My name is Maria and I head up GS1 Ireland’s activities with members in the Retail and Consumer Goods Sectors. In that capacity I get to see lots of exciting products and new producers that enter the market each year from Irish companies of all sizes.
This year, I’ve created a Christmas Gift Guide with a special theme, highlighting the innovative members that are early adopters in the migration to QR Codes for consumer engagement and point-of-sale scanning.
I’m excited to share some amazing gift ideas from GS1 Ireland members that I think you’ll love. These suggestions are perfect for anyone looking to make their festive season extra special while supporting local Irish businesses.
Christmas is all about giving – and what better way to celebrate than by choosing gifts from GS1 Ireland members who are committed to quality and innovation? Every purchase helps support trusted brands and local businesses, making your festive season even more meaningful.
A diffuser and essential oils from Benoit Nicol at The Nature of Things (link to his social channels and video). These diffusers follow an innovative design and the oils are all prepared and blended by Benoit himself in his studio in The Chocolate Factory in Dublin. Benoit recently spoke to his about his adoption of GS1 Digital Link QR Codes and you can check out that video here. If someone in your life would love some relaxing oils, a room spray to enhance their mood – or perhaps something to perfume the bathroom check out the following:
https://www.instagram.com/thenatureofthings.ie/
Diffuser: https://thenatureofthings.ie/products/diffuser-solenn%C2%A9-ice-blue
Lavender Essential Oil: https://thenatureofthings.ie/products/lavender-essential-oil
Room Sprays: https://thenatureofthings.ie/collections/room-sprays
Bumbog Poop Spray: https://thenatureofthings.ie/products/bumbog-poop-spray-50ml
For that special person in your life, why not consider a Tweed jacket or waistcoat designed and made right here in Dublin by Celtic Tweed? They also have a range of Irish Gifts including snoods, scarves, hats and an adorable Teddy Bear made of Irish Tweed.
Did you know that all of the pieces from Celtic Tweed come with a fully traceable and transparent supply chain? Celtic Tweed have been working with Irish solutions company Kinset to deliver detailed data about every piece they make, from the fabrics and buttons used, to who made it. Check out the GS1 Digital Link QR Codes on their new pieces and scan with your phone for a full overview of the digital product profile for that garment and learn about the artisan craft behind this exciting Irish brand.
We recently spoke to Cathy Coughlan in Celtic Tweed and to Katelyn O’Riordan in Kinset about this pioneering project to share a transparent and compelling story about Celtic Tweed’s sustainability credentials. That video will be coming up in January.
https://www.instagram.com/celtictweed/
https://www.celtictweed.ie/collections/irish-gifts
https://www.celtictweed.ie/collections/mens-tweed-jackets
https://www.celtictweed.ie/collections/womens-tweed-waistcoats
One website I always keep my eye on is that belonging to Silvana Landa of Landa Bags. Burgundy continues to trend as a hot colour throughout the world of fashion and there is no shortage of beautiful options to choose from. The best dressed phones this year can sport the Cassia or Aliso Phone Bags or for a more versatile crossbody option consider the Paico Bag. Lots of colours, styles and finishes to choose from across the Landa range.
Like Celtic Tweed above, Silvana Landa has been working with the team in Kinset to collate and share detailed product and sustainability information for their products, accessible to consumers through a QR code stitched inside the bag. You can even activate unique features like “Find My Bag” to help you reunite with your bag in the unfortunate event you should become separated.
Silvana joined Katelyn on a webinar earlier this year to discuss their collaboration on digital product passports and you can check out a recording of that conversation here.
https://www.instagram.com/bagsbylanda
https://landabags.com/pages/xmas-shop
https://landabags.com/products/cassia-phone-bag-burgundy
https://landabags.com/products/aliso-bag-burgundy
https://landabags.com/products/paico-bag-burgundy
https://forms.gs1ie.org/kinset-digtial-link-webinar-2025
Charities that Deserve Your Support This Christmas
Animal welfare is an issue that is close to my heart. This year I’m supporting two Irish charities – the NSPCA and My Lovely Horse Rescue – and one much further afield but headed up by a very inspiring Irishman Niall Harbison of Happy Doggo in Thailand. If caring for vulnerable animals strikes a chord with you, and you could spare a few euro, you might also consider making a donation to one of these charities this festive season.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/nspca_dublin/
https://www.instagram.com/mylovelyhorserescue/
https://www.instagram.com/niall.harbison/
https://www.mylovelyhorserescue.com/
Donation Links:
https://www.happydoggo.com/donate
https://www.mylovelyhorserescue.com/donate.html
Closing Note
Thank you for checking out my guide! Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a year ahead that is full of health and happiness.