SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA

A recent study showed that if every adult living in the Snowdonia area spent £5 a week in a local shop as opposed to the big chain stores, the local economy would benefit by approx £26 million every year. What better way to support the community than to buy local this Christmas. To give you some inspiration as to what’s on offer, here’s our guide to SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA…

HAMPERS

There are so many lovely local food and drinks brands and they make for really great presents, especially those who are difficult to buy for.
BODNANT WELSH FOOD | CONWY – have a good selection of wine, cheese and condiment hampers using all locally sourced produce.
RHUG ESTATE | CORWEN – offer incredible meat hampers; everything you could want for Christmas.
KERFOOTS | PORTHMADOG – they have a good selection of ready made hampers or you can create your own if you prefer.
IECHYD DA DELI | BEWTS Y COED – have an amazing selection of locally sourced products and you can make your hamper to order.

EXPERIENCES

There are some incredible experiences to be had in Snowdonia, so if you want to give someone an extra special treat, a gift voucher to one of the following is a winner:

ZIP WORLD | BLAENAU FFESTINIOG – the longest zipline in the world and the fasted in Europe.
FFESTINIOG STEAM TRAIN | PORTHMADOG – a great experience for all the family and suitable for all ages and abilites!
SURF SNOWDONIA | CONWY – the worlds first artificial wave garden creating the perfect waves for surfing.
FLY LLANBEDR | LLANBEDR – see Snowdonia from the skies; an incredible experience.

GENERAL GIFTS

There are a number of shops that have great ranges of gift items, including homewares, clothes, books, games, etc … we love:

LAVENDER HOUSE | ABERSOCH – great all round gift shop with a Christmas section.
PIECES FOR PLACES | BARMOUTH – furniture shop, gift and book shop with the ‘I want everything’ factor.
LLEW GLAS INTERIORS| HARLECH -christmas decorations, gifts and antiques with a good mix of price points.
MEDI | DOLGELLAU – lovely gifts, upcycled furniture and the main stockist of Annie Sloan paint in the area.

THROWS AND RUGS

Wool is quite a big deal in this neck of the woods and in my opinion, you can never have enough blankets and throws. Here are my favourites:
CAE DU DESIGN | HARLECH – the best woollen blankets and throws in the area at fab prices.
TREFREW WOOLLEN MILL | CONWY – traditional woollen Welsh blankets at their best.
BAAVET | HARLECH – the best woollen duvets going. The only duvets of their kind 100% British made and once you sleep under one, you will never go back… the best nights sleep ever.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

Some great restaurants have opened over that last few years. A voucher for dinner or afternoon tea in a special setting is always a winner.
DYLANS | CRICCIETH – is a fantastic seafood restaurant situated on the seafront. Great food in a modern environment.
CAFFI CASTELL | HARLECH – they have the most incredible views of the Snowdonia mountain range and the cakes here are out of this world.
HEBOG | BEDDGELERT – Set in the middle of the Snowdonia mountains, they have a great bistro style menu, beautiful presented.
PORTH TOCYN HOTEL | ABERSOCH – famous for their fine dining, other than the Savoy in London, they are the only restaurant that have been listed in the good food guide since 1956. If you are looking to take a ‘foodie’ somewhere special, I would go here.