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 to gift this Christmas.
Crosses, Clocks and Signs
Local artist David Wright designs and carves these wooden signs and coasters. David is based in Comber and the items are available in our centre are based on local landmarks. We stock the popular Northern Ireland range too.
Wooden Coaster: £4
Small Hanger Scrabo Decoration: £5
Large Round Wall Plaque: £12
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
Deborah Neill, Donaghadee
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Based in the bustling seaside town of Donaghadee, Deborah makes handmade fragrant soaps, palm oil and chemical free, made locally from all natural ingredients, make the ideal stocking filler or secret Santa gift.
Price range: £3 - £9
Available: Bangor VIC
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Discovery Glass, Comber
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Local crafter Irene McBride based in Comber creates unique pieces of glass using the practices of traditional leading, "Tiffany" / copper-foil work, kiln-formed glass, hand engraving and painting, and stained glass in both her unique exhibition pieces and her studio collections combining her modern techniques with traditional skills.
Price range: £25- £40
Available: Ards VIC
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Etch Engrave NI
Laser engraving Custom work themed and personalised gifts using Wood, Glass, Metal or slate. Made locally by Mel Scott.
Etched Slate Coaster: £6
Etched Candle Plate / Mirror: £10
Available: Bangor and Ards VIC
Flourish and Fonts
Local artist, Sophie, from Newtownards creates these prints from the “ My Idea of a Nice Day Out” range.
Price range: £3 - £12.50
Available: Ards VIC
Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Gibson Plus
Newtownards creator, Gibson Plus, produces local scenes creatively cut out of wooden baubles of local towns and villages. Memories of special places and ideal to pop in with a Christmas Card.
Price: £5.95
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
Katie Larmour
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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: Bangor VIC
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Melissa Faye Studio
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Based in Bangor, Melissa creates her organic and sustainable tote bags with a monochrome image of local landmark, Scrabo tower.
Price: £15
Available: Ards VIC
Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Not Boring Cards By Dave
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. Dave is based in Bangor.
Price range: £5
Available: Ards VIC
Scent From Ireland
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Scent from Ireland has been a long time in the works, the warehouse and shop is now based in Bangor. Local crafter Pat wanted to bring an exciting way to experience our beautiful area by allowing you to take a unique slice of it with you.
Tinned candles: £8.99
Available: Ards VIC and Bangor VIC
Sea Glass Ireland
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Handmade in Bangor with authentic sea glass, sea pottery and other treasures collected from the beautiful beaches of County Down coast; earrings, pendants, bracelets and pictures make a perfect gift this Christmas, reminding us of summer.
Price range: £20 - £35
Available: Bangor VIC
Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Tracey Johnston Ceramics
Local ceramic landscape artist, Tracey takes inspiration from the beauty of our landscape and coastlines.
Hanging ceramic Scrabo Tower: £14.50
Available: Ards VIC
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
A Taste of AND
Ards Visitor Information Centre also stock a selection of locally made food and drink producer products, including...
Bró Coffee
An award winning luxury coffee solution, with coffee roasted locally in County Down.
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Chadodo Teas
Bringing you the finest speciality teas, carefully curated from remarkable tea artisans worldwide and blended locally.
Hotties Chocolate
Hotties was born and is now served in some of the best coffee shops across the UK and Ireland
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Irish Sisters Drinks
A sister company of Papas Mineral Company, enjoy the taste of cordials made with love.
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
Peppup Sauces
PEPPUP, based in Newtownards, uses only a few simple ingredients to create authentic and versatile fresh flavoured cooking sauces that all the family can enjoy.
Website | Facebook Profile | Instagram Profile
and, more!
The Visitor Information Centre stock a wide range of gifts to choose from. Here is a snippet of what else you can expect to find...
If you are looking for something in particular, why not phone ahead to ensure that the centre of your choosing has what you are looking for!
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
