I don’t know about you but I’m putting a lot of extra thought into the presents I’m buying this year. It may not be the Christmas that we’re used to but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be special and I want my gifts to say I miss you, I love you, it’s been weird and shit but here, hopefully, this will bring you a little joy while we all hold tight and wait for the miracle vaccines.

We’re all being encouraged to buy Irish and support independent businesses for whom Christmas is a vital time, a bad one and there’s a very good chance that they won’t be here next year.

Here are some of Heyday’s favourites if you’re in need of inspiration...

Stable of Ireland @stableofireland
You’ll find beautifully handcrafted pieces scarves, hats, robes, masks and more here. It’s a celebration of Irish textiles and is perfect for those in your life with a discerning eye.

Loulerie @louleriejewellery
Louise Stokes has the most stunning taste and her jewellery boutique is a treasure trove of classic pieces alongside breathtaking statement jewels. There’s a great mix of budgets here to cater to those who want to make an investment and others who want to send a token of love.

Vbag @vbag.ie
There’s a great choice of gifts for the vegans in your life this year but we love the simplicity of ordering a hamper from Vbag. It’s a new Irish business and there’s everything from giant family boxes to cute kids packs of dairy-free, nut-free, gelatine free, gluten-free, egg-free goodies. Great for those with allergies and intolerances or anyone who’s not too keen on all the things usually found in a bag of jellies!

Faerly @thisisfaerly
This beautiful new sustainable store has lots of gift ideas that combine usefulness and design. We never thought we’d be lusting after a dustpan and brush but here we are.

Ely @elywinebars
We love a hamper, especially one that combines delicious foodie treats with excellent wine. Ely has something for every budget starting with a €20 mulled wine hamper and goes right up to €400 vintage champagne to ring in the new year and say a huge good riddance to 2020.

Finders Keepers @finderskeepersthestore
This Waterford store is a treasure trove of beautiful things. You could probably do all your Christmas shopping here, to be honest, but it’s nice to spread it around! We love their homewares, their candle selection and everything they have for children.

Mira Mira @miramiradublin
Shopping for kids can be a tricky business but we’ve never not found the perfect thing in Mira Mira. There’s something for the artistic child, the magic child, the scientific child and everyone in between. Shipping is quick and the team are super helpful.

Nicki Hoyne Collection @nickihoynecollection
Nicki Hoyne’s new eponymous collection of bags is everything an accessory obsessive could hope for. They’re gorgeous, yes, but they’re also ethically produced in Europe and are packaged with the environment in mind. Hurry though, we hear they’re selling fast.

Scout @scoutdesignstore
If you’d like to send one delivery with something for all the family we’d head to Scout. Here you’ll find quirky homewares, beautifully pared-back fashions and an array of great Irish brands to support.

Stockings @stockingsandco
A Christmas morning stocking is such an evocative memory and now you can send a loved one a literal stocking full of goodies thanks to Stockings and Co. This new business has a variety of different stockings to choose from including one for coffee lovers and one for chocolate lovers.

More Ideas…

Christmas Cards

If you’ve yet to buy your Christmas cards remember that this is a hugely important revenue stream for lots of charities. Charitycardsireland.ie has a selection from the Irish Hospice, Laura Lynn, Irish Cancer Society, St Vincent de Paul, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and more.

Art Attack

Sending someone a print that you’ve put lots of thought into is a gorgeous gift. You’ll find some great ones at Dusty Boy Designs @dustyboydesigns, Jando @jando, Pickled Pom Pom @pickledpompom, Imprint Illustrations @imprintillustration and we love the Born, Bred and Buttered county ones by Jess Tobin from April and the Bear @aprilandthebear.

Beauty

If there’s someone in your life that loves a makeup there are some great Irish brands to love. We have a brush set from Sarah Keary Makeup @sarahkearymakeup and a gift set from Aimee Connolly @aimeeconnolly_com on our wishlist and we can’t wait to see what Up Cosmetics, the new brand from Pippa O’Connor Ormond has in store @upcosmeticsofficial.

Gift Vouchers

If a gift voucher is more up your giftee’s street we would go for one from Arnotts @arnottsdublin. The iconic department store now has some of the world’s biggest beauty names including cult spa brand Elemis and Crème de la Mer who have a pop-up shop in the stunning beauty hall for those that love luxurious skincare.

Books, books, books

Sometimes that online behemoth beginning with A can’t be avoided but if you’re buying books this year please, please, please buy them from an independent bookseller. It’s good for our favourite stores and it’s better for writers too. Some of the best include The Gutter Bookshop @gutterbookshop, Dubray @dubraybooks, Kennys @kennysbookshop and the Bantry Bookshop.

Sweet Treats

Why don’t you choose some Irish chocolate to go with a book for a thoughtful gift that’s budget-friendly? Our favourite Irish sweet treats come from Hazel Mountain Chocolate @hazelmountainchocolate (seriously, if you haven’t had their mince pie truffles you haven’t lived), Lorge Chocolates in Kerry @lorgechocolates and Bean and Goose in Wexford @beanandgoose whose sharing slabs and tiny hammer make the best gift!

Your local favourites

If you want to make sure your favourite local boutique, florist, beautician, restaurant or pub makes it to next year now is the time to buy a voucher. We all need something to look forward to and our local businesses really need a boost this Christmas.

Jennifer Stevens, November 2020