WITH Christmas fast approaching, there’s no better time than now to support local Welsh businesses. If you’re stuck for gift ideas, look no further!
Gower Gifts Studio
Leanne and Paul, owners of Gower Gifts Studio, established their business in the Covid lockdown of 2020. Spending most of their time on local beaches, the coastal surroundings inspired them to make use out of raw materials on their doorstep. Their business prospered quickly, as in-person shopping was forbidden, their online shop became a hit. Gower Gifts Studio now regularly attends local crafts shows, and is featured in local gift shops- establishing themselves a positive reputation far and wide.
Collaboratively, Leanne designs the gifts which include: wooden houses, coastal scenes, and festive Nativity scenes, and Paul carves the wooden frameworks.
Designed to be the centrepiece on mantlepieces, and adorn once plain areas of your home, her scenes create a cosy area of peacefulness which replicate your favourite environments. The values which underpin the studio are those of sustainability and respect for the natural environment. They only use repurposed and natural materials, such as driftwood, to carve the scenes.
Her success has skyrocketed, with the recent boom of orders from America for her infamous Nativity scenes. Her large Nativity scene with solid wood stable features 11 handmade figures: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherd, two sheep, angel, donkey and three wise men. The wood stable is lit with 20 warm micro lights, measurements are 40cm width x 17cm height x 13cm depth.
Alternatively, a perfect mantlepiece decoration would be the Elf Road scene. It includes: a Candy Cane shop, Santa’s workshop, cocoa shop, an Elf Workshop and a North Pole post office. This scene is reminiscent of your favourite Christmas films and Lapland- a perfect representation for children excited about Santa’s arrival to see in their homes! This piece is 40cm width x 18cm height x 10cm depth.
Their other work includes: cafe campervan scenes, Coastguard cottages, and a Blossom street scene. These are delightful gifts for anyone who lives coastally, or travels around in their campervans, to view their favourite places in miniature replica form!
For more information, visit their website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
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Bossa Nova Chocolate
Delight in Bossa Nova Chocolate – A Taste of Brazil this Christmas
Bring the warmth and elegance of Brazil to your Christmas celebrations with Bossa Nova Chocolate, proudly based in Newport. Inspired by authentic Brazilian recipes, these luxurious, gluten-free truffles are lovingly handmade to offer a truly indulgent experience. Rooted in sustainability, Bossa Nova sources cocoa from farmer cooperatives, supporting the Cocoa Horizon Foundation. Every bite reflects care for the planet and a passion for perfection.
Christmas Must-Haves:
Discover the perfect gifts and festive treats on their website. For more inspiration, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Make this Christmas unforgettable with Bossa Nova Chocolate!
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Adra
Adra, based in the beautiful Parc Glynllifon, was created in 2007 by Angharad Gwyn. She sources and sells the best quality Welsh products for your home dreams. Her shop is THE place to go to if you want to support independent Welsh designers and the Welsh language itself. Alongside this, Adra also have their own range of products made exclusively by them. They try their very hardest to be environmentally friendly, with deliveries packaged in recycled materials.
Adra have just launched their Christmas 2024 collection, ready for everyone to decorate their homes with independently created pieces. For the most stunning Christmas tree they have a variety of baubles: festive Nadolig Llawen, Nadolig Llawen o’n tŷ ni i’ch tŷ chi, and robin themed ornaments.
Their home and kitchen accessories include: a serving tray for hosting evenings, a festive doormat, handcrafted love spoon decorations, beautiful smelling silent night candles, and tea towels for your kitchen makeover.
If you are need of organising your Christmas cards to all of your family and friends, Adra have a creative and funny selection: Iechyd da dros y Nadolig cards, Nadolig Llawen i ffrind arbennig cards, and funny Pwy sy’n dwad dros y BRYN? cards.
To create a memorable Christmas Eve experience for your children, Adra offers: beautiful Christmas sacks to be personalised, a wooden serving board for Santa’s carrots and minced pies, and a lovely baby’s sleepsuit for the festive evening.
Adra doesn’t forget your beloved pets in the gift-giving, ensuring they have an enjoyable day with offerings such as: a toy storage bag, a personalised pet bowl, and shampoo bars so they smell their best.
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones bought with thoughtfulness, that is where Adra’s personalised gift section comes in: the cook in your family can be gifted a personalised apron, and the book worm can have a handcrafted oak book rest with their name on.
For more information on their entire range, visit the website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
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The Welsh Cheese Company
The Welsh Cheese Company brings you a delightful collection of cheeses that celebrate the very best of Welsh craftsmanship, local ingredients, and rich, time-honoured techniques.
Nestled between rugged mountains and lush green valleys, Wales boasts some of the finest dairy farming in the world. The Welsh Cheese Company has embraced this natural bounty, working hand-in-hand with local farmers to craft cheeses that reflect the unique terroir of the land. Each wheel, wedge, and block of cheese is a story of heritage, passion, and local pride.
The Welsh Cheese Company’s Commitment to Sustainability
It’s not just the flavour that makes these cheeses stand out. The Welsh Cheese Company is dedicated to sustainability and working closely with small, local producers. They believe in supporting traditional farming methods, which respect the environment and the well-being of animals. This commitment to sustainability means that every cheese is not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a choice that supports ethical farming and responsible production.
The Range: Bold, Distinctive, and Irresistible
From smooth and creamy varieties to bold, tangy flavours, The Welsh Cheese Company offers a diverse selection to satisfy every palate.
Y Fenni: A semi-hard cheese that blends the sharpness of cheddar with the piquancy of mustard seeds and ale, Y Fenni is a bold, distinctive choice for those who love a bit of extra kick in their cheese.
Black Bomber: A rich and creamy extra-matured Cheddar with a deep, mellow flavour that’s both bold and buttery. Made in small batches, this award-winning cheese has a strong, satisfying taste that lingers on the tongue.
Pant Ys Gawn: A distinctive Welsh soft cheese with a creamy, almost mousse-like texture and a subtle, tangy flavour. Often described as having a fresh, lemony edge, this cheese is perfect for spreading on crackers, fresh bread, or even a croissant.
A Selection of Christmas Gifts:The Festive Feast Cheeseboard Selection, containing seven cheeses: Ruby Mist, Black Bomber, Angiddy, Golden Cenarth, Blue Wenallt, Y Fenni, and Pant Ys Gawn.
Luxury Welsh Cheese Christmas Hamper: A beautiful wicker hamper, containing eight cheeses, chutneys, crackers, and biscuits. Taste of Wales Collection: This includes Hafod Cheddar, Angiddy, Smoked Cerwyn, and Mon Las- combining the cheeses from all regions of Wales.
Clwb Caws Monthly Subscription: The ideal gift for those who want to support Welsh cheesemakers, whilst enjoying a variety of hand-picked cheeses every month. Choose from six different subscription packages, tailored to the needs of your recipient.
Best of the West Gift Box: Celebrate West Wales with cheeses from Caws Cenarth in Carmarthenshire and Pant Mawr in Pembrokeshire. This gift box also includes an apple chutney, and biscuits from the Brecon Beacons for the perfect accompaniment.
Perfect for Every Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a celebration, treating yourself to a quiet night in, or searching for the perfect gift for a cheese lover, The Welsh Cheese Company has something for you. Their cheeses are designed to bring joy to any occasion, from everyday meals to special celebrations.
With its exceptional taste, rich history, and commitment to quality, The Welsh Cheese Company is more than just cheese. It’s an experience that brings the beauty and tradition of Wales to your table.
Ready to discover the best of Welsh cheese? Explore the range today and elevate your next culinary adventure with a taste of Wales!
For more information on their entire range, visit the website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
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Katie Victoria Textiles
Katie Victoria is a talented textile designer based in Swansea, South Wales. Working on a hand-powered domestic knitting machine, she creates a stunning range of fabrics and fashion products using high-quality merino lambswool and cotton yarns. Inspired by Moroccan tile ceramics and Scandinavian design, Katie’s collections offer unique, sustainable, and biodegradable pieces.
Katie Victoria Textiles delivers both beauty and durability, ensuring each product meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. She collaborates with local UK manufacturers, a factory in Carmarthenshire for her sock production, and a knitwear factory on the Scottish borders for her gloves, thereby supporting UK textile production. Her work is sold across Britain and internationally, with features in prestigious publications like Embroidery Magazine and Country Living.
The knitwear is created from lambswool, creating a luxuriously soft feeling on the skin. Due to the quality of the lambswool, it will naturally regulate body temperature- keeping you cool in Summer and warm in colder Winter months.
Christmas Gifts selection:
The gloves and wool socks gift box is a beautiful present, arriving in gold embossed packaging and ribbon-wrapped. The wool boot socks are made from 80% merino wool and 20% fine cotton with an elasticated top for a gentle hold. The gloves are made from 100% lambswool yarns, this has a very soft handle and perfect for keeping your hands warm and toasty. Combining the colours of: petrol blue, forest green and ash grey, these beautifully muted tones are the perfect accompaniment to any outfit for Winter.
Handmade by Katie herself, is the Mono Hunter Scarf and Mono Hunter Cowl Scarf. Created using the softest lambswool on her domestic knitting machine, the utmost care is taken with each scarf to ensure the highest quality product. Incorporating the colours of petrol green/blue with ash grey and pink, the ceramic pattern design was inspired by visits from around the world and art deco interiors. It will arrive handwrapped in tissue and ribbon, an ideal statement piece for any recipient.
Alternatively, for a durable and sustainable inclusion to anyone’s wardrobe, why not gift one of Katie’s jumpers. Her Hunter mono stripe jumper is an excellent addition for the Winter wardrobe, with a comforting high neck and square/boxy design. The deep petrol green colour is paired with mustard, white, and pink patterning on the sleeves. If you wanted a jumper with a lighter colour palette, her sekin multi pattern jumper consists of opal blue, caspian blue, and popsicle pink. Designed with a feminine touch, the wrist is elasticated with a beautiful frilled cuff detail; the neckline is slashed across the collarbone, giving a flattering appearance.
For more information on Katie’s entire range, visit the website, or find her on Facebook or Instagram.
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County Sports
A Pembrokeshire Icon since 1965, County Sports caters to all of your Lifestyle, Fashion and Sporting needs. They aim to be a one-stop-shop for all your shopping desires. Whether you’re looking for that perfect gift, grabbing a new pair of rugby boots on your way to training, picking up a dry robe for a Winter’s Walk on the beach, or just treating yourself to a new outfit for those Christmas parties, County Sports has got you covered.
Located in the heart of Haverfordwest, County Sports offers a wide range of Men’s and Ladies’ fashion, sports and lifestyle clothing, footwear and accessories from top brands such as Barts, Fly, Hey Dude, Blundstone, Hoka, LazyJacks, Dryrobe, Canterbury, to name but a few! They also produce their own range of Pembrokeshire pullovers and t-shirts.
As well as fashion and lifestyle, County Sports boasts a varied and well stocked country sporting department for any keen shooters or fishermen, working with brands such as Savage Gear, Penn, Majorcraft, Weihrauch, FX Airguns, Daystate, BSA, Air Arms, Hikmicro and many more.
What sets County Sports apart is the expert advice they offer customers. You may be popping in to make a purchase, or just for a chat and some pointers. Whatever you call in for you’ll always find someone to talk to, whether that’s a member of their well-trained team, or one of the many regulars that form a unique community filled with tips, tricks and local insights.
Whilst retail may be the face of County Sports, what started the business was a passion for sporting hobbies and supporting the community, this is still the beating heart and driving force behind County Sports to this day. They sponsor local teams, support grassroots sports, and create a space where athletes of all ages can come together to share their passion.
Here’s a spotlight on just some of what they have to offer this Winter:
Get the perfect Christmas gift this year with a unique Pembrokeshire print exclusive to County Sports, with junior pieces coming soon!
Look no further for the hottest selection of running trainers, with Hoka. They stock a variety of styles from the range which come in a variety of colourways ranging from black and white, to bright teal.
Alternatively, if you’re in need of a new pair of walking shoes, their Merrell & Grisport walking range is currently on offer!
For the sports fanatics in your families, County Sports offers an impressive range of equipment and clothing for rugby, hockey, cricket, darts, snooker and swimming.
The official Wales rugby ball and Optimum Christmas pudding football are both perfect stocking fillers. Alternatively, why not give the keen hockey player a new Grays hockey stick in a beautiful mint/coral colourway.
For more information on their entire range, please visit their website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
Or pop in the store and have a browse.
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Gwenyn Gruffydd
In the rolling hills of rural Wales, Gwenyn Gruffydd is crafting something truly special – pure, natural honey that captures the essence of the Welsh countryside. With a deep passion for beekeeping and sustainable practices, Gwenyn Gruffydd produces honey that is not only rich in flavor but also a true reflection of the environment in which it is harvested.
Gwenyn Gruffydd’s honey is made using traditional methods, ensuring that each jar contains only the finest honey, free from additives and preservatives. Whether it’s the sweet, golden nectar from the wildflowers of the countryside or the more robust flavors from the heather-rich hills, each batch offers a unique taste profile, bringing the diverse flora of Wales directly to your table.
What sets Gwenyn Gruffydd apart is the commitment to sustainability and the well-being of the bees. Gwenyn Gruffydd employs ethical beekeeping practices, prioritizing the health of the bee colonies and promoting biodiversity. Their sustainable approach ensures that honey is produced in harmony with nature, protecting the ecosystem while delivering the purest, most flavorful honey possible.
From breakfast spreads to baking, Gwenyn Gruffydd’s honey is as versatile as it is delicious. It’s a perfect addition to your daily routine or an ideal gift for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Not only will you be indulging in a taste of Wales, but you’ll also be supporting local, environmentally responsible producers.
Taste the richness of Welsh heritage with Gwenyn Gruffydd’s honey – a true natural treasure that will add a touch of sweetness to your life.
The 100% pure, minimally filtered, unpasteurised (raw) Welsh honey that they produce has won 2 stars in the Great Taste Awards in 2017 and 2018, 1 star in 2020 and again in 2021 and 2022 and 2023. 2024 has been their best year on record, winning the prestigious 3 Star Great Taste Award for their Welsh Wildflower Honey; this accolade showcases the exquisite quality of their nectar sources from Tywi Valley, to the Ceredigion Coast.
Explore their Christmas Range:
The luxury pamper hamper is a honey-themed collection of their best products- perfect for anyone honey-obsessed in your family! Presented in a luxurious gift box, with ribbon, the hamper includes: Welsh Wildflower honey, delicate French lavender honey from Provence as well as a nourishing body Propolis Antioxidant Face and Body Cream, soothing and moisturising Oat lip balm, and a handmade beeswax candle. This is an ideal present for future pamper nights with friends and family!
Alternatively, as a taster of their best honeys, try their trio of British honey gift set. Included in the set is: Welsh Heather Honey, Welsh Wildflower Honey, and British Autumn Set Honey.
For those in love with lighting a candle in their homes, they have a variety of beeswax candles to choose from including: the festive pine cone, dinner candles for Christmas day, and hexagonal bee designed candle gift set. The pine cones are handmade, and eco-friendly, from their honey farm in Carmarthenshire. All their candles are designed to burn slowly, and infuse the air of your home with a sweet honey aroma.
For more information on their entire range of products, please visit their website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
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Sara Lloyd-Morris Jewellery
When it comes to timeless craftsmanship and unique design, jewellery by Sara-Lloyd Morris stands as a beacon of elegance.
Sara’s designs are inspired by the picturesque landscapes of Wales, created in eco-silver, gold, brass, and copper she creates earrings, rings, brooches, and necklaces inspired by the earth, sea and sky of Pembrokeshire.
Where Elegance Meets Artistry, the NEW Preseli Bluestone collection:
Step into a world where the ancient beauty of nature meets contemporary elegance with the stunning Preseli Bluestone Jewellery Collection by Sara Lloyd-Morris.
Preseli Bluestone is a very rare igneous rock found only in the Preseli Hills, thought by some to hold magical properties; it is steeped in the history of the inner circle of Stonehenge, and imbued with the power to resonate with the human spirit. Each piece radiates the natural beauty of the stone, offering more than just a decorative accessory—it is a portal to the past, a symbol of connection to the earth, and a celebration of the extraordinary!
The Preseli bluestone moonstone magic necklace, features a one-of-a-kind Preseli Bluestone bound together in a handcrafted silver setting. The blue-grey hues of the Bluestone, paired with rich, polished silver settings, create an exquisite contrast that enhances the stone’s otherworldly glow!
Alternatively, for the lovers of a bit of sparkle- Sara’s sparkling magic preseli bluestone necklace beautifully adorned by a cubic zirconium, adding radience to the jewellery.
The large Preseli bluestone disc and silver shell is an exquisite work of art; you are enveloping yourself in the positive energies of the stone, grounding you in its age-old power when worn.
Embrace the allure of Preseli Bluestone and let Sara Lloyd-Morris’s exceptional collection transport you to a world where history, art, and nature converge in perfect harmony.
For more information on her entire range of jewellery, please visit the website, or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
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Go-Raw
In the heart of South Wales, Go Raw stands at the forefront of the raw food movement for dogs. As specialists in providing high-quality raw food, they offer an ethical, natural, and balanced diet tailored to the needs of your furry companions. Go Raw uses only the finest ingredients, ensuring that every meal is packed with the nutrients your dog needs to thrive.
At Go Raw, they believe in the power of nature. Their raw food recipes are designed to mirror the natural diet of dogs in the wild, with protein-rich meats, fresh vegetables, and natural supplements. Whether you have a playful pup or a senior dog, Go Raw offers a variety of options suited to all life stages and dietary needs. Their meals are free from artificial additives and preservatives, allowing your dog to enjoy a clean, wholesome diet.
By choosing Go Raw, you’re supporting a company committed to sustainability, sourcing ethically raised meats, and helping to reduce the environmental impact of pet food production. They pride themselves on transparency, ensuring that each ingredient is carefully chosen to nourish your pet’s health and happiness.
Available through UK mainland delivery and local deliveries in South Wales and Bristol, Go Raw’s range of raw dog food is making it easier than ever to feed your pet a diet that mirrors the raw, nutritious foods they were designed to eat. Let your dog experience the benefits of fresh, natural ingredients with Go Raw – the raw food specialists.
To ensure your companion is gifted the most nutritious Christmas presents, select from the following food options below:
Their Go-Raw mixed brand box is the perfect starter selection of food for your dogs. This includes a variety of products, picked at random, from Raw treat, BR, Southcliffe, Totally natural, Prime raw, Rhondda raw, and Albion.
Alternatively, their happy dog box is a great Christmas morning gift for your dogs, to include them on the stocking mayhem! The natural treats included are: 3 Pigs in blankets, 6 Chicken feet, 2 Duck necks, 3 Natural sausages, 2 Filled hoofs, 1 Filled steri bones. By treating your dogs naturally, you can ensure their health and longevity.
For individual raw meats, why not try their totally natural bulk box, or their Southcliffe mince bulk box. These gift boxes are made with a blend of premium raw meats, bones, and offal, providing a natural and nutritious diet for your dog. The nutritional benefits are: essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, supporting overall health, improved digestion, and enhanced coat condition. The bulk box format offers an economical and practical solution for feeding your dog, with individually portioned servings for ease of use.
For more information on their entire range, visit the website, or find them on Facebook or Instagram.
