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With Christmas just around the corner, what better time to explore some of the finest independent producers in Cumbria and the Lake District and wrap-up on your Christmas shopping. This festive season, we encourage you to think more thoughtfully about the presents you are buying and shop more locally. After all, no one really wants or needs meaningless throw-away stocking stuffers.
At Made In Cumbria, there is nothing we love more than connecting the public with the many talented makers, producers, designers and creators in the Cumbria region and encouraging the support of small local businesses. If there’s one thing better than giving a gift at Christmas, it’s giving a gift that you know supports a small independent business.
For truly unique quality Christmas gifts you’re nearest and dearest are guaranteed to love, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the very best Cumbrian and Lakeland gifts. Whilst you’re browsing, don’t forget to treat yourself to something special too!
Summit Silver is a small independent business based near Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District that uses ethically sourced precious metals to create beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery. Including bespoke necklaces, rings and earrings, Summit Silver’s jewellery make the perfect Christmas presents for friends and family and 5% of their profits are donated to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
It was founder Kate’s vision to utilise Cumbria stone, rock and other natural materials collected from the Lake District mountains, fells, lakes and rivers to showcase the beauty and charm of the natural world. Kate uses a range of different materials that she collects on foot and uses these to forge handmade jewellery, providing the perfect Lake District gifts to take home with you from your visit.
In a world where so much is artificial and disposable, Abbeyhorn LTD demonstrate how magnificent natural products can be. Using traditional methods, the skilled horn carvers at Abbeyhorn LTD use cattle horn, a byproduct of the meat industry, to thoughtfully crafted goods that are both beautiful and functional.
For personalised men’s gifts, Abbeyhorn LTD stock an extensive range of beard combs, shoe care products, shoehorns and cufflinks make for one-of-a-kind Cumbrian gifts. Equally as captivating, their range of hair combs, hair slides, bangles, rings and pendants make special gifts for women.
Lauren’s Cows is an award-winning mother/daughter business known for their fun and contemporary portraits of cows. Their quality art and homeware feature the characterful cows of Lauren Terry in her trademark style and their products are all manufactured in the UK by other small businesses.
Their range of products include prints, tea towels, mugs and coasters, all of which are perfect for gifting. On the theme of gifts, Lauren’s Cows Christmas range is here to brighten up the festive season, from Christmas cards, ornaments and platters ideal for friends, family and fellow cow lovers!
Founded in 2012, Chimney Sheep started to sell chimney draft excluders made of Herdwick wool from a small workshop in Cumbria. Today, the business sells products all over the world from their warehouse in Workington, but they continue to be inspired by the Cumbrian landscape, using locally recycled, sustainable materials where possible.
For a practical Cumbrian gift, Chimney Sheep’s Herdwick wool chimney draught excluders, their most popular product, are a household winter essential as they prevent around 5% of heat loss in the home by blocking the chimney when it is not being used. They also offer a range of sustainable products to keep your furry friends cosy this winter.
The perfect addition to any Christmas party or festive dining table, Cumbria Crystal produce a range of luxurious, handmade drinkware and giftware products. For a truly unique gift experience, Cumbria Crystal also offer a number of glassblowing experience sessions in their factory in Ulverston.
Founded in 1976, a team of craftspeople re-located to Ulverston at the southern edge of the Lake District National Park to produce exceptional, handmade crystal tableware. Today, the company has remained true to its roots in Ulverston where they produce crystal for all the British Embassies and Residencies across the world and have featured in the TV drama Downton Abbey.
Linton Tweeds have been producing fabrics of the highest quality for fashion houses around the world for more than 100 years. All of the fabrics are designed and woven on site at their mill in Shaddongate, Carlisle, where they were first founded in 1912.
Linton Tweeds fine tweeds and fabrics are special Christmas presents for family and friends who have an eye for design and are talented crafters, allowing them the opportunity to create beautiful garments with exceptional quality materials. Or why not treat yourself to some of this lavish fabric?
Dessert is a must at Christmas, if not all year round. Since starting out in small kitchen in the back of Cartmel Village shop over 20 years ago, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding’s popularity has seen the business move to a much larger kitchen although the pudding is still handmade, and nothing beats it.
You can get your hands on this scrumptious dessert online, in the Cartmel Village Shop in the Lake District or you can find them in independent fine food shops across the country such as Booths, Selfridges, Waitrose, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason. They produce a range of tasty puddings as well as gift hampers, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Invented in 1854 by Victorian cook Sarah Nelson, Grasmere Gingerbread is a unique, spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and a cake that is still only made to her original secret recipe at The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop but it is also available to purchase online.
In 2023, Grasmere Gingerbread opened a second shop in Hawkshead where you can buy their full range of tasty ginger-themed foodstuffs and gifts, mostly all handmade in Cumbria. This iconic sweet treat is a small piece of history and wonderful takeaway from your visit to the Lake District.
There are so many fantastic distilleries, breweries and microbreweries in Cumbria and the Lake District that we simply can’t choose a favourite. From locally brewed real ales and craft beers to locally distilled gin and alcohol-free spirits, Cumbria is home to an impressive number of award-winning independent beer, wine and spirit brands. Choose from a wide range of gift hampers, gift sets, gift experiences and vouchers, all perfect presents for Christmas day.
Claire’s Handmade are a small family-run business based in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, famed for their award-winning preserves and condiments. Claire’s Handmade began in 2003 but as the company quickly gained popularity it soon moved to a dedicated purpose-built kitchen.
Whether you’re looking for a tasty preserve for Christmas morning, a chutney to complement your cheeseboard or a foodie gift, Claire’s Handmade have something for every taste. Over the years they have won various awards including ‘Great Taste Awards’, ‘Best Overall Preserve in the North West’ and ‘Lake District Life Food Heroes Award’.
For more fantastic thoughtful Cumbrian gift ideas, check out our recent blog post on our 5 favourite gift experiences in Cumbria and the Lake District.
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
3rd Floor
Broadacre House
16-20 Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DA
0845 226 00 40
©Cumbria Chamber of Commerce 2023 | By: We Are Digital
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