowβkey, alcoholβfree Sunday morning meetβup for people who are sober or soberβcurious and want to chat, connect and ease into the day together.
π Twenty Princes Street (Hotel Indigo, Edinburgh) | Sunday morning
π More Info
Organised by the amazing Kristin Lamb.
π΅ MUSIC, GIGS & NIGHT OUT
Castle Chorus Winter Concert π Community folk and roots choir with seasonal songs in a cosy church setting. π St Ninian's Hall | Saturday π Get Tickets
Bristo Community Concert Band β Christmas Music π Traditional concert with brass and wind band arrangements of festive favourites. π Craigsbank Church | Saturday evening π Get Tickets
Christmas Laldie Ceilidh π π ποΈ
Christmas Laldie Ceilidh
Proper Christmas ceilidh with HotScotch Ceilidh Band; ideal for a big, lively group night out.
π Assembly Roxy | Saturday
π Get Tickets
Dubinski at Cabaret Voltaire π ποΈ Edinburgh indie band in an intimate basement venue; good smaller gigβfeel night. π Cabaret Voltaire | Saturday π Get Tickets
Michael BublΓ© Christmas Swing Night π π ποΈ Tribute swing night of BublΓ©βstyle Christmas tunes β very officeβparty friendly. π The Murrayfield Hotel | Saturday π Get Tickets
Absolute Bowie β Christmas Show π ποΈ Full David Bowie tribute set, big singβalong energy. π Liquid Rooms | Friday π Get Tickets
PorkPie + Pretty Green Christmas Special π ποΈ Ska and mod doubleβbill; dancingβallβnight vibes. π The Queen's Hall | Friday π Get Tickets
Luvin'Leith presents TheGetDown#13 π ποΈ House and soulful club night with multiple DJs in two spaces. π Leith | Friday π Get Tickets
Reggaeton Party Edinburgh β Xmas Edition π ποΈ Big reggaeton party for Latin club vibes til late. π La Belle, Hastings Close | Friday π Get Tickets
Massaoke Christmas Live π ποΈ Live band plus giantβscreen lyrics β massive group karaoke for Christmas songs and bangers. π Usher Hall | Saturday evening π Get Tickets
The Exploited + Guests π ποΈ Legendary Edinburgh punk band; loud, sweaty and very notβChristmassy. π La Belle, 11 Hastings Close) | Saturday π Get Tickets
π¨ WORKSHOPS & HANDS-ON STUFF
Festive Chocolate Making at The Chocolatarium π¨ ποΈ Make your own Christmas chocolates; very sensory and giftable. π The Chocolatarium, Royal Mile | Saturday π Get Tickets
Dovecot Studios Christmas Craft Drop-In π¨ π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Dropβin festive craft sessions with textiles and paper; easy, cityβcentre creative stop. π Dovecot Studios | Saturday π Get Tickets
Fabric Christmas Wreath Workshop π¨ ποΈ Make a reusable fabric wreath; cosy, chatty and good for all levels. π Edinburgh venue | Saturday π Get Tickets
Rencounter Krav Maga Intro Day π¨ ποΈ
Rencounter Krav Maga Intro Day
Oneβday selfβdefence intro at North Merchiston Club; very handsβon and practical.
π North Merchiston Club | Saturday
π Get Tickets
Voice Ritual Workshop π¨ ποΈ Experimental group session exploring voice, sound and ritual; small and arty. π The Banshee Labyrinth | Saturday π Get Tickets
Family Activity Day at Palace of Holyroodhouse π¨ π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ Festive crafts and activities in the royal palace; good combo with a palace wander. π Palace of Holyroodhouse | Saturday π Get Tickets
π§ FAMILY & KIDS
Scottish Storytelling Centre β Christmas Stories π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ ποΈ Stories, songs and harp around the Christmas tree; very gentle and cosy. π Scottish Storytelling Centre | Saturday π Get Tickets
St Cecilia's Hall SnowβPeople Trail π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ π Mini museum trail finding "snowβpeople" around the music galleries. π St Cecilia's Hall | All weekend π Get Tickets
Gracemount Mansion Community Christmas Party π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ π Local party with games, food and Santa in a community setting. π Gracemount Mansion & Walled Gardens | Saturday π Get Tickets
Almond Valley Festival of Christmas π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ ποΈ Farm park with Elf Workshop, Polar Post and Santa train rides. π Almond Valley, Livingston | All weekend π Get Tickets
Santa's Grotto at Dynamic Earth π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ ποΈ Indoor grotto with Arctic and polarβwildlife storytelling. π Dynamic Earth | All weekend π Get Tickets
π MARKETS & SHOPPING
Summerhall Winter Market π¨ π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Over 35 independent makers each day; good for designβled gifts. π Summerhall | Sat & Sun π Get Tickets
3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market π¨ π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Indoor artisan market with art and gifts. π St John's Episcopal Church, West End | Sunday π Free Entry
Cards for Good Causes PopβUp π π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Charity Christmas card and gift shop supporting multiple charities. π St John's Episcopal Church, Princes Street | All weekend π Free Entry
Christmas Community Craft Fair at ELREC π π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
Supportβlocal craft sale with stalls, cakes and music.
π ELREC, Edinburgh | Saturday
π Free Entry
π³οΈβπ LGBTQ+
Jingle & Mingle: Edinburgh β¨ π π ποΈ Sapphicβfocused festive social β relaxed mixer, great start to a night out. π CC Blooms | Saturday evening π Get Tickets
Edinburgh Street Historians LGBTQ Free Walking Tour π π
Queer history tour through the Old Town covering activism, decriminalisation and local stories.
π Old Town | Selected dates incl. this weekend
π Get Tickets
Winter Wellbeing Fest π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ π§ π π³οΈβπ Community day of stalls, gentle activities and dropβin sessions centred on LGBTQ+ folk and families. π LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 4 Duncan Place, Leith | Sunday afternoon π Get Tickets
βοΈ WEEKEND WEATHER
Typically blustery and damp December weekend. Milder than last week but windier. Wrap up warm and bring waterproofs if you're heading to the Christmas markets.
Saturday 14th December π§οΈ Light rain throughout the day with a high of 12Β°C. The real story is the wind. Gusts up to 45mph from the southwest, so it'll feel colder than it looks. Around 75% chance of rain.
Sunday 15th December π₯οΈ Cloudy with spells of light rain but calmer than Saturday. Highs of 12β13Β°C, wind dying down to around 24mph with gusts up to 37mph. Rain chance drops to around 35%.
What to wear: π§₯ Waterproof jacket is non negotiable. Layers underneath, scarf to keep the wind out, and sturdy footwear, it'll be wet underfoot.
Umbrella might be useless in those gusts, so a good hood is your friend.
The bottom line: Outdoor events should mostly go ahead, but those 45mph gusts on Saturday could affect rides like the Star Flyer and Big Wheel at the Christmas Market. Worth checking their status before you head out.
That's your lot for this week.
Get out there, support some local businesses, and I'll see you around the city. π
β Nashy
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