Last-minute gifting tips for 2019

Are you a last-minute kind of Christmas shopper, or have your gifts been bought since October? 

Exchanging gifts is a favourite Christmas tradition for many - and we're not just talking about the kids! A gift is an expression of your relationship, so whether you're giving or receiving, it's about so much more than what's underneath the wrapping - it's a symbol of your friendship.

Tom O'Leary states in an article on Lifehack: "change of physical objects. A useful alternative is to think of a gift as communication. When you give a gift to someone, what you are actually doing is speaking to them. You buy, make or discover a gift that says something to the receiver. They receive the gift, and if they are perceptive, they understand your message. Of course this is obvious, but somehow we forget it when we go to choose gifts. We focus first on the object or the need, then check what message it conveys."

So how do you choose the perfect gifts for your friends and family, especially when they seem to have everything they need already? How do you convery the right message?  How much should you spend? And most importantly, how do you wrap it right?

Never fear, we've done the research for you and here are our top tips!

1. Have a budget and try to stick to it

The Credit Union offers some pre-Christmas spending tips to avoid going overbudget and facing a financial hangover in January. They advise paying in cash, taking advantage of bargains in any pre-Christmas sales, and factoring in the cost of shipping when you shop online. 

2. Get personal

A personalised gift is ideal for the person who already has everything! A unique, one-of-a-kind gift feels really special, and can be tailored to each individual's interests, whether it's sports, history, Irish culture or family. 

At Irish Gift Solutions, we can work closely with you to help you decide what words and images best represent your friendship with the recipient, and engrave it on wood or slate to last a lifetime. 

3. Stay sustainable

This year, sustainability is the name of the game. 2019 will be remembered as the year a huge cultural change took place; plastic cups gave way to keepcups, Greta Thunberg was named TIME Person of the Year, and we all started looking more closely at how our purchases impact the planet. Give gifts that will last; not those that will be forgotten or broken before the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve. Check out our recent article for more on meaningful and sustainable giving.

4. Wrap it up

Once you've got your gift, you still have to get it wrapped and under the tree. Remember, presentation is everything, a lovely wrapping paper can set the tone perfectly for unwrapping and make your gift feel even more special! For the ultimate guide to wrapping your presents beautifully, check out these videos from Hallmark. You can add a personal touch again here, by using cute bows with your initials and the recipients.

5. Give and receive with joy and gratitude

Like you, your family and friends have put time and thought - as well as money - into choosing your presents. Remember to acknowledge each one and send a note or letter of thanks. The Guardian reminds us that this is is especially important to grandparents and older aunts and uncles who see it as good manners - among younger people a text may be fine!

From all of us at Irish Gift Solutions, we would like to offer you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.

As a small business, we pride ourselves on our customer care. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +353 65 6845082, WhatsApp +353 87 2555391 or send us a message on Facebook.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for gifting tips, inspiration, offers and giveaways.

Chrismas blessings from Irish Gift Solutions

‘Tis the season to start writing your Christmas cards! If you want to give your cards and gifts an Irish feel, we’ve compiled some favourite prayers, proverbs and blessings.

Of course, if you’d like to get a gift engraved - be it for Christmas, a wedding, or any other special occasion - visit our site for Irish-themed gifts. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and made using Irish materials.

We can even help you choose a beautiful Celtic font!

Irish Christmas Blessings

1. With ivy, shamrock and bright holly berry, be Christmas to you both blessed and merry!

2.May the Blessings of Christmas be with you

May the Christ Child light your way,

May God’s holy angels guide you,

And keep you safe each day.

3. May peace and plenty be the first

 To lift the latch at your door

And happiness be guided to your home

By the candle of Christmas.

God’s blessings and peace be yours throughout

This New Year.

4. May the good saints protect you and bless you today. And may trouble ignore you each step of the way. Christmas joy to you!

5. The light of the Christmas star to you,

The warmth of home and hearth to you,

The cheer and good will of friends to you,

The hope of a childlike heart to you,

The joy of a thousand angels to you,

The love of the Son,

And God’s peace to you.”

6. May you be blessed

With the spirit of the season, which is peace,

The gladness of the season, which is hope,

And the heart of the season, which is love.

7. This Christmas may you have…

Walls for the win

And a roof for the rain,

And drinks bedside the fire,

Laughter to cheer you,

And those you love near youAnd all that your heart may desire.

8. The magic of Christmas lingers on,
Though childhood days have passed,
Upon the common round of life
A Holy Spell is cast.

9. May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you,
And bless you evermore.

And one as gaeilge!

10. Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit. (A prosperous and happy Christmas to you!)

From all of us at Irish Gift Solutions, we would like to offer you a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.

As a small business, we pride ourselves on our customer care. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +353 65 6845082, WhatsApp +353 87 2555391 or send us a message on Facebook.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for gifting tips, inspiration, offers and giveaways.

Our favourite love quotes from Ireland and beyond

If you're attending a winter wedding in 2019, you might be on the lookout for a unique Irish wedding gift. To create something truly personal, choose a quote you think the couple will love, and have it engraved on a piece of ancient Irish bog wood or framed in slate.

Not sure what quote would work? Don't worry, we've selected some of our favourites for you. From Joyce and Wilde to Audrey Hepburn and Aristotle, love is eternal and so are these unforgettable words.

1. "They lived and laughed and loved and left." - James Joyce

2. "Women are made to be loved - not understood." - Oscar Wilde

3. "Love will heal what language fails to know" - Eavan Boland

 4. "The thing about love is that we come alive in bodies not our own." - Colum McCann

5. "Love is friendship that has caught fire" - Ann Landers"

6. “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu

7. “Love is a game that two can play and both win.” - Eva Gabor

8. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” - Audrey Hepburn

9. “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” - Aristotle

10. “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” - David Viscott

11. “Love’s greatest gift is its ability to make everything it touches sacred.” - Barbara de Angelis

12. “Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.” - Loretta Young

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +353 65 6845082, WhatsApp +353 87 2555391 or send us a message on Facebook. 

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for gifting tips, inspiration, offers and giveaways.

Meaningful giving | How to shop sustainably for Christmas 2019

As we enter the Christmas period every year, we witness hypercapitalism at its finest; we're pummelled with ads online, on billboards and on the television urging us to buy, buy, buy. But this year, we're also seeing a different message gain ground: give meaningfully and sustainably.

In 2019, we have seen a remarkable rise in people - especially younger people - engaging in activism around climate change, and sustainability issues. There's a backlash against throwaway culture, and a renewed focus on spending money on quality items that last. How many of the gifts you got last Christmas are you still using and enjoying today? 

Many of us want to move away from the commercialisation of the holiday that has taken over in recent times. For most, Christmas is about taking that time to reconnect with family and friends, away from the stress of work. It makes sense that our gift choices are becoming more about reinforcing these values.

If these issues are on your mind as you make your Christmas lists, here are some tips for giving meaningfully this Christmas.

Make it personal

These days, most of us have everything we need to get by - so gift giving is about creating joy - and the best way to to that is to make it personal. There are many ways to personalise a gift to make it truly unique. Our selection of gifts are often engraved with an important date, like that of a wedding or a birth; a favourite proverb, lyric or quote; or your family's crest and motto.

Buy Irish to reduce the airmiles!

When you buy from a local Irish company, you know that the carbon footprint is low. Cheaper gifts from China could take a massive toll on the environment by comparison. Our gifts are laser engraved and dispatched from Co. Clare. As well as that, you're supporting the Irish economy.

Support small businesses

Speaking of supporting the Irish economy, supporting small businesses like Irish Gift Solutions is also an easy way to give more meaningfully. Small businesses support their local economies, encourage entrepreneurship and local employment, and they offer great customer service. You're dealing with real people like you, not a big corporate entity, and that matters. Small businesses also offer items that are more distinctive and have more character than you'll find on the high street.   

Choose locally-sourced materials

We put lots of time into finding the right materials for your gifts. All of our products are made from sustainably-sourced materials, including aged Irish bog wood and slate. We're careful not to over-use our valuable local resources or disrupt the environment.

Make it last

As we hinted at above, most of us have probbaly already forgotten about, broken, or lost the presents we got last Christmas. If you're thinking about giving more sustainably this year, choose gifts that are designed to last for a lifetime like all our pieces are. A gift that sits on the mantelpiece or hangs in the hall can give a little bit of joy every day.

Connect with culture

Our final note on gift giving in 2019 is to connect with your culture and what you're passionate about. If you're buying for a sports lover, a miniature hurley might be ideal, or an Irish history buff might love a secret message in Ogham. Talk to us about how to personalise your 2019 Christmas gifts for someone you love.

As a small business, we pride ourselves on our customer care. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on +353 65 6845082, WhatsApp +353 87 2555391 or send us a message on Facebook. 

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for gifting tips, inspiration, offers and giveaways.

5 fascinating facts about Irish family crests and coats of arms

Here at Irish Gift Solutions, we're big fans of using family crests to personalise our gifts. Whether it's for a wedding gift, an anniversary, or even the arrival of a new little one into the family, two family crests sitting side by side are a visual reminder of two families becoming one.

But what is the background to an Irish Coat of Arms?

The 1707 version of the Irish Coat of Arms, with the British symbols and motto "God and my right". Today, the Coat of Arms is simply the harp on the azure blue backdrop.

• The history of our Coats of Arms, crests and emblems has been documented since 1552. Today, it is the responsibility of the Genealogy and Heraldry Division of the National Library of Ireland. They say: "By the 12th century, personal badges were widely used by the nobility, and a century later, arms could be inherited. This meant that they had to be officially recorded and their display controlled. Specialists, known as officers at arms or heralds, were employed to record these coats of arms in rolls of arms (armorials)". 

• Irish Coats of Arms were worn on the armour, shields, robes and flags of ancient Irish families. They consist of a decorated shield and a motto in either Irish or Latin. Both the visuals and the motto were deeply symbolic, representing what mattered most to the families. The Byrne family motto in Latin reads "Certava et Vici", which  means "I have fought and I have conquered", while the O'Sullivan motto as gaeilge reads "Lamh foistenach abu" which means "A steady hand to victory".

• Even the colours chosen in the design are rich with meaning, for example red represents martyrs, blue signifies loyalty and truth, gold represents generosity, and white represents peace, 

• The 10 most common Irish names for heraldic coats of arms are Murphy, Kelly, Byrne, Ryan. O'Brien, Walsh, O'Sullivan, O' Connor, Doyle and McCarthy. Almost all of us will have friends or family bearing these surnames, which have survived and thrived through the years; they represent old and often prestigious Irish families.

• It's not just families that have heraldic coats of arms - places have them too. Ireland's emblem is a golden harp on a deep blue background, while Leinster's is very similar but on a dark green backdrop. Connacht has a Coat of Arms believed to derive from a 14th century monastery in Germany. Munster's regal crowns are believed to derive from a previous lordship, while in Ulster the Coat of Arms comes from the combined family crests of the de Burghs, Earls of Ulster, and the O'Neills.

The history of medieval Irish Coats of Arms is extensive, there is one for each county in Ireland and for most traditional Irish surnames - this is a very basic introduction to a topic that's deeply connected to Irish heritage.

We're always happy to help you to find the right crest or Coat of Arms to bring your one-of-a-kind gift to life, and we'll help you choose an Irish proverb or blessing if you'd like to include that too.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for our latest news, offers and competitions!

Announcing our November competition winner!

During the first week of November, we ran a fabulous competition on Facebook and Instagram. We kept it simple, with participants needing to like and share a post for the chance to win a voucher worth €150 to spend on our site.

We know that in the run-up to Christmas, you're on the lookout for beautiful, unique Irish gifts, so we ran the contest to give you the opportunity to check out our gifts for newborns, weddings and anniversaries, and new homes. 

Our gifts are made here in Ireland using locally-sourced materials. Irish Gift Solutions is a family business in Co. Clare. We appreciate every order, and we put a lot of thought into making every gift perfect.

Our winner on this occasion is Michelle Barrett from Killarney. When we contacted Michelle to let her know she was our winner, she was delighted. Michelle said: "Omg, thank you so much. This is so exciting!! I cant wait to pick out an item from ur site - I love all your gifts and yer fantastic to deal with so I really look forward to spending my prize. Thanks so much xxx"

Keep an eye out for our next competition which will be coming up in the New Year!

8 beautiful Irish blessings for a new home

Known as the land of saints and scholars, there seems to be an Irish proverb for almost every occasion. Do you have friends or family celebrating their first Christmas in a new home this year? There are lots of traditional Irish blessings you can wish on them - here are some of our favourites at Irish Gift Solutions.

1. "May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door"

2. "May your home always be too small to hold all your friends"

3. "May peace and plenty bless your home
With a joy that long endures
And may life's passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours"

4. "May your cottage roof be well thatched
And those inside be well matched"

5. "Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin." An Irish proverb that translates to "There's no hearth like your own hearth" or more colloquially, there's no place like home. Check it out here.

6. "God bless the corners of this house,
And be the lintel blest,
And bless the hearth and bless the board,
And bless each place of rest,
And bless each door that opens wide
To stranger as to kin,
And bless each crystal window pane
That lets the starlight in,
And bless the rooftree overhead
And every sturdy wall.
The peace of man, the peace of God,
The peace of love on all"

7. “May you always be blessed with walls for the wind. A roof for the rain. A warm cup of tea by the fire. Laughter to cheer you. Those you love near you. And all that your heart might desire.”

8. "May the road rise to meet you
may the wind be at your back
may the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
and until we meet again
May God hold you

In the palm of his hand"

Which one is your favourite? You can choose to have any of these Irish blessings engraved on slate or bogwood for a unique and memorable gift that will last for a lifetime. 

We're always happy to help our customers choose the perfect text and design for your loved ones. Every element of our one-of-a-kind gifts can be customised. They make perfect gifts for friends and family with a grá for Irish heritage and an eye for interior design.

Browse our site and get in touch with us today on 353 65 6845082. 

6 Irish wedding traditions for your big day

Do you dream of a traditional wedding, or are you more in favour of a modern affair? Here at Irish Gift Solutions, we've put together a list of some popular Irish traditions - along with some modern twists - that you can choose to incorporate into your day.

Handfasting

With origins in Ireland's ancient Brehon Laws, handfasting involves the bride and groom's right hands being tied together with a ribbon - in fact, it's where the phrase 'tying the knot' comes from! This tradition has been revived in recent years as more and more couples who are opting for secular or humanist weddings incorporate it to symbolise their future being joined together.

Claddagh Rings

Lots of couples choose to make their commitment with Claddagh rings, which symbolise love, friendship and loyalty - key ingredients in any new marriage. A Claddagh ring with the heart pointed outwards means someone is looking for love, while when it's pointed in it means the wearer's heart already belongs to another.

The speeches

Traditionally, Irish wedding speeches were a man's affair, with the groom, the best man and the father of the bride called on to share a few words. At many weddings today, the mic is shared with the female members of the bridal party. The days of a raucous best man's speech are largely gone, and the expectation is that speeches are of a more wholesome nature, paying tribute to the couple and their journey so far.

Photos

These days, many couples are rejecting the posed photos of the past. Instead of grinning until their mouths are aching as various groups of the bridal party, family and friends are posed beside them, many couples are choosing a more candid approach, where the photographer captures natural moments, giving you a book of cherished memories that truly records your day.

The sing-song

It simply wouldn't be an Irish wedding without a sing-song. Visitors from other countries might think that after the band or DJ is finished the night is about to wind down, but they are mistaken - the night is still young. A small crowd generally takes to the resident's bar for a few more drinks and some Irish tunes.

The after-party

So you finally got to bed at 4 or 5am and now you think the wedding is over? Not quite. It's not often you get all your family and friends together for a big occasion, and in recent years an after-party the following day has become a new tradition. After a few hours sleep, your closest friends and family get together for one more celebration before the couple heads off into married life.

Which will you be incorporating into your big day? And what other Irish traditions do you love?

If you're part of the bridal party, have you found the perfect gift yet? We have a wonderful range of traditional Irish wedding gifts that pay tribute to the couple and to Irish culture.

Get in touch if you have any questions, we're always happy to help.

How to choose a name for your baby

An exciting moment - and one of the first challenges - for new parents, is finding a name you both agree on for your little one. It's a huge responsibility too, since they will carry those names with them throughout their lives wherever they go and whatever they do.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a baby's name.

Popular versus unique

Jack and James topped the list of boy's names for both 2017 and 2018, while Emily was the most popular girl's name in 2018 followed by Grace. Some parents adore popular names, while others prefer something a little bit different. If you choose a popular name, half the street might come running when you call the kids for their dinner, but too unique a name might be difficult to pronounce and it could mean a lifetime of spelling it out for your son or daughter.

3 tips for choosing the perfect wedding present

Is that Irish?

Are you hoping to give your child an Irish name? Seán  Oisín, Rían, Tomás were some of the most popular names with a fada in 2018, while Róisín, Éabha, Aoibhín, and Áine are among the top 100 names for girls. Irish names offer children a piece of their heritage to take out into the world, but as mentioned above, they may be difficult to spell and pronounce. Think ahead. Names like Eoin and Aoife are common and unproblematic in Ireland, but our Celtic fondness for vowels proves extremely confusing abroad, and can be frustrating for them if they grow up and move to Australia or Canada. 

Check out our range of Irish-made baby gifts. 

How does it sound?

Are your favourite names melodic or do they sound strong? Does it fit with what you want for your little one? Consider the rhythm of the first name and surname together - and don't forget the middle name if you're giving your child one. The names need to work individually and together.

Family matters 

Grandparents, aunts and uncles will all have strong opinions when it comes to choosing a name. Perhaps the first son is traditionally a Thomas or you always have a girl called Maire, but that doesn't mean you have to follow the tradition. Be sure to listen to what they have to say - after all, they're your future babysitters - but remember the final decision is for the parents alone. No matter what you call your little boy or girl, they will be loved by all around them.

Trends

Are you thinking about naming your little girl Danaerys or your little boy Theon? Remember that 20 years from now, Game of Thrones will be a distant memory - and you may end up wondering why you named your child after it! Remember, trends come and go - so pick a name that you'll love for a lifetime, no matter what changes come along.

Ogham: A symbol of Ancient Ireland

See some samples of our beautiful custom-made
baby gifts here. 

Initial that

Children pick up on even the smallest things, so they may not appreciate having to initial things if their name is Frank Anthony Turner or Paula Isabel Grant. Even in adulthood, these things can cause embarrassment - so make sure to consider them.

Nicknames

It's likely that your wider family and friends will give baby cute little nicknames. This will include shortening their names, like calling girls called Catherine something like Kate or Katie instead, or shortening William to Bill. Do you like the shortened version? What are the most obvious rhymes for your chosen name, and are they flattering?

A new baby in the house is such a joyous time. Ultimately, while there's a lot to consider, the most important thing is to choose a name you and your partner love.

Get in touch with us at Irish Gift Solutions if you would like a personalised gift for a new baby in your life, we have a full range that can be completely customised. 

3 tips for choosing the perfect wedding present

Getting an invite to a wedding is a privilege. When a couple invites you to be a part of the most special day of their lives, it’s only natural to want to find the perfect wedding gift for them. 

Here are our top tips for choosing a memorable Irish wedding present. 

Assess your relationship with bride and groom

It’s common to give cash in Ireland, and that’s especially true if you’re not very close to the bride and groom, but if you are, you may wish to give them a more personal gift instead or as well as money. This is especially true for family members. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of the bride and groom, as well as other members of the bridal party, may want to choose something extra special. Outside of the family and bridal party, a more traditional wedding gift might be plenty.

Decide on the budget

We don’t like to talk about money in Ireland, but if you’re attending a wedding, figuring out an appropriate budget for your gift is a must. The Irish Independent reveals that individuals spend an average of €100-€200, but it really does vary depending on whether you’re family or friends, how close you are with the couple, whether you’re a part of the bridal party, and how much your bank balance will allow.   

Personalise it and make it last

Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events (for most!) and the symbols of the day are often cherished through the marriage. Choose a gift that will last, and marks the day two families came together as one.

The days of buying a toaster to help a couple start off are long gone. Simply put, there’s no need for such household items in an era where most couples live together before marriage.

So what do you buy the couple that has everything? Consider something unique, personal and truly special. Our selection of wedding gifts combine the couple’s details with a touch of Irish heritage and a traditional blessing. 

Designed on slate or Irish bog wood, we offer a beautiful selection of family crest pieces and clocks. 

Do you have a wedding coming up? Let us know what your thoughts on gifts are in the comments.

About Irish Gift Solutions

Irish Gift Solutions is a small business based in Ennis, Co. Clare. We use laser engraving to create stunning, high-quality pieces that are themed around Irish heritage. The well-crafted, one-of-a-kind creations are perfect gifts for all occasions, including weddings, christenings and retirements. We deliver worldwide, so wherever you or your loved ones are, you can have a little piece of Ireland with you.

Ogham: A symbol of Ancient Ireland

Are you interested in Ancient Irish heritage? Ogham is part of the ancient Irish language and has roots going back to the Celtic Tree alphabet.  While the only remaining evidence of Ogham is found on stone it was also once used on trees and wooden stakes to mark boundaries. 

History of Ogham

A standing Ogham stone located at Adare Manor

The language is based on a medieval tradition ascribing names of trees to individual letters. The symbols are typically a wavy line with straight lines intersecting them, which resembles the silhouette of a tree. 

Although the marks look nothing like the Roman alphabet we use in English today, there are roughly 20 symbols representing consonants and five vowels that correspond to roughly the same sounds, so it's possible to translate.

There are fewer than 400 surviving inscriptions on stone monuments existing in Ireland today and the majority of these are located in the southern parts of Ireland in the counties of Kerry, Cork, and Waterford. 

The curve or “branch” of the Ogham engraving was thought to bring blessings. Read more about the history of ogham here. 

Ogham gifts

Failte (welcome) - Ogham engraved housewarming gift

Ogham designs make ideal gifts for friends with an interest in Irish history and heritage. Our design is engraved on natural slate or Irish Ash makes for a wonderful housewarming gift and ideal to place near the door of your home (indoors or out). 

The word “Fàilte” means welcome and is scribed on the bottom - this is a very popular choice. You can also choose a placename or the name of a house. This website includes an ogham transliterator - a tool that allows you to see what any word or phrase in English would look like in ogham - put your family name in and see what it looks like.

Words representing traditional Irish blessings including are often chosen, including:

Happiness (Sonas)

Love (Grá)

Health (Sláinte)

Dilseacht (Loyalty) 

Cairdeas (Friendship)

Or you can choose to have a person's name engraved to create a unique birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement gift or gift of thanks.

Browse www.irishgiftsolutions.com for more.

3 truly unique Irish wedding gifts for 2019

If you have a family wedding coming up soon, you’re probably already thinking about finding the perfect gift.

These days, it’s common for guests at a wedding to simply put cash into a card instead of buying the happy couple a present. The newlyweds may be grateful given the enormous cost of getting married in Ireland, but family members and close friends often want to give a gift with a more personal touch.

Our Irish-made gifts are artfully designed and executed to give you a gift that is personalised and deeply meaningful; drawing together family history, as well as Irish tradition and culture. 

Here, we have highlighted some of our most popular and most unique Irish wedding gifts.

Irish Family Crest Slate

The Irish Family Crest slate is a one-of-a-kind gift. It is designed to a superb standard of quality to hang proudly on the wall for years to come, before it is handed down to the next generation. The slate is framed with black wood, combining the ancestral theme of the gift with a sleek, modern aesthetic.

Each feature - the family coats of arms, the traditional font, the Irish blessing - can be personalised, and adds a beautiful touch for a truly Irish wedding gift. You can add details of the wedding day including the date and location of the ceremony for a personalised wedding present that will last a lifetime.

What our customers say: “Absolutely thrilled with the product and service. I cannot speak highly enough of this. The process was so easy and the plaque was delivered very quickly and displayed beautifully. The gift exceeded my expectations and was gratefully received.” Emma in Waterford. Read more reviews here.

Wooden Wedding Clock

The Wooden Wedding Clock is a stunning piece that is designed and created here in Ireland using a beautiful piece of native wood. If you’re looking for a personalised Irish wedding gift that speaks to our heritage, this is an excellent choice.

Engraved with intertwined rings bearing the couple’s names, the clock also includes an Irish blessing, sentiment or message. Our most commonly chosen message is ‘Grá, Dílseacht, Cairdeas", which translates to "Love, Loyalty, Friendship", and we can help you choose if you would like something different.

What our customers say: "This clock exceeded my expectations and the customer service is great. Stephen was careful to make sure the clock layout was correct before the order was finalised. Quick delivery. I am sure the bride and groom will be just as thrilled with the clock as I am" Jane in London. Read more reviews here.

Bog Wood Plaque

Our Bog Wood Plaque is a gift that truly stands the test of time; created using bog wood that has been aged over thousands of years, this gift is a personalised piece of history. The family crests of the newly married couple are engraved on to the piece of Bog Oak or Bog yew, for an eye-catching, rustic addition to any home.

Bog Wood is sourced from bog lands in Longford, Westmeath, Roscommon and Offaly. Modern practices like road building, construction and demands for fuel have all been cutting away at the bog lands for many years, which has exposed this rich artist’s treasure. Bog Wood is a rare resource which is unique both in colour and feel.

What our customers say: “I was amazed at the fast service and the product exceeded what I had anticipated. It is just fabulous. The bearer of this beautiful gift cannot stop talking about it!” Clare in Kilrush. Read more reviews here.

As well as being perfect Irish wedding presents, these gifts can also be bought as thoughtful gifts marking a big anniversary for parents or grandparents.

Irish Gift Solutions is a family business, owned and operated in County Clare. We take tremendous pride in our work, and we take extra care to ensure each and every customer receives a perfect gift.

Since each gift is personalised, we’ll email you a copy of the layout before we create it so you can see exactly how it’s going to turn out, and make any amendments necessary before it goes into manufacturing.

Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.

●      info@irishgiftsolutions.com

●      +353 65 6845082

●      +353 87 2555391