Christmas provides an ideal opportunity to reward employees and loyal customers for all the hard work and business that’s been done during the year. However, it’s a tough time for a busy chief executive or sales executive to track down the latest smart buys. And they may feel cash-rich but time-poor. So, in order to assist that elusive gift shopping expedition here is a list of premier presentable ideas with sustainable and reliable qualities too.
Happy Hamper Fans
“There’s nothing quite like the surprise and delight of a beautifully presented gourmet Irish hamper delivered to your door,” says Lulu O’Sullivan of Irish Store.com.
Check out her “Traditional Irish Feast” hamper for €130 — it’s a box of nostalgic goodies including Butler’s chocolates, Bewley’s tea bags, Tayto crisps, Christmas puddings, brandy butter, whiskey cake, mince pies and Irish organic jams. Another super hamper comes from Spiddal’s famous cafe — An Builín Blasta. Thanks to the culinary expertise of Canadian owner Heather Connolly these hampers include fabulous condiments, sauces, cakes and chocolates that are all made from local produce.
For more general boxes try the GiftsDirect.com website. The Christmas hampers section has 62 product lines that include multiple gift sets and gift boxes with high-quality wines, spirits and Irish whiskey creams.
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Textiles and Weaves
The Stable of Ireland not only has a great store in the Westbury Mall in Dublin but also boasts an eclectic website representing top Irish weavers like Inis Meain and Donegal knitwear designers. Their range includes handbags, herringbone bed covers and accessories from our leading craftspeople. Aran sweaters, Donegal tweed jackets as well as sofa throws and alpaca blankets are great gifts. Cashmere pashminas, snugs and herringbone scarves feel like a virtual hug.
Candles and Lamps
Oonzie Scent lamps are designed and created by Irish writer Una Brankin Murphy. They offer an elegant alternative to scented candles and emit lovely low-key lighting for winter evenings. Brankin Murphy explains they were inspired by the sights of mellow sunlight on Carlingford Lough. The fragrant oil is captured in a stylish oak and glass container. There are refills for a lasting eco-friendly gift.
Beautiful Irish beeswax candles are also in big demand and can be bought from Brookfield.farm in Nenagh. There are gold hand-dipped candles for €14 per set and hand-poured botanical candles in jars from €46. Ailbhe Gerrard is the farmer and beekeeper behind this firm, and she also sells traditional handmade gifts like her wild honey and lotions all wrapped up in gorgeous gift boxes. The candles are dipped, and hand poured and can be scented with botanical essential oils. Max & Benjamin’s Happy Pod diffuser in porcelain will uplift the executive mood with Neom Organics Pod Diffuser at Arnott’s gift shop for €60.
Lotions and Potions
Green Angel creates therapeutic body creams, soaps, and gels along with festive gift sets for the bathroom and boudoir. The award-winning range manufactured in Ireland has healing and revitalising benefits due to a combination of natural plant oils and organic ingredients. The owner, Mary Mitchell, extols the benefits of seaweed and marine ingredients for replenishing skin and hair. Aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea leaf are the extracts used in Green Angel products. Gift sets start from €25 for the Little Angel pampering box ideal for corporate travel; to the Seaweed and Bath Shower sets for €59 can be bought online or from Meagher’s of Baggot Street and McCabe’s pharmacies.
Crafty Corporates
The ancient craft of pewter is carried on by Mullingar Pewter which employs 30 people from the local area. They ship worldwide with designs that are inspired by Celtic crosses and historical monuments that dot the Irish countryside. The Claddagh Ice Bucket at €155 is stunning; Celtic picture frames are reasonable at €29.95; a pewter chess and draughts set with carved knights and kings looks sensational; or champagne engraved pewter flutes €189.95; a gent’s pocket watch with chain costs just €54. Orders can be made at mullingarpewter.com.
The Tweed Project of Galway is also famous for unique and exclusive pieces such as their vibrant yellow and red tartan cushions. The Donegal Shop also provides pure Irish linens, knitwear, handwoven cardigans and jumpers, plus a luxury mix of cashmere and Alpaca wools. The yarns come in a kaleidoscope of colours like lime green, tangy orange, cornflour blue and buttercup yellows. There are hats and beanies as well as matching berets to create cute twinsets that are ideal for gifting too.
Guilty Pleasures
Splash out on interesting wines and cigars for the upmarket executive. James J Fox of Dublin — one of our oldest cigar and whiskey bonders (1881) is another classic outlet for interesting whiskeys, Caseti Cigar cutters, jet lighters and Cuban cigars, exclusive tipples like a Currach Whiskey (€79) and paraphernalia for smoking catadors and sommeliers. Cigar cutters are also interesting for aficionados.
Weirs and Sons also have super corporate gifts like a Secrid leather mini-wallet; designer passport holders and Montblanc pens to impress a literary figure.
Paula Rowan’s designer gloves make quite an original gift and are worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Madonna. Her shop is in the Westbury Mall, Dublin.
Barbour in Arnotts is handy for picking up a high-quality checked scarf or other upmarket accessories.
Cath Kidston has colourful overnight holdall bags with cute cosmetic purses too. There are also festive little red clutch bags and Christmas pudding hats from River Island.
Avoca Handweavers are always reliable for festive gifts from rustic woven baskets to cookbooks and homewares like floral teapots with matching coffee cups for €44.95. This season they celebrate the rich history of Trinity College with a customised collection — from smart cufflinks, scarves, and books.
Books are a fantastic gift and are always a safe bet. Books on the Green in Sandymount boast a compact selection of novels and bestsellers to save you from searching through rows of shelves. The iconic shop also has candles, posters, toys as well as pictures with Irish landmarks from the Poolbeg chimneys to Martello towers.