Christmas shopping season has officially begun. From now until the end of December most of us will experience the seasonal stress of packed-out shops, delayed online orders and the sensation of standing in several unnecessarily long queues while we hunt for the perfect presents for friends and family.
So why not unwrap our list of local crafters gearing up for the festive season?
From cheese & onion-scented candles to pyjamas for your pet, each of these businesses offers a range of lovingly made, handcrafted gifts guaranteed to make your loved ones smile this Christmas.
Belfast Candle Company
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Offering a range of handcrafted and hand-poured scented candles inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of the city of Belfast and the island of Ireland.
Specialising in nostalgic NI smells like Tayto cheese & onion, fresh Irish linen and Armagh Bramley’s Belfast Candle Co is perfect if you’re searching for a gift that’s creative, humorous and unique.
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House of Hank
Inspired by and named after the business’ resident Shichon (Bichon Frise Shih Tzu mix) Hank, the company offers a variety of fashionable pet accessories.
Their mission is to provide fashionable and comfortable products that let your pet express their unique personality.
Made up of fun, playful, and stylish designs these unique harnesses, leads, dickie bows and bandanas are sure to make your pet stand out from the pack.
Whether you’re looking for something sophisticated or something a bit silly – like a 90s inspired Saved by the Bark full set – there is something for every furry friend.
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Art by Pete
After becoming avid beachcombers and collectors of sea glass and other beach debris Pete and his wife Maggie began to incorporate it into their art.
All collected on the beaches of Co Antrim their handmade pebble art creations are lovingly put together, each one unique as “no two pieces of glass, tile or driftwood are the same,” making the pieces totally bespoke.
Although many of the pieces feature pints of Guiness or several shamrocks some also reflect the couple’s upbringing in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. As it says on their website, “we have adopted Northern Ireland as our new home but Africa is still in our blood.”
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Deborah Hill Design
If someone in your life loves both Belfast and decorating their home with stunning prints then something from Deborah Hill Design is the perfect present.
Specialising in sketching iconic Belfast landmarks and tourist attractions using a unique colour palette Deborah’s original prints are hand drawn using an iPad Pro & an iPad pencil before being printed to a high quality on archival paper.
Sleek and stylish these prints are guaranteed to be a talking point when people visit your home.
Parkgate Crafts
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Known for creating stylish bespoke slate signs that can been personalised with your own message or saying, Parkgate Crafts is ideal if you’re looking for an original yet gorgeous gift this Christmas.
Each piece is lovingly handcrafted as the business specialises in hand-cutting and painting the slate before personalising the plaques and embellishing them with ceramic pieces which they pour, fire and hand paint.
From clocks to coasters this small business offers a variety of pieces that would brighten up any home this winter.
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OutsideIn
Known for their iconic ‘Oi’ bobble hats and comfy colourful fleeces OutsideIn is great for any trend setting friend or family member.
Shopping the brand also helps a very worthy cause as every item purchased from OutsideIn kickstarts their giving process where essential clothing is donated to someone experiencing homelessness. This is known as their Wear One, Share One initiative – make the season of goodwill stretch a little further this Christmas.
Born & Bred
Sometimes you need a bit of inspiration when Christmas shopping and that’s exactly what Born & Bred provide.
From pieces of art to candles and tea towels they have everything you might need whether you’re looking for something extravagant or some stocking fillers and all their stock is ‘born and bred’ in Ireland.
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Sugar and Glaze NI
Located in Dromore Co Down Sugar and Glaze is the perfect place to find some sweet treats for loved ones this festive season.
Offering personalised sugar cookies, the business specialises in bringing your visions to life in a way that’s visually stunning but also incredibly tasty. From Friends themes cookies to Toy Story and Star Wars they can do it all.
The Belfast Coffee Co
The Belfast Coffee Company is a family business built on recipes created over generations of home coffee roasting – even today the coffee is still expertly roasted in the shadow of the iconic yellow gantry cranes that dominate the Belfast skyline.
Passionate about coffee and developing tastes and aromas unique to NI the company’s top sellers include an Irish whisky blend which “is sure to evoke the wild Glens of Antrim,“ and a nutty, cinnamon blend – the ideal gift for the coffee lover in your life.
The Norn Iron Gift Shop
This may be a small business, but it has huge personality. Having only opened earlier this year, The Norn Iron gift shop has already become a firm favourite amongst tourists and locals alike due to both its crafts and craic.
Only featuring items created in Northern Ireland, the gift shop showcases the wealth of talent coming from this part of the world.
From t-shirts to coasters to greeting cards, there is something for every occasion.