Christmas gift ideas from West Wales: give something a little different this Christmas. Our first post includes 9 ideas for gifts which celebrate the natural beauty and traditional crafts of West Wales.
Did you get to visit West Wales this year? With Christmas only a few weeks away (eek!) why not bring a little bit of Welsh magic back into your life and support one of our small local businesses at the same time?
Take a look at some of our favourite things to buy for loved ones, for difficult-to-buy-for aunties or just for yourself – no socks, promise! These gifts are inspired by the coast, countryside and traditions of West Wales.
Gifts inspired by the sea
Driftwood Designs – Lizzie Spikes’ original paintings, cards and prints are inspired by the landscape, literature, people and places of West Wales with many pieces made using ‘flotsam and jetsam’ that washes up on our beautiful beaches.
Beachcomber Jewellery – Designed and handmade by Kerry Hughes who confesses to being ‘obsessed’ with beachcombing, the Beachcomber Jewellery collection is inspired by the beautiful beaches of Cardigan Bay. Each piece is individually handmade from recycled silver using traditional tools and techniques.
Adopt a Dolphin – Did you spot one of the Cardigan Bay Dolphins on your holiday to West Wales? Help the Sea Watch Foundation keep our dolphins safe by adopting a dolphin for yourself, or as a present for someone you care about.
Gifts inspired by the landscape
Diane Mathias – has a “great passion for the wild places, mountains and skies of Wales” which are captured in her work. Find beautiful paintings, prints and handmade cards on her website.
Helen Elliott – The places, people, seasons and creatures of West Wales are depicted in Helen’s vibrant and colourful work. Take a look at the Buy nice things section on her website where you’ll find prints, cards, calendars, gifts and beautiful original paintings.
Chris Chalk – Poppit, Mwnt, Newgale, Barafundle – do you have a favourite West Wales beach? You’ll find paintings and prints inspired by the beaches of West Wales alongside images of mountains, valleys, wildlife and remote parts of the Welsh countryside on Chris’s website.
Gifts inspired by tradition
Give a gift from the heart by choosing a traditional Welsh Lovespoon from The Lovespoon Workshop. The Thomas family make many varieties of handcrafted and personalised Welsh Lovespoons at their workshop near Tenby in Pembrokeshire.
Jane Beck Welsh Blankets – Cosy up for Christmas with a beautiful woollen blanket or bed cover from Jane’s inspirational website. You’ll find beautifully made clothing, gifts and cushions featuring traditional Welsh colour and pattern plus knitting, crochet and needlepoint. Both modern and antique items are available.
The Welsh Slate & Gift Boutique use the best quality Welsh Slate from Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales for their range of slate products. Everything is individually handmade in the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire. Find out more on their Facebook Page.
More Christmas gift ideas next time
In our next post, we’ll have some ideas for gifts of delicious West Wales produce you can send in time for Christmas. See Part 2: Bwyd a diod -Food and drink.