‘When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.’
If you’re giving gifts this Christmas, consider the profound impact you could have by supporting small, local businesses based right here in Northern Ireland.
We boast a vibrant small business community that includes family-owned businesses, social enterprises, charming boutiques, and artisan crafters. By choosing to shop local, you’re not just buying a gift, you’re supporting the creativity and craftsmanship of local businesses and investing in your local community.
Check out some of these unique and high-quality items from local businesses that would make perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones:
Based in the heart of Belfast, PAPERCROWN NI has become the go-to for contemporary stationery and gifting, bringing Northern Ireland to life through their ‘design-led products with a positive attitude’. You’re sure to find something for everyone in their range of stationery and gifts, featuring original illustrations of Belfast, and Northern Ireland’s, most recognisable landmarks, icons, and phrases.
Gold Foiled A6 Pocket Notebooks – £8.90
https://papercrownni.com/collections/gold-foiled-pocket-notebooks
Featuring original illustrations of Titanic or the iconic Harland & Wolff cranes, these notebooks can be personalised to add that special touch.
Celtic Initial – Foiled Pocket Notebooks – £8.90
https://papercrownni.com/products/celtic-initial-on-a-pocket-notebook
Handmade in Belfast with a machine-sewn spine and rounded corners, the notebooks come in a range of traditional and modern colour options, with a choice of gold, silver, or rose gold foil.
‘Our Wee Country’ – Wirebound A5 Notebook NI Map & Stickers – £12.90
https://papercrownni.com/products/wirebound-notebook-with-northern-ireland-map-stickers
A stunning gift for any stationery lover, this gold wire bound notebook features a map of Northern Ireland on the front and back cover, and includes two sheets of stickers of original illustrations of NI landmarks and phrases.
NI Landmarks & Icons Mug – £13.90
https://papercrownni.com/products/northern-ireland-landmarks-icons-mug
Whether you prefer coffee or a ‘wee’ cup of tea, this mug is a talking point at home or for the office (some people have even used it as a pen holder or desk tidy rather than drinking from it!). Question is, can you name all of the landmarks?
NI Landmarks & Icons Art Print – starts at £20.00
https://papercrownni.com/products/northern-ireland-art-print
If you prefer art on walls, instead of on a mug, you can’t go wrong with this stunning print of original illustrations. It looks especially good in A3 size, and there’s the option to order it already framed.
Social enterprise, Storybox NI, is based in the iconic Portview Trade Centre in East Belfast. Offering a range of high-quality and sustainable products from over 30 small, local businesses and social enterprises, each purchase from Storybox makes an impact and champions the creators, their teams, and the broader community.
Build Your Own Box – price varies.
https://storyboxni.com/apps/builder/build-a-box
Build your own gift box of a minimum of three items and a maximum of eight per box, featuring a stunning sleeve designed by a local artist.
Lough Neagh Dusk Candle – £12.50
https://storyboxni.com/products/lough-neagh-dusk-candle
£1 from every purchase is donated to PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland and £1 from every purchase is donated to Friends of the Earth NI who are campaigning for the protection of Lough Neagh. A collaboration between Storybox NI and Acorn, a social enterprise led by Bolster Community, this Himalayan cedar and jasmine scented candle is handcrafted by a team of young adults with mixed abilities.
Refuge Chocolate Drinking Melts – £4.50
https://storyboxni.com/products/refuge-drinking-chocolate-melts
Luxurious drinking chocolate melts made from ethical ingredients and supporting survivors of human trafficking. Refuge Chocolate donate proceeds from sales to local anti-human trafficking charity, Flourish NI.
Do Your Bit Starter Kit – £30.00
https://storyboxni.com/products/do-your-bit-starter-kit
An eco-conscious intro to generating some sustainable living practices, the Do Your Bit Starter Kit gift box contains soap and shampoo for sustainable hair and body care, a stainless steel straw set, and ethical chocolate for a sweet indulgence.
Mindful Moments Gif Box – £49.00
https://storyboxni.com/products/mindful-moments
The Mindful Moments gift box comes with a handcrafted pottery mug, coaster, candle, and box of Belfast Brew, all carefully selected to support local businesses whilst providing a relaxing and mindful atmosphere.
The Bearded Candle Makers have recently opened a shop in Newcastle, County Down, but prior to that have been trading for many years online. Featuring highly sustainable and ethical ingredients, as well as deliciously intriguing scents, a gift from The Bearded Candle Makers is sure to delight any candle-lover.
Book Lovers Collection – £15.00 to £28.00
https://www.thebeardedcandlemakers.com/product-category/book-lovers-collection/
Inspired by literary favourites, candles can be purchased separately or as part of a gift box with the work it was inspired by (a new or used copy), perfect for any bookworm.
Christmas In A Jar – £17.50
https://www.thebeardedcandlemakers.com/product/christmas-in-a-tin-soy-candle/
A Christmas classic, featuring a rich and warming scent that is bursting with sweet orange tart, cinnamon, and clove.
A Little Box of Mindfulness – £28.00
https://www.thebeardedcandlemakers.com/product/a-little-box-of-mindfulness-gift-box/
A Little Box of Mindfulness includes a ‘Midnight Mass’ candle with tones of calming frankincense, Palo Santo sticks with scented smoke, and a sage smudge bundle to clear negative energies.
Established in 2013 by husband and wife team, Al and Astra, the Itty Bitty Book company offer a range of positivity-inducing and happiness-inspiring gifts.
Daily Planner A5 Notepad – Gratitude & Wellbeing – £9.00
https://ittybittybookco.com/products/daily-planner-notepad-with-gratitude-and-wellbeing-focus
Believing mindset is as important as being productive, this daily planner pad featured a schedule, to-do list, priority area, wellbeing checklist, and mini gratitude list.
Weekly Planner A5 Notepad – Habit Tracker – £9.00
https://ittybittybookco.com/products/weekly-planner-notepad-with-habit-tracker
Keeping it simple and reducing pressure (the notepad isn’t dated, so you can dip in and out of using it), this weekly planner includes a schedule, to-do list, and habit tracker.
Inspirational Quote Prints – from £15.00
https://ittybittybookco.com/collections/inspirational-quote-posters-prints-wall-art
Perfect for the home or office (or home office?), there are a range of colourful and bright illustrative prints featuring positive and motivational quotes.
Acorn is a social enterprise operated by the charity, Bolster Community. Each Acorn product is handmade in Northern Ireland by a gifted community of young adults with additional needs. Acorn aims to help individuals reach their potential, empowering them to work within a group to feel connected, valued, and purposeful. All profits from Acorn purchases go back into supporting Bolster Community’s vital services.
Natural Soap – £7.00
https://acornshop.co.uk/collections/natural-soap
Naturally made, cold process soap produces a luxurious lather that cleanses skin while maintaining its natural moisture balance. Known for its mildness and ability to retain the beneficial properties of the oils used, it leaves skin feeling nourished and moisturised.
Reed Diffusers – £18.00
https://acornshop.co.uk/collections/reed-diffusers
Brighten up any room with a hand poured reed diffuser. Featuring a range of carefully crafted scents that infuse the air with a unique aroma.
Soy Wax Melts – £5.00
https://acornshop.co.uk/collections/soy-wax-melts
These melts provide an intensely rich scent with long-lasting effect. Non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe to use in any room, with no mess and no fuss.
Gift Hampers – £20.00 to £35.00
https://acornshop.co.uk/collections/gift-hampers
Indulge your loved one with an exquisite Acorn Gift Hamper. Options include a soap set gift set, wax burner and melts set, and a range of candle sets to choose from.