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Last minute Christmas gifts that give back to communities

Last minute Christmas gifts you can purchase all the way up to the big day to make a difference.

Buy Social Scotland Wrapping Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Still looking for last minute Christmas gifts? With the big day just around the corner, when it comes to shopping for presents you’re likely to be in one of three camps: you’ve bought every single gift you need and each one is wrapped up and ready to go; you’re mostly done with your gift shopping but there’s a couple presents you still need to buy, or maybe you’ve been so busy you haven’t really started buying gifts yet and you’re in a slight panic mode, trying to figure out what you can do at the last minute.

If you’re in either of the two latter categories, it’s unlikely you want to hit the shops in the current circumstances, and risk facing queues in a pandemic, but you’re probably also conscious that the shipping deadline of 18th December for most small businesses has just come and gone.

Luckily, it’s not too late to find some great presents with a purpose in our ethical gift directory that would delight your family and friends, whether they’re into culture, adventure, food, or relaxation. What’s more, buying from a social enterprise this festive season means that your purchase helps make a difference on key social and environmental issues, and that’s an easy way to do something positive in this strange year.

So, take a look at our round-up of gift vouchers and experiences from Scottish social enterprises that you can still purchase and offer all the way up to Christmas day!

Last minute Christmas gifts for Culture lovers Buy Social Scotland

Last minute Christmas gifts for creatives and culture lovers

These social enterprises offer a range of unique items and experiences for creative minds and culture lovers. Give someone the chance to learn something new with these presents:

A buy one gift one copy of this brand new quarterly magazine would make the perfect gift for lovers of arts and culture. Profits go towards supporting the LGBTQI+ community in Scotland and copies are gifted to those within the community who would otherwise not be able to afford them.

Give someone special to you a tour they’ll never forget. Invisible Cities’ tours are led by people who have experienced homelessness and share untold stories of their own city. Tours are offered in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester and York.

Ever heard a loved one say how much they would love to speak another language? Lingo Flamingo’s classes would make a brilliant gift and are offered in 8 different languages including French, Spanish and Japanese. There’s also currently the option to take classes online. Profits go towards supporting older adults and those living with dementia in care homes across Scotland.

The perfect gift for someone creative to try their hand at wheelthrowing, pottery, or handbuilding with clay. Classes are offered at Cyan Clayworks’ Edinburgh workshop and vouchers can be redeemed for any individual taster course.

Give a loved one the chance to try something new or hone their jewellery making skills with a range of workshops and taster sessions including silver jewellery making, wax carving and jewellery repairs. Classes take place at Vanilla Ink’s brand new studios in the East End of Glasgow.

Last minute Christmas gifts for Zero Waste Enthusiasts Buy Social Scotland

Last minute Christmas gifts for zero waste enthusiasts

Ideal gift choices for your eco-conscious loved ones who want to live a more sustainable lifestyle and limit their impact on the environment and climate change.

A gift card from the Eco Larder can be used in store at their Edinburgh shop for a range of zero waste products, or for yoga classes at the studio on the premises.

EcoArt offer a diverse range of eco-conscious classes from upcycling and painting furniture, to creating your own beeswax wrappers or making your own skincare essentials.

A great gift to help someone wind down after the busy festive season. The Wee Retreat offers a selection of classes both online and at their Glasgow studios including seasonal yoga, meditation and mindful parenting.

The Edinburgh Remakery offers weekly workshop sessions for all things upcycling, including bookbinding, hand embroidery, lampshare remaking, knitting and sewing among other creative activities.

For a loved one who has fallen in love with gardening during lockdown and is keen to learn more about growing their own food. These sessions are led by an educational gardener and aim to teach you everything you need to know about gardening sustainably.

Last minute Christmas gifts for Adventurers Buy Social Scotland

Last minute Christmas gifts for adventure seekers

While this year hasn’t allowed us to take part in many adventures, 2021 is a new year and with the promise of a vaccine, you can delight the outdoors lovers and thrill seekers in your life with the gift of an exciting experience.

From sailing and kayaking to stand up paddle boarding, Port Edgar Watersports has plenty on offer for those who love to be active and on the water. Vouchers can be bought and redeemed on any of their courses.

Help someone you love reach new heights with climbing sessions at Transition Extreme in Aberdeen. The social enterprise, which supports young people to make positive life transitions, also has a skatepark, cafe and a recreational area to keep everyone entertained.

Open water swimming is having a bit of a renaissance on Scottish coastlines, and the best way to start is to do a swimming session with an experienced coach who can teach you how to swim safely in an open water setting. Sessions are on offer all year round.

A great gift option for the little ones in your life, these sessions will get them out and adventuring over the school holidays. The activities offered include bushcraft, rock climbing and trail cycling and are a great opportunity to make friends and learn something new.

Introduce a loved one to an unforgettable horse riding experience with a team of enthusiastic and experienced riding instructors and their beautifully trained horses. You can purchase a voucher for as little as £10, a lesson from £25, or offer them a membership pass for £50.

Last minute Christmas gifts for Foodies Buy Social Scotland

Last minute Christmas gifts for food lovers

For your family and friends who enjoy their food, pick a delicious offering from one of these Scottish social enterprises:

These Christmas hampers are filled with handmade and specially selected goodies from the team at Edinburgh Food Social. Profits support their work to make healthy, sustainable food accessible to everyone.

This limited edition Scottish craft gin is one for the gin lover or cocktail connoisseur. A perfect present for those who enjoy whipping up delicious Christmas drinks over the holiday season.

This hamper is filled with treats from independent brands and is an original way to send someone everything they need to throw a fun night in at home over the festive season.

Treat someone to a monthly subscription of delicious homemade meals. You’ll also be helping Scran Academy to support vulnerable young people to realise their full potential.

This Glasgow cooking school offers masterclasses, online and community classes to teach the most popular dishes of Pakistani home-cooking. A great gift for the enthusiastic cook or loved ones who would enjoy learning something new together.

So, if you're still looking for last minute Christmas gifts, whoever you're looking to buy a present for, and whatever your budget is, Scottish social enterprises have got you covered! By buying social this festive season, remember you are not only giving a loved one with an original present, but also making a positive difference in our communities by helping to tackle key issues to make Scotland a better place. Find more gift ideas from social enterprises on our ethical gift directory.