What to do this weekend: 19-20 Dec

ALL WEEKEND

The Tartan Blanket Co. Pop-Up

Last minute shopping? A tartan scarf would make a fail safe Christmas present for your loved ones. Our favourite is the Black Watch Tartan, a classic! Visit The Tartan Blanket Co. Pop-Up in Leith - they are open every day until the 23rd. You can also browse their online shop here.

Fish Plaice Festive Bothy

Ok, we know it is not in the 'burgh, but for a foodie it is totally worth the trip to Glasgow. Their Pop-Up is in Gordon Street Lane, next door to Bier Halle and they are open until 5th January 2016 (except Christmas Day and New Years Day). Facebook event.

19TH DECEMBER, SATURDAY

Christmas Juniper Festival

It is gin o'clock! Sample and buy your favourite gins at Summerhall - have you tried Pickering's 1947 original Bombay recipe gin yet? The 10 gbp ticket price includes a gin&tonic, a voucher for 2.50 gbp towards any bottle, mince pie and music. The festival starts already on the 18th (Friday), check also their Facebook event and buy your tickets here. 

Ninja Buns Pop-Up Closing Party

Ninja Buns are moving out of Paradise Palms, but will continue with outdoor events. So don't worry, you will still be able to munch on your favourite Taiwanese streetfood in the 'burgh. Make sure you follow their Facebook page to know their whereabouts.

Owl&Lion Bindery Sale

Visit the wee Owl&Lion Artisan Bindery shop at West Port and get some bargains and freebies at their very last sale. We love their prints and notebooks. Facebook event.

24 Doors of Advent, Door 19

Behind door 19 you will find Talbot Rice Gallery. If you are into art&architecture, it is worth checking out the two galleries: the Georgian Gallery with impressive neoclassical interior designed by William Playfair, and the contemporary White Gallery which was formerly used as lecture theatre.

20TH DECEMBER, SUNDAY

24 Doors of Advent, Door 20

Behind door 20 you will find The Glasite Meeting House in Barony Street. A former place of worship, it is also the location of the New Town Community Cinema.

Milk @The Fruitmarket Gallery

Sunday afternoon tea anyone? It is time to check out The Fruitmarket Gallery's brand new café operated by MILK (see more about the Friday opening event here).

Dominion Cinema
The you-know-which-movie is finally out. Why not watch it from a comfy couch? We love old cinemas and Dominion has the most comfortable seats in town - fact. Check their website for available times.

Have a good weekend!

What to do this weekend: 12-13 Dec

Not too long before Christmas and so many cool events happening in town. I will not mention the Christmas market here, as you have probably visited several times (or at least once to sip some hot toddies).

Virgin Money Street of Lights (until 24th Dec)

This event is free, but ticketed. Reserve your free tickets here. Do not worry if you still have not got tickets and the performance you wish to attend is sold out - an extra 500 tickets are released at 9pm the evening before.

If you are into whisky, there is a special 'Whisky Enlightenment' tour at The Scotch Whisky Experience which you can attend before or after the performance (15 gbp).

12TH DECEMBER, SATURDAY

Christmas at the Pitt

Say hello to Edinburgh's brand new street food market at Pitt Street. Vendors include The Crema Caravan, Barnacles and Bones and many others. Keep up-to-date: Facebook event.

Out of the Blue Xmas Art Market + Bruncheon

Entry 1 gbp. More than 100 artists and makers will be selling their work, so surely you will be able to find some unique Christmas gifts. There will be live music and mulled wine to put you in festive mood. Facebook event.

Roy Lichtenstein: Performing Costume, 11am&2pm
Love pop art? Visit the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) to see the new dance performance of the Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh College - inspired by Lichtenstein's work. Find out more about the event here. No booking required and the event is free. If you are near Princes Street, you can catch the regular free Gallery Bus which takes you to the Modern.

13TH DECEMBER, SUNDAY

Summerhall Christmas Market

Entry 2 gbp. Expect festive carols, Gluhwein and a great range of local stallholders including The Marshmallow Lady, Jupiter Artland and several Summerhall residents. Can I tempt you with naming some of the food vendors? Harajuku Kitchen, Ninja Buns and The Crema Caravan will all be there! 

Find a detailed list of vendors here, plus the Facebook event.

Edinburgh Printmakers Christmas Market

Buy your Christmas presents from local artists - prints, cards, jewellery and textiles. Catering by the Manna House Bakery. Facebook event.

Have a nice weekend!

Christmas wishlist

The 5th of December marks 'Small Business Saturday', so we put together a Christmas wishlist with all items coming from local Scottish businesses.

For the foodie

We were already fans of Mademoiselle Macaron's treats when she was selling them exclusively at local markets and we continue being regulars at her cosy Grindley Street café.  However we have not made it yet to one of her macaron classes - hence the wishlist item. There are several classes scheduled for next year and it would make a perfect Christmas present for any foodie.

While you can book the classes online, it is worth popping in to the café to admire Mademoiselle Rachel's window decorations (and possibly to munch on some scrumptious macarons). This year's theme is 'The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe' to match the Lyceum Theatre's repertoire across the road.

Find Mademoiselle also on Like A Local - Mademoiselle Macaron.

For the fashionista

One can never have enough scarves. We have recently discovered Karen Mabon's beautifully patterned silk scarves at her Hill Street Design House sample sale. She has four limited edition Christmas patterns which you can also buy online. Our favourite one is the Nutcracker, but keen bakers might prefer the Mary Berry silk scarf.

For the tea lover

I am dreaming about a matcha bamboo whisk for Christmas (ok, maybe it's not very Scottish but still on my wishlist). Oh and a tin of Kinnettles Gold Scottish tea as well, please! Yes, you read it right, it is tea grown in Scotland. All courtesy of Pekoe Tea Edinburgh. Pekoe Tea has shops in Tollcross and in Stockbridge if you prefer buying offline.

Find them also on Like A Local - Pekoe Tea Stockbridge.

Photos: The Edinburgh Enthusiast

Note: This is not a sponsored list but a personal selection of our favourite local shops.

Hello!

It has already been over 3 years since I joined the Like A Local community and have been recommending my favourite places and hidden gems of Edinburgh to fellow travellers. I also set up The Edinburgh Enthusiast on Facebook, sharing up-to-date info on some cool events happening in town. However, having a Facebook page somehow felt incomplete without a supplementing blog.

So here I am - hope you will enjoy reading my tips. Expect mainly Edinburgh related posts on food & drink and lifestyle.

Photo: Hello Word Object, West Elm