Here at The Edinburgh Reporter we hope you think that we are helpful to you throughout the year, but you may especially need some help at Christmas time!
Some of these gifts may be something we would like to get. Other gifts are just something which we rather like the look of, just in case anyone out there is listening!
We hope it will help you with your Christmas shopping – and if you have ideas to add then please add them below!
Gift Suggestion number 1
A feast of festive fun this Christmas in Scotland’s capital
From planning recipes for Christmas day and festive parties to thinking up the perfect gift idea, the buzz of Christmas planning can sometimes be a little overwhelming.
But this December, the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School (ENTCS) has a feast of festive foodie courses to help keep that buzz at a pleasant simmer. From ‘Christmas Baking’ to ‘Easy Entertaining’ and ‘Children’s Baking’, these courses are designed to inspire festive flavours, add some Christmas sparkle to a party, or simply distract the kids while Christmas shopping gets completed.
Full details of the Christmas courses, and a flavour of the 2017 programme, are available on the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School website – http://www.entcs.co.uk/calendar
Gift Suggestion number 2
The Edinburgh Sketcher has a range of gift ideas for you which includes Christmas cards sent straight to your door.
The full range is available on his Etsy shop page here.
A variety pack of six Christmas cards cost £9.50 and six illustrated Edinburgh Victorian Cycle themed postcards Pack of 6 different A6 (105x148mm) illustrated cards £5.00
For someone with a new home or yearnings for Edinburgh get them a 30cm cushion with a drawing of The Shore on it. £22.50. Ad there is a printed tea towel with the same design at £9.95.
A pen and ink drawing of Newhaven Harbour in Edinburgh showing the lighthouse and the boats might be just the thing for the sailor in your life. £19.50
For the Hibs fan we have a separate list coming up, but meantime have a look at this drawing of Easter Road. This is a print of an original ink and watercolour sketch drawn on location. Each print is mounted and signed. Available in two sizes, 100 x 150mm or 290mm x 200mm.
As we come to the end of 2016 you may be visiting the city and like to have something sent home to remind you of the spectacular fireworks on Hogmanay. Here is the answer £18.00 for a limited edition signed print in a mount of the Fireworks above Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. Black ink with watercolour.
And then looking ahead to January there is a Burns theme here on this delightful mounted print of a wee sleekit mouse along with the poem itself. £18.00
If you would like to see how Mark sketches then watch this video!
Click for The Edinburgh Sketcher website
Etsy shop
Gift Suggestion number 3
Christmas suggestion for Hibs’ fans:
Join the 11,000 season ticket holders at Easter Road for every home match with a half season ticket – on sale now!
The half season ticket covers all nine home league matches in 2017, plus a bonus tenth match against Raith Rovers on Saturday 24 December.
CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR HALF SEASON TICKET
Adult half season tickets are priced at £195, and £175 when purchased in the Famous Five Lower as part of a Family package.
Seniors are priced at £105, students and youths at £90 and children at £70, with reduced prices again for the above categories with a Family package purchase in the Famous Five Lower.
In addition, the club store has numerous Scottish Cup Final memorabilia including mugs, key rings, calendars and so much more.
Gift Suggestion number 4
If a Christmas engagement is on your list then Serap Couture on William Street will be your number one stop after Christmas!
Serap makes beautiful dresses for brides and bridal party from her Edinburgh atelier. She will dress you from top to toe in couture wonderfulness that is nothing like any of your friends or other guests are wearing. She told The Edinburgh Reporter: “The difference between an off the peg number and something which is ‘couture’ is that it is made to measure. You feel that outfit belongs to you! All of our beautiful outfits are made with quality designer fabrics which the customer chooses.”
Of course not all of her customers are getting married. You may just want a new work outfit, and this is one of Serap’s specialities. She loves tailoring, and will use her skills to make you look your absolute best in the workplace with a couture suit.
So whether you are spoiling yourself or looking to spoil someone else get in touch with Serap Tomrut at Serap Couture, 51 William Street EH3 7LW T 07582 601818
Gift Suggestion number 5
Buy someone a ticket to Musselburgh Racecourse for a spectacular day out only six miles from the city centre. The fun and excitement of the jumps season started on 2 November but there are race meetings all year with raceday packages from an entrance ticket to a full blown hospitality package. There are buses to take you to the door from the city centre and there are courtesy buses from Wallyford and Newcraighall Stations.
There is no excuse not to have a great day out at the award-winning racecourse where the doors open a couple of hours ahead of the racing and often there is a disco afterwards. Lots of good food for you and your chums in the packages available and group discounts if you book for everyone!
All the details of tickets for New Year’s Day and all other race meetings are here.
Gift Suggestion number 6
Buy tickets for the Hogmanay Ceilidh which is on at The Queen’s Hall on 31 December from 9.00pm. Stay in the warm and dry where you will find food, music and dancing to see the New Year in in style.
If this is not the thing then there are loads of other concerts coming up in December and in the New Year. Click here to get details of Madeleine Peyroux, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Barbara Dickson (and that’s just in February!)
Gift Suggestion number 7
It is never too late to quit smoking. Whatever age the smoker is, if they make the decision to stop, their health will benefit. However, the sooner a person quits; the faster the body can recover and the risk of developing serious health conditions will decrease.
The average cost of a 20-pack of cigarettes is £8.00. If a person is smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years, they will have spent nearly £30,000. Quitting smoking could mean a person is £250.00 richer per month. Think about what someone could do with that extra money – as well as improving their health.
So, why not treat your loved one to a smoking cessation session at Mind Generating Success? Hypnotherapy has been used very successfully to help smokers give up the fags. And, quite often, it can be done in just one session.
For just £90 per session, Mind Generating Success – based in Edinburgh city centre – can help someone you love dearly kick the habit. Think of how 2017 will be for them having consigned smoking to history.
Gift vouchers for smoking cessation at Mind Generating Success are available now. Email mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk to buy them as a gift. After all, you can help improve someone’s life – and what greater gift can there be than that?
Tel: 07521353787 (24 hours)
Website: www.mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk
Gift Suggestion number 8
www.craigwatson.co.uk
Christmas suggestions for Hearts fans:
Why not treat your loved one to a Hearts Christmas jumper?! The jumper was a bestseller at Tynecastle last year and is now available in both adult and children sizes. Price £35 for adult; £25 for children – available online via the Hearts website or at the Hearts shop at Tynecastle.
Gift Suggestion number 9
Treat your friend or loved one to a lovely meal in Forage and Chatter on Alva Street.
This is one of the new restaurants in Edinburgh which has just opened a few weeks ago, making a home for itself in one of the best cities in the world.
Cameron McNeil will welcome you with open arms to his new restaurant where the menu features something foraged in each course. That could be seaweed or wild mushrooms. Just ask as all of the staff know the menu inside out and will definitely be able to guide you in your choices. They will know where everything came from.
Forage & Chatter, Alva Street
The Christmas menu is offered as private dining or for larger groups who may wish to take over the whole restaurant.
Forage and Chatter 1a Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PH T 0131 225 4599
Bookings by email enquiries@forageandchatter.co.uk
Gift Suggestion number 10
You know those gifts. A novelty tie that’s never worn, the alarm clock that hops around, that third rice cooker you’ve never needed.
Those gifts you look at once, then store on a shelf until you move house again.
And sometimes when you’re shopping, you end up buying these types of gifts for someone who deserves more. Because there’s just no time to think about what everyone wants, and no time to go out and look at all the options.
But we’re going to give you an idea that’s a little different. It’s memorable, it’s educational, and there’s no chance it’ll get left on some shelf in the pantry.
It’s a gift voucher for award-winning tours around the UK and Ireland with Rabbie’s Trail Burners.
If your loved one likes whisky they can choose to go on a day tour out to distilleries. If they’re crazy about coastlines they can go on a tour around the scenic Scottish Islands. And if they’re interested in Britain’s history and beauty, we’re know we can deliver something they’ll love.
The vouchers range from £20 – £500 and are available to purchase online.
Give the gift of travel this year and find out more here:
https://www.rabbies.com/en/about-us/FAQs/gift_voucher
Gift Suggestion number 11
Get down to Stockbridge to all the independent shops you will find there to buy something quite different for your stocking fillers as well as larger gifts.
Stockbridge is an ideal area for a wide variety of shopping whether for gifts or treats for yourself. (and when you’re Christmas shopping you are always entitled to a gift for yourself!)
The shops in Stockbridge buck the High Street trend of all looking the same and selling the same goods.
Each one has something unique and you will definitely find something lovely for everyone on your list here!
Bon-Tot 28 St Stephen Street Stockbridge Edinburgh EH3 5AL
Catalog Ltd 2-4 St Stephen Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AJ. t 0131 225 2888 e : sales@cataloginteriors.com
Eden
18 North West Circus Place
Edinburgh
EH3 6SX
T 0131 225 5222
Golden Hare Books 68 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AQ
t 0131 629 1396
Lilies and Dreams 12 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AL
t 0131 629 0750 e info@liliesanddreams.com
Open Friday to Sunday 12-6pm
Visit Those Were The Days vintage fashion boutique to see their stunning hand picked collections of one-of-a-kind women’s and men’s vintage fashions, jewellery and accessories, sourced from around the world.
They are also vintage bridal wear specialists and there is a beautiful wedding dress showroom within the boutique.
Those Were The Days, Basement Boutique, 26 St. Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 5AL, 0131 225 4400, www.thosewerethedaysvintage.com
Gift Suggestion number 12
The Wee Restaurant on Frederick Street is the second delicious offering from husband and wife team Craig and Vikki Wood – they opening their first in the picturesque village of North Queensferry in Fife 10 years ago. Chef Craig’s ethos to serve simple good food and wine in a relaxed atmosphere is now delighting diners in the capital.
Craig won Catering Scotland’s prestigious ‘Chef of the Year’ Award in 2015, and his talent shines through in menus of classic French dishes given a imaginative spin and beautifully presented on the plate.
It’s obvious that Craig cares passionately about the provenance of his ingredients as top-notch Scottish ingredients are listed throughout the festive menu. Ingredients like Peelham Farm saucisson, mussels for Shetland, wood pigeon from Perthshire and cheeses from Iain Mellis.
For the whole of December, The Wee Restaurant is serving a carefully-crafted Festive menu at lunch and dinner priced at £28.50 for two courses, or £36 for three.
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Open in new tab In addition to the Festive Menu, a regularly-changing Menu du Jour is offered every lunchtime and all evening Tuesdays to Thursdays. It’s great for the lighter appetite and is incredibly good value at £16 for two courses or £20 for three.
This is the perfect city centre restaurant for a festive get-together with great food in stylish surroundings. Bookings are also being taken for Christmas Eve and Hogmanay.
The Wee Restaurant 61 Frederick Street Edinburgh t : 0131 225 7983
Gift Suggestion number 13
Take someone for lunch at The White House (yes really!)
Bob and his team will be delighted to welcome you for your Christmas lunch. (Bob? – yes Bob!)
Go for lunch at The White House on Niddrie Mains Road, and take your friends with you. As you will see the menu is wide and varied, and the prices delicious!
The White House Kitchen 70 Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4BG
t 0131 468 1934 to book
Gift Suggestion number 14
Alan Cumming has written another book about his extraordinary life. It is called You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams and it is on sale now.
A magical concoction of the mischievous, tender, whimsical, and debauched real-life adventures, told in his own words and pictures. Alan Cumming is a genuine quadruple threat—an internationally acclaimed, award-winning star of stage, television, and film, as well as a New York Times best-selling author whose real-life vivacity, wit, and charm shine through every page of his third book.
In forty-five picture essays, he recounts his real-life adventures (and often, misadventures), illustrated by his own photographs.
You can buy the book here and you can also enter our competition for a signed copy here.
Gift Suggestion number 15
For a ’thoughtful’ gift for Christmas, try a membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
It is a gift that works for established whisky fans AND whisky novices as great way to explore the whisky world further.
The society is based in Edinburgh, with Kaleidoscope bar in Queen Street which is open to everyone and a members bar at The Vaults in Leith. They also have a members bar in London and partner bars all over the world.
With 20+ different whiskies to choose from each month, the membership offers you access to single malt whisky and the ultimate luxury single cask, single malt whisky which may only produce a few 100 bottles – making each SMWS whisky bottle incredibly rare.
A gift membership costs £122 and includes a beautiful luxurious gift box containing 3 single cask, single malt whisky samples and a notebook.
https://www.smws.com/society-membership
Gift Suggestion number 16
Another book suggestion perhaps? This time on the theme of historical fiction and John Knox.
Roddy Martine wrote about the book for The Edinburgh Reporter :
“To countermand the groundswell of misinformation that has dogged Knox’s reputation since the Disruption of 1843, when the Kirk was rent asunder by the formation of the Free Kirk, Marie Gilroy Macpherson has in the first and second volumes of her brilliantly researched trilogy, turned to the women in Knox’s life: his godmother Elizabeth Hepburn, Prioress of St Mary’s Abbey in Haddington; his high minded mother-in-law, and his first wife Marjory Bowes.
“What emerges is that Knox’s admonition of the “Monstrous Regiment of Women” was, in truth, far from being a dislike of women, but a targeted response to the three matriarchal rulers of his generation – Scotland’s Queen Regent, Marie de Guise; Elizabeth I of England, and France’s Queen Catherine de Medici. Aside from this, as Marie reveals, John Knox rather liked women.
“Brought up in Musselburgh on the site of the Battle of Pinkie, and in sight of Fa-side Castle, Marie says that all of her life she has been haunted by tales and legends of the past. Although she has travelled widely, teaching languages and literature, across Europe, from Madrid to Moscow, she has never lost her passion foe the rich history and culture of her native Scotland.”
The Second Blast of the Trumpet – the second book in the Knox Trilogy. Marie Macpherson. Knox Robinson (London and New York). £20.00. ISBN976-1-906483-21-5.
This book was launched on 29 November at St Mary’s Kirk Haddington
Gift Suggestion number 17
Newington Coffee shop My Front Room have an online shop for you to buy coffee for someone as a lovely unusual gift.
The shop now sells their most popular items such 250g bags of Brazilian Oberon single origin arabica coffee bean (their ‘house’ coffee), Shibui Tea bags and loose leaf, Dollop & Scoff jams and chutneys that they use on their scones and sandwiches, as well as a new addition to their range, Pacari Organic Dark Chocolate. 
For the Christmas period (and hopefully beyond), My Front Room will be producing gift boxes/hampers of these items so that you can avail of the My Front Room experience at home!
Check the shop out on their website!
Deliveries within the Edinburgh City Centre are also FREE!
My Front Room 5 Salisbury Place EH9 1SL t 0131 667 7024
Gift Suggestion number 18
What could be more appropriate for the Mac and iPhone lover than a pre-paid card loaded up with cash which allows the recipient to buy Apps or music from the iTunes store
You can send the card by post or by email.
I love apps and yes I would use one of these cards…. hint hint!
Gift Suggestion number 19
Ready to head for the heights?
Climbing is a great way to exercise both body and mind, but you do need someone to show you the ropes.
Edinburgh Leisure’s taster and starter courses at EICA: Ratho give you the chance to try climbing for the first time, and teach you all the basics of harnesses, knots, belaying, following a climbing route, and coming down again.
Their Santa Claus Start Up Climbing Course for 2 people as part of a group session, plus a further 2 x 1hr personal coaching sessions costs £125 (£25 discount). Call EICA:Ratho to book – 0131 333 6333
Gift Suggestion number 20
What better gift for the cyclist or walker in your life than a map?
The SPOKES Edinburgh Cycle Map is an essential to help you find the roads and paths which criss cross the city and which are graded according to their suitability for cyclists. The latest map also includes proposed new routes.
Gift Suggestion number 21
Buy somebody a suspended coffee today with Social Bite.
What is a suspended coffee? You pay it forward and then a homeless person can redeem a cup of coffee. And better than that you can buy them their Christmas dinner too.
Pay in advance for a coffee or any item of food from their menu and a local homeless person can come into their shop to claim it. Text BITE00 £5 to 70070, or donate online through their JustGiving page.
Gift Suggestion number 22
Our first suggestion is to support the National Museum of Scotland (NMS) by gifting a membership to NMS to your friends or family.
The memberships start from £39 but entitle the holder to free entry on exhibitions and days out across four museums. The benefits go on as the membership also entitles you to a 10% discount in shops and 20% in the cafés! You also get the Explorer magazine delivered three times a year.
The exhibitions coming up in 2017 include Monkey Business and the much anticipated Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites.
You can buy online, by phone on 0131 247 4294 or in person at the Museum in Chambers Street or the National Museum of Rural Life, the National Museum of Flight or the National War Museum and the gift pack will be sent direct to the recipient.
Gift Suggestion number 23
Give to a charity?
Edinburgh based charity Sick Kids Friends Foundation is calling out to communities around the country to ‘Make Christmas Magical’ for children in hospital over the festive period.
A donation of £5 per month (with Gift Aid) a total of £75, could provide a screening of a Christmas film with treats in the hospital so that children and their families don’t miss out on spending time together. £30 could cover the cost of one memory box, ensuring that bereaved parents get the chance to save precious memories of their child, so poignant at Christmas. A donation of £200 or £13 per month (with Gift Aid) could provide Christmas story telling for children on the wards, transporting them to magical worlds and on magnificent adventures during the festive period.
If you would like more information on how to support the Sick Kids Friend Foundation Christmas appeal, visit the website here: https://www.edinburghsickkids.org/donate
Gift Suggestion number 24
Buy someone a pantomime ticket – for next year!
The King’s Theatre Edinburgh has announced Cinderella as the King’s pantomime for 2017/ 18.
Cinderella opens on Saturday 2 December 2017 and runs until Sunday 21 January 2018, and will once again star Edinburgh panto legends Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott.
Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very ugly sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming.
With over 90,000 theatregoers attending pantomime at The King’s Theatre Edinburgh each festive season, it’s never too early to book for next year’s show!
Cinderella goes on sale to Friends & Groups on Monday 6 February 2017, and on General Sale from Monday 13 February 2017. Tickets can be booked on 0131 529 6000 or online at www.edtheatres.com/cinderella
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
