Christmas is a time of giving and there is never a better time to give back to your local community than by shopping local and supporting small businesses.
Our busy lives often lead us to the convenience of ‘one stop shop’ retail chains or online stores (guilty!) to complete our festive shopping, but it would do us all well to consider not only what we should buy for our loved ones these holidays but where our money is going once it is spent.
Shopping locally has many benefits – you are supporting local entrepreneurs and therefore supporting their families, customer service can often be much better on a local level, you can get good advice and are more likely to come across a unique gift. With that in mind we want to feature 25 of Northern Ireland local businesses for gift ideas and inspiration this Christmas.
For Her
Show her you appreciate her by giving this first class experience with a wide menu of complimentary therapies and a holistic approach. Treat her to a relaxing massage, reflexology or aromatherapy. For more information on giving her the perfect relaxing gift check out Sole Revival Therapies.
If she loves her Jo Malone perfume then she will absolutely adore the Pomegranate Noir wax melts that Simply Soy Scents offer. Or if you prefer the more festive scents like cinnamon and cranberry for the Christmas period then why not avail of their 3 for £12 offers for a perfect little stocking filler.
This award winning business is home to uniquely beautiful home-wares, jewellery and sculpture, inspired by our natural world. For a truly special and stunning gift check out her Dribble and Watercolour Collection’s here. With talent like this you will be able to find a stand out piece for any home.
If in doubt, you can never go wrong with a gift voucher- especially from Oasis Beauty Clinic. Treat her to some exceptional beauty and body treatments such as Fibroblast, Microdermabrasion or even HD Brows. She will feel the stress melt away with their relaxing facials or indulgent pedicures. This place will make her both look and feel a million dollars.
Martin and Laura specialize in luxury couture jewellery that is truly one of a kind. Their unique designs celebrate raw, natural beauty. For a truly distinctive striking piece, check out their Encapsulated Pearl Peacock Ring or have a browse for a gift that no-one else can give her.
If you think she already has everything, think again. With a range of accessories that will tailor and change any outfit from collars to shoe clips and stunning embellished hairbands, she is sure to appreciate the little extra touch these additions can make. And with their outlet sale, you will definitely find something in your price range.
Not only is Stacey an award winning bridal makeup artist but she also offers makeup tutorials and parties. In her studio you will find hand-picked cosmetic lines and gift items including Delilah Cosmetics, Senna Cosmetics, Stylpro, Lovegrove Essentials, Itty Bitty Book Co and Cameleon Face Paint. For that woman in your life that just loves all things makeup check out her page, S.A.K. Designs.
You know when Cher and Lily Allen are wearing your products you are doing something right. Coco Bella Handmade create bespoke luxury handmade and personalized hair accessories, bows & fashion inspired hair clips. All their designs are limited edition. For accessories so stunning even the celebs want them check out their Instagram.
These ladies have really hit the mark with their luxury, thoughtfully designed, beautifully made, leather bags which are featured on the same page modelled alongside Chanel, Givenchy and Jimmy Choo! One of these stylish, opulent bags would definitely put a smile on someone’s face on Christmas morning.
- Shelly’s Makeup Box
As well as offering a range of beauty treatments Michelle also sells Neal’s Yard Products. For those of you that don’t know these are Organic Skincare products ranging from face and body to mother and baby and everything in between. The scent from the Geranium and Orange Collection is out of this world and the packaging is so pretty (responsible and reusable) it would be hard not to love this as a gift.
For Him
With the new age of masculinity comes the new age of male grooming. Sweet Escape Products give the barbershop quality and experience at home, with the finest natural products you can buy. With gifts as friendly to the environment as they are on the sin you can be sure to get the perfect gift for him. With names like ‘Dapper’ and ‘Notorious’ we’re pretty sure these products will be a hit.
This family business has been nestled in Belleek, Fermanagh since 1979. They promote premium Irish Brands and Artisan Crafts. For a gift with a bit of Irish culture, such as Newbridge, Belleek China, Galway Crystal and Celtic Crafts all lovingly gift wrapped and delivered to your door check out their Facebook page here.
For Couples
If you’re on a budget this Christmas but want to show them how much they mean to you, fear not, LPC have the perfect cards for you to show just that. From quirky colloquialisms to professions of love this is a great way to make your Christmas gift personal without spending a fortune.
This husband and wife duo Peadar and Sinead appreciate the local goodness our Emerald Isle has to offer and that is evident in their locally sourced and crafted products offered at Danann Crafts. They offer some of Irelands most unique and precious bespoke pieces of craft. Whether you want to give someone a distinctive piece of pottery or home décor, a knitted scarf or slippers this little gem can provide it all including workshops for kids and adults alike.
Norah Mitchell Flowers is a family run business and one of the longest established florists in the city, who also happen to have been awarded one of Belfast’s Top 3 Florists of 2019. With stunning bouquets, centre-pieces, candles and wreaths this is a perfect way to put the finishing touches to your Christmas décor or let someone know you are thinking of them this festive period.
- Bare Moo (now closed)
Sisters- in- law Eilish and Siobhan at Bare Moo are passionate about healthy living. All their moisturizing products are handmade in small batches to ensure maximum freshness and nutrient density. With the changing weather and its impact on our skin these are a wonderful, natural stocking- filler that the whole family can make use of.
Kimaria is an artisan fragrance company founded by two cousins, Kim and Maria (as in KiMaria!), in Armagh. They produce a range of indulgent hand poured vegan candles and diffusers. From fragrance selection boxes to luxury cocktail boxes that have beautiful, lush packaging it is definitely worth checking them out.
Is there anything these ladies can’t do? They provide a wide range of services in the Clinic in Omagh, including; Micro needling, Botox, Derma fillers, Podiatry and Micro blading, to name a few, as well as selling some of the plushest beauty and treatment products. To enquire about gift vouchers for a varied gift visit their Instagram.
Since 2012 Omagh Craft Collective CIC has set up its annual pop up shop each Christmas. It hosts over 30 local crafters’ work. If you know someone that appreciates the more unique variety of gifts then this place is definitely worth a visit for hand crafted products including: jewellery, candles, soaps, knitwear, handbags, textile art and cards. For a sneak peek check out their Facebook page.
Not only does The Feminist Shop offer a great platform to explore values and ideas but it also has some pretty cool apparel to encourage taking back the F word. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is somewhere you can grab a t-shirt for her as a last minute Christmas dash but there are strong and powerful messages to be found for men, women and kids alike in their clothing.
For Kids
If you want your little one to stand out this Christmas then look no further than Silver Apples Boutique. This mompreneur as she has aptly named herself has designed a range of handmade, quirky, classic and yet practical clothing for kids. She has taken old school patterns and added little tweaks and twists to help make it stand out. If you still haven’t got the kids Christmas outfits then check out her page here.
This Children’s wear and Gift boutique based at the superb Linen Green was established by a mother and daughter team who share a love of gorgeous Children’s apparel and gifts. Many of the stunning brands Ring O’Rosies stock are Billieblush, Billiebandit, Lelli Kelly, Cakewalk, Desigual, Levis, Me Too and many more. There are so many styles to choose from and with a great variety of prices there is something to suit all the kids.
Chocoloons independent toy store has a range of branded toys, sensory toys, american candy, and unique handmade hair bows. From PJ Mask’s to LOL dolls, this Coleraine based store helps take the pressure off with their Christmas Club allowing payment in instalments. If you haven’t got Santa’s sack sorted yet, give them a visit.
This kids’ boutique stocks beautiful, stylish collections from Europe and beyond. You will find brands such as Lego Wear, Tuc Tuc, Boboli, Rosalita, Tutto Piccolo, to name a few. Even better is that Calini Kids Boutique understands the busy lifestyle of parents, especially during this period and so you can make an out of hours appointment if you can’t make the opening hours, or simply prefer the place to yourself!
These guys have a huge range of toys and books for all ages. With that in mind their ethos is to teach children to play, share & spread their infectious imaginative games among their friends and peers and grow through play. Check out some of their Christmas offers here.
So that’s it. That’s our 25 local businesses for shopping for Christmas gifts. We have no doubt you will find something for everyone on your naughty or nice list!
Related Blogs:
Shop Local Gift Guide – Christmas Gifting For Couples & Children
