With this Christmas Gift Guide discover some of the ranges from local crafters and makers available in our Ards and Bangor Visitor Information Centres. A festive shopping experience is waiting, call in and support local creative businesses, you’re sure to find something unique and special this December!
Adele Pound Art, Millisle
Long-tailed and short-tailed handmade paper birds in a variety of cheerful colours. From Blue tits to Robins to Blackbirds and Bullfinches. The natural world is Adele’s inspiration for her beautiful work and craft. Her paper engineering skills produce wonderful pieces to display in the home and make an original Christmas gift.
Price: £10 - 12.50
Available: Ards VIC
Adele Pound Wildlife Art: Drawing, imagination, and stories
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Deborah Neill Soaps, Donaghadee
Handmade fragrant soaps, palm oil and chemical free, made locally from all natural ingredients, make the ideal stocking filler or secret Santa gift.
Price: £3 - £9
Available: Bangor VIC
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Deborah Robinson Art, Donaghadee
Watercolour and pen and ink prints of local scenes and quirky maps for the region plotting favourite landmarks and attractions in a pretty pastel palette. Available in various sizes, perfect for posting overseas.
Price: £15 - £20
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Discovery Glass, Comber
Specialising in stained, fused and “Tiffany” style glass Irene McBride is a true local talent. Her beautiful high end quality glass angels make a wonderful gift all year round and her exquisite glass Robins and Holly Wreaths are perfect for this time of year!
Price: £15 - £33
Available: Ards VIC
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Gibson Plus, Newtownards
Local scenes are creatively cut out of wooden baubles including Newtownards, Mount Stewart, Donaghadee, Millisle, Portaferry and Comber. These are definitely memories of special places and ideal to pop in with a Christmas Card.
Price: £5.95
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Katie Larmour, Northern Ireland (Ards and North Down locations)
Handcrafted with beautiful traditional 100% Irish linen certified by the Irish Guild and sourced from one of the last remaining linen mills still active in Ireland today…..and a portion of beading is reclaimed. These bejewelled trinkets are for all-year-round and any season. Inspired by memories of the artist and traditional Irish folklore. These beautifully crafted local landmarks are perfect for souvenirs and of course the ideal sparkly festive décor for the tree.
Price: £16 each
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Melissa Faye Studio, Bangor
Organic and sustainable tote bags with a monochrome image of local landmark, Scrabo tower
Price: £12
Available: Ards VIC
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Not Boring Cards By Dave, Bangor
Monochrome greeting cards featuring local scenes and landmarks in pen and ink, these could be sent as a card and also framed as a keepsake.
Price: £5
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Scent From Ireland, Bangor
A range of scented candles locally made with the region at their core: Strangford Lough with the scent of rocksalt and driftwood: Scrabo Tower with sandalwood and rose fragrances of a country walk and Cockle Row reminiscent of a cosy turf fire. The presentation of the candles with local photography make them a lovely gift at Christmas and all year round.
Price: £8
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Sea Glass Ireland, Bangor
Handmade with authentic sea glass, sea pottery and other treasures collected from the beautiful beaches of Co.Down coast; earrings, pendants, bracelets and pictures make a perfect gift this Christmas, reminding us of summer.
Price: £17 - £25
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
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Contact details for our Visitor Information Centres
Ards Visitor Information Centre
31 Regent Street
Newtownards, County Down
Beside the bus station in the town centre
T: 028 9182 6846 | Opening hours
Bangor Visitor Information Centre
Tower House, 34 Quay Street
Bangor, County Down
Opposite the marina area, near Eisenhower Pier
T: 028 9127 0069 | Opening hours
