Cork shoppers urged to opt for handmade Christmas gifts from local makers 

Cork Craft and Design has officially launched a new campaign encouraging more conscious Christmas gifting ahead of Black Friday.

Cork Craft and Design, one of the largest collectives of multi-disciplinary craftmakers in the country, is urging shoppers to take a conscious step this Christmas to choose locally made, handcrafted gifts instead of commercial, mass-produced items.

The organisation, which represents more than 110 Cork-based makers, has launched the #ChooseCraftInstead campaign to inspire more mindful gifting this festive season.

Sustain

The initiative highlights how every handmade purchase helps sustain traditional skills, supports local jobs, and keeps Cork’s creative culture alive.

Michael Whyte, chairperson of Cork Craft and Design, and owner of Ro Óg Wooden Toys, said the annual custom of Black Friday can make shopping feel “fast, frantic, and disposable”.

“However, craft is the complete opposite of that,” said Mr Whyte.

“Every piece created by our makers carries with it time, care, and creativity.

“When you buy something handmade, you’re investing in a story, a skill, and a community.”

Jade Hogan, operations manager at Cork Craft and Design, said there’s something “incredibly special about gifting something that was made by hand”.

“Every piece has its own personality and its own story to tell,” said Ms Hogan.

“For us as makers, every purchase is a validation of what we do.”

Handcrafted

From hand-thrown ceramics and illustrated prints, to sustainable wooden toys, textiles, jewellery, and furniture, Cork Craft and Design’s network of makers has more than 4,000 handcrafted gifts on offer this year.

All items are available for purchase online at corkcraftanddesign.ie and in-store at Douglas Court Shopping Centre and St Patrick’s Woollen Mills in Douglas.