FABULOUS CHRISTMAS GIFTS

The festive season is upon us so let’s express our love and appreciation to those who have been in our thoughts all year. Here’s a wondersome show of gift inspiration from the finest local ateliers, stores and online retailers. You know the drill, scan the QRs for pronto gifting

BY DIANA PORTER

9ct Fairtrade Gold ‘LOVED’ Sibyl The most sentimental gift to be enjoyed season after season. The signature Sibyl by Bristol jeweller Diana Porter is made using 9ct Fairtrade yellow gold etched with the word LOVED. £830. Visit the shop at 33 Park Street, Bristol or shop online.

dianaporter.co.uk

Your passport to a year of world-class art at the RWA. The RWA Art Pass (£15) or Friends of the RWA membership (£35) make the perfect gift for art lovers. Both allow free year-round access to exhibitions, the latter offers extra benefits, including discounts, special events and trips. Check out the RWA website to see which one works best for you. rwa.org.uk

The south west’s leading designer jeweller, award-winning Nicholas Wylde has been designing original, high quality jewellery since first opening in 1987. Nicholas Wylde is a perfect destination for anyone looking for that unique piece of jewellery to add that extra special sparkle this Christmas. Visit the showroom at 6 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8

nicholaswylde.com

Every baker needs a home for those prized loaves. This breathable linen bread bag handprinted by designer Lauren Holloway will become an essential kitchen accessory, available in mustard, green or grey, £32. See this and many more fabulous, sustainable bags and accessories by Lauren Holloway on her website.

laurenholloway.uk

‘Arrowhead I’ polished bronze with patination and ebonised wood base (height: 28cm) by Bristol sculptor Julian Cox , £1,500. Exclusively available at Clifton Contemporary Art, 25 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8

The perfect present! Help care for animals as well as supporting the Wild Place’s conservation work across the globe by adopting either a European brown bear, giraffe, ring-tailed lemur or a zebra, £30. For all the details visit:

wildplace.org.uk

This sterling silver bangle by Honey Willow can be personalised with names, dates, messages or phrases, £90, it is hand stamped with up to forty characters. An intimate gift that really can mean something. Visit the store at: 8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath

£20 per adult. Make pottery with a choice of clays in this self-directed ceramics workshop on North Street. In this open studio guests have access to all the tools, equipment and a pottery wheel to make whatever takes their fancy. Find this and many more gift ideas at :

yuup.co

Commission a contemporary styled dog portrait painted by award winning artist: Tracey Bowes. Her works are personalised by using styles and colours to suit her clients. Tracey combines her design skills with her traditional fine art practice to create breathtaking pieces. Prices from £25.

thefineartistshop.com

Artisan Homeware is an independent Bristol-based homewares business bringing traditional craftsmanship to contemporary interiors. They sell handmade Boleslawiec Stoneware from Poland, UK-made luxury merino wool blankets and cushions and a huge range of fairtrade and eco-friendly Fairtrade Christmas decorations from just £5.95. Shown here: Medium Lasagne dish £61 artisanhomeware.co.uk

Buy local, box local... Are you looking to express your love, appreciation, friendship or thanks to someone special? Say it with an incredible set box from Boxlocal, filled with goodies from local suppliers and businesses. They’re great gifts and there’s a fab range to choose from on the BoxLocal website. Shown here: the Ultimate Foodie box, £75, jam packed with local wellsourced goodies.

boxlocal.co.uk

Keep your loved ones warm the Native American way with a beautiful Pendleton blanket. Available in a wide range of colours and designs. “Robe” size (featured) 163 x 203 cm, £385. Rainmaker Gallery, 140 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2RS

rainmakerart.co.uk

See Moorcroft vases, table lamps [complete with silk shades], and limited editions such as this specially crafted piece featuring the SS Great Britain, £450. All are handmade in Stoke and Clifton Ceramics is a leading stockist.

Clifton Ceramics & Fine Jewellery. 58 The Mall, Clifton Bristol, BS8 4JG

cliftonceramics.co.uk

Celebrate the season with stylish Dents’ gloves, gifts and head turning accessories. Whether it be winter essentials or a special gift for a loved one, you will discover a dazzling selection of gloves, accessories, gifts, handbags and much, much, more. We love this pair of Bella long-sleeved satin opera gloves , £20 and available in a wide range of colours. Dents Factory Shop, Furnax Lane, Warminster, or shop online at

FABRIC DESIGNS BY ISABELL BROWELL

With an interior design background, Isabell Browell’s love of fabrics was the motivation to learn the art of lampshade making. Using handwoven Ikats from Uzbekistan and vintage silk Sari fabrics from India, Isabell aims to create lampshades which make a statement and transform a room. She can also offer a bespoke lampshade service for specific interior room schemes. Isabell is based in Bath. Shown here: a black /red Ikat cushion, 10 x 24 inches (80% silk/20% cotton mix), £69 each, and a 14 inch green/blue/ivory silk Ikat lampshade, £160. Isabell’s lovely products can be viewed on her website:

browellinteriors.com

BEADED BRACELETS BY JIYA

Handmade in Bristol, Jiya is a collection of semi-precious, pearls, gold, silver and beaded jewellery, with colour and craft at the heart of everything they create. All jewellery is designed and handmade by local artisans. Shown here is the easy to wear and well-boho Havana bead bracelets £25 each or just £95 for a set of five.

jiyajewellery.co.uk dents.co.uk

Stuck for what to hang on your Christmas tree this year? Nil Desperandum! This exclusive Mr Brunel tree decoration is here to solve your problems!

This miniature of the great engineer, hand-stitched in Thailand, is fair trade and ethically sourced and comes complete with watch chain, stovepipe hat, and plans for the SS Great Britain. Dimensions: 160 x 50mm. £13. Every Bristol Christmas tree should have one.

FINE GIFTS IN MINIATUREShindig Festival 2023 has you covered this Christmas! Nigel Dando’s shop has a wonderful range of new and antique collectible items. We love these silver and enamel, hand-scuplted miniatures by Saterno of Italy and also spotted a fine Signet ring. Nigel will arrange a crest stamp or initials engraved if needed. Nigel Dando, 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath. Give the gift of a magical experience you and the whole family will look forward to. Enjoy four days of world class music and arts from 25 to 28 May, in the heart of the Somerset countryside. Simply give this gift tag to your loved ones and pay later (kids under 12 come free!). To share the love this Christmas, Shindig will make a donation to local charity

Boys In Mind/Girls Mind Too, when you use code SUPPORT at the checkout. In the words of Jazzie B from Soul II Soul, Shindig is “…a proper party for proper party people!”

shindigfestival.co.uk

ssgreatbritain.org

Single Variety Co’s Fruit Preserve Gift Box contains four Great Taste Award Winning preserves, all handmade in their family run jam factory in Bristol. Maravilla Raspberry, Seville Marmalade, Passionfruit Preserve and Ben Hope Blackcurrant Preserve, all made with much more fruit and less sugar than traditional jams. A perfect gift for any food lover! £22.50. Available online at:

Thatchers are unveiling a Christmas surprise –their very first Thatchers 12 Days of Christmas Cider Gift Box. Available online and from the Thatchers’ Cider Shop at at Myrtle Farm in Somerset, the 12 Days of Christmas Cider Gift Box contains a selection of Thatchers’ family favourites all made on the farm. It costs just £34.99 (plus delivery if ordering online). In the best traditions of Christmas gift boxes, it’s a complete surprise as to which of the ciders you’ll find when you open each door. But in true Thatchers style, there’s a Somerset cider for everyone included. Happy Christmas.

thatcherscider.co.uk

Like Sloe gin, this Damson gin is hand made in the traditional way; in small batches, using hand-picked British damsons and a moderate amount of sugar to produce and intense, fruity dryness. £35 for 70cl. Order online or find 6 o’ Clock Gin at Cabot Circus this Christmas

6oclockgin.com

They are challenging, addictive, and make a delightful, grown up gift. If you are familiar with Water & Wines then you’ll know they create next-level jigsaw puzzles that will take you on a journey through the world of wine. This new Champagne region puzzle is the latest addition to a delightful collection and will make the perfect gift this Christmas. Curated in collaboration with Master of Wine and champagne specialist Essi Avellan, the puzzle highlights the main regions of Champagne, the Grand Cru villages, and the region's rich history.

The puzzle itself is beautifully illustrated by hand. Purchase from Harvey Nichols or see the full series of wine puzzles at

waterandwines.com

This seasonal gin gift set includes a 50ml mini of each of Psychpomp’s seasonal recipes from this year with infographic cards. The cards share info on botancials, how to serve the perfect G&T and a cocktail suggestion. Each bottle celebrates its own season.

microdistillery. co.uk

£30 per adult. Uncover the magic of gin in a microdistillery that makes some of the most unusual gins in Bristol. Enjoy a guided tasting, discover the roles of different botanicals, learn how gin is made, and more in this interactive experience. Find this and many more gift ideas at yuup.co