With the festive season drawing ever-closer, you’re probably contemplating that familiar and slightly daunting question,
“what shall I get [insert family or friend’s name] this year?”
Whether it’s a gift for a friend, a gift for mum or dad, or a gift for your siblings or distant relative – as always, we’re here to help you!
Staying true to our values of supporting local & small businesses, this blog won’t be for you if you’re expecting affiliated links to big online retailers, or special discounts for high street brands…
However, if you’re looking for unique and inspiring gifts that bring the beauty of North Wales to life, and believe in supporting talented entrepreneurs and retailers making a humble living…
Keep reading!
1) Handmade crafts and fashion
What better way to show someone you care about them, than with a beautiful handmade and one-of-a-kind product, crafted by talented hands.
Handmade products are truly unique, meaning you’re less likely to find yourself giving a duplicate gift or something your lucky gift-recipient already owns.
Here’s some of our favourite local artisans:
Sebon Glascoed
Creating the most luxurious soap that looks good enough to eat, out of their studio in Morfa Nefyn, just down the road!
Made from natural oils and clays, their products will keep your conscience as clear as your skin!
We love their use of local place names for the different scents in their range, such as Garn Fadryn (Chamomile & Mint) and Ty Coch (Rhubarb & Ginger) – and as well as soap, you can also purchase beautifully scented and handmade bath bombs, shampoo, conditioner, candles, and even bamboo toothbrushes.
Visit their website to stock up on these amazing gifts! www.sebonglascoed.co.uk
Shed Neigwl
Just around the corner from us, towards Mynytho & Neigwl (Hells Mouth), you will find this exciting new local enterprise.
Offering a plethora of wonderful gift items, from home décor & furniture, skincare, candles & diffusers to accessories, jewellery, cards and stationery.
Where possible, items are handmade, repurposed or reclaimed – meaning that as well as being unique, they are also sustainable.
To mark this special time of year you can now purchase Christmas decorations, accessories, cards and create bespoke gift hampers!
Make your perfect gift hamper now at www.shedneigwl.com
2) Edible treats & thirst-quenching Diodydd (Drinks – pronounced Dee-o-dyth)
What Christmas doesn’t involve over-indulging?!
Whether you’re looking for something special to add to your festive menu, or you’re looking for edible and quaffable gift ideas, Wales offers a bountiful selection of delicious products that celebrate its rich food and drink heritage.
Are you looking for the perfect accompaniment to your cheese and cracker?
Well you only need to look down the road at some of our favourite local brands…
Welsh Lady Preserves
Whilst their delicious jams, sauces and condiments sit proudly & rightfully on the shelves of most well-stocked shops, you can also head to their online shop to get your sticky jam-hands on their award-winning products.
We love these condiments so much, we keep a selection in our reception to sell onsite!
Dylan’s
Not just a restaurant! This is another big contender on the Welsh condiment shelves, as well as one of our favourite local restaurant operators.
With three fantastic and successful restaurants (in Menai, Landudno and Criccieth) that truly celebrate local Welsh produce, it is no real surprise that they have entered the food retail arena…
meaning you can now take sample their authentic flavours in the comfort of your own home (or holiday home) – or give them as gift!
Although found in most grocery shops, you can also shop online for their amazing selection of condiments, sauces, spreads, soups, ready-meals and pizzas! www.dylansrestaurant.co.uk/shop
Halen Môn
Head a little further ‘down the road’, and you’ll find this next incredible North Wales brand, which has gone from strength to strength – and we are huge fans!
Halen Môn started their modest trade as suppliers of Anglesey sea salt to local butchers.
They now offer an incredible range of seasoning and condiment products, found in shops across the UK, as well as in more than 22 countries around the globe. They even have their own Gin!
You’ll find many amazing gift ideas and products on their website and we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t treated own friends & family to their goodies in Xmas’ gone by.
Aber Falls Whiskey & Gin Distillery
Funnily enough, this is where the ambrosial Halen Môn Gin is produced – Aber Falls not only produce some of the most exciting flavours of Gin we have come across, but they also make the first Whiskey to be produced in North Wales for over 100 years.
Their distillery tour is well worth the drive… just make sure you’re not the designated driver if you want to sample the nectar!
They also have an onsite restaurant where the food is exquisite, and they offer cocktail making classes and host various Christmas markets, where a wide range of local business offer their goodies.
As well as for grabbing a few bottles of the good stuff, Aber Falls provides a great option for winter experiences, which leads us nicely onto our next gift type…
3) Experiences
(It’s almost as if we planned this) – yes that’s right, your gifts don’t always have to involve giving something tangible…
As a holiday and leisure company, we are firm believers that the best gifts are not those you can physically hold in your hands or see with your eyes – the best gifts are memories that stay with you for your entire lifetime!
Discover Llŷn
Whether you’re a regular visitor to North Wales or looking to experience it for the first time – our activity-focused friends down the road, will ensure that you not only see the best highlights, but that you truly discover, the Llŷn.
Specialising in eBike and SUP tours, their exciting adventures are tailored to get you up and out the door
Experience the magical scenery and landscapes this stunning part of Wales is so well-renowned for!
They also provide equipment for hire, if you want to keep exploring by yourself.
They’re open year round and you can get in touch via their website – www.discoverllyn.com
And last but certainly not least, if you’re planning to visit this iconic part of the UK you’re going to need somewhere to stay…
Madryn Castle is the perfect base for all your adventures!
Experience our luxury lodge – and don’t forget to use our special festive discount code ‘Winter10’ when you book online.
Check prices and availability here.
Or, if you want to experience a slightly different part of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) and visit Cardigan Bay, then check out our sister site Sarnfaen
Sarnfaen, part of Pritchard Leisure’s portfolio of Five Star Escapes, offers first class accommodation, and the same friendly and five star customer service you’ll experience here at Madryn Castle, but is located right on the beach among all the action!
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