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Christmas 2022 is just around the corner and many of us are starting or beginning to think about the presents we want to buy for friends and family. Every year I set myself a challenge to try and do most of my Christmas shopping as locally and independent as possible. There are a range of benefits to making a commitment to shopping small and independent, from incredible customer service, supporting your local economy, being a more ethical choice and finding the perfect unique gift.
Memory Makers have done the hard work for you, by coming up with your 2022 Christmas small and independent retailer list from across Northern Ireland. We aren't collaborating with any of the businesses we have mentioned below - we just wanted to recommend some of our wonderful small business community. We have supported each of these businesses in some way in the past, either through our Memory Makers journey so far or in our personal lives. We are sure you will be able to find the perfect gift from them for your loved ones.
Food & Drink Gifts
The Food Haven based in Cullybackey provides gourmet gift sets and hampers with a rustic feel, with an additional personalisation option available to make your gift truly special and unique! Emma's chutneys are incredible and her Christmas products launched on 4th November - be quick!
The Mallow Makers based in Bangor provides deliciously squishy handmade Marshmallows and S'mores Kits that I have gifted many times. From Marshmallows, Toasting Kits and her famous Wonderfluff - she has got you covered for S'more and hot chocolate lovers!
NearyNogs Stoneground Chocolate based in Newry is Northern Ireland's first bean to bar, craft chocolate makers. They provide everything chocolate including bars, truffles, fudge and drinking chocolate. I can personally recommend their House Blend and Orange Flavours - they make incredible hot chocolates!
Etea is based in Dungannon and provides loose leaf tea inspired by nature and emotions. Premium quality blends which do not contain any artificial colours or flavours. They provide a range of loose leaf flavours, gift sets, subscriptions and accessories. A lovely gift for the tea lovers in your life!
An independent deli based in Comber and Belfast selling a variety of Irish indigenous small-batch artisan food and drink. Their range of cheese is unbelievable and they also sell the most amazing food hampers!
Candle Gifts
Olivia's Haven is based in Ballymoney and provides a range of luxury hand poured candles, wax melts and reed diffusers. Their attention to detail is fab - last Christmas I had bought their 'Tea in the Orangery' gift set for a friend and when it arrived in its beautiful presentation box I almost didn't want to give it away! Their Christmas Shop is also now open.
The Bearded Candle Makers are based in Dundrum, where they develop an exciting range of handmade scented candles. The unique scents are blended using the finest oils available and are based on the ‘the true smells of Ireland’. Michael unfortunately was victim to an awful scam earlier in the year - support them this Christmas and help the Bearded Candle Makers to get back on their feet.
Luxury soy wax candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, and carpet freshener powder. All lovingly hand poured in their Ballymoney studio. Their Bergamot, Red Cedar and Amber Candle is divine and I am loving the look of their wax melt Advent Calendar. Again their Christmas shop is now open.
Jewellery Gifts
Lines and Current are based in Belfast and their jewellery and accessories brands designed for daytime to dinner - born out of a love for clean lines with a boho twist. This is one of my favourite local jewellery designers, who began in her box room and now has a workshop and store in Portview in East Belfast.
Ivy and Gold based in Broughshane provide personalised bracelets and stacking options that tell a story and help you stay connected to what's important, every day. This is a recent find of mine at the TedBerry market in Antrim and is a business that took off during lockdown.
Cosmetics & Make-up
Bare Moo cosmetics are based in Cookstown and their skincare products are individually handmade to order using only the finest ingredients. Totally organic, ethically sourced and paleo friendly. Bare Moo cater for babies, men and women and have wonderful gift sets for Christmas.
Lusso Tan based in Belfast was developed by three sisters after seeing a gap in the tanning market - striving for a patch and chemical free and non sticky and smelly product. After tireless research, their formulas nourishes, hydrates, and enhances skin. The three step ritual is easy - and if I can achieve a beautiful non streak tan with this product so can you! Specific tanning products available for expecting mums, ageing skin and Christmas gift sets and stocking fillers are now on their website.
Emma-Jane Condy MUA
For all those special occasions, weddings, birthdays and formals, Emma-Jane is the perfect makeup artist for that natural flawless look. She also provides 1-1 tutorials or make-up lessons for you and a friend, after which you can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Located between Ballygawley and Dungannon she is available for bookings via Facebook or Instagram and also is a stockist for Sahara Tan.
Ceramic Gifts
Zara McLaughlin Studio, based in Ballymoney creates bespoke functional ceramics for the home. Zara releases new products monthly via a first come first serve ‘Drop’ system. All items are limited edition. I have never been lucky enough to have a successful 'drop' however I have lovely friends who have gifted me fabulous items from Zara McLaughlin - fingers crossed for the Christmas tree drop this year. I have a very lonely penguin!
Cloverhill Ceramics are based in Moneymore produce handmade functional pottery, including tableware and decorative seasonal items (you may remember my little ghost from our Fabric Pumpkin blog piece). We look forward to seeing what Christmas decorations Cloverhill Ceramics create this year!
Although Tea with Jud is now based in Rattery in Scotland, she is a Co Antrim girl at heart so we thought she still deserved a mention! Jud designs, makes and glazes her wheel thrown pottery in a range of bright bold colours offering a range of tableware, plant hangers and knitted tea cosies.
Clothing and and Accessory Gifts
Ted & Stitch based in Randalstown provides embroidered branded workwear, promotional and slogan clothing such as hoodies, sweaters and t-shirts for men, women and children. They offer a wide range of collections to choose from and I'm sure their Christmas jumpers will be back very soon. Ted & Stitch also supplied Memory Makers with our fabulous workshop aprons and branded sweaters - we just love them!
Eco-friendly outdoor gear for all ages inspired by the beauty of Northern Ireland, including sustainable sunglasses made from wheatstraw and coffee, recycled backpacks, hats, infinity bands and picnic blankets. I love my recycled explorer back pack - the perfect gift for those that love the great outdoors, exploring our wee country and further afield.
Home Interiors and Art Gifts
Peonies and Poms is a small business set up during the pandemic. They create beautiful felted pom pom garland decorations for your little ones spaces. I love my pumpkin garland featured in our home autumnal displays.
Knit and Knot based in Lisburn started as a lockdown hobby for a mum of three on maternity leave and soon became a little family business providing handmade knitted wire words and wall art. Check out their collection of custom made names, shapes, cake toppers and Christmas decorations.
A Broader Picture, found on Portstewart Promenade on Northern Ireland's beautiful North Coast, is a homeware shop which offers a considered selection of products, all chosen with a view to helping you create a relaxed, authentic and comfortable home - somewhere to feel good. Established in 1998 as a small craft shop, over the years A Broader Picture has evolved into a contemporary lifestyle shop with an interesting selection of furniture, textiles, lighting and homeware sourced both close to home and from farther afield.
in klöver NI has shops in Moira and Hillsborough and is one of my favourite places to look for local gifts. in klöver is a truly local shop featuring the work of artists and makers from across the UK, Ireland and beyond. Their mission is to create an inspiring place to shop for genuinely unique, handmade products. Everything they sell is sustainably sourced from independent makers.
Photography Gifts
Sarah Convey Photography based in Fermanagh captures maternity, newborn, family and wedding moments. From capturing my little niece's first few months in this world, to then providing us with precious family photographs a year later, there is nothing more special than gifting someone photos that capture a moment but last a lifetime. Sarah's personality just made the whole experience so enjoyable and gave us the relaxed photos we were looking for.
Divine Photography based in Coalisland is a portrait photographer and educator specialising in headshot photography, personal branding and family portraits. Cat provides a range of photography workshops including beginners courses, 121 workshops and smartphone courses - the perfect gift for those wanting to learn more about capturing that special shot. Cat took the photos at our first ever workshop, providing us with those memorable moments of the start of our Memory Makers journey.
You can make a huge difference!
Thank you for supporting small and local businesses this Christmas. Don't forget, Memory Makers provide luxury cookery and craft workshop experiences across Northern Ireland in both pop up venues and for private group events. If you would like to gift a real memory maker this Christmas check out our gift voucher options.
Emma & Hannah x
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