"The Joy of Local: Five Reasons to Buy Locally for Christmas"

As Chirstmas approaches, we all embark on the annual quest to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. 

While online shopping and superstores offer convenience and a wide array of options, there's something truly special about buying locally for Christmas. 

It's a choice that benefits not only your recipients but also your community. In this blog post, we'll explore five compelling reasons to consider supporting local businesses when shopping for gifts this holiday season.

Unique and Thoughtful Gifts:

When you buy locally, you're more likely to discover one-of-a-kind, handcrafted treasures that you won't find in larger retail chains. Local artisans and small businesses take pride in their work and often create personalized, thoughtful gifts. 

These unique items have a story and character that can't be replicated by mass-produced products. By choosing local, you can find gifts that truly resonate with the recipient, making your presents even more special.

Support Local Economies:

Local businesses are the backbone of your community. When you buy from them, you're directly contributing to the local economy, helping to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. These businesses are owned by your neighbours and friends, and your support keeps their livelihoods intact. By choosing to buy locally, you're investing in the prosperity of your community, making it a better place for everyone.

Environmental Benefits:

One of the less obvious advantages of shopping locally is the positive impact on the environment. Local businesses often source their products and materials from nearby suppliers, reducing the need for long-distance transportation. This means fewer carbon emissions and a smaller ecological footprint, making your holiday shopping more environmentally friendly.

Personalised Service:

Local shops and artisans offer a level of personalised service that you won't find in superstores or online retailers. Shop owners and artisans are often more invested in their customers' satisfaction and can offer advice and assistance that's tailored to your needs. They can help you find the perfect gift, wrap it beautifully, and may even remember you and your preferences the next time you visit.

Strengthening Community Bonds:

Buying locally isn't just about transactions; it's also about building a sense of community. When you shop locally, you foster stronger connections with your neighbours and local business owners. This sense of belonging and interconnectedness is especially important during the Christmas season, as it promotes goodwill, trust, and a shared spirit of celebration.

This Christmas, let's make a conscious effort to shop locally and experience the magic of the season in a different way. By choosing local businesses, you can find unique and thoughtful gifts, support your community's economy, reduce your environmental impact, enjoy personalised service, and strengthen the bonds within your community.

 These reasons make buying locally for Christmas a decision that benefits everyone involved, making the holiday season a little brighter and more meaningful for all. So, this year, give the gift of local love and watch the joy it brings to your loved ones and your community.

A Very Social Spirit! Celebrate Togetherness at Xmas With Masons of Yorkshire's Personalised Products, Award-Winning Gins and Vodkas, All Locally Produced in Yorkshire

Following on from our previous blogpost featuring amazing personalised Christmas gifts, That's Christmas brings you news of Masons of Yorkshire.

Ten years ago, gin lovers Karl and Cathy Mason set up a Facebook page about their favourite spirit. They were posting reviews of their delicious finds, followers followed, and soon 10k people were on the page, joining in the chat and sharing their gincredible finds too.

It took a lot of time to manage thousands of comments and reviews - and then the couple had the lightbulb moment: what if we did this all the time? And Masons of Yorkshire was born. The distillery was the first to open in Yorkshire, right at the start of the gin boom that swept across the UK and beyond.

This year the company celebrates a decade of distilling. 24 people are now employed at the stunning state-of-the-art distillery in beautiful Bedale, North Yorkshire, which is open for tours and events all year round. Masons of Yorkshire has won countless awards the world over, (over 180!) and exports products internationally. 

With a gin portfolio consisting of the 10th Anniversary Gin, Original, Tea Edition, Orange & Lime Leaf, Pear & Pink Peppercorn, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Fruit of the Tropics and English Lavender, the Masons have lent their expert hand to crafting Luxury British Vodka, and sales have doubled in the last year as at-home cocktail enthusiasts and bars discover the smoothness of the Original, Citrus, Espresso and Chocolate expressions. 

Now a proudly carbon-neutral business, Masons of Yorkshire will dedicate the next 10 years to creating business and jobs for local people as sustainably as possible, building on a legacy of creating award-winning 'no gimmicks' gin and vodka, and being at the forefront of British produced distilled spirits.

Stand out products for stand out gifts, let your family and friends know how much you treasure them by sending the original and best.

Perfectly Personalised Presents

They can personalise their award-winning range of Gins and Vodkas with up to 20 characters on the front label. From £37.95 for 70cl.

The serious Gin for the serious Gin Lover - 52% abv

To mark the 10 year anniversary, Masons of Yorkshire has released a special edition gin, with the star of the show being juniper, to celebrate the plant that started it all. The gin has been crafted to be juniper rich, to share with the gin aficionados and gin lovers out there that have supported the brand.

In addition to the juniper, the gin also features other key botanicals such as coriander, fresh lime and bay leaf. These botanicals add complexity to the gin, making it a well-rounded and delicious spirit.

The gin features two different varieties of juniper, distilled three ways: pot still, vapor basket, and vacuum distillation. It's bottled at 52% ABV, 10% higher in ABV than the Masons of Yorkshire Original Edition, (1% for every year!) a punchy flavour fitting for a 10th anniversary celebration and the perfect strength to deliver a juniper hit. The gin will be presented in a beautiful presentation box, made from fine linen with foiled copper detailing. The ultimate in luxury gin.

Available from www.masonsofyorkshire.com. £45 for 70cl, 52% ABV.

Stocking Fillers - Luxurious Gin and Vodka for under £25

Why not treat Santa to something a little special this year? Swap the cookies for a miniature bottle of Masons to enjoy with a tonic under the tree?

These perfectly formed presents also make absolutely wonderful stocking fillers, or why not save them for Christmas Dinner? The smooth flavours will make amazing aperitifs for your guests on arrival.

The Taste Experience Gift Set, £22.50

Each pack includes five miniature 5cl bottles of Masons gin including The Original, Tea Edition, Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber, Pear & Pink Peppercorn and Orange & Lime Leaf. Perfect as a gift for all premium gin lovers, or why not treat yourself?

Vodka Miniatures Gift Set, £16

The Masons Vodka Gift Set bundle includes all three of their original Vodkas: Classic Vodka, Espresso Vodka & Citrus Vodka, now in a 5cl miniatures tasting set. It's ideal to explore the flavour, clarity and smoothness their Vodkas have won awards for. Perfect as a gift set to treat a vodka lover.

Classic Vodka: Designed with clarity and freshness in mind. Savour the crisp, gloriously smooth characteristics of Masons Classic Vodka over ice, in long drinks or as a base for your favourite cocktails.

Espresso Vodka: Masons Espresso Vodka is slowly distilled for smoothness. Delicately nuanced with vapor-infused coffee beans from El Salvador results in a taste experience of rich, silky coffee.

Citrus Vodka: Masons Citrus Vodka is distilled for smoothness and quality. Citrus is delicately vapor-infused through the process to create a vodka with crisp and punchy citrus notes.

As we say, ideal, personalised Christmas presents, but this time for the gin and vodka lovers in your life!