"Buy less, choose well, make it last" Vivienne Westwood.
As much as I can I always try to shop local and buy Irish especially over the festive season. There will still be the usual toy purchases at bigger shops - Fireman Sam and yet more Lego will make their way into our home! But, along with these, supporting small independent companies is really important to us. So this year on the blog I thought I'd write a little gift giving guide featuring some of those wonderful Irish shops and businesses that we absolutely love. I hope this post is helpful to anyone looking for the perfect gift this Christmas.
I absolutely adore The Ethical Silk Company. It's a shop that first comes to mind when I need to buy something for someone who has absolutely everything - apart from a silk pillowcase possibly?! The company also sells beautiful cot sheets for babies which - like the pillowcases - are naturally hypoallergenic, beneficial for skin conditions such as eczema, naturally breathable making the fabric inhospitable to dust mites, and the amino acids found in 100% silk calms the central nervous system encouraging a restful, peaceful sleep. Basically, after finding all this out, I realised that we should all be sleeping on pure silk! My now three year old and two year old have been sleeping on these pure silk cot sheets since they were born and have always been fantastic sleepers, which I'm going to put down to the benefits of silk! This company was set up in 2010 by Eva Power and has been going from strength to strength ever since. As well as bedding, the company now stocks a selection of scarfs, robes, slips, palazzo pants and tops. What I also love about this company is its ethical standpoint on silk production and their ethos on giving back to the community with the donation of 10% of all profits going to Focus Ireland and the Jeevan Jyothi AIDS centre.
The Ethical Silk Company products are available online from www.theethicalsilkco.com
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These stunning, original paintings from Emma Higgins Art are a perfect new baby gift or a unique present for a babies first Christmas. Inspired by her own children these paintings are vibrant, colourful, and fun! Just looking at Emma's works of art always brings a smile. All paintings can be personalised or commissioned which makes them even more special.
To see more of these beautiful original paintings visit www.emma-higgins.com
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One of the most thoughtful presents I received after we had our third baby was this gorgeous framed scrabble art picture with all of our names. It's one of those unique, gracious gifts that I will always have and treasure. I get very sentimental just looking at it!
For more crafty products from Love Letter Arts visit www.loveletterarts.com
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This little shop really is full to the brim with an eclectic mix of homewares and beautiful bits and bobs. Situated in a little red brick cottage in Dundrum village, I first heard about Moss Cottage from a friend who told me that they stocked the Annie Sloan chalk paint everyone was going crazy about! Since then I fell in love with the shop and have made countless trips when I'm in Dundrum shopping centre (it's just a short walk down the hill from there into the village). Over the years I've picked up numerous treasures from Moss Cottage, come to think of it, I bought all of my Christmas gift wrapping, tags and ribbon from this shop last year and I have to say they looked great!! The shop is run by Jen, one of the friendliest, nicest, most helpful people you will ever meet. It's even more magical at this time of year filled with their gorgeous christmas stock.
Moss Cottage
Main Street,
Dundrum,
Dublin 14
www.moss.ie
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I can't get enough of Industry! Whenever I'm in town with my Mum (who also loves the shop) we make sure to pop in. A couple of weeks ago I bought two gorgeous driftwood Christmas trees from there. They're now standing handsomely on the hall table beside my driftwood lantern and bring a touch of that Scandinavian look into our home that I really love especially at this time of year. Along with their gorgeous Christmas decoration section there are lots of other cool things to pick up there including lamps, throws, books, gifts and furniture.
Industry
41 a/b Drury Street,
Dublin 2
www.industryandco.com
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A new festive pop up shop - with homewares, art prints and jewellery - April and the bear can be found above the men's clothing shop Castle & Drury, on Castle Market Street. Follow the paw prints up the stairs to the living room style shop to get some really unique gifts this Christmas. The festive pop up is open every day until the 24th of December so don't forget to pop in and support the pop up!
April & the Bear
6 Castle Market,
Dublin 2
www.aprilandthebear.com
This fantastic shop on Drury Street is filled with beautiful pieces, all Irish designed and made. From homewares, jewellery, books, and more, it's the one-stop shop where you'll find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list!
Irish Design Shop,
41 Drury Street,
Dublin 2
www.irishdesignshop.com
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This Christmas, as always, I'm going for quality over quantity. These shops are not just suggestions for Christmas, they are wonderful Irish businesses that we love to visit year round. Just to note, some of the commissioned pieces of art may not be available before Christmas but keep them in mind for other occasions such as birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries or little treats just for you!
If you have any other Irish shops or products that you adore I'd love to hear about them in the comments section below.
Only 10 more sleeps!!
They all sound lovely, I love Moss Cottage too and I'm always seeing lovely things in magazines from April and the Bear so must check it out!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! Sorry am just seeing it now.. December went by in a whirl and I'm really only just getting back to computer time properly now! April and the Bear is great. Just love rambling around that part of town, so many lovely Irish shops along Drury St. X
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