Indie Gift Guide: Thoughtful Gifting Starts Small
We LOVE shopping small and local. Throughout our years running Ruskin we have found ourselves in the middle of the vibrant independent shopping scene in the UK. This Christmas it is more important than ever to shop small, shop thoughtfully and shop local. Taking a little more time to shop small this year will not only help support us indie businesses but will help you find the most unique and interesting presents for your loved ones. In our opinion there is not better time to #shopsmall.
Take a look at our fellow indies below and be sure to share them some love on socials and take a look at their online stores for your winter gifting this year. Remember, thoughtful gifting starts small!
Scandinavian Touch, Whitstable
@scandinaviantouch.uk
Tell us a little about your store.
We are interior designers from Norway with a strong local connection to the Kent seaside town of Whitstable. We have run a family interior design business in Norway for over 22 years and we now bring our design skills and creativity to the town. Our showroom sells unique products, furniture and homewares from Scandinavia and also showcases our interior design work. We are here to work with you to bring your home that Scandinavian Touch!
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Bjørn Wiinblad Collection
Shop now
Mr. Wattson Lamp
Shop now
Potters, Ramgate
@pottersramsgate
Tell us a little about your store.
Potters is an independent homewares and plant shop in central Ramsgate run by Ali and Wednesday. Specialising in ceramics made mostly in Holland and Scandinavia but also made in Thanet by some of the very talented local artists. We also sell lots of house plants to go in our wide range of plant pots and lots of beautiful textiles - cushions, throws and rugs.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Cushion with Tassels
Shop now
HK Living Mug - Stream
Shop now
Ruskin, Whitstable
@ruskin_clothing
Tell us a little about your store.
We work with small and emerging clothing brands, as well as more established ones, to bring you the best selection of contemporary menswear and womenswear in the country. Mother and daughter team, Shelly and Isobel have honed their eagle-eyed buying superpowers over many seasons in order to fill our shelves with the best and brightest from our suppliers seasonal offering.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Loreak Uve Women's Alpaca-wool Jumper
Shop now
Wax Whiting Beatnik Men's Cotton Overshirt
Shop now
Assembly, Frome
@assemblyshop
Tell us a little about your store.
Assembly is a small, independent menswear retailer in Frome, Somerset run by Anthony Hick. Anthony offers a handpicked selection of clothing and accessories that champion British design, heritage, and manufacturing alongside a few classic pieces from the near continent.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
HICK Tarn Donegal Wool Walking Socks
Shop now
Old Faithful Original Beard Oil
Shop now
The Pantry Underwear, London
@thepantryunderwear
Tell us a little about your store.
We're on a mission to abolish the dread of underwear shopping, through award winning spaces, approachable service and a glorious product edit.
Our collection includes a wide range of shapes and sizes by household names alongside independent female-founded brands, often stocked exclusively.
Turning these times of 'no contact' on their head, and offering friendly support from a safe distance - we now offer virtual bra fittings, where women can receive our advice from the comfort of their own home!
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Sparkly socks
Knitted in Derby by a indie female-led brand.
Shop now
Women's robe
A percentage of every sale is donated to fight illegal rhino poaching in South Africa.
Shop now
Triangle, London
@triangle_store_hackney
Tell us a little about your store.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Raduga Grez Forest Toy Set
Shop now
Oedo Koh Pine Incense Sticks
Shop now
Kate Sheridan, London
@katesheridanbags
Tell us a little about your store.
Kate Sheridan is a British Designer of bags, leather goods and womenswear. Their Clapton-based shop features a curated selection of goods from likeminded small independent brands.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Chocolate Mini Pop Bag
Shop now
AirPod Holder
Shop now
Lifestory, Edinburgh
@lifestoryedin
Tell us a little about your store.
Independently-owned and constantly evolving, Edinburgh-based Lifestory is a destination for lovers of Scandinavian design and lifestyle. Showcasing considered products that share the traits of beauty and function, brands and designer-makers include Viv Lee Ceramics, Ferm Living and Frama Copenhagen.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Double-knot Scented Soy Candle
Shop now
Free Cushion, Natural
Shop now
Frank, Whitstable
@frankwhitstable
Tell us a little about your store.
Our collection reflects our passion for the handmade and the artisanal with a focus on individual creatives—contemporary crafters, artists and printmakers—working sustainably and using ethical means of production. We are particularly passionate about the creative scene on the north Kent coast.
Image credit: Andrew Hayes- Watkins
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Hoop Earrings
Shop now
Ornamental Trees
Shop now
Buttercup, Whitstable
@buttercupwhitstable
Tell us a little about your store.
We stock a delightful range of beautiful traditional wooden toys, gifts and books, for babies and children, with an emphasis on quality, good design, play value and sustainability.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Christmas Mouse Toy Selections
Shop now
Colourful Marching Drum
Shop now
No. 3, Lenham
@no.3__shop
Tell us a little about your store.
From pottery to linens, jewellery to elevated designer women’s clothing and bags, sheepskins to beauty products, plus tons more - No. 3 contains the unique patina and softness of the old alongside the clean, crisp joy of the new. Many of the contemporary makers represented at No. 3 are local, with an emphasis on a fresh creative point of view married to a refined sensibility.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Black Crane Tent Dress
Shop now
Sheepskin Pouffe
Shop now
The Whiting Post, Whitstable
@thewhitingpost
Tell us a little about your store.
What are your top picks for Christmas?
Roka Bag
Shop now
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