Strap in friends, this one’s a humdinger.
The lights are up on Grafton Street which means whether we’re ready for it or not, Christmas is officially just around the corner. The challenges small businesses faced over the last two Christmases resulted in a huge push to support local and this year, there’s no reason that can’t continue.
For your perusing pleasure, we’ve rounded up a mega list of gift ideas and small Irish businesses to shop with this festive season across a number of categories, including jewellery, clothes, foodie bits, books, booze and plenty more. If you’re looking to get a few presents sorted before the chaos of December hits, you’ve come to the right place.
Prints, totes, mugs and more from Irish designers
The Dirt Bird
You may have seen The Dirt Bird’s colourful Gas B*tch beanies on heads all around the country in recent years, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. Every year Sarah knocks it out of the park with prints, tea towels and commemorative plates inspired by iconic cultural moments, with a great range of sweatshirts and hats to keep your giftee cosy too. Have a browse HERE.
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Howrad Studios
Howrad’s bright and bubbly style is easily distinguishable when it comes to their prints, coasters and mugs. They take their inspiration from beloved films, tv shows and artists like Mean Girls, Euphoria and Harry Styles, with great quality gifts across all price ranges. Have a browse HERE.
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Aoife Dooley
You may have seen Aoife’s playful illustrations on ad campaigns all over the country, or on the cover of her bestselling children’s book, Frankie’s World. She also has an array of prints, mugs phone covers and more, which you can peruse HERE.
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Fatti Burke
You may recognise Fatti’s work from her iconic Snug pop up at Hen’s Teeth back in 2021, and she’s now launched a range of t shirts, tote bags and prints in collaboration with Guinness for the pint-of-plain lover in your life. Check out her work HERE.
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Ross Carvill
Ross is the artist behind the dog portrait event that took place in Dublin 8 last year, with a playful style and an ‘anything is possible’ attitude. He has an array of prints available to purchase but is also open to commissions – you can chat to him about your ideas HERE.
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Annie Mar
Cork-based artist Annie’s style is that of colourful collages, expressive pencil drawings and mythical creatures. She has a shop full of beautiful prints and is also open to commissions – you can get in touch with her HERE.
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Books and diaries
Of course, we can’t guess what novels and biographies your loved ones might have on their various wish lists, so without getting too specific here’s a small selection of Irish diaries and books on history, gardening, sustainability and more that would all make beautiful presents.
Oh My God, What a Complete Diary
For lovers of the OMGWACA franchise and organised Aislings in general. With extracts from Aisling’s own teenage diary and plenty of extra pages for notes and ideas, this journal is perfect for anyone who’s a fan of the book series or just a fan of good ole fashioned planning. Available from all good Irish bookshops.
The GIY diaries
One for your green-fingered loved ones, the GIY diaries by Michael Kelly is a down-to-earth guide to creating a beautiful vegetable patch at home, offering advice for complete beginners and more experienced growers, regardless of the amount of space you have. Available in all good bookshops.
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Gaffs by Rory Hearne
A great stocking filler for hobby economists, in which Hearne examines the Irish housing crisis and, more importantly, suggests how we might break the cycle. Available from all good bookshops.
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Gaff Goddess and Décor Galore by Laura de Barra
We’ve seen some Twitter threads by Laura offering advice about everything from ‘best use of washing machines’ to ‘what to do while the kettle boils’ going viral over the last year or so – if you’ve got a loved one who’s looking to learn more about DIY, interiors or homemaking in general, either of her books would make a great pressie.
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An Irish Folklore Treasury by John Creedon
A beautiful book for lovers of Irish history, this treasury is a collection of old stories, ways and wisdom, which could have been lost for ever, collected by schoolchildren as part of a nationwide project set up in the 1930s to preserve Irish folklore. There’s ghost stories, agriculture, forgotten trades, schooling and pastimes, all offering an entirely unique glimpse into the way we lived long ago. Available from all good bookshops.
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A bottle of something
A fail-safe present option for teachers, extended family and Kris Kindle, with no shortage of great Irish offerings to choose from.
Ha’Penny Spirits
The Ha’Penny pink gin is easily one of the tastiest on the market, and the bottles would look immaculate on any drinks trolley too. Shop HERE.
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Roe & Co
A historic distillery located in Dublin’s Liberties, which was the largest exporter of Irish whiskey in the 19th century. In the last few years, Roe & Co has enjoyed a rebrand and now offer a host of beautiful whiskeys as well as accessories like glassware, cocktail shakers, clothing and more – all of which would make beautiful gifts. Browse their wares HERE.
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Istil
For the vodka lover in your life. Istil is an Irish, female-owned business producing high-quality spirits in Meath with grain spirit in a 500 litre copper pot still. What’s more, 5c from each bottle sold in Ireland will go towards Hometree for planting native Irish trees. Browse Istil products HERE.
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Drumshanbo
This distillery was awarded International Spirit Brand of the Year at the 2022 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, and was personally congratulated by fellow finalist Dwayne The Rock Johnson (Drumshanbo beat out the wrestler/actor’s tequila brand, Teremana). See what all the fuss is about by picking up a bottle from their WEBSITE.
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Coole Swan
If your giftee is always reaching for a cream-based liqueur over the festive season, Coole Swan would be a beautiful Irish business to try out when picking up their present this year. This Cavan-based business took 231 attempts to create the perfect balance of whiskey, chocolate and cream – intrigued to sample the result? Browse their website HERE.
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Beara Distillery
A family-run distillery set against the dramatic backdrop of the Beara Peninsula, producing award-winning spirits infused with sea water, sugar kelp, fuchsia and other local ingredients. Browse their selection HERE.
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Tipperary Distillery
Bottled, matured and distilled in the heart of the Tipperary countryside, any of Tipperary Distillery’s spirits would make a beautiful Christmas gift.
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Jewellery
Betty and Biddy
A great online shop with every day necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets at affordable prices – ideal for Kris Kindle or smaller presents. Shop HERE.
Lynott Jewellery
You’ve probably seen pieces from Lynott all over Instagram and wondered where they’re from – chunky rings, initial necklaces and Louis Vuitton jupes, with prices between €10 and €30. Shop HERE.
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Don’t Kill My Vibe
Hoops of all sizes and necklaces perfect for layering, made with recycled brass and plated in 14ct gold & sterling silver. Shop HERE.
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Rudies and Co
Dainty chains, earrings and more hand-stamped in Stoneybatter with quintessentially Irish phrases including but not limited to “calm your tits”, “geebag” and even “your da sells avon”. Shop HERE.
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Scribble and Stone
A Dublin based jewellers who use premium, EU regulated 14kt Goldfill and recycled materials to create stacking rings, layering necklaces and more. Shop HERE.
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Oscar Graves
An independent jewellery company with prices starting at around €80 for delicate necklaces, statement rings and elegant bracelets. Shop HERE.
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Inné Jewellery
A unique shopping experience, Inné sources pre-loved gold pieces and auctions them off on their Instagram page, and also can help source specific pieces upon request. Shop HERE.
NJO Designs
NJO owner Natasha Obernik has a long family history of jewellery – her grandparents, uncle and father were all jewellers in Dublin, and now Natasha uses the skills she’s acquired to create beautiful sterling silver, white gold and yellow gold pieces. Shop HERE.
Seodín Jewellery
Bubble hoops, delicate stacking rings and the accessory of the moment, the T Bar necklace all on offer from this Ennis based business, whose name means “Little Jewel”. Shop HERE.
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Sam Ham Design
You might have seen these chunky, pearl-and-gold combo jewels on the likes of Joanne McNally and Joe Lycett. Sam Ham is an independent Irish designer who creates playful-gender neutral pieces inspired by everything from pig snouts to human anatomy. Shop HERE.
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Janice Byrne Goldsmith
Bespoke pieces to mark special occasions, created using natural gem stones and always hand made completely from scratch. Janice Byrne’s pieces are inspired by everything from Greek mythology to Irish sporting equipment – have a look for yourself HERE.
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Chupi
No Irish jewellery list is complete without including Chupi, the now-iconic brand with pieces inspired by nature which have been used to mark special occasions and milestone moments all over the world. If you’re looking for a truly special gift, you really can’t go wrong. Shop HERE.
Make up
Sculpted by Aimee
A go-to brand for anyone looking to achieve the highly sought after ✨dewy look✨, with an extensive array of foundation shades and handy presents to suit all skin tones like glowy primers, setting sprays and luxurious all-purpose balms. Shop HERE.
KASH Beauty
Created by one of Ireland’s most-followed beauty influencers, Keilidh Cashell, KASH offers a wide range of high quality cosmetics including highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes, easy-to-use contouring kits and faux mink eyelashes. Shop HERE.
True Beauty
Founded by Irish makeup artist Aideen Kate, True Beauty has a bit of an Ariana Grande feel about it and offers bundle lip kits and versatile palettes that are perfect for gifting. Shop HERE.
SOSU
You couldn’t do an Irish makeup roundup without including the woman who started it all, back when blogging was an alien concept and we were all still lashing on the panstick like it was going out of Style. SoSu owner Suzanne Jackson has now created an empire encompassing everything from tanning to faux nails, eyeshadow palettes to beauty blenders with no compromise on quality. Shop HERE.
AYU Cosmetics
Set up by Irish makeup artist Suzy O’Neill, Ayu Cosmetics are easy to use, affordable and beautiful quality. Products such as her cream blush and body illuminator sets make perfect presents. Shop HERE.
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BYSK
Every shape of makeup brush you could imagine, creamy lipsticks and handy palettes from this store created by renowned makeup artist Sarah Keary. Shop HERE.
UP Cosmetics
A luxury but affordable brand created by Una Tynan and Pippa O’Connor Ormond, with more shimmers and glosses than you can shake a stick at. Shop HERE.
Biabelle
Founded by Irish sisters Aoibhinn and Bláthnaid and their mom Susan Murphy, Biabelle is well known for their fake tan and also have a great range of lashes, beauty tools and palettes at very reasonable prices. Shop HERE.
Ella & Jo
If your giftee is obsessed with all things skincare, treat them with a hydrating cream or luxury serum from Ella & Jo, with a ‘skin test’ available on their website so you can pick the perfect product. Shop HERE.
Pestle & Mortar
Another great Irish skincare brand, Pestle & Mortar have sustainability at their core and are a great option for the environmentally-conscious giftee. Founder Sonia Deasy spent years looking at people’s skin in her previous job (as a portrait photographer), noticing that every problem makeup was used to cover was highlighted. This inspired her to create a line of simple, highly effective skincare products. An excellent skincare origin story, if you ask me. Shop HERE.
Fashion
Lil Bits
Possibly an overhang from the various lockdowns, I think we’ve all grown partial to a colourful, comfy fleece for walks, coffee runs or a good ole fashioned spot of chillin’. Small biz Lil Bits creates customisable fleeces with a great variety of prints and designs, so you can create a truly one-of-a-kind gift. Have a browse HERE.
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Sew it Seams
More fleeces (this is Ireland after all) from Galway business Sew It Seams. Think nostalgic prints, cute button fastenings and bucket hats to match. Have a browse HERE.
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Begley and Bowie
Colourful hoodies, crew necks and tees from this Kerry-based business – have a browse through their website HERE.
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Seeking Judy
Easy-to-wear pieces inspired by sun, dancing, picnics, friends and house plants, all printed on organic cotton in Dublin. Have a rummage through the website HERE.
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Hope Macaulay
Amazing statement knitwear handmade by a small team in Northern Ireland – the kind of pieces your giftee would wear forever. Browse their beautiful collections HERE.
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Aoife McNamara
Clothes inspired by nature, designed sustainably to protect it. Dreamy puff-sleeve dresses, colourful suits and corsets – have a look at gorgeous gúnas and more HERE.
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Execute Exist
Playful beanies, joggers and tees all made using organic cotton, inspired by Irish culture both modern and traditional. Check out their bits HERE.
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Pearl Reddington
Contemporary, bespoke jumpers, cardis and sweater vests, hand-knit in Kilcar, Donegal. Timeless navy, grey, dusty pink or cream pieces with a splash of neon for good measure, anything from Pearl would be a joy to open on Christmas morn. Browse their website HERE.
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Bound Apparel
Shopping Irish is still possible when pressie-hunting for the gym bunny in your life. Bound Apparel have a great range of leggings, sports bras, shorts and more – have a look at what’s on offer HERE.
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Candles
Whether it’s a gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself, you just can’t go wrong with a good candle.
D8 Design Co
Everyone wants one of these bad boys. With a range of scents inspired by quintessentially Irish places and experiences, D8 Design have a candle to suit all tastes, and there’s even the option to personalise the label if you like. Browse scents and get excited for delivery HERE.
KTC Ireland
The kind of candles that are too pretty to light, poured with love by the seaside in Sligo. You’ll find Katie popping up at markets all over the country in the lead up to Christmas, keep an eye on where she’s headed to next HERE.
Soilse
Wild Atlantic Wicks
Enjoy the crackle of a wooden wick and comforting Irish scents from this small Galway biz.
Somas
Sómas as Béarla means comfort, and these candles will envelope you in the most luxurious and comforting scents. These candles would be an amazing gift for… that big holiday that’s coming up in a month or so, or for anyone moving into a new house. Bring pure bliss to your mates and bag yourself a few of these for the gang.
Max Benjamin
Candles, room mist, essential oils – Max Benjamin has the lot, with beautiful gift boxes perfect for Christmas too.
Tinnock Farm
These candles are gorgeous and handmade in Tipperary. Tinnock farm sell a selection of candle ‘types’ – candle melts, classic candles in glass jars and even aromatherapy candles for grounding, awakening and clarity.
Jacks Wax Candles and Wax Melts
Another gorge Irish company who’ve jumped on the pumpkin spice bandwagon (we can’t get enough). Gorge little glass jars and wax melts for your oil burner!
Ekaya the Brand
Nudey candles in all shapes and sizes and some of the most stunning, comforting scent combos you’ve ever laid your nostrils on.
Clean Slate
These candles are vegan, paraben free and made of 100% soy wax. The design is minimalism-chic, and the packaging peanuts that arrive with your package are biodegradable and simply melt under water – so clever.
The Irish Chandler
The Irish Chandler is a well-known and well loved independent candle brand from county Clare. These guys are so popular they have stockists in the UK and in the US – bringing a little bit of home to those who are far away.
The Handmade Soap Company
These candles are second to none when it comes to filling up your senses, and are all packed with essential oils and natural ingredients. The lemongrass and cedarwood is my personal go-to (I’d recognise the smell anywhere), and comes in candle, hand cream, body lotion and diffuser form so you can fully immerse yourself.
For foodies
Charcuterie Wreath from Nook, Sligo
The foodie gift of dreams, to be perfectly honest. If your giftee has a guilty pleasure for food-shaped-as-something-else, wow them with this beautiful wreath of Irish cheese, charcuterie and fruits with a side of chutney and artisan crackers. It looks almost too good to eat, but I’m sure they’ll find a way. Shop HERE.
Fondue Set from the Kitchen Whisk
While we’re on the cheese theme…. fondue, anyone? These pots are great for anyone obsessed with the vintage cheese craze, and can even be used to keep your mulled wine warm. Pick yours up from Kitchen Whisk’s Dublin store or online.
Syrups, glasses and mulled wine mixes from Dublin Cocktail Lab
Everything the expert mixologist in your life needs for brewin’ up a storm at home, available to browse in-store at the Designist in Dublin or online.
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Scarlet For Yer Ma Hot Sauces
Perfect for the spice-lovin’ Dub in your life this Christmas. Brewed and bottled in Dublin’s fair city, Scarlet hot sauces are vegan and made with all natural ingredients, with the perfect packaging for anyone who’s proud to be a Dubliner.
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Hot Fat by Gastro Gays
A beautiful book that would look great on anyone’s kitchen shelf, Hot Fat by Russell Alford and Patrick Hanlon of Gastro Gays is a book all about the art of deep fat frying, smashing the preconceptions of greasy, beige food to make way for vibrant colours and satisfying crunch. They even have a special gift bundle at the moment which includes the book, some chip-themed socks and a serving of Gastro Gays’ own spice bag seasoning. What more could one need? Shop HERE.
An Alphabet of Aniar by JP McMahon
I know what you’re thinking – another cookbook?? But technically An Alphabet of Aniar isn’t a cookbook – it’s a manifesto, thank you very much. Dr. JP McMahon’s new book will showcase learning and observations for Irish food culture. If you follow JP, you’ll know he’s been vocal about the issues currently facing Irish hospitality and always has informed, important insights, so no doubt this release will make for an interesting read.
Speciality coffee subscription
An essential for hobbyist baristas who insist on dragging you around every cafe in town of a Sunday to find the perfect cup. Galway-based business Calendar Coffee provide flexible delivery services that work for everyone, and will ensure your giftee is always stocked up with the finest beans for all their home-brewing needs. Find out more about subscription services as gifts HERE.
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Secret Pairing Experience at Ely Wine Bar
One for the aspiring sommeliers, this new experience at Ely Wine Bar invites guests to enjoy a specially curated menu with considered wine pairings – every dish is a mystery and will be explained only when they’re brought to the table. Ideal for those who love trying new flavours and pairings, or those who can never decide what they want to order. Book a spot HERE.
Tablewear from Oast Studio
Beautiful salad bowls, plates and linen napkins from this Irish owned studio – the perfect flourish to complete a dinner party. Browse online or, if you’re in Dublin, check them out at the Curated x Greens store on Royal Hibernian Way.
Gift Hampers from Asia Market
If your giftee could spend a lifetime browsing the aisles of Asia Market hunting for the perfect sauce or spices, why not put together a hamper packed with the best the store has to offer? Whether its a selection of Japanese whiskeys, an assortment of ramen or beautiful tablewear, there are plenty of options to suit all foodies. Have a browse HERE.
Eco Conscious
By definition, buying things for someone who is worried about overconsumption and the effects this has on the planet is a tad bit flawed. But it is Christmas after all, and given that we are all pre-conditioned to expect presents on the 25th of December here are some ideas for what to get them (that won’t cost the earth):
12. Diary
Get your eco-warrior prepped and primed for the challenges of the year ahead with a diary. Badly Made Books are an incredible Irish company that create stunning notebooks, diaries and calendars from old paper.
Eco creds: The products are made in Cork, with 75% – 99% of recycled paper.
For more info visit the website or Instagram.
11. Natural deodorant
Damaging tropes about foul-smelling hippies are thankfully a thing of the past. But gifting the person in yourself some natural deodorant could be a funny gift, especially when it’s the world’s first 100% biodegradable deodorant from The Handmade Soap Company. Fantastically scented with notes of coriander seed, lavender and eucalyptus, this is a heavy-duty deodorant that can see you through the most demanding of days (even in a Christmas jumper!). It comes in a recyclable card tube which just needs to be dropped into the green bin when it’s used up. Deodorant isn’t the only thing on The Handmade Soap Company site, they’ve loads of lovely-smelling candles, diffusers, and moisturizers, which all come in stunning recyclable packaging.
Eco creds:
Produced in co. Meath, in a hydro-powered facility, all of The Handmade Soap Company’s products come in fully recyclable packaging.
For more info visit the website or Instagram
10. Reusable razorUnfortunately the majority of razors out there are abysmal for the environment, even the ones with replaceable heads are made of plastic and come packaged in it too. Bearradh is a class Irish company that sells reusable razors, the single-blade razor is specifically designed for a clean unisex shave. The team also stock shaving oil and post-shaving cream that come in glass containers.
Eco-creds: The razors are made from Stainless Steel PVD Coated Metal and comes with 5 free blades that are recyclable and come in recycled packaging.
You can find more info on Instagram.
9. Beeswax wraps
Beeswax wraps are a great natural alternative to plastic wrap, and sandwich bags. Cover your leftovers, wrap up loose food items, or even your snacks if you are heading out. These wraps are 100% reusable and just need a quick wash to use again. These wraps generally last around six months before needing to be re-dipped, so chances are the person you are buying for will need there’s replaced. LoveBee are an Irish company which handmakes its wraps with Irish wax, coconut oil and
organic peppermint oil.Eco creds: The team at LoveBee recently partnered with Kilkenny’s Freshford Tidy Towns to run a pilot sustainability program with families in the area.
For more info visit the website.
8. Keep Cup
It might seem like a bit of a hackneyed gift to get someone who is environmentally conscious but take it from someone who has been caught out without theirs a few too many times, another one will do no harm. If you have a couple of them you can always keep them in places you frequent and therefore would be more likely to crave a coffee. Irish-brand Ecoset has a great range of tumblers in a variety of sizes and colours.
Eco creds:
With the purchase of each product from Ecoset, a percentage is donated to the Clean Coasts grant scheme, an organisation that’s improving Ireland’s coastal environment.
More info visit the website or Instagram
7. Tampon Subscription Service
Let’s hear it for the people with uteruses! Being eco-conscious is grand when you aren’t majorly stuck at that time of the month. With tampons notoriously dreadful in terms of sustainability (especially the ones with applicators that sadly make everything so much easier). Save the person in your life a lot of stress by (if applicable) signing them up for an eco-tampon subscription service. MyLadyBug are an Irish company that do just that, and also send along comforting sweets with their monthly box. Pick from a variety of cotton tampons (without applicators) or bamboo pads which come packaged in cardboard.
Eco creds: You can select products that are organic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable
For more info visit the website.
6. Wine
Let’s face it, getting your loved one some wine to take the edge off things will do them the world of good. Wicklow Way Wines have some fantastic wines made from Irish Blackberries, Raspberries and Strawberries, these are brewed, bottled, packaged and delivered from the family-run business in Wicklow.
Eco creds:
The company are Origin Green certified with their online wine orders packaged in 100% recyclable and compostable, card waste inserts.For more info visit the website or Instagram
5. Refill container
In the last few years, the number of zero-waste stores has thankfully increased, allowing those with a container to refill whatever product they need, thus illuminating the need to use predominantly single-use containers. We have a great list of Dublin-based Zero Waste Stores here. The Body Shop recently unveiled its first refill station in Ireland, with the shop in Dublin, Cork and with plans to roll out a refill station in Galway. Just buy a slick silver refill container, get a member of staff to fill it up at the station, use it and then come back when it’s done- the best part is you get a serious discount on the product for doing it. It’s handy to have a couple of them around the house, for shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hand wash.
Eco creds: The majority of The Body Shop’s products are made from recyclable materials, they are on a mission to close the loop on waste, the website reads, “make the switch to refill and together we could save over 25 tonnes of plastic.”
4. A book
There are a lot of plenty of incredibly factual books covering the climate crisis out there, but Colm O’Regan’s take on the subject is nothing short of inspiring. Most of us would like to live more sustainable lives, but what’s the point in picking up litter if you have to commute 80km just to get to the office? Climate Worrier is a book full of hypocrisies – when it comes to the environment, trying to do the right thing will nearly always result in someone pointing out how you’re wrong, actually. This book by O’Regan is a lighthearted, informed look at how to give it a go anyway, and would make a great gift for eco-conscious friends and family members. Available from all good bookshops, here’s a link to Kenny’s bookshop here.
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3. Beer
A slab of beer is always a good shout when you haven’t a notion of what to get someone. Even if they don’t drink it, it’ll be used at some fateful gathering or another. Established in 2014, Wicklow Wolf has expanded into a serious range of beers, including a delish alcohol-free brew alongside Ireland’s first carbon-neutral beer Locavore.
Eco creds:A couple of months back Wicklow Wolf has become the first solar-powered craft brewery in operation in Ireland. With the successful installation of over 120Kw of solar panels, covering the entirety of its 17,000 sq ft Newtownmountkennedy brewery roof. The team aim to be fully carbon-neutral by 2023 and has planted over 2,500 native Irish trees at the brewery at the time of writing.
For more info visit the website or Instagram
2. Offset their flight/car journey
A great shout for the climate-conscious person in your life. Taking long car journeys and flights can cause a lot of eco-anxiety (a term that joined the Oxford English Dictionary last year), something that can help is a process called offsetting, whereby you pay a certain amount based on the duration of the journey and the mode of travel. Myclimate is a non-profit foundation that I found via YouTuber and environmental advocate Keelin Moncrieff, you can calculate your loved one’s journey, reduce their carbon footprint and support climate protection. There’s also a subscription system and a once-off donation aspect to the website too.
Eco Creds: 80% of the offset payment is used directly for climate protection projects, while the rest of the 20% is used to cover the foundations’ admin and internal costs. According to the website, the myclimate supports projects “that use renewable energies, realise energy-efficiency measures or cut methane emissions, as well as reforestation and new forest initiatives or renaturation of moorland, which reduce the pressure on forests and biodiversity “hot spots””.
More info here.
1. Gift a tree
The benefits of planting trees have been well-documented, and unfortunately with Ireland having the lowest forest cover of all European countries, according to Teagasc, we have a lot of work to do. Planting some native trees is a great idea for the eco-conscious person in your life. The organisation Reforest Nation is aligned with the UN ecosystem restoration, plants only certified native trees and ensure that the planting is being done in a transparent and scientifically informed manner.
Eco creds: The reforestation project aims to reintroduce diverse native woodland, by restoring ecosystem services, promoting, biodiversity and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. For every tree planted in Ireland, this funds the planting of trees in other areas of global biodiversity importance including projects in Africa, Asia & Central America.
For more info visit the website or Instagram.
Kiddies
It can be hard to shop local for kids sometimes – once they set their sights on a certain Barbie or Lego kit it’s hard to sway them, even if the alternative gift is made sustainably using recycled materials. It’s almost as if that’s not a priority for kids or something… weird tbh. However, if you are getting on the small biz buzz for present shopping this year you might be surprised at the amazing variety and quality of gifts for kids from Irish businesses – we’ve rounded up a few of our faves here.
Wooden kitchens, coffee machines and more from littleones.ie
Beautiful, robust toys you can just tell will stand the test of time, and also would look great in any home. This kitchen is fully interactive with hobs that light up and sound effects of the cooker hood and cooking ingredients to really encourage imagination – browse this and plenty more lovely gifts HERE.
Classic World Modern Kitchen, €149.95
Gifts for all ages from Cogs the Brain Shop
These guys have a seriously impressive range of toys, games and more, with a detailed gift guide offering suggestions by age range (from baby to 10 years old). Ideal if you’re not sure what to get a niece or nephew – check out their website HERE.
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Every doll you can think of from Totally Toys
If your child has a specific toy in mind, it’s still possible to shop local for it – Mayo toy shop Totally Toys is fully stocked with pretty much every doll imaginable – LOL Dolls, Polly Pocket, Baby Born, Tiny Tears – the list goes on. They’ve also got some great Black Friday deals going – check them out HERE.
Baby Annabell Interactive Doll from Totally Toys, €69.99
Arts and Crafts from toysandgames.ie
If you’ve got a budding artiste to buy for, consider a fingerpaint art guide, build-your-own robot kit, candle making set and loads more from this Irish-owned business – have a browse HERE.
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Building blocks, road-building and more from Bizzy Bee Toys
Kids can indulge their imaginations and develop fine-motor skills while building whole worlds of their own design with Bizzy Bee’s great range of blocks, trucks, and road building kits. We particularly love this chalkboard set with pieces that can be coloured in, rubbed out and used again to build ever-changing worlds, so no one gets bored.
Chalking Play Set from Bizzy Bee Toys, €32
Eco-friendly toys and games from Jiminy
Inspire a playfully sustainable world with Jiminy’s extensive range of eco-friendly toys for all ages – there’s dolls, puppets, art supplies and so much more. Pick up a gift that won’t cost the earth HERE.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClMYHTkPbN6/
Train sets, art kits and games from Pinocchio
If you’ve been to Cork City you may have spied this beautiful traditional toyshop, packed to the rafters with long-lasting wooden sets, soft toys and more. You can also shop online with them HERE.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkA7UOQM0yI/
Happy shopping, one and all.
Header image via Shutterstock
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