A Festive Guide to Unique Home Gifts

With the holiday season upon us, the quest for the perfect gift can often feel daunting. In our latest expert interview, we delve into the world of thoughtful gifting with Georgina, the vibrant owner of Pretty Shiny Shop in Finsbury Park. She shares her insights on sourcing unique home gifts that will delight your loved ones this Christmas and into 2025.

Georgina, tell us about Pretty Shiny Shop and its journey

I’m Georgina, the proud owner of Pretty Shiny Shop, a charming gift shop nestled in the heart of N4 Finsbury Park. After an extensive search across various London neighbourhoods, we chose Stroud Green Road for its vibrant array of independent shops and delightful restaurants. Since opening our doors in June 2016, we’ve cherished our role as the neighbourhood’s go-to spot for thoughtful gifts.

What makes Pretty Shiny Shop so special?

Our shop offers a carefully curated selection of jewellery, greeting cards, candles, and other delightful items that have caught our eyes over the years. Jewellery is a personal passion of mine. I’ve worked diligently to assemble a collection of affordable sterling silver and quality fashion pieces, all beautifully packaged in our branded boxes. Some lines are even crafted in-house whenever I find the time!

Our greeting cards are another highlight. We always prioritise UK-made designs, focusing on beautiful artistry, heartfelt messages, or cutting humour. It is rare that a customer leaves our shop with only one card and we are always on hand to help people choose just the right card for that special moment.

We also take pride in our body products and candles, sourced from small UK producers using top-quality ingredients. Our bags and purses are mostly vegan, and our dark chocolate truffles are a treat! Supporting small businesses allows us to offer something unique while championing local businesses.

How do you ensure there’s something for everyone in your shop?

As we are a gift shop it is our job to have a little something that would suit everyone – from new born to newly retired – and we feel we manage to achieve that most days! We want to be the place you step into knowing you will see things you didn’t know you needed, but now desperately do.

What advice do you have for finding unique home gifts?

At Pretty Shiny Shop, we believe a great gift doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s about finding something the recipient will genuinely enjoy and use. Personally, I love receiving tea towels— I can’t explain why, but it is something I use every day and it’s nice to have something in the kitchen that is a little bit different.

When selecting a gift, think about the recipient’s interests. Do they adore a particular animal? Are they passionate about cooking or have a sweet tooth? Are they history buffs or trivia enthusiasts? What would be a special treat for them? A thoughtful gift will reflect their personality and passions.

Jewellery can be tricky, but by considering their usual preferences—like silver or gold, studs or dangly earrings—it becomes simpler. If you’ve never seen them wear a certain style, it’s probably not their taste, no matter how much you might love it.

For those you don’t know well, some safe bets include a beautiful mug, a lovely scented candle, a local interest book, or even a charming suncatcher for their window. These neutral gifts are still a treat they probably would not have bought themselves – so therefore a pleasure to receive.

What are some of your favourite local spots for holiday shopping?

I enjoy creating a collection of smaller items from multiple local shops. In our area along Stroud Green Road, Butler’s Deli and Deli at 80 are perfect for gourmet treats like yummy olives or a fantastic jam. Blue Owl café offers local honey, and Common Ground is great for a brunch gift certificate. Pair these with some lovely tea and a mug for a truly thoughtful gift bundle.

How do you tackle Christmas shopping yourself?

I tend to shop for gifts all year round, setting aside items that I know a particular person will like, or that I think are interesting and special and wait for the right person to give it to. Owning a gift shop can actually make it harder to give gifts, as I often feel like I can’t just give them something from the shop!

What, in your opinion, makes the perfect gift?

To quote one of my favourite authors, John Scalzi: “Gifts are a kindness. When you give a gift, you are presenting kindness. You are showing the person that you see them, appreciate them, and want something for them that will ease their burdens and the load they carry. You want to make them happy if only for a moment. A gift is a kindness.” John Scalzi

Whether you’re seeking the perfect Christmas gift or simply a little something to brighten someone’s day, Pretty Shiny Shop is a veritable treasure trove of thoughtful and unique items. Happy shopping this holiday season and beyond!

Contact us:

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, lettings and new homes)

katrina@daviesdavies.co.uk – Head of Property & Block Management (contact for property and block management)

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

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