Dundee Local Sustainable Gift Guide
Hello everyone
It’s been so cold here in Scotland, the past few mornings I have been up early scraping my car windows before I take my lovely lady pup to the park. That winter chill just reminds me that Christmas is drawing near.
This year I have been so late with my Christmas shopping, however most people I speak to are the same. So many people are saying they have barely started their Christmas shopping.
Click here to read - Who Gives a Crap Christmas Upcycling
I am normally done by now with everything wrapped and ready to go! So far I have barely started. I decided, to get me in the right frame of mind for my sustainable shopping I would do a blog post. I’m pulling together some of my favourite local businesses so you can all make sustainable choices this Christmas. I’m in Dundee so the blog post is based around businesses that are local to here.
Lots of local businesses have been hit really hard by the Covid pandemic and they are relying on Christmas sales to try and pull through a really tough year. Local shops and businesses are at the heart of the community and helped to support us through lockdown. It is so important to continue to support the amazing local and sustainable businesses we have here in Dundee!
Gifts
When I first got my keys to The Little Green Larder, Mairi (who owns Kist) was one of the first people to come over and say hello, and since then she has been my absolute rock. Her lovely shop is right across the road from us and we were both decorating and starting up at the same time.
Kist has such beautiful items for sale. They are all locally sourced and handmade by Scottish artists. From beautiful jewellery, to sustainable beauty products, to prints. They have something for everyone. When you support Kist you are also supporting many local independent businesses.
Ok, ok I know I am being bias putting my shop on the list, but I promise you will like what we have. All of the products at The Little Green Larder are sustainable. We offer dried foods and whole foods unpackaged in bulk along with a large unpackaged snack section and vegan pick and mix. Bring a jar and fill up with tasty treats for your loved ones Christmas stocking! Read our blogs on adult and children sustainable stocking fillers here.
Have a read of our other posts to find out about some of the awesome sustainable gifts we have.
Sustainable Stocking Fillers for Kids
Sustainable Stocking Fillers for Adults
We also have great upcycled jewellery from local suppliers along with a large range of Scottish eco-friendly beauty and personal care products. If you are looking for bamboo toothbrushes, metal straws or sustainable dish washing products we have that too.
Pop in and see us at 272 Perth Road and say hello. We also have some eco hampers available for you to fill up and make a personalised sustainable hamper for your loved ones.
If you are a music fan then this store is a must! These guys sell new and pre loved records that will make amazing Christmas gifts! They host in store gigs and their shop comprises of some amazing upcycled items. The also sell some pretty amazing reusable tote bags!
If like me you are a beer lover then you have to visit Frasers Beer fridge! If anyone is wondering what to get me for Christmas then some fruity sour beers are a win! If beer isn’t on your shopping list then no worries, he has lots of beautiful chocolates, treats, deli products and of course lovely fruit and veg.
Lot’s of you lovelies have fond memories of Marwick’s Vegan Kitchen, the most delicious vegan food ever. Well Planted is the lovely Lois Marwick’s sustainable and vegan business. They sell sustainable gifts, beauty products and a range of tasty treats. It is online and will also be at the Winterfest Market between the 13th and 19th December.
Gift the gift of soap this Christmas. Smeleez soap comes wrapped in either paper or plant based cellulose both of which are biodegradable and compostable. This beautiful soap is made locally by 9 year old Amelia who is such an amazing business woman. Follow her Facebook page for information on the markets she will be at. Alternatively pop into The Little Green Larder, we are proud to be stockists of her soap!
Vintage/ Pre- Loved Clothing
I LOVE pre-loved and vintage clothing. Most of my wardrobe is pre-loved or vintage! You can find amazing gifts on second hand and charity shops and be sure to check out Shelter Charity shop (right next door to us) Average Alice, Sook Souk, Nicely Eclectic, the community wardrobe and The Tilted Duck for amazing vintage and pre loved clothes in Dundee.
Food and Drink
These guys make the best wine I have ever tasted! Based in The Carse of Gowrie, Cairn O’ Mohr make their wine in the traditional way. They use locally picked seasonal fruits to create the most amazing tasting wines ever. There is honestly something for everyone! If wine isn’t your thing then they have lovely ciders and non alcoholic drinks too If you want to give the gift of an experience then a voucher for a tour of their winery is a great idea!
I literally cant stop eating (and drinking) here. The food is amazing and they have such a great selection of beer’s and wines. Our customers at The Little Green Larder are always commenting on how wonderful it is at Rad apples and the fact that it feels like home as the staff are so welcoming and friendly.
The food is all vegan which means everyone can eat and enjoy their amazing food. Swing by here for a festive catch up with friends or grab a gift voucher for a loved one.
Mary’s Kitchen is such a beautiful Tea Room on Perth Road. They do award winning afternoon teas and just have the tastiest cakes ever. Gift vouchers for their luxury afternoon tea’s make an amazing gift, as do their tasty truffles.
Roundhouse Community Kitchen and Café
The Roundhouse transforms surplus food into nutritious meals for distribution by foodbanks and food larders across Dundee. They also have a lovely café where you can get tasty meals and ‘pay it forward’ so that someone else can enjoy a lovely treat on you. They also have some great sustainable gifts.
Serendipities are an awesome vegan café in Dundee City Centre. They are a social enterprise offering yummy food, sustainable hot drinks and a safe space for adults with additional needs to gain experience.
They have a wonderful range of sustainable gifts as well as tasty cakes and baked treats that make great gifts.
Jewellers
There are too many amazing eco local jewellers so I am just going to mention a few here.
Scarlett Erskine uses your old jewellery to create stunning one of a kind pieces. She made me and amazing one of a kind ring from old broken jewellery I had that belonged to women in my family.
Bruadarach Me collects sea glass from brought ferry beach. She turns it in to amazing art pieces and different items of jewellery.
Natla is a sustainable and socially responsible jewellery brand that creates gorgeous pieces from sustainable silver.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post and it has inspired you to shop locally this Christmas. When shopping locally you put more money in your local economy and encourage a sense of community. You help to reduce your city’s carbon foot print and of course your own and you make your favourite local businesses very, very happy.
Do you know of any other sustainable local businesses? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Jillian
The Little Green Larder
The Community Toolbox in the Wellgate have a year’s membership gift card – borrowing tools and household equipment instead of buying them