Gift Guide 2021

GIFT

GUIDE 2021 Buy Irish | Support Local | Gift Ideas | Handmade Gifts | and more

Merry Christmas

by Elke O'Mahony

Who would have thought in 2020 that 2021 would be just as challenging. But we are almost at the end of it - we made it.

Communities came together, new businesses have emerged and everyone tried to make the best of a bad situation.

We have lost loved ones, businesses had to close permanently and we experienced isolation.

Let's make this the best Christmas ever gather your loved ones around you and enjoy the festivities.

When considering buying gifts, let's support local shops first - you might be surprised what you find just around the corner. We hope this gift guide gives you some inspiration. We have taken great care to find ideas for every budget and even thrown some ideas for handmade gifts in - still to be made in time for the big day.

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE Find the perfect gift for your loved one (or treat yourself - you deserve it)

1. Mad Jessie Limited Edition Bag | 2. Hand designed Cards by Wild Watermelon | 3. Silk Scarfs by Caroline Duffy Designs| 4. Handmade pins by Miss Leela Sassafras | 5. Printed Velvet Cushions by Felicia Thomas 6. Fused Glass Art by Suzanne O'Sullivan | 7. Paper Cutting by Sachiko | 8. Ceramic Angels

by Delabud| 9. Wellness Diary by Bethan O'Riordan

Shop Local - Support Local - Stay Local Ireland has been through some tough times recently, not only families and individuals but businesses as well. The country is reopening with just a few minor restrictions and we can see normality returning to our communities.

Supporting local businesses should not be a slogan but a regular habit. Look around you and you'll see opportunities when looking for gifts this Christmas.

Some of your friends might not need a new jumper from a multi national chain but a voucher from the local butcher or a babysitter. Think beyond the plastic and choose gifts that make a difference in people lives.

So, let's try to buy mostly Irish/local this Christmas and indeed for Easter, Birthdays, Mother's & Father's Day and all the other amazing occasions we like to gift someone.

Most shops offer gift cards and vouchers which can be redeemed whenever it is needed. If you like more personal gifts, why not check out local artists and crafters? Craft Fairs are a great source for unique gifts and you can be sure that it is made with love and care rather than in a factory.

We got into the habit of shopping more and more online - a lot of local businesses have adopted online ordering options and you know it will arrive on time with no custom issues.

When we spend money in the community, we keep jobs in the location and quality of life improves. You are supporting a local family when buying close by, helping a little boy getting his hurling helmet, a little girl her football boots (or ballet slippers) and not a far away CEO getting his third holiday mansion.

The following pages concentrate on Irish products and as much as possible on handmade and we are confident that you will find the perfect gifts.

Join us at out Christmas Craft Fair 28th November in Rathpeacon, Cork

Art We can all do with a bit of beauty in our life. Here we are featuring Cork-based artists who have very different styles but all are beautiful.

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Laurie McWil liams loves c olours but als create o s stun ning b lack a nd wh ite por traits. www.m cwillia msart. com

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Experiences Sometimes, all we need is time with friends, learning new skills and just enjoy the experience.

Visit the Meadery Learn more about the ancient drink Mead - hand brewed in Kinsale, Co. Cork, Kate and Denis Dempsey are offering tastings and tours through their meadery. Kinsale Mead has won several awards since the launch in 2016 and have added honey production to their offerings, saving bees in the process. www.kinsalemeadco.ie

Learn a new Skill Check out your local schools who very often offer night classes during term. Colleges also offer adult evening and part-time learning with courses ranging from language, computers, car repairs, photography and more. Give the gift of learning this year. www.nightcourses.com

Culinary Skills It is never too late to learn how to cook. We have amazing produce in Ireland but not the skill to create delicious dishes. But fear not, cookery schools like Ballymaloe, Kinsale Gourmet Academy, Neven Maguire's Cookery School and many others will give you the skills.

Children

Forgo the plastic toys, designer names and video games this year and gift something different - making memories is so much more giving

Yoga is proven to improve not only our mental healthy but also adds to our overall well-being. With children moving less these days, a bit of stretching can work wonders. Blarney Wellness Centre offers regular classes for all ages.

The love for cooking starts early - why not bring your child to a cookery class? Who doesn't love baking but did you know that children who cook are not picky eaters anymore. The Wooden Spoon Cookery School in Killeens near Blarney runs regular camps covering baking and cooking from scratch. www.woodenspoons.ie

Wake up your child's imagination by gifting a craft class. Local community groups run regular classes covering painting, sculpting, drawing, wood work and so much more. You can find classes suitable for all ages.

Jewellery

Handcrafted jewellery made in Ireland - wear it with pride

Wood Moon Design creates beautiful jewellery from wood, no pendent or earring looks the same. Handcrafted with love and care in Kilkenny using only FSC Certified Wood sourced from environmentally and socially well-managed forests. www.woodmoonstudio.com

Handmade ceramic jewellery is stunning and individual as the maker. Choose from earrings, pendants, rings and even wall hangings. https://tinderboxceramics.bigcartel.com

CopperCloud Design creates beautiful gemstone jewellery and personalised greetings in Cork City.

On Instagram

Using her love for colour and form, Liga Valge creates beautiful pieces that you want to wear. Bring a bit of fun into your jewellery box www.valgstudio.com

Fashion Feel amazing with Irish fashion

Siobhan Daly Designs creates beautiful headpieces, headbands and earrings to make you stand out at any occasion www.siobhandalydesigns.com

Caroline Duffy Designs create beautiful colourful scarfs that elevate even the simplest outfit to a fashion statement. www.carolineduffydesigns.com

Mad Jessie is a designer and illustrator who not only offers the most comfortable leggins but also designed these hand knitted Skipper Hats. www.madjessie.com

Home Brid Fanning is an artist who portraits animals in her surrounds. Her paintings are much sought after but you can now have her art on cushions. We love this cute little fox. https://bridfanningart.com

Helen Shephard is a very talented knitter and is taking knitting to new heights with her handmade blankets. Find her on I Have you covered on Facebook or email her on helen19sheppard@gmail.com

Beautify your home with one of the handmade wreaths by The FlowerSmith Studio www.theflowersmithstudio.ie/

GK Designs in Cork are using reclaimed wood and wood barrels to create furniture, decoration & garden items. Each piece is created by hand. https://gkdesignscork.com

Do it yourself

Do it yourself can be a satifying experience - try one of the idea below BumbleBee Flower Farm in West Cork is offering DIY kits for Christmas wreaths etc. Tutorials are included. https://bumblebeeflowerfarm.ie

You might have loved the jewellery on page 9 by Valg Studio but did yiu know that you can purchase a DIY kit from the same maker? www.valgstudio.com

Love beer? Brew your own with a kit from Homebrew West. Choose lager, stout or pale ale www.homebrewwest.ie

Give the gift of a new hobby and learn a new skill with craft kits from Vibes & Scribes www.vibesandscribes.ie/

Write

Handwriting cards & letters is coming back. When sending your loved ones a card, make sure it is a beautiful one. Below are some Irish designers who create stunning cards Check out Miss Leela Sassafras https://missleelasassafras. com

Stunnung floral designs by Caroline Duffy Designs https://carolineduffydesigns.com

Quirky & fun cards by Wild Watermelon https://wildwatermelon.ie

A wonderful gift idea for dog lovers - a set of cards

by Antoinette of Tails & Tales www.tailsandtales.ie

Maria Jordan O'Reilly Art on Facebook Dogs for the Disabled are selling pack of these cute Christmas cards on Facebook

Charity

Christmas is not only a time for family but also for sharing good things with people in need.

Dogs for the Disabled is a unique charity founded in 2007 to improve the lives of children and adults living with physical disabilities in Ireland. They deliver approximately 25 fully trained assistance dogs each year to their profoundly disabled partners. Dogs for the Disabled operate on a low budget, who have 5 core staff and the rest of the team is made up of wonderful volunteers. Any donation or purchase of their cute calendar helps this charity www.dogsfordisabled.ie

Pieta House provides free therapy to those engaging in selfharm, with suicidal ideation, or bereaved by suicide. Every year, crucial funds are raised with the Darkness into Light Walks across the country. This year, the charity wasn't able to organise the walks and are in need of additional funds - their work has increased during the pandemic. www.pieta.ie/ St Vincent de Paul is a charity that helps people in need - by providing food, shelter, money, clothing and more to families who are struggling. SVP is a local charity, meaning that your money stays in your community to help people within. Keep an eye open for their annual Christmas Appeal www.svp.ie

SHARE was founded in 1970 by students from Presentation Brothers College, who raised funds to try and make existing housing for Cork City’s elderly more comfortable. One of the most well-known elements of the fundraising is the SHARE Christmas campaign which includes the blessing of the crib in the city. It has become a tradition of the festive season in Cork and the crib is staffed by students right up until Christmas Eve to encourage people to donate to the worthy cause. http://sharecork.org

Food Lovers

We found some great products for the food lover in your life This Buttermilk Ranch Dressing from Sage in Midleton, Cork is simply delicious and needs to be on every Christmas table this year. Available directly at Sage and selected retailers.

Caroline Hennessy has finally published her second book, this time creating recipes using Ireland's best export. Recipes include Coffee & Foreign Extra Stout Granola, Beer-battered Cauliflower & Beetroot Bites. In Bookshops now.

Drummond House is famous for their garlic and now have released their Irish Garlic Scape dip. The bright green colour reveals a fresh sharp taste that goes well with a cheese board or simply spread onto fresh bread.

Blasta Books is a dedicated cookbook publisher, releasing regular books at affordable prices. Get your hands on Tacos and/or Hot Fat

DRINks

Irish Whiskey, Gin and Craft Beer are simply too amazing to be ignored this Christmas The partnership between Franciscan Well and Jameson Distillery is well kwown and this Christmas you can take the two mates home. www.franwellbar.com

Rising Sons Brewery is well known for their award winning beers but they also put humour into everything they are doing - get their hamper this year for the beer lover in your life. www.RisingSONSBrewery.com/

Kinsale Mead is delicious and it's no wonder that their creation win awards on the global stage. The Signature series would look great under any Christmas Tree. www.kinsalemeadco.ie

No one does beer, wine and whiskey better than Bradley's Offlicense. Choose from a selection or simply visit the shop in Cork and create a personalised hamper with Michael. www.bradleysofflicence.ie

Gifts We are huge fans of Tara at Slated. each slate is handcut and carved to personlise.

Choose from coasters, trays, plates and more. www.slated.ie

Lucy Butler creates beautiful 2D sculptures of old magical buildings that come framed.

A perfect gift this Christmas www.lucybutler.ie

A personalised coffee pod organiser is just what the coffee lover in your life needs.

Made by hand in Carrignavar in County Cork, you can find Ken at local craft fairs or on Facebook as Carrignavar Timber Products

Make it

Giving handmade gifts is special and adds to the spirit of Christmas.

Here are some easy to make ideas to gift and to decorate. For more ideas go to www.make-Ire.com You will need:: Blank Mask Metallic gold paint Glitter clear drying glue brush

Start by giving the blank masks a few coats of metallic gold paint leaving to dry between each layer (we only needed two coats to cover the masks)

With a brush apply glue where the glitter should go.

Sprinkle over the glitter and leave to dry, Embellish with gems, feathers etc.

Make it You need: Wired star forms Mix of beads in different sizes Mix of sequins Thin jewellery wire

Start by mixing the beads and sequins. Then in random order, pick a few beads up onto the jewellery wire (cut the wire 50cm long) until you have a good mix on the wire.

Now, start wrapping the wire tightly around the star shape to the end of the wire.

Secure. Repeat until the entire star shape is covered.

You can use these stars either as tree decoration or as napkin rings.

Make it Santa's Boot

a 2-litre plastic bottle paper towels Craft Glue Hot Glue Cardboard Red paint white fur/fluffy trim Drain the plastic bottle of any liquid. Cut the bottom of the bottle using the line as

a marker. Set aside. Now cut the length, the higher the cut, the higher the boot, use the lines as markers. Dry the cut pieces Place the two cut pieces (disgard the top of the bottle) on a piece of cardboard and cut the shape around.

Secure with hot glue as shown.

Now 'paint' the craft glue over the 'shoe' and attach layers of paper towel/tissue paper all over it, ensuring to cover the gap between both pieces. Make sure to separate the layers of tissue paper before attaching

Make it Santa's Boot Continued

Leave until completely dry. Add more layers if needed. When completely dry,

paint the entire boot red (you might add a black rim around the bottom). At this stage you can add glitter if wanted.

Trim around the edges Now attach the trim (you can also use wadding) around the top edge of the boot. I find hot glue works best.

You can paint the inside in any colour.

Embellishments are optional but you can attach some bells, twigs, pine cones etc. Fill with sweets and you have a perfect gift.

Thank you to everyone who supports local businesses you are making someone's Christmas.

This guide has been created with a personal approach and no paid advertising is included. We have chosen items we found interesting and are made in Ireland by real people.

The utmost care has been taken to provide the reader with accurate details and information. Saying that, we can't take responsibility if prices, location, colours etc has been changed or are no longer available. We do not facilitate shopping on our channels and the maker/creator needs to be contacted for any further information.

Please contact the editor, Elke O'Mahony via email

elke@biasasta.ie if you have an inquiry regarding this gift guide.

We wish you a very merry Christmas - may it be filled with joy, laughter and gathered with friends and families.