Women with businesses in Edinburgh get together for Christmas gift catalogue with 'shop local' message

Women with their own businesses in the Capital have got together to produce a Christmas catalogue to help people shop local.
The catalogue features around two dozen local businesses run by women    Picture: Donna Green PhotographyThe catalogue features around two dozen local businesses run by women    Picture: Donna Green Photography
The catalogue features around two dozen local businesses run by women Picture: Donna Green Photography

About two dozen city firms producing items from wooden Christmas huts for children to cards and candles and baking - feature in the 56-page Magical Gift Guide.

Personal branding photographer Donna Green got the idea while doing a photoshoot with Kirsty Bell, who runs a child wellbeing journal.

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"It was Christmas photoshoot and we needed some props," said Donna.

Donna Green had the idea for the catalogue while doing a Christmas photoshoot     Picture: Laura Walter PhotographyDonna Green had the idea for the catalogue while doing a Christmas photoshoot     Picture: Laura Walter Photography
Donna Green had the idea for the catalogue while doing a Christmas photoshoot Picture: Laura Walter Photography

"We thought let's involve local craftspeople - we were keen not just to buy a bunch of stuff from Amazon or one of the big shops.

"Then we thought, small businesses have been really struggling this year. We could get everyone's details together in a catalogue to promote all the businesses.

"We really wanted to help showcase all these women who are making things - some are just women in their kitchens coming up with lovely products, others are bigger and well-established but they are very much all local."

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Donna said the catalogue was aimed at people looking for Christmas presents and offered them an alternative to going online or buying gifts from the big shops.

Kirsty Bell runs a child well being journal   Picture: Donna Green PhotographyKirsty Bell runs a child well being journal   Picture: Donna Green Photography
Kirsty Bell runs a child well being journal Picture: Donna Green Photography

"It’s to showcase what is available locally and try to persuade people there's all this great stuff going on in Edinburgh made by Edinburgh people, why don’t we buy this and support these people instead of the big companies?

“I’m not aware of this having been done locally before.”

The catalogue is being promoted on social media and through websites. “We're getting a lot of interest, a lot of shares and a lot of hits,” said Donna.

And in an introduction to the catalogue, Kirsty says: “The selection of products is phenomenal and unlike the traditional high street items. The stunning range of products are by mega-talented makers. I have bought from each small business and would wholeheartedly recommend them all.”

The catalogue has a wide range of gift ideas    Picture: Donna Green PhotographyThe catalogue has a wide range of gift ideas    Picture: Donna Green Photography
The catalogue has a wide range of gift ideas Picture: Donna Green Photography
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The businesses which feature in the catalogue cover a wide range of specialities, including graphic design, felt goods, tree decorations, personalised gifts, delicatessen, material bags, necklaces, children’s belts, balloon arrangements and sustainable sweets.

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