It’s the time of year, once again, when the leaves are changing, those winter scents start filling our homes, while we sip on hot chocolates and watch cheesy films. I absolutely love Christmas, and everyone knows my love for supporting local Dorset brands, well this year is no exception. Going with the theme of the blog I’ve expanded a little and not only will you find some of Dorset’s amazing local brands, but some other South Coast brands and some further afield Gin brands.
All brands included are one’s that I love, have built up relationships with or worked with in the past. I only recommend brands that I would personally use, have used, and love their brands ethos.
Let’s make this Christmas a special one and help to support the businesses that truly need us. I think your all agree with me that with the last two years and the idea that there is going to be nothing on the shelves that this is more important than ever.
Most importantly remember that whenever you buy from a small business, they do a ‘Little Happy Dance’, and I want to see lots of them this Christmas!!
**Please be aware that not all photos have been taken by myself and a lot of the companies below have supplied their own photographs for my use on this blog post. Due to inflation, any companies from last year’s gift guide I have not included prices for unless they have sent me updated price lists, however most prices will be supplied on their own websites which are linked below. **
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Dorset Eats & Drinks
If you are looking for gifts for those food and drinks lovers this year, look no further.
Tail Feather Drinks
Original and Decaf Espresso Martinis in a bottle, just shake and pour! These can be brought both directly from their website for a case of 6 or case of 16, from local independent shops across Dorset and other drink retailors online. www.tailfeatherdrinks.com
Whimsical Forager
This beautiful, distilled liqueur company are curated in Dorset, then crafted and distilled in Cornwall. With three amazing flavours to choose from, why bother choosing when you can have a box of all three? You can source a gift box of all three or individual bottles on their website. It’ll let you into a secret, the Lemon and Basil is my favourite! whimsicalforager.co.uk
Chococo
The guys and girls from Chococo make some amazingly delicious chocolate goodies. You’ll find novelty shapes or for those who like a box some great flavours made with local produce. New for this year they have a Chocolate Penguin which can either be brought in Gold, Milk or Dark chocolate. I can’t recommend this company enough, and I personally love that they use other local brands produce within their fresh chocolates. What’s better than that? www.chococo.co.uk
Pamphill Farm Shop
Firstly, if you haven’t been to Pamphill Farm Shop then why not? This is one of my favourite places to buy fresh and local produce. This year they will be selling their Christmas hampers, but why stop there when you can stock up on stuff for the Christmas celebrations for yourself too? You can even make your own custom hamper if you fancy something a bit different to the ones listed below. Why not pop into their farm shop near Wimborne, or call to 01202 880618 to order.
Dorset Ginger
Who likes ginger and a drink with a kick? With Ginger at the forefront or a kick added to their flavoured range, these guys have you covered. This year they will be offering their Dorset Ginger Hampers alongside their Famous Five Gift Box. I have a few favourites, but Dorset Ginger Original makes a mean Ginger Beer style drink when added to lemonade. You’ll be able to pick up some of their items in Bobby’s in Bournemouth and local Dorset Deli’s. Check their website for stocklists. www.dorsetginger.ltd
House of Dorchester
The House of Dorchester are a British hand-made chocolate company based in, you guested it, Dorchester. They have been creating amazing chocolates for over 50 years and this year’s Christmas range really caught my eye. houseofdorchester.com
The Little House Dorset
A Dorset based kitchen run by Anna & Dan. They offer a range of delicious brownies, chocolate bars and of course their amazing, handcrafted chocolate which change monthly. With a spectacular advent calendar, their boxes of Christmas inspired chocolate collection or a chocolate inspired gift box, there is something for everything this Christmas. If you haven’t come across these guys yet, you need to click the link below and check out their website. www.littlehousedorset.com
Boo Cha Cha
If you watched Gordan Ramsey’s Future Food Stars, you would probably recognise the name of this Dorset based company. Hebe offers hand-painted Kombucha starter kits to make your own Kombucha at home. So if you have a gut-health-lover as a friend of family member then this could be the perfect gift for them. boochacha.co.uk
Shelley’s Bakery
Shelley’s Bakery in the heart of Highcliffe high street will be selling hampers, and also your favourite Christmas bakes and pastries over the Christmas period. Why not pop into their bakery in Highcliffe or visit there website www.shelleysbakery.co.uk for more information.
Brewhouse & Kitchen
The Brewhouse & Kitchen have a few sites dotted around Dorset and offer gift vouchers which can either be used to buy food and drink on sight or for one of their experience days. The perfect gift for a beer lovers, gin lover or foodie. You can find them online at www.brewhouseandkitchen.com or at either one of their Dorset branches in Poole, Bournemouth, Southbourne or Dorchester.
Dorset Shop Local
Everyone loves a cute Christmas card, some beautiful decorations or something small to pop into that Christmas stocking. Dorset has lots of amazing small businesses that offer the perfect gift this Christmas.
Lucy’s Farm
Our resident Dorset Moo selfie artist. To be fair who doesn’t want to Moo cup for Christmas? Lucy creates some amazing paintings, cards, mugs and other delights for all year round. It’s the Christmas collection that Lucy makes each year that I truly love though with the added cheeky Christmas decoration or Robin delicately place within a one of her designs. www.lucysfarm.co.uk
Illustrated World of Lisa Berkshire
Lisa creates some amazing artwork and has a range of Christmas items and gifts for all year round. It’s slightly different to other local artists and I can see way part of the name involves ‘Illustrated World’ as it really does take you into a different world. www.illustratedworldoflisaberkshire.co.uk
The Rhubarb Candle Company
An eco-friendly, hand poured soy candle and home fragrance company. If you like your home smelling nice this company have you covered. The best smelling candles I’ve used! My favourite of all time is their Dorset Apple Cake Candle and even though it reminds me of Christmas I use it all year round. To buy either head to their new shop in Poundbury or visit their website. therhubarbcandlecompany.co.uk
Green Digital Design
Green Digital Design is a family run business based in Christchurch, Dorset. With an expanding range of handmade home decor, gifts and stationery, there is something to suit all ages and tastes. Check out their Christmas collection at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GreenDigitalDesign
Foutala
Specialising in 100% organic certificated cotton, Foutala has some fantastic towels that are perfect for those beach goers, holiday makers and gym goers. They roll up nice and small so easy to take anywhere where you need one. www.foutala.com
Loving by Nature
Loving by Nature are a Dorset brand based online which specialise in Baby & Children items. With reusable nappies, some amazing, cute outfits and toys, there is something for those little people in our lives this Christmas. www.lbndorset.com
Live Edge Living
Specialising in handcrafted woodcraft furnishings, you’ll be pushed to find something as cool which is made locally. With some designed Charcuterie Boards, there is definitely a present for those cheese and meat lovers! www.liveedgeliving.co.uk
Dorset See & Do
Got a special person to buy for this year and want to spoil them rotten? Then why not treat them to a gift experience or trip away. If Dorset is your home county it’s not just about what’s on your doorstep, but the adventures you forget could be had.
Dorset Cruises
If you haven’t been on one of these, you need too and it’s always nicer to buy yourself a present alongside a loved one to enjoy it with, right? These guys do experience vouchers and I’d recommend the Afternoon Tea Cruise and The Artisan Gin Cruise. www.dorsetcruises.co.uk
Fore Adventure
Looking for something a bit more adventurous? Fore Adventure offer gift vouchers which can be purchased from their website. Based over at Studland they offer a range of foraging, Bushcraft and Coastal experiences. www.foreadventure.co.uk
BH Beauty Room
Run by the beautiful Dominique, BH Beauty Room has you covered for all your Beauty & Wellness needs if you’re within the Bournemouth and Poole areas of Dorset. A tranquil haven, with a range of treatments from IMAGE Skincare to the best massages ever, I’m sure we all know someone who needs a bit of ‘ME’ time. Alongside hands on treatments, Dominique also has an online shop where you can buy some of the amazing beauty and wellness gifts. Head to the BH Beauty Room website see what you could treat yourself to of gift that special loved one. www.bhbeautyroom.co.uk
Pipplepen Glamping
Based in rural Dorset, Pipplepen Glamping offer two amazingly cute shepherds huts to stay in. One offers a wood-fired hot tub and the other has an outside cooper bath. The location is perfect for those wanting to go west side of Dorset for a few nights to explore the likes of Bridport, Lyme Regis or the borders or South Devon or Somerset. I don’t know about you but I love a few nights away from the hustle and bustle of city life and this place is perfect! Pipplepen Glamping are now offering gift vouchers. You can purchase them directly via sending a message on their Instagram page – www.instagram.com/pipplepenglamping
Along the South Coast
Forest Edge Coffee
Robyn sells some great eco-friendly coffee and is based in Lydhurst in the New Forest. She has 3 different blends to choose from and all with a chocolate note. To be fair who doesn’t love chocolate and coffee anyway? You can find her items online. forestedgeroasting.co.uk
Wolfe Academy
A South Coast organic, ethical and sustainable apparel company who love the great outdoors. With a range of accessories such as these cute bobble hats below, t-shirts and more I’m sure you can find something to treat yourself or someone else with. Find them this year at local Christmas markets of online. www.wolfeacademy.co.uk
Bar Buoy Cocktails
Made in Devon, Bay Buoy are an awarding cocktail brand offering a range of beautifully handcrafted cocktails using premium ingredients. www.barbuoy.co.uk
All Things Gin
Are you looking for the perfect bottled gift for someone or just a bottle of Gin for the Christmas get together? Here is my Gin gift guide for the Christmas season.
LoisGunn
A jewellery and ceramic maker from Ramsgate. Lois creates earrings using crushed recycled gin bottles. She also had a large range of other handmade ceramic jewellery and homeware. You can find her on Etsy. www.etsy.com/shop/LOISgunn
Minister Gin
Wimborne’s first gin distillery, creating small batch artisan gin. They offer a range of four different flavours on their website including The Original and Orange. You’ll find their bottles of the juniper based clear stuff in many independent shops and Deli’s in Wimborne, including Pamphill Farm Shop and The East Street Deli. They also offer a bottle swap option and a £2 discount with this service. www.beaucroftbeverages.com
Pothecary Gin
Based in Christchurch, Pothecary Gin have some great gins to try. Again, another Dorset gin that I love and I’d highly recommend their original blue label and their Trinity collection. www.pothecarygin.co.uk
Lyme Bay Winery
Based on our beautiful Devon coast, Lyme Bay Winery creates a wide range of drinks including Mead, Wine, Rum and of course the all-important gin. Your find these guys in a lot of local Dorset and Devon shops or on their website. www.lymebaywinery.co.uk
Shroton Fair Gin
Made in rural Dorset, Shroton Fair Gin is one of those gins that takes you to another world. It’s spicy, vibrant and packs a taste explosion. You can order online via Master of Malt or pick up a bottle locally at either Dike & Son Supermarket and Shaftesbury Wines. Shrotonfairgin.co.uk
Dorsetshine Gin
A small family run business, consisting of wife, husband and four children who help with zesting the lemons and hand-picking sloe berries. They offer two beautifully bottled gins, and some amazing Christmas baubles for the festive season, all of which can be purchased on their website below and if you live within a 5-mile radius they even offer free delivery. www.Dorsetshineltd.co.uk
Mounters Gin
Made in the heart of Blackmore Vale, Mounters Gin is a micro-distillery who use local sourced Dorset spring water to create their delicious gin. Paired with a normal Indian Tonic, this creates a great classic G&T. You’ll find a bottle of this Gin in the following local places across Dorset; Shaftesbury Wines, The Udder Farm Shop, Thyme After Time Cafe and Dike & Son Supermarket. mountersgin.co.uk
Guerrilla Chicken
An eco-friendly distiller based in Derby which produce Vodka, Gin & Rum sold in stainless steel in sultated flasks. They also offer replenish pouches so you can top up those ultra cool flasks! You’ll find them on their website. guerrilla-chicken.com/
Brunswick Aces
After a Gin but you are either not drinking alcohol or you want a non-alcoholic gift for a non-drinker friend? This Australian based company have just launched their 40% ABV Gin and their alcohol-free Gin in the UK. YTo get you’re hands on a bottle head to their website. brunswickaces.com/
Not on the list yet? It’s not too late to be included!
Get in touch with me at ginandcoast@gmail.com if you’d like to be featured or if you know of any Brands you’d like to see included. There is still time to be included in this year’s Christmas Gift Guide and I’d love to hear from you!
ginandcoast.co.uk 