The Ultimate 2021 Christmas Gift Guide
Words : Eva O’Beirne
Christmas shopping can be painful. You don’t want to be buying presents for the sake of it, but finding one that the person actually likes is a tough task. Don’t worry – District has you covered. Whether you’re shopping for your Da, boyfriend, kris kindle or eccentric family members, we have a huge selection of gifts for you to choose from.
Books and Novels
Sally Rooney, Beautiful World, Where Are You?
It’s not Christmas without a Sally Rooney book to give to a young adult. ‘Beautiful World Where Are You’ is Rooney’s latest release and focuses on the relationships between four friends as they attempt to navigate adulthood. You can buy it from Books Upstairs here.
Jodi Picoult, Wish You Were Here
‘Wish You Were Here’ by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult beautifully documents the loss and uncertainty of the past two years. Focusing on reflection, turning 30 and isolation, you can grab a copy from the Gutter Bookshop.
Books Bundles, Books Upstairs
If you’re struggling to find a good read for the bookworm in your life, why not buy several? Books Upstairs, Dublin’s oldest independent bookstore, offers bundles of three books starting from 35 euro. They even have a children’s and young adult’s section in case you’re not down with the kids. Choose the bundle theme and let the elves in Books Upstairs get to work. Shop here.
Shon Faye, The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice
‘The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice’ is a non-fiction book by Shon Faye on the subject of transgender liberation in the United Kingdom. This book explores how issues of social class, employment, housing insecurity, police violence and sex work affect transgender people and is a must read for 2021. You can pick up a copy from Books Upstairs.
Colin Tóibín, The Magician
The Magician’ by Colin Tóibín is perfect for any adult in your life who loves history. It follows the life of the German novelist and Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann and his experiences of the First and Second World War. Whether it’s for your dad who is obsessed with war trivia or an aunt who enjoyed ‘Brooklyn’, you can pick up ‘The Magician’ from the Gutter Bookshop.
Laura de Barra, Décor Galore: The Essential Guide to Styling Your Home
We’ve all spent a lot of time at home the past year, and even the biggest fans of Marie Kondo might need a few tips now and again. ‘Décor Galore: The Essential Guide to Styling Your Home’ by Laura de Barra is the perfect stocking filler for anyone who works from home and is looking to maximise their space. Grab a copy from Books Upstairs here.
Fashion and Beauty
Oxmantown Skincare
Oxmantown is your one-stop-shop for all things Irish skincare. This Dublin-based company is environmentally friendly, ethically sourced and the perfect gift for the fella who’s a bit clueless about skincare in your life. Don’t subject him to another Lynx Africa set, instead unleash his inner beauty guru with their Oxmantown Men’s Kit.
Abode General Store Menswear
Abode General Store is a menswear and lifestyle store based in Dublin which focuses on curating purposeful brands and designers. Pick up a few pieces from this shop to make the perfect chrimbo present for the eco-conscious man in your life.
Papi.ie
For subtle and simple jewellery, look no further than Papi.ie. With several gift sets available, their rings and necklaces are the perfect gift for your boyfriend or partner. They even stock “Connell’s chain” so you can live out your Normal People fantasy.
Draíocht Handmade Jewellery
Draíocht means magic as Gaeilge and this handmade jewellery collection truly lives up to it’s name. Based in West Cork, the brand tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, using sustainable packaging and making each piece to order. You can even customize your piece so your loved one will feel extra special. Check out their best-selling metal custom ring here.
Quack and Dirk Womenswear
Perhaps the coolest place to pick up a scarf and gloves for Mammy, Quack and Dirk of Fairview are a quirky women’s clothes shop that sells gorgeous sustainable and vintage pieces. Check out their Christmas collection here.
Chupi
Based in Powerscourt Centre on South William Street, Chupi specialises in heirloom and sustainable jewellery. If you’re looking to recreate Love Actually (but actually give your partner jewellery instead of, you know, cheating on them), check out their Christmas collection.
Beanantees
A small Irish business that sells clothing with Irish phrases? Sign us up. Beanantees creates empowering clothing for Irish women inspired by pop culture and an Ghaeilge. Designed, embroidered and printed in the hills of Donegal, each collection support a different rape crisis centre, Pro Choice or LGBTQ+ organisation. Check out their sweatshirt range here.
Luna by Lisa
If you’re looking for some stocking fillers for your younger sister, nieces or cousins, Luna by Lisa’s holiday collection is your best bet. 100% cruelty free and an Irish brand, it ticks all the boxes. Check out the full range of makeup here.
Inis Meáin Knitting Company
Inis Meáin Knitting Company creates contemporary Irish knitwear, menswear and womenswear from the island of Inis Meáin. Their Aran sweaters are perfect for any outdoorsy man in your life. Sure Patrick Dempsey is on their homepage, so they must be class. Check out their 2021 A/W collection here.
Indigo and Cloth
Indigo and Cloth are a men’s clothing and homeware store in Temple Bar. Pop in for some chic bits and a coffee in their café.
Lifestyle and Home
Tide Robes
Proudly designed in Ireland, Tide Official was born from a love for nature. If your ma has suddenly developed a passion for sea swimming, their Tide Robe is the ultimate Christmas gift. Have a look at their website for more products to put under the tree.
Brookwood Pottery
Founded in 2012, Brookwood Pottery is a small Dublin based business that creates ceramics with plenty of personality. If someone you know has just moved house or if you’re looking for a gift for the in-laws, Brookwood Pottery should be your first port of call.
High Rollers
High Rollers is a skateboard and clothing store on Aungier Street that sell everything from footwear to skateboard hardware. Hop on their website to find the perfect gift for the skater boy or girl in your life.
Hen’s Teeth
Hen’s Teeth has become one of Dublin’s most beloved lifestyle and food stores. Based in Blackpitts, Dublin 8, they stock a wide range of home accessories, books and even Christmas hampers. Jump onto their website for more gift ideas.
Scout
Situated in Smock Alley, Scout is a homeware and apparel shop that stocks stunning and sustainable goods for adults and kids. They have a full Christmas collection available to shop here, as well as their own ‘build a gift box’ option.
Studio 22 Gift Boxes
Genuinely don’t know what to bring to your in-laws for Christmas? Studio 22 has a beautiful range of gift boxes, stuffed with Irish-made goodies. With brands like Voya, McNutt and Max Benjamin, Studio 22 is perfect if you don’t have much time for shopping.
Sex Siopa
For a more intimate present or perhaps something for yourself, check out Sex Siopa. Based in Sligo, this multi-award winning online store has all you need to end up on the naughty list. They even have a holiday collection available to shop here.
High Minds
High Minds is an Irish company that caters to “high” minded individuals. With incense, apparel and everything you need for a good smoke, one or two bits from this store is perfect for your sibling who’s a 420 enthusiast.
Art and Design
Lighthouse Cinema Prints
The Lighthouse Cinema have brought back their charming Christmas shop for this year’s holiday season. Their prints and tote bags are perfect for Kris Kindle or as a stocking filler.
Halo Print Club
Halo Print Club is a small Irish business sells funky prints and cards that would brighten up any room or study space. Keep them in mind for your creative younger family members – their tote bags would go down a treat too!
Badly Made Books
Who doesn’t love to be organised? Get your office Kris Kindle, a friend or even a sibling a sweet journal from Badly Made Books. All their notebooks are made in Ireland from recycled cardboard so it’s double the good karma.
Nóta Póca
Nóta Póca is a delightful, colourful online stationery store that stocks everything you can think of. From quirky greeting cards to working-from-home essentials, any student or artistic type would adore a gift voucher from this Galway based business.
Howrad Studios
Owned by twin sisters Rachel and Ciara Howard, Howrad Studios stocks prints, stationary and even wrapping paper that any #girlboss in your life will simply adore. With Christmas bundles aplenty, you can check out their full collection here.
Jam Art Factory
Jam Art Factory is your one stop shop for prints, notebooks, decorations and cards. The best part? They’re all created by Irish artists. Check out their website here.
Music
Tower Records
For new releases on Vinyl, make sure to hit up Tower Records. Grab your sister the latest Adele album or maybe even a Christmas hits vinyl to blast over the holidays.
The Secret Book and Record Store
Secret Book and Record Store is one of Dublin’s best hidden spots. Tucked away on Wicklow Street, you’ll find some vintage gems in here for your brother who claims he was born in the wrong generation.
Paul McCartney, The Lyrics
Featuring two volumes of Paul McCartney’s lyrics from his time before The Beatles, with The Beatles, Wings and his solo career — 154 songs in all, this is the dream present for any dad or grandad who was a Beatles fanatic. Shop here.
Food and Drink
Grá Chocolates
Grá Chocolates take three days to make and are almost too beautiful to snack on. Their Christmas collection is selling extraordinarily well – you can pre-order a box here.
Salumi Grazing
It was far from a charcuterie board we were reared but that won’t stop us from indulging in a grazing box from this family-run business. Based in Terenure, Dublin 6W, Salumi Grazing offers festive grazing boxes from 28 euro with all the traditional bits: premium European cheeses, cured Italian meats, breadsticks, tapenade, dressed Italian olives and much more. Vegetarian options are also available. Check out their website here.
The Paddybox
The Paddybox is the perfect gift for family and friends abroad who can’t make it home for the holidays. Stuffed with grá, you can choose a pre-made Paddybox or build your own. With boxes for new mammies, girly nights in and Christmas (naturally), there’s something for everyone. You can order a box here.
Brewbox Coffee Subscription
Working from home can be handy but it’s easy to miss your daily flat white. A Brewbox subscription or taster box would be the perfect gift for any coffee lover you know. Whether it’s for your parents, brother-in-law or co-worker, a regular supply of coffee will certainly go down a treat.
Craft Cocktails
Made by bartenders, not pretenders. Craft Cocktails have released three limited edition festive cocktails alongside their gift bundles. Perfect for festive parties or a cosy night-in on the couch, order yours ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Vegan Hampers
Christmas can be a nightmare for vegans. And it can be a nightmare for those catering for the vegans. Why not make their Christmas extra special with a hamper from the Vegan Sandwich Co.? With selection boxes, grazing boards and breakfast hampers, you can make sure your cupboard is well stocked and the vegans in your life are well-fed.
Experiences
Roe and Co Distillery
Roe and Co Distillery offer a range of tasting tours, including a new Christmas themed session only available during the month of December. Bring your siblings for a more sophisticated boozy day out or treat the cocktail enthusiast in your life to a fun afternoon testing their knowledge.
Forbidden Fruit 2022
Perfect for the music lover in your life, Forbidden Fruit is making it’s grand return after two years. Treat yourself and your festival buddy to a weekend you’ll treasure forever. Tickets go on sale Thursday December 2. Check out the festival’s website and 2022 line-up here.
Kerry Climbing
The past year and a bit have taught us that life is too short. So treat yourself and your adventurous friends to an experience that you’ll never forget. KerryClimbing.ie offers guided tours of the MacGillycuddy Reeks from 65 euro per person.
Atlantic Sea Kayaking
The last time you went kayaking may have been on a school tour, but Atlantic Sea Kayaking promises the unique experience of being on the water from dusk to darkness. Perfect for anyone longing for adventure, you could gift this experience to your partner, pal or even your parents.
National Gallery of Ireland Membership
The perfect gift for any art lover in your life. You can buy a ‘Membership of the Friends’ pass for the National Gallery of Ireland that includes free access to all exhibitions for a year, as well as various discounts in their shop and café. You can check out their website for more information.
All Together Now 2022
If you want to book a weekend away in the summer but don’t want to roll the dice with going abroad, there’s still tickets available for All Together Now 2022. Grabbing a pair of tickets for you and your baby sister or brother who hasn’t experienced their first festival yet will give you both something to look forward to.
Sustainable Bits
Finders Keepers Bray
Beloved by Irish influencers like Roz Purcell, this Bray-based vintage store is truly having a moment. Pick up a funky sweater or voucher from Finders Keepers for your younger sister to show you know where it’s cool to shop (we won’t tell). Check out their latest drop here.
Rêverie
Rêverie is a small Irish owned and female led vintage store which ethically sources their stock so you don’t have to worry about your carbon footprint. Whether it’s a gift voucher or a statement piece, the sustainable queen in your life will be ecstatic when they see the Rêverie tag.
Green Dot Design Shop
Green Dot Design Shop is the perfect shop for you if there’s a new arrival in the family and you’ve no idea what babies like to play with. They stock eco-friendly toys for kids up to secondary school, so if you want to be the cool aunt or uncle, here’s your chance!
Little Green Shop
Get your eco-friendly pal a lovely little hamper from the Little Green Shop. This sustainable store has plenty of options to choose from, with gift baskets for new babies, to stocking fillers for under 10 euro.
Thriftify
Support your bestie’s sustainable fashion addiction with a gift voucher from Thriftify, one of Ireland’s fully online charity shops.
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