The Isle of Wight is bursting with local, talented artisans, artists and craftspeople. When it comes to Christmas shopping on the Isle of Wight shop local this festive season and give the gift of a Wight Christmas.
Head to one of the many independent shops and retailers across the Isle of Wight for wrappable gifts and goodies to stick in those stockings and pop under that tree.
Whether it’s our silversmiths, glassblowers, potters or painters, the Island is home to a surprisingly diverse and vibrant network of makers and creators, pursuing their passions in every town and village.
While in Porchfield, Andy Fortune makes one-off wood-turned bowls from local trees, over in St Lawrence, Molly Attrill sits at her potter’s wheel throwing handmade plates and mugs. Further north, in Gurnard, Kathy designs and prints her Scandinavian-style Christmas cards and down in Newchurch, Georgia turns old bouncy castles into unique bags and accessories.
On top of that, the Island’s high streets contain a proud assortment of independent shops and locally-run retailers, their shelves filled with high-quality local, national and international products that will leave your bag for life bulging at the seams.
Together these businesses offer creative, unusual and often unique presents you’d be hard pushed to find elsewhere – plus they benefit the Island by providing employment for local people, preserving traditional skills and supporting small scale suppliers.
So, as the jingle of bells announces the approach of the festive season, take a look at what our local crafters and sellers have to offer. Here, we’ve gathered together a few of our favourites (including many with an environmental edge) from wallets made of recycled leather sofa swatches to organic locally-designed tea towels printed with eco-friendly inks. Whoever you’ve got on your present list, our Christmas Gift Guide is sure to have something that’s just the ticket, so pop that festive jumper on and dive in.
Gifts for Santa’s little helpers…
Red Island Sweatshirt £21, The Little Isle of Wight Company
Warm, weighty and printed on the Island – these appropriately seasonal red sweatshirts come in a range of sizes suitable for ages 3 to 11, plus they go well with those paper hats you get in the crackers.
The Little Isle of Wight Company
thelittleisleofwightcompany.co.uk
Sailor Ted & The Mystery Tour Book £6.99, Sailor Ted
When the excitement of Santa’s visit dies down, snuggle up with a book about Sailor Ted. Follow him and his friends as they adventure across the Isle of Wight and over the high seas!
Sailor Ted, Yarmouth or Medina Books, Cowes
sailorted.com
Sponsor a Sloth £30, Amazon World
If your little one is a fan of sloths, meerkats or squirrel monkeys, why not adopt an endangered animal for them from Amazon World? Help important conservation work and receive a certificate, plaque and 5-inch cuddly toy!
Amazon World, Newchurch
amazonworld.co.uk
Wilberry Soft Toy £8.50, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
For stockings that need filling, what could be better than a soft and cuddly donkey named Wilberry? Handy as a nativity stand-in, each sale supports the work of the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Wroxall
iowdonkeysanctuary.org
Gifts for the home
Ocean Wave Throw £89, XV Stripes
Produced with yarns created from recycled ocean plastics, this throw is great for beds, sofas and wrapping around your shoulders when those carol singers come knocking at the door.
XV Stripes, Yarmouth
xvstripes.com
Undercliff Night Cylinder Vase £POA, Isle of Wight Studio Glass
Isle of Wight Studio Glass’s world renowned Master Craftsman, maker, designer Timothy Harris creates quality handmade studio glass with stunning results – and this vase, inspired by the magical Undercliff, is no exception. ‘Gift something special, gift something unique’.
Isle of Wight Studio Glass, Arreton Barns
isleofwightstudioglass.com
Felt Red Squirrel Decoration £8, The Christmas Imaginarium
It wouldn’t be a ‘Wight Christmas’ without a red squirrel or two, so pick up these cheerful chaps from Ryde’s Christmas Imaginarium, made from felt by skilled Nepalese craftspeople.
The Christmas Imaginarium, Ryde
christmasimaginarium.com
Moonset Over the Needles Mounted Print £35, Available Light
Send a scenic Isle of Wight snapshot to those relocated relatives with this easily postable mounted print. The work of local photographer Steve Gascoigne, it’s striking, dramatic and ready to frame.
Available Light, Newport
availablelight.cc
Birch Pattern Small Mug £18, Tregear Pottery
Tasteful, contemporary and sophisticated – if you have a friend that matches that description, they’re sure to love these Tregear Pottery mugs. Made by hand on the Island’s south coast from a fine white stoneware clay.
Quay Arts, Joli of Cowes and Tregear Pottery, Niton
tregearpottery.co.uk
Art Glass Robin Tree Decorations £60 set of 3, Sculptglass
Hand-sculpted glass robins, made in Arreton and fit to perch in any Christmas tree. Ideal for the person who has everything (as extra decorations always come in handy!)
Sculptglass, Arreton Barns
sculptglass.co.uk
Gifts to wear
Isle of Wight Pendant from £46, Honeybourne Jewellery
Hammered, trimmed and pierced in Ventnor, these finely crafted silver pendants in the shape of the Isle of Wight can make a really meaningful (and very wearable) gift this Christmas.
Honeybourne Jewellery, Ventnor
honeybournejewellery.com
Whale Tail Bracelet from £70, Thomas P. Cochran
Any nautical nephews or sea-loving siblings? Then opt for one of these 8.5g solid sterling silver Whale Tail bracelets – just choose the sizing and cord colour and you’re good to go.
Thomas P. Cochran, Arreton Barns
thomaspcochran.com
Puffin Boxy T-Shirt £20, Rapanui
When it’s time to put those Christmas jumpers away for another year, give your nearest and dearest something stylish to unwrap. These puffin-printed t-shirts are organic and made in a wind-powered factory.
Red Zig Zag Shopper Bag £35, My Funky Bags
Made from recycled plastic packing tape, this red and white zig zag ‘Red Shopper’ bag is lightweight and roomy; and despite its size should just be able to fit under the tree!
My Funky Bags, Cowes
myfunkybags.com
Gifts to enjoy out and about…
Watersports Gift Vouchers £10–£100, Tackt-Isle
If mum could do with some post-festive R&R, slip a gift voucher under the tree from Tackt-Isle to spend on anything from a spot of canoeing to paddle board yoga.
Alpaca Trek £22.45, West Wight Alpacas
Take the reins and walk off that Christmas Pudding with a trek from West Wight Alpacas. Useful for those difficult to buy for people on your gift list, it’ll certainly make for a day out with a difference (and the café is the perfect place to warm up after).
West Wight Alpacas
westwightalpacas.co.uk
Lemur Experience £60, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
For lemur lovers, young and old, treat them to a VIP experience amongst the characterful lemurs of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. They’ll interact with them, learn about them and support the charity’s vital animal protection work.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown
wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
Beekeeping Experience £50, Bunbury Bees
Donning a bee-keeping outfit and learning something new could be just the thing for the dad who has everything – and after this exciting taster session, he could soon be making his very own honey!
Gifts for Granny & Grandad…
Reclaimed Leather Cyclist’s Wallet £16, ReCycle & BiCycle
If grandpa practically lives in his bicycle clips, then wrap him up this cyclist’s wallet from the Island’s quirkiest cycling shop. Made from reclaimed leather it’s the perfect size for jerseys and saddle bags.
ReCycle & BiCycle, Shanklin
Recycleandbicycle.co.uk
Alum Bay & The Needles Puzzle £25, Chad Powell Photography
Perfect to stop grandad nodding off during another showing of ‘The Great Escape’ – made in the UK from recycled board, this 1,000-piece puzzle is printed with Chad Powell’s stunning sunset photo of Alum Bay and The Needles.
Chad Powell Photography, Arreton Barns
chadpowellphotography.com
Mixed Seed Pyramids £8.99, Ventnor Botanic Garden
Give your green-fingered grandparents something to scatter on their beds when the weather warms up. These paper pyramids contain a surprising mix of different seeds, collected by hand at Ventnor Botanic Garden.
Ventnor Botanic Garden, Ventnor
puyaboutique.co.uk
Crab Tea Towel £12, Monique Lucas
If granny loves to make mince pies, treat her to some high-end kitchenalia from Monique Lucas, like this organic cotton crab-print tea towel. As seen in Good Housekeeping and The Guardian!
The Island Botanical Candle £28, Duxmore Botanics
Give the gift of tranquillity. Duxmore Botanics’ Island-inspired candle combines eucalyptus, rosemary, black pepper, vetiver and cypress to create a calming and uplifting ambience. Just add matches.
Strawberry Bath Salts £9.99, Aurora Cosmetics
After all that turkey basting and parsnip chopping, let nan pamper herself with some local, handmade and natural skincare products. Try this bottle of Strawberry Bath Salts for instance – brought to you by the boys behind Cavanagh & Baker.
Please note: all details and prices were correct at time of going to press (September 2022) but may be subject to change. Please check availability with individual retailers.
NOTE: originally produced in part for Wightlife Magazine, commissioned by Solent
