Choosing a gift for someone at Christmas is never an easy thing to do.

There are so many options to pick from and the eternal question of ’whether they’ll like it?’ can more often than not make you second guess your purchase.

But this Christmas Year of Our Island is here to help you with your festive shopping list.

Throughout December the team are showcasing and celebrating products made by a wide range of artisans and producers and encouraging all of us to celebrate more of a ’Manx Christmas’ in 2018.

On social media, we’ve put together the ’Our Island 12 days of a Manx Christmas’ list.

Each day we’re shining a spotlight on a different sector where our artisans and producers can be found and giving you some inspiration for unique, mouth-watering and beautiful gifts.

From bath and beauty products to adventurous experiences, locally-produced food and drink to music and literature, the range of Manx-made products and produce are truly immense and readily available, with websites such as iomfoodanddrink.com and manxartdirectory.com providing a comprehensive list of island-based producers and makers.

Alternatively, you may wish to take a trip to one of the Christmas markets to pick up a Manx-made gift in person. Details of upcoming fayres can be found on the Our Island website and social media channels.

Buying local helps our island in so many ways.

Locally-sourced gifts help to reduce freight miles, pollution and waste whilst helping to build Manx brands.

Of course, if you’re looking for something truly homemade why not give gift-making a try for yourself? Artist Eve Adams has partnered with Year of Our Island to host a series of Christmas Craft Workshops in Balley Cashtal Beg on the December 8 and 15.

The workshops are free and will take place in the Enchanted Forest at the Castletown Civic Centre from 10am to 12.30 pm. Eve, whose fairy doors around Castletown have become a must-see attraction for tourists and locals alike, will be on hand to help with your crafting queries.

For more information on December’s upcoming events go online, and to find out more about our ’12 Days of Christmas’, follow Year of Our Island on social media @ourisland2018 or email [email protected].

by the Year of Our Island project team

www.ourisland.im