What do you get for those gift-giving occasions throughout the year that call for smaller presents? Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. A co-worker’s birthday. A friend’s return from a long trip. These presents need not be extravagant. But even so, you still want them to be meaningful… 

For some reason, these aren’t the easiest presents to find

A lot of times, it’s easier to choose a present to mark ‘big occasions’ like Christmas or a partner’s birthday.

Then when you need a smaller gift, you find yourself settling for something cheap and trivial… just so you don’t arrive empty-handed. 

Well, not anymore. 

That’s thanks to this brand new gift guide that has 9 ideas for smaller gift-giving.  

Most of these presents fall around €20, while none of them go over €35.

Even so, each present is thoughtful, ethically-sourced and from a sustainably-minded company.

You’ll always feel good about giving any one of these presents…   

1. Nearly everyone’s favourite: Chocolate

Chocolate is almost always a safe bet. 

But safe doesn't have to mean boring.

For something extra special, try one of these out-of-the-ordinary options...

Choose a box or two of organic and vegan Booja Booja truffles for a present with a decidedly fancy touch. (Hannah is a big fan of their champagne truffles.)

Or give this beautiful gift set of Rachel’s all-time favourite chocolate bars: Original Beans The Story of Cacao. 

2. The best of West Cork women 

Wrap up this entire selection for an exciting present sure to WOW a local food lover.

This selection showcases some of the best sweet treats made by our fantastic women producers right here in West Cork...

By the way, here’s how to support even more of our incredible Irish women producers: 

11 women-owned Irish brands you’ve GOT to try

3. Give an exquisite bath time experience

If you know someone who loves a nice long soak…

You can’t go wrong with giving a present that makes their bath time even more luxurious. 

And when it’s luxury you want? We’ll always point you in the direction of Dr Hauschka. 

Choose the Rose Nurturing Bath Essence to transform any tub into a home spa.

Or give either the Rose Nurturing Body Oil or the Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil (two top sellers) to keep the luxury going long after the bath is over.  

4. A one-of-a-kind Irish drink 

We have Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll to thank for producing Ireland’s very first vermouth. 

When you gift the bottle, you’re giving someone a present they can enjoy either with friends and family, or as a quiet tipple on their own.  

This one-of-a-kind vermouth is deliciously made from natural ingredients including 20 different botanicals that Anna and Orla forage from the Kerry Coast along the Wild Atlantic Way.

5. A little (sustainable) indulgence in the everyday

Maybe sustainably harvested seaweed isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of indulgent gifts…

But that’s before you’ve met WASi, a unique company run by partners Claire O’Sullivan and Eli Tanner right here in Bantry. 

Choose from their Lemongrass and Cedarwood Seaweed Soap, Seaweed Infused Body Oil, Epsom Salt Seaweed Bath Soak or Lime and Ginger Seaweed Foot Scrub. 

You’ll become a firm believer in sustainable seaweed’s ability to turn into an unexpectedly beautiful present. 

6. For the man who’s impossible to buy for 

Hannah facing a shelf in Organico shop. Holding a bottle from the shelf in one hand and a dusting cloth in the other.

Who’s the trickiest person to buy for?

Well, whenever we ask our community, there’s always one answer that comes up most often… 

Men. 

Whether they’re fathers, brothers, partners, sons, friends…

More of you said you struggle to find presents for men over any other person you have to buy for.

Our suggestion? Buy him quality natural skincare he may not think to buy for himself, such as Balmonds Skin Salvation Moisturising Ointment or the always popular After Shave Balm from Weleda.  

Or create your own gift set by pairing the Doctor Mahers Vitalize Cleansing Bar (an Irish product which many men like to use as a shaving soap) along with Absolute Aromas Organic Shave Oil. 

Rachel and Hannah sitting at a table outside Organico with a tea and coffee. Hannah holds a small book open. Both women are smiling toward the camera.

7. To help reclaim their calm

For that loved one who’s been put through the mill lately?

Let them know you care with a gift that’s all about claiming some serious unwinding time.

Either of these gift sets should do the trick:  

The Tisserand Aromatherapy Total De-Stress Discovery Kit includes a massage oil, room mist and pulse point roller ball with an absolutely divine fragrance. Perfect for creating moments of calm throughout the day.

Then for bedtime, there’s the Sleep Better Discovery Kit with a massage oil, pillow mist and pulse point roller ball that prepares an overworked mind and body for a night of rehabilitative sleep. 

8. For surrendering to lavender dreams

We have a few more gift ideas to promote better sleep (because who would say ‘no’ to that?)...

Give the Relax and Unwind Gift Set from Weleda to bring some lavender calm to the evening. 

Or put together this lavender-scented duo (both made in Ireland) to soothe and heal a busy mind at night:

9. A gift to feed undernourished skin

When it comes to ultra nourishing natural skincare, this Nourish and Shine Gift Set from Weleda really does have it all:

Skin Food (the original) and Skin Food Light. 

Eithne from our team says, ‘I love Skin Food for dry skin on my hands, feet… anywhere really! It smells divine and leaves my skin feeling great.’

And Hannah recommends a different use for Skin Food Light:

'When I was staying at Rachel's I tried it as a facial moisturiser. For me, the normal Skin Food would be too rich to use on my face. But Skin Food Light was just right, and the citrus scent was lovely.' 

Keep it small but special

You could say there’s an ‘art’ to the small gift. 

Because it's not always easy finding something that manages to be meaningful without also being extravagant. 

But we hope you’ll find it much easier now.

So the next time you want to mark a smaller occasion with a present…

And you want to keep the budget well under €50...

Give one of the above a try. See if it isn’t just what the moment calls for.