12 top gift shops in Waltham Forest for perfect presents

Starting off with Clapton Craft, very much recommended for their craft beers and natural wines by many of you. They are Clapton in name but with a Waltham Forest base and two locations in Walthamstow and Wood Street. They have amazing local beers and really unique gift ideas for the craft beer lover in your life (and for yourself). They are on Clapton Craft E17 Twitter.

The Every Space is surely one of the Waltham Forest favourites, with residents from all over the borough visiting for their amazing plants and quirky gifts. Colourful, cute and with impeccable customer service, the Every Space is the perfect location to find a present for that green thumb-ed friend or the ever difficult-to-shop-for family member.

Grace & Albert are part of our amazing Choose Local heroes from phase one and come highly recommended by all our residents. You told us you can’t get enough of their unusual gifts and the kind, helpful service, and we can see why. They sell a wide range of home goods, including, but not limited to, plants, festive pieces, Christmas stockings, cards and cosy blankets. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift there.

This lovely zero-waste shop at Crate St James in Walthamstow not only offers plastic-free, vegan groceries for your everyday needs but has plenty of delightful knick-knacks for the eco-warrior in your life. Residents love Greener Habits for their natural soaps at affordable prices, the greeting cards with wildflower seeds that you can plant after use and, of course, the super friendly service.

Prints, handmade jewellery, soy wax candles, crockery and the cutest soft toys are just some of the lovely gifts you can find at Jo & Kesi in Leytonstone. This colourful shop supports local makers, and our residents consider it a real “gem” with a fantastic range of unique pieces and great customer service. Definitely a must-visit south of Waltham Forest. Plus, if you don’t want to brave the cold weather, you can browse their social media and buy online. Find them on Jo & Kesi Instagram.

Mothers and babies are definitely the best crowds to shop for, but sometimes it’s hard to find unique gifts for them. But worry not, because Mothers Hub in Wood Street has got your back. This baby and toddler shop that shares with us the passion for Choosing Local and supporting local businesses is well-loved by residents who recommend it for the gorgeous clothes, their vintage range and the lovely and friendly service. Find them on Mothers Hub Instagram.

Looking for the perfect gift for that foodie in your life? Look no further. Oh My Coffee Shop and Larder in Chingford has got all you need. Yummy delicacies, handmade goodies and plenty of inspiration, be it for your buds or your tastebuds. Wait no further, go grab that present then treat yourself to a slice of cake, you deserve it.

They say that "a book is a gift you can open again and again". Phlox Books in Leyton will provide you with plenty of options for all your book-loving giftees. They have a great selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books in a bright and airy Victorian shop, along with lovely cards and prints. And once you’re done shopping you can take a break with a nice cup of coffee or, why not, a locally crafted beer. 

If you’re popping in Greener Habits, don’t forget to take a look nearby at Terra Chokubaiten, another unique Crate St James shop, gathering beautiful pieces from local crafty makers, created with love and using natural materials. From jewellery and textiles to crockery and natural toiletries, you’ll be sure to find something no one else has. They don’t have a webpage, but you can find them on Terra Chokubaiten Instagram.  

Venner is another gorgeous gift and homewares shop in Francis Road, Leyton. From quirky design pieces to sustainable skincare, from eco-friendly gifts to responsibly sourced items the small but well stocked shop has it all. Plus, Venner’s friendly owners are always ready to help you find unique treasures, it’s not a chance that "venner" is Norwegian for "friends", a name that fits this well-loved shop perfectly.

We were so pleased to see our very own William Morris Gallery Shop in your recommendations, but definitely not surprised. The William Morris Gallery Shop is where you can find the perfect present for the art and design lovers in your life, timeless vintage nature-inspired patterns, cute knick-knacks and lots of unique pieces. After all, nothing says Walthamstow like a William Morris pattern.

Last in this list (but not least, have you noticed we went alphabetically with this?) is family-run wine and provision shop Yardarm in Leyton. This shop is well known for their great wines and high-quality food and, during the holidays they have amazing hampers to cater to all tastes. If a hamper is not what you’re after, check out their wine selection cases, perfect for discovering new tastes and finding your new favourites.