Secret Santa:Northern Ireland Local Retailer Edition

Now that we're officially knee deep in December we can unashamedly bring in the christmas cheer and it's time to talk real talk about preparation. Of course, with Christmas comes the delight (pressure?) of gift giving for those loved and tolerated ones you spend your days with. No not your family, your colleagues! With this in mind and budgets being set I decided to take a look at a few locally made items I know that I'd love to receive from/give to my Secret Santa. Keeping in mind the standard £5 - £20 budgets I've tried to fit in a few options within this.

And here they are!

Darling Dottie Christmas Box - By Sam Mercer - £20

For a long time now I have been coveting the wares of Sam Mercer. Based on St Georges market on Saturdays and available from her online store at www.By SamMercer.co.uk I am determined to get some of these cute little bows for my shoes! Of course this bumper box is a steal at £20 but if you're working with a lower budget you can always purchase your favourite piece individually.

Well Hung - Filthy Velvet Candles - £10.50

I love these candles and their festive editions are so lovely! They last ages and the scents are nice and strong. Also the hilarious name is sure to provide a wee chuckle as your recipient opens their gift. Available at Studio Souk or online at Www.FilthyVelvet.com

Artisan Chocolates gift bags/boxes - Nearynogs - £3 each or 5 for £12

The creamiest, most intense little bites of glory these are perfect as stocking fillers or even just a wee treat for yourself. Christmas is all about indulgence after all! Available at many craft and food fayres but also at Studio Souk in Belfast Castle St. Find them on your preferred social media site to see where they'll be each weekend, they're on them all!

Mini Terrarium - MermaidsBoutique98 (Etsy) - £9.99

Available as either a necklace, a letting or a handbag charm this is an adorable wee fish bowl from Bangor based Mermaids Boutique. Us Mermaids need to stick together! Just search MermaidsBoutique98 on Etsy.co.uk

Put A Bow On It! Silver Coin Bangle - Karma Jewellery - £18.50

It was this time last year that I took part in an awesome Jewellery making class with Karma Jewellery. Sadly the classes never went out for public consumption (to my knowledge) but I still love my bangles. Their 'Jewellery With Meaning' means that whoever you're gifting will really know that you've taken time and care over their present.

"Brand New Mint In Box"

Of the ways to describe the most premium of items in your makeup collection "Brand New Mint In Box" should not be one of them. One of my most awful habits is buying makeup and then not using it and to my even greater shame it is usually with my most expensive purchases. There is an Alan Carr joke about the extortionate price of a Spanish Onion, the punchline is "when do you save an Onion for best?" This is kind of how I feel about expensive makeup. It's so pretty and so precious that if I get up the courage to actually purchase it, I'm then usually too scared to use it. The pride and shame of this habit is these two items from Dior. The absolutely sublime Dior Skin Nude Tan highlighter which I purchased as a pre-release special edition from House Of Fraser TWO YEARS AGO has sat in box all tightly wrapped up only being shown the light to show off to my friends and family. Yes I do show off my prettiest of pretties to my friends and family...

No Halloween Costume Needed

It's become an accepted norm that once December 1st comes around the nations will don their snowflake print leggings and their novelty jumpers but so far the other seasons are lacking in their effort. Yes, Halloween is famous as being the single greatest costume day of the year but I need October to step and represent in the seasonal apparel game. Thankfully retailers have heard my inner goth cry and have come up with some seriously cute Halloween inspired items. For those who love a slogan tee you have every variation of saying that could possibly be made by rhyming witch with bitch and if you don't say every one of with Emma Roberts' attitude then you need to watch season 3 of American Horror Story immediately! Dressing with the seasons is clearly big money but it doesn't have to cost the world. Here are my choices of how to get into the Halloween spirit all under £30. Boohoo Starting with my favourites because I can! I actually bought the f

The super cuteness of Studio Ghibli nail art

These were done with various Gelish colours over a Hard Gel overlay with embedded glitter. Characters featured are Totoro - My Neighbour Totoro, Soot Sprites - Totoro & Spirited Away, No Face - Spirited Away, and Calcifer - Howls Moving Castle.

FaeriWood

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