Yes, it’s that time of year again! So we’ve put together another list of gift ideas featuring some fab products from Irish creatives and small businesses. And just like last year, we’ve tried to focus on some of the more sustainable and eco-friendly gifts out there.
It’s great to see a growing number of Irish companies considering their environmental impact and putting people and the planet first. Supporting them is a win for all of us, not just the lucky person who’ll receive the gift. Be warned though, you’ll probably want to add some of these to your own wish list too!
Ruby Robin Boutique
Described as ‘wearable keepsakes from nature’, these stunning pieces designed and made by Khrystyna of Ruby Robin Boutique are sure to be adored. Collections include The Flower Garden and Into the Woods and with each piece being more beautiful than the next, the hard task will be choosing!
Handcrafted in West Cork, each piece is made with real flowers and plants, which have been gathered by hand or grown. They are then set and preserved in environmentally friendly bio-resin, rather than traditional epoxy resins.
You can browse and purchase the full range online at Ruby Robin Boutique or on Etsy. They are also stocked in a number of stores throughout Ireland. Check the website for details and be sure to follow along on Instagram for gorgeous images of the latest pieces.
Hairy Fruit Art
Looking for a gift for someone who is always planning their next adventure? That friend who’s always ready to jump in the car and head off exploring! Gift them a beautiful print from the Ireland Road Trip collection, a series of prints designed and illustrated by Helen Magee of Hairy Fruit Art.
Inspired by childhood memories of road trips around the country, they capture the colour, beauty and charm of Ireland. The perfect reminder of a favourite place or trip, these prints would make a beautiful addition to any home.
I’m also totally in love with the Ireland Flowering Counties Print. This botanical map of Ireland has each county painted in beautiful wildflowers and is so pretty. You can find these prints and more online at Hairy Fruit Art. Other products include greeting cards and stationery sets. Prints are available in A3 and A4 sizes, framed and unframed. Free domestic shipping is available on orders over €50. Note that prints are made to order, so don’t delay!
Gift a Night Away
Or perhaps you’d rather gift a voucher and let the recipient choose their own adventure. Try Ireland’s Blue Book or Original Irish Hotels and let the recipient choose their own adventure. I’ve been gifted both of these in the past, so I know exactly what a treat they are to receive! With the Ireland’s Blue Book voucher, I enjoyed a really relaxing break at Mount Juliet Estate with my mum. With the Original Irish Hotels voucher, myself and José stayed at Lough Inagh Lodge. It’s so beautiful and located in the heart of stunning Connemara. Either voucher is sure to go down well with hotels, manor houses, castles and more included. Ireland’s Blue Book vouchers can also be used in a number of restaurants.
Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny
Irish Socksciety
Based in Galway, friends Alex and Joanna are the designers and creators behind Irish Socksciety. Brightly coloured, quirky and full of fun, their socks will put a spring in your step every morning. Because lets face it, you are going to want some for yourself too!
Gift wise, you’ll find socks for mammies, sock for daddies, socks for tea lovers, GAA lovers, plain old regular lovers and much more. Anyone with a bit of grá for Ireland will be delighted with the Irish landscape socks, or can match the Irish weather with a pair of Sunny Spells, Scattered Showers socks!
Each pair of socks is made from 100% combed cotton, certified Oeko-tex and reinforced from heal to toe. The labels and most of the packaging can be recycled. These socks are the gift that will keep on giving, providing a splash of colour and a dose of humour to start the day! They’d also make a great secret santa gift or stocking filler too. Kill a few birds with the one stone and stock up to avail of free delivery on orders above €30.
Due South
Due South clothing was created in 2016 by couple Paul and Mel. Together they have designed and created a range of high quality t-shirts featuring much loved spots around Ireland. The range is still expanding but some of the current options include the Dublin skyline, Cliffs of Moher, Blaskets Islands and Skellig Islands. There is also a smaller selection of unisex sweaters and hoodies available.
I love the contemporary style of the designs and how subtle they are. There is now the option to create your own tee too. Choose a design from the website and pick from one of the 4 most popular colours.
Most of their garments are made with 100% certified organic cotton. Some include recycled polyester too. You can purchase the tees online at duesouth.ie or head to their store at Howth Market on weekends.
The Upcycle Movement
The Upcycle Movement was founded in 2012 by Lynn Haughton. With a passion for the great outdoors, Lynn recognised the importance of keeping items out of landfill, contributing to a circular economy and inspiring others to think again about items they consider as waste.
Conscious of the large volume of wetsuits which go to landfill every year and the fact that they are not biodegradable or recyclable, Lynn decided to do something about it. Her debut design range, the Neo Collection, offers a variety of products made from wetsuits otherwise bound for landfill.
Perfect for everyday adventures, the collection includes includes bags, laptop covers, straps for yoga mats, bracelets and even some fab tassel earrings. If you’re looking for a unique and truely sustainable gift, look no further. You’ll feel even better about your purchase knowing that 10% goes to Seal Rescue Ireland.
Green Outlook
While travelling and seeing the impact our consumer choices make on the environment, Cork native Fiona returned to Ireland determined to live a more sustainable lifestyle. However it didn’t prove easy to find alternatives to single use and plastic packaged items. So instead, she took matters into her own hands.
Fiona set up Green Outlook and offers a large range of products to help people reduce their environmental impact. Products include shampoo & conditioner bars, reusable wraps, Toothtablets & Toothpowders, face scrubs, creams and much more. Where possible, products are sourced from Irish companies too.
Visit Green Outlook to browse the large selection of goods available and you’re sure to find some great products to gift. You could easily make up your own gift packs with a selection, or just gift yourself!
Jo Browne
Jo Browne is another entrepreneur who spotted a gap in the market and did something about it. Following her passion for essential oils, she set about creating a fragrance that was gentle, natural and convenient. The result was Jo Browne Natural Solid Perfume.
There are five fragrances available for purchase at jobrowne.com, three solid perfumes for women and two solid colognes for men. All the fragrances are handmade using organic beeswax and essential oils. The packaging is made from sustainably sourced bamboo, so it’s natural and eco-friendly. Every online purchase of a perfume before Christmas includes a free gift bamboo tube too.
As the perfumes are solid, they are perfect for use when you’re road tripping or heading off on an adventure. No bulky bottles or leaks to worry about! Jo’s range of products continues to grow and and now also includes a Facial Cleansing Balm, luxury soaps and a range of essential oils to go with the Aroma Bamboo Diffuser.
Jiminy
If you’re finding it hard to buy eco-friendly gifts for kids, then Jiminy has got you covered. Started by Dublin mammies Sharon and Suzanne, Jiminy has become the biggest eco-specialist distributor of kid’s toys, art supplies and crafts in Ireland. Not only are they doing their best to cut out plastic, they also focus on products that are not just designed but made in Europe, thus cutting down on the environmental impact of toys shipped from much further afield.
They even stock reusable Christmas crackers. So if you love crackers but hate the waste, you’re sorted. You can browse all products at jiminy.ie or if you’re in Dublin pop in to see them at the Conscious Christmas Store, 13 Fade Street, Dublin 2. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday until the end of December.
Hopefully these gift ideas will help you tick a few people off your list. Check out last year’s gift ideas too. There are plenty more great products there that might be just right for someone you know.
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