By Penny Warnock
03rd Dec 2019
03rd Dec 2019
There are four days of fun, food and planet-friendly shopping at Gifted at the RDS. What’s not to love?
We’re all about shopping local and supporting Irish craft and design. After discovering the unfortunate cancellation of the Dublin Christmas Flea this year, we’ve been on the lookout for alternatives so that we can all #ShopIrish this Christmas. Taking place from December 4 for four days in the RDS, Gifted will feature over 100 artisan food producers, 400 designers, makers and independent retailers and will for the first time also include a sustainable edit curated by Jo Linehan, host and producer of The Futurist podcast, which focuses on promoting sustainable Irish designers and makers. She’s also a co-founder of Gaff Interiors and a former IMAGE Magazine staffer, so we know anything she does will be beautifully and thoughtfully presented.
Related: Where to find Dublin flea Christmas market makers online
It’s important to remember this Christmas to make smart and ethical choices, ’tis the season of over-expenditure and often unnecessary gift-giving but remember — if you can’t reduce what you buy then at least be mindful about what you buy.
Featuring a number of familiar names from our flea market directory, pictured above are some of our faves who will be at Gifted, including Dunbeacon Pottery, Alanna Plekkenpol designs, The Nature of Things, Badly Made Books and Kopper Kreations. From jewellery to ceramics, prints to scented candles, the event will have something for everyone.
Related: 5 faves from last year’s Dublin Flea Christmas Market and where to find them
The sustainability edit
With a highlight this year on all things sustainable, the fair will contain floods of conscious brands. From eco-friendly beauty brands to ethical clothing, Jo Linehan has curated Ireland’s largest collection of sustainable gifts, with 40 of this country’s finest planet-friendly brands and a sustainable edit showcasing 12 top ethical producers. Here you’ll find up-cycled and re-purposed gifts, ethical clothing and beauty products as well as environmentally friendly toys.
Nunaïa
Irish skincare range Nunaïa has created a range of sustainable superfood skincare rituals designed to nourish your skin and renew your sense of balance and calm.
Jiminy’s eco art, crafts and toys
Started by Sharon and Suzanne, Jiminy is all about making it easier to get guilt-free, worry-free craft supplies for kids.
Jennifer Slattery
Jennifer Slattery creates timeless products including shirts and scarves, table runners and napkins all made from 100% natural Irish linen and lambswool with no polyesters or plastics in sight.
Grown.ie
Ethical clothing company Grown will plant an indigenous Irish tree for each piece they sell at Gifted. Grown.ie’s range of men and women’s shirts, tops and hoodies have been designed and styled in Ireland and put through a rigorous process of sustainable development auditing before being offered for sale.
Sea singer tee, €32
Fine foods
Not only does the fair contain multitudes of design and craft but it also features over 100 artisan food producers in their spectacular Christmas food emporium. Covering all your Christmas entertaining needs as well as a wide range of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan foods and a host of healthy choices. Here you’ll find some more flea market heroes such as Ruby’s Fine Foods as well as a bundle of fine artisans. A full list of exhibitors is available here.
Gifted – The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair runs from December 4 to December 8 and is the destination for those interested in craft, design and artisan food. Tickets are €13.50 each. Keep an eye out for the Handmade in Ireland logo as well as the ‘Ask Me My Sustainable Story’ logo. And expect 10% off everything on opening day.
Featured image: @giftedrds on Instagram
Read more: The gifts to get a first-time homeowner (that they’ll actually love)
Read more: 12 ways to have an environmentally friendly Christmas
Read more: 10 Irish-made gifts for the fashion lover in your life
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