Guide: Shopping Holiday Gifts in Berlin

As every year, Christmas time and holiday gifting is rushing towards us, and although supermarkets have been terrorizing us with holiday sweets since the end of August, there's always just too few days left to get our gift-shopping done. I stick to what we love and support, independent Berlin shops, to solve your present-problem. I am so very sure, everyone of you will find the perfect gift in one of these lovely stores:

Something to wear:

Leather harness at DSTM, Berlin

Make your girlfriend happy with a special French wardrobe piece bought at boutique Schwarzhogerzeil. Can't find something? Check the rest of the shopping boulevard with our Mulackstraße guide. Mankii offers a huge selection of very fashionable vintage garments for the smaller budgets – located in a sidestreet of the infamous hipster-center Torstraße, that you can explore after using this guide. If your budget is a bit bigger and you're looking for something more special –Rianna in Berlin has an amazing stock of delicate vintage jewelry and designer pieces. The Voo Store in Kreuzberg features an ultra-contemporary collection of international labels like Carven, Kenzo, Acne as well as local labels and numerous lovely small gifts. If your present can be a bit more daring, even seductive, visit the DSTM boutique, the very pretty store of the Berlin-based label of Jen Gilpin. Or shop other Berlin-based designers using our guide.

Something to swagger:

This is a safe bet when it comes to gifts everybody likes – Parkhaus features not only furniture and smaller interior objects, but also cosmetics, books, children's plays, and much more. The selection at SIMON&ME is certainly very small, yet all their products, made in Germany, are perfect Christmas presents. Vintage Galore in Neukölln has a beautiful selection of vintage furniture and smaller objects like lampshades and tea sets. Every product in this store must meet the condition of being süper, and so it's easy to find your perfect Christmas gift at Süper Store. The photography book store 25 Books will definitely have a present for those with huge coffee tables and an exquisite taste in contemporary photography.

SOMETHING TO READ:

Take care you're not ending up shopping books all for yourself in this excellent English book store called Saint George's. If you can't manage to find something at Saint George's, try Shakespeare & Sons, basically around the corner. If you're looking for a beautifully designed, more arty book, check Motto in Kreuzberg. Your source for books about contemporary culture, urban politics and art is Pro qm in Mitte.

SOMETHING TO DEVOUR:

Very spicy food is not only delicious but also very health-supportive, especially in these freezing times – Pfefferhaus is dedicated entirely to the world of chilies and you'll certainly find your hot gift here. Also hot and also healthy is Kimchi – get your portion of napa or red cabbage Kimchi at Fraeulein Kimchi's Street Food Thursday's stall at Markthalle IX. Yes, I do consider this a beautiful present. And I also think it would be a great idea to gift a whole loaf of Sironi's delicious white sourdough bread. Paper & Tea, the beautiful tea store out West has a great selection of holiday gifts assembled around their excellent teas.