Ah, the holidays. It's a time for celebration, for delicious treats and for… let's be honest – panic buying!

It's also a time of year that can make all the difference for those small, independent retailers in your local area. (You know, the ones who didn't quite make it to space this year. Maybe next year!)

While we all love a shipping window that defies the space-time continuum, there is something very special about using your holiday shopping to support small business. It's the very best thing you can do to keep them afloat at this time of year. During the holidays, little retailers face almost impossible competition from big businesses. Shopping local is also more environmentally friendly (no big carbon footprint!) and best of all, the easiest way to find personal, unique gifts for the people in your life.

At Mustard, we're lucky to be stocked in some of Europe's most special stores. We know first-hand how hard these independent businesses work to thoughtfully curate an incredible range of lovely products. So it's our pleasure to share some of our favourites for you to add to your Christmas list. We hear you've been very good this year!

rikiki. Grafik & Produkt | @rikiki.shop

If you're shopping for a stationery lover, Rikiki is your ultimate destination. Stock up on fancy pens, planners, notebooks and more (we can smell the good paper from here!) plus homewares and decor pieces to store them all in. Heaven!

SCHEE Shop | @scheeshop

Pride yourself on your gift card selection? You'll love SCHEE Shop's hilarious assortment of clever greeting cards (no boring poems or ugly pictures!) Pick out the perfect gift to accompany it, from their selection of hand-picked lifestyle, decor and kids pieces to treasure.

Frau Rabe | @fraurabe

An ode to colour, fun and living life to the fullest, founder Cori created Frau Rabe to celebrate life's little joys. Her curation of beautiful + bright bits and pieces includes everything from fashion to furniture, and it's the kind of place where you can't help but smile.

Frau Nellson | @fraunellson

Got some little people on your shopping list? Make their wishes come true at Frau Nellson, where you'll find everything you need to surprise and delight the children in your life. From toys to inspire their imagination, to big ticket pieces (hello lockers!) this beautiful collection is just as much fun to browse as it is to unwrap.

Banema Studio | @banema.studio

Lisbon's funky concept store Banema Studio is the perfect place to source gifts for the trendsetters on your list! You'll find everything from little somethings like incense sticks, all the way up to design-led furniture pieces and some of our fave brands, including Slowdown Studio and HAY. Fun fact: we met the Banema team during our trip to the 3 Days In Copenhagen design fair!

Quartier 172 | @quartier172

Back to Germany to visit this charming shop which opened just two weeks before Covid lockdowns! Thankfully, the local community rallied around their small retailers and Quartier 172 is still going strong today, stocking delightful, colourful homewares and fashion pieces to make life more comfy + cosy.

hAusen | @hausenberlin

Berlin's Hausen is an eclectic collection of Scandinavian-style design pieces. Warm and inviting, you could spend all day discovering the treasures inside! You'll find plenty of unique, eclectic gifts for homeware lovers on Hausen's shelves.

PIET Moodshop | @pietmoodshop

With their first store launching in what was once an old grocery store (original shelves intact!) creating a unique shopping experience is part of PIET's charm. Founder Christophe Verbeke describes happiness as a "free by-product" from shopping in such a lovely place, and that's reason enough for us to add this stop to the list! With beautiful gifts for the home in every corner, you'll walk out feeling inspired.

Pinnijalkapojat | @pinnijalkapojat

Finland's Pinnijalkapojat began with just one product: metal hairpin legs for furniture. While their focus has now expanded to include tabletops and, yes, lockers, they still offer a sleek, simple solution to all your furniture needs. Discover more about their story here!

Finders Keepers | @finderskeepersthestore

When founders Lisa and Luke returned home to Ireland after four years living in Australia, they missed the vibrance of Perth's eclectic independent retail scene. So, they decided to create it in their own hometown! Finders Keepers was established in an old Butcher's shop and with Lisa's little sister Beth coming on board, the family-run business now thrives with its selection of art, homewares and more. We love to see it!

Schubert Licht & Design | @schubert_licht_design

"When you like something, you feel it, you don't think it." So goes the philosophy behind this unique design store, where lighting and ambience are key. Behind the tomato-red facade, you'll find beautifully considered design pieces and experts who are only too happy to help advise you. Shop homewares, decor and furnishings, many of which have won design awards.