English Traders
In the heart of the Schillerkiez, English Traders is the perfect place to get that last-minute elusive gift you’ve been struggling to find. For quite reasonable prices, they’ve got everything from practical homeware items (funky tea towels, quirky enamel mugs and reusable beeswax wraps for food) to kids’ toys and mini gardening kits.
- English Traders, Weisestr. 58, Neukölln, details.
Manufactum & Good Buy
If you’re interested in a more eco-conscious kind of gift-giving, Manufactum and Good Buy are two spots that offer an eco-conscious alternative to throwaway culture, with the convenience of online shopping. Both of these stores specialise in good-quality durable items (with everything from homeware, to cosmetics, non-perishable food and more). Manufactum is a little on the pricier side, so expect to get some more luxury-type gifts here. Generally, Manufactum and Good Buy are like Amazon, but with a conscience.
KaDeWe
It’s obviously no hidden gem, but KaDeWe is still the fail-safe stop for, well… everything. They’re open December 23rd, perfect for some last-minute shopping, but also December 27th – 30th (in case you need to make some returns).
- Kadewe, Tauentzienstr. 21-24, Schöneberg, details.
Bohei
Bohei’s has an impressive collection of cute and quirky gifts. Ceramic homeware, fun keychains and a standout favourite – tobacco pouches with a handy section for papers and filters (for the friend who’s always losing theirs).
- Bohei, Weserstr. 43, Neukölln, details.
Pfefferhaus Berlin
If you’ve got a friend who thinks the German notion of sehr scharf is utterly laughable, you’ll find the perfect gift for them at Pfefferhaus Berlin. This little Friedrichshain store is all about hot sauce and spices. Owner Dennis Degener is full of helpful advice so you’ll be able to find the perfect item.
- Pfefferhaus Berlin, Niederbarnimstr. 11, Friedrichshain, visit their website here.
Modulor
Craft-lovers and DIY aficionados know it well. Modular is an enormous art-supply store filled with everything a hobbyist would love. Here you’ll find all the tools and materials needed for soap-making, macrame, crocheting, fabric-dying, you name it. They’ve also got an extensive range of sketch books, notebooks, writing implements and greeting cards.
- Modulor, Prinzenstr. 85, Kreuzberg, details.
O.F.T. (Ohne Frage Toll)
Marita Schwalm’s Ohne Frage Toll is home to vintage clothing like 1950s classics, 1980s post-punk and a few items dating to the 1920s. With items starting at €50, don’t come here for the basics. But if you want to treat someone special to a signature piece (a pair of low-rise bell bottoms in snake-patterned velvet for example) this is the place to do your shopping. There are many other excellent places to do your second-hand and vintage shopping in Berlin and we’ve compiled our favourites into a list.
- O.F.T. (Ohne Frage Toll), Chausseestr. 131, Mitte, details.
Dussmann
While it’s certainly no hole-in-the-wall, with 5 well-stocked floors, Dussmann is a fail safe option when shopping for a bookworm. It’s a megastore for books (covering all the bases when it comes to genre, country of origin and language – they have an entire self-contained English-language department inside the store). The staff are friendly and helpful, so you’re also likely to get some great recommendations if you find yourself a little overwhelmed.
- Dussmann, Friedrichstr. 90, Mitte, details.
She Said
If you’d prefer to support a small business, check out She Said. It’s a queer feminist bookstore set on the bustling Kotbusser Damm with a collection of over 1000 works by the world’s unsung literary heroines. She Said’s stock is hand-picked by its knowledgeable staff to educate and inspire. Make sure you try the excellent coffee and baked goods. Berlin is of course home to plenty of other top-notch English bookstores – check out our list here.
- She Said, Kottbusser Damm 79, Kreuzberg, details.
Kerzenlicht
Tucked away in Wedding’s Sprengelkiez, Kerzenlicht sells its own uniquely designed, hand-made candles. They’re the perfect winter gift to bring some much needed cosy charm to these long, dark months.
- Kerzenlicht, Fehmarner Str. 18, Wedding, details.
Pictofactum
No gift guide would be complete without a bit of bling. All of Pictofactum’s pieces (necklaces, rings, earrings and brooches) are hand-made and created exclusively from German-sourced materials. The designs are clean, bold, modern and very ‘Berlin’.
- Pictofactum, Wühlischstr. 12, Friedrichshain, details.
