This year, let Donostia be your Christmas gift: some stunning ideas from local retailers
- Donosti Feeling
- 2024 Nov 13
Christmas is much more than Christmas lights and carols; it's the perfect time of year to make meaningful gifts. And what better way to do this than supporting Donostia's local retailers? The city has a unique and varied offer combining tradition, design and authenticity.
Don't know what to give your dad? Don't think much of your ideas for your sister's present? Want to surprise mum with a very special present this year?
Here you'll find a few suggestions - they're bound to inspire you!
Craft and design, little gifts with their own soul
Donostia is a genuine treasure trove for craft and design enthusiasts. From hand-made decorative objects to unique works of art, you'll find gifts that capture the city's essence and culture. This type of present is ideal for those who appreciate authenticity and the exclusive. Take a walk down our streets to find items that tell stories, the perfect opportunity to take a piece of Donostia home with you:
Traditional Basque craft
Alboka, which has been a feature of the emblematic Plaza de la Constitución since 1939, was a pioneer in the sale of Basque craft in Donostia. It works with local craftspeople to sell genuine products such as makila canes, eguzkilore sunflowers to ward off evil spirits, argizaiola candle-boards, and puppets. Going into this little shop is like visiting a Basque museum, with a host of items portraying the local culture and traditions.
Illustrations of the city
Koloreka in the Old Town is a shop where they take everyday scenes of the city and turn them into crafted illustrations, pleasant and accessible. From photographs to serigraphs, they show a contemporary perspective of Donostia, making them the perfect souvenir to take back home.
Donostia-style souvenirs
For those wishing to take a little piece of Donostia away with them, Michael's is the perfect option. Each item sold by this family business, now in its third generation, has been designed to convey the city's essence, as a unique, special souvenir. And Maria Kala's, right in the city centre, in calle Easo, next to Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra, is the last word in elegance and exclusivity. It offers a wide range of items, from floral art and signature silver jewellery to ladies' fashion and household decoration. All painstakingly selected to reflect the city's sophisticated style.
Local elegance
Making a gift of Donostia fashion means sharing a little piece of our essence and glamour. This is a city that has successfully maintained the essence of traditional retail, with a wide range of establishments offering traditional products with traditional quality.
Donostia, with its coastal elegance and its traditional but mould-breaking style, has inspired local designers to create some unique jewellery, essences and garments in a blend of quality, comfort and a touch of sophistication.
Donostia-style retail
Fashion also has its own special space in the city. The local boutiques offer an exquisite selection of top-quality designer clothes and accessories. Here you can find clothes and handbags and handmade leather accessories. The perfect gift for those who appreciate fine attire, with a unique local touch.
Jewellery and costume jewellery
If you're looking for a gift that shines with its own light, the local jewellery outlets have products that are a combination of tradition and modernity. Unique designs crafted in Donostia's workshops, the perfect gift for that special person. Rings and earrings, signature necklaces - each item is a work of art reflecting the spirit of the city.
Donostia's aromas
And you can give the final touch to your style with the exclusive "SSirimiri" fragrance, with aromas conjuring up the sea breeze and the Basque Country's scenery. A unique perfume that captures the essence of Donostia, perfect for those wishing to take a special souvenir of the city away with them.
Do you know what kind of rain "sirimiri" refers to? Find out in our special guide to the Basque language, Euskera.
Moments for enjoyment and relaxation
During this hectic season, making wellness a gift is an option which is always appreciated. Donostia has countless ways of spoiling your loved one: from spa treatment and massages to natural cosmetics.
Give them a surprise with the gift of enjoyment and relaxation!
Change of look
Make mum or grandma hair-happy at Alaitz Cascante Estilistas, with a gift voucher for all kinds of customised capillary treatments.
Massages and spa
A massage is always an excellent gift option. If you'ree looking for unique experiences, here are two suggestions for you which take luxury and personal grooming to the next level:
For those looking for the full treatment, Massay Health Inspiration offers its exclusive "Massay Excellence", an experience combining a fortifying body massage and a rejuvenating facial, ideal for revitalising body and mind in a single ritual.
Or the Sound Harmony Ritual with Oriental Balls by Yo Salud Estética takes you on an incomparable sensory voyage. The massage combines traditional techniques with harmonious sounds, for total disconnection and internal renewal.
Our options simply have to include spa treatment at La Perla de Donostia! - an exceptional gift combining luxury, health and wellness in an incomparable location opposite La Concha Bay. Their thalassotherapy sessions, based on the benefits of sea water, help relieve stress, improve circulation, and rejuvenate the skin. With personalised options and an ambiance of total relaxation, this is the perfect gift to disconnect and enjoy a unique revitalising experience, ideal for any special occasion.
Culture, knowledge and handicraft
For those with a keen interest in manual creations, reading and technology, Donostia has a unique combination of specialist bookshops, stationery stores and technology spaces.
Handicraft and materials for artists
Papelería Tamayo is one of Donostia's historical icons, a stationery shop dating back to the year 1914. Located in calle Legazpi, 4, the shop is well known for its commitment to culture and the local community. It organises painting and writing workshops and competitions, and has won acknowledgement for its creative shopfronts showing cultural events in the city such as the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Musical Fortnight.
This shop is the perfect place to pick up a unique, special gift. Going into Tamayo means going out with something that inspires creativity. It is heaven on earth for artists and handicraft enthusiasts.
Books, films and educational games
Donostia's Hontza and Elkar bookshops are cultural icons with distinguished backgrounds.
The Hontza bookshop, which opened in 1982, is located in the city centre in calle Okendo, opposite the Victoria Eugenia Theatre. This shop has two floors with a wide variety of books - architecture, art, design, gastronomy, Euskera, travel, narrative and films. The shop staff are up close and personal, striving to help readers find items in keeping with their interests. The Elkar bookshop concentrates on showcasing Euskera and Basque culture. It has books, music, films and educational games, and has a number of branches around the city.
Both of them play a vital role in Donostia's cultural life, giving both locals and visitors access to a wide variety of literary and cultural works.
Sports and adventure, energy in every gift
If you have a friend or family member with a penchant for sport, San Sebastián is a paradise for this too. Shops specialising in cycling and running, unique items for adventure sports ... here you can find gifts that will help people keep themselves active. And you can opt for sporting activities or open-air guided circuits.
Handcrafted sustainable surfskates
Abian Skateboards is a Basque brand producing handcrafted sustainable surfskates in the nearby coastal village of Getaria. Its BELHARRA 32" PRO is a high-performance model designed to replicate the sensation of surfing on road surfaces. It has its own axle system for smooth, precise turns, ideal for practice on dry land. And each board is unique, made from top quality materials to a careful design.
Vintage urban bicycles
Miner is a historical San Sebastián shop, open since 1926, which combines tradition and modernity. It offers a wide range of urban bicycles and accessories. A classic gift is its vintage urban bicycle, classic style hand in hand with modern functionality, the perfect combination for an elegant spin around the city. And Miner also offers sportswear and trainers in addition to its bicycle range.
Official Real Sociedad kit
Real Sociedad's official shop has a range of products for the club's fans. One emblematic gift is the Home Shirt 24/25, the team's official kit for the current season. The shirt allows fans to wear the club's colours and crest with pride. Available in a range of sizes, with a customisation option, this is the ideal gift for any fan of the white-and-blues.
Experiences - living Donostia
Making a gift of experiences is an authentic way of sharing the region's rich abundance of culture and gastronomy. What do you think of these suggestions? Do you think they might meet with the approval of those wishing to immerse themselves in the essence of Donostia?
Gastronomy workshops
Donostia's gastronomy has won international renown. We believe the gift of a culinary workshop to learn and sample typical fare with the guidance of local experts is a great idea. For example, Mimo Bite The Experience and the Basque Culinary Center offer a range of cookery courses and gastronomy tours of the city. Ready to get that apron on?
Experience in a Cider House
Cider houses are part and parcel of Basque culture. A visit to a traditional cider house includes sampling cider directly from the kupelas or barrels (from January to April), along with the typical food, usually cod omelette, chuletón beef chop, and cheese with quince and nuts. This is an experience combining gastronomy and tradition in a festive atmosphere. The best possible plan for the whole family, or for a good time among friends!
"Pintxo" snack routes
"Pintxos" are miniature culinary delicacies available at all bars around the city. Organising a guided pintxo tour is an encounter with local tastes and the story behind each creation. You can hire your own guide, or perhaps you would prefer one of these tours.
Basque "Pelota" Match
Basque pelota is a traditional sport highlighting the region's culture and passions. Going to a match at a local "frontón" court, such as Frontón Galarreta in Hernani, is a genuine emotional experience. The court is well known for its version of Basque pelota using "remonte" wicker baskets.
Not only are these experiences unforgettable occasions, but they also offer you in-depth connection to our culture and our traditions.
Buying from local retailers not only guarantees quality produce, but also assists the city's economic development. Supporting small shops and crafts means supporting the talent and creativity that make Donostia such a special place.
This Christmas, make your gift more than just an object; make your gifts stories, emotions and a little piece of the essence of Donostia.
Get out there and find the city's commercial nooks and crannies, and surprise people with gifts that really mean something!
