So this is the start of it! I love doing these sort of gift guides as early as possible because it gives busy people plenty of time to get their sh*t together. That said I’m usually the very one that leaves it until the last minute to sort out gifts but sure I love the stress of it all! So like always and like last years gift guides I will lean towards supporting small Irish brands and businesses. First up I want to share some gift ideas for kids, stocking fillers really as I guess most kids get their big gifts from parents or Santa so this is more a stocking filler type guide for parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents, friends etc! 

Fill Their Stockings – ok I DARE you not to go onto this website and drool over all the beautiful products. This company is based in Galway and sources the most beautiful retro or unusual toys. I love that the website is divided into category by age so it makes it really easy for say Uncles or Grandparents to buy an age appropriate toy if they’re a little stuck. They have gifts from some of my favourite French brands brands, Djeco, which I have mentioned before and Moulin Roty, who do the most beautiful teddies and toys. My personal favourites include this beautiful tent for teddies which we were kindly sent to play with and the middle lady absolutely loves putting her teddies and dolls to sleep in it every night. She was also lucky enough to get a little sleeping bag for one lucky teddy and it’s just adorable. Mullan Kids Colour Me Lampshade – my ladies absolutely adore colouring! It’s a blessing as they could literally spend an hour perched at the table surrounded by colours and be quite contented. These lampshades are a lovely idea for any child to be able to put their own stamp on their bedroom. Made in County Monaghan by a family business these lampshades are a great way for kids to be able to use their imagination to create something that will last and be seen everyday. So many of the girls artwork gets lost (read, put in the bin, terrible mother I know but I can’t keep it all!) so this is a unique was to be able to preserve their artwork for years to come. There are seven designs to choose from and each cost €25. Cherish Me Jellycat Teddies– so these toys aren’t technically made in Ireland but there is such a beautiful selection from this Dublin based store and their website that I have to include them. It’s become somewhat of a tradition for husbands family to give the girls a teddy from Jellycat when they are born and the teddies are so soft and cuddly the girls have them in their beds every night. The big lady has Seamus the Cow and the middle lady has a monkey, because well she is a bit of a monkey herself! 

Bookawoo Christmas selection – I’ve spoken about this subscription service before, each month you can have a box of books delivered right to your door from Irish company Bookawoo, based in Wicklow. The selection of books we received was completely different to the usual suspects we’d be drawn to in the book shop. We got an Usborne Encyclopedia of Animals that the girls take out time and time again and a beautiful book of poetry which is so nice and not something I would have thought of buying myself. You can gift a box to a child (you choose the age of the child so that the books are age appropriate) and there is a Christmas box which will ship December 12th so you can read the books in the lead up to Christmas. It costs €26.95 for a box which comes with four books and I can guarantee the quality will be fantastic. Little Ones Crafts in a Tin – These crafts in a tin are a great idea, we’ve never tried these but have tried other craft kits and it’s a great way to create something 3D without having to go out to the store for the necessary bits which are inevitably used up just when you need them! There are literally loads to choose from so you won’t be stuck and it is sure to keep any child entertained for a while and to make them feel accomplished in the end. If you have any other suggestions for Irish businesses selling stocking fillers for kids be sure to drop their link in the comments! 

Stocking fillers and Secret Santa gift ideas for everyone in your life Lottie Dolls – realistic, inspiring dolls for young girls