Holiday Shopping: Bermuda Gifts for All 5 Senses
This holiday season, give your loved ones gifts that will invoke the sights, sounds, scents, textures and tastes of Bermuda.
- Beyond the Beach,
- Local Hotspots
Show the love by sharing Bermuda's island allure. Here are some ideas for uniquely Bermudian gifts.
Not visiting in person? Send a piece of the island to loved ones on your list with Bermuda businesses offering international shipping. Many of the businesses below also offer international shipping.
Sight: Inspired by Island Beauty
If you were to ask anyone to describe Bermuda in one word, you'd often hear the same response: beautiful. So it's no wonder local artists and artisans are always creating things that reflect the island's natural and cultural beauty.
The paintings of Robert Bassett are vivid and imaginative, full of bright colours and unique perspectives, just like Bermuda itself. They’re dreamlike for a reason – Bassett says his primary artistic inspiration comes from his dreams. His visions are a great gift idea for any art lover in your life. Artist Lisa-Anne Rego’s paintings also capture Bermuda's vibrant beauty with works depicting island landscapes, architecture and street scenes. At her Royal Naval Dockyard studio/gallery, you can see a wide variety of her work and pick out the perfect painting to put under the tree this year.
Bermuda is full of dynamic local artists, including the duo of Stratton Hatfield and Claire Peverelli, emerging international artist Gherdai Hassell, award-winning photographer Jayde Gibbons , and woodcrafter Alex Davidson. Buy local art at the Arts Centre at Dockyard, and follow the Bermuda Society of Arts for upcoming shows featuring works from the island's vibrant community of artists.
Alexandra Mosher Studio in Hamilton features one-of-a-kind jewellery and holiday ornaments that expertly incorporate Bermuda's pink-sand and other island elements. Meanwhile, the textures and minimalist style of Airy Heights Design add a touch of Bermuda elegance to every ensemble – artist and designer Elisa Stubbs takes inspiration from the island’s plants and shells when crafting earrings, pins, bracelets, necklaces, rings and cufflinks that make great gifts. The husband-and-wife team Davidrose – David and Rose, of course – create bridal jewellery, one-of-a-kind statement pieces and luxury silver jewellery. Pay a visit to the couple at their historic Town of St. George design studio to feast your eyes on their latest beauties, and pick up a truly romantic gift.
Raw Island Jewels crafts elegant earrings, often with a pop of colour from a variety of gemstones and crystals. The 1609 Design store is stocked with stylish clothing, swimwear, jewellery and more, and you can also shop this local retailer online.
Bring Home The Sounds Of Bermuda
With its intriguing mix of cultural influences, Bermuda was bound to have a great music scene – and you can bring home the sounds of Bermuda-born musicians.
One of Bermuda’s most beloved singer/songwriters, Joy T. Barnum brings a soulful feel to every note. Pick up her music while you're on island, or check out her website for albums and samples – playing Joy’s music on a winter day delivers Bermuda sunshine no matter where you’re spending your holidays.
Another voice to look out for: that of Bermuda native Heather Nova, who sings her haunting melodies across the globe. Or, bring home the laid-back, uke-heavy tunes of Mike Hind, known on-island as Uncle Elvis.
Heavenly Scents: From Perfume to Bermuda Cedar
Bermuda's refreshing sea breezes are tinged with hints of island flowers and herbs. Master perfumer Isabelle Ramsey-Brackstone's fragrances capture the island's essence at Lili Bermuda in St. George's. Notes of wind, fresh salt spray of the ocean and luscious flowers are her signatures. The sweet and sultry South Water transports you to a secluded Bermuda beach. Coral brings a gentle sea breeze and the scent of Bermuda freesia blossoms. And the romantic, citrusy Mary Celestia was meticulously re-created from a 150-year-old perfume discovered recently in a Bermuda shipwreck.
The iconic and aromatic Bermuda cedar tree (Juniperus bermudiana) has been a cornerstone of island life for more than four centuries – the original castaways who settled the island used the material to build the Deliverance and Patience to get to Jamestown, their planned destination. The Littlest Drawbridge Gift Shop at the Royal Naval Dockyard offers handmade cedar treasures – everything from boxes, pens, goblets, vases and bowls, as well as sachets, cedar essential oils and incense cones.
Touchable Delights
Putting on a pair of Bermuda shorts is like stepping into summer – the perfect antidote to your loved one's winter blues. Bermudian Rebecca Hanson has given classic Bermuda shorts a fashion-forward spin with TABS (The Authentic Bermuda Shorts), available for both men and women. Pick up a pair for under the tree, and maybe even for yourself. For affordable luxury leather bags and accessories made of the softest, finest leather, shop the collection at Bermuda Born.
Bodycare products are always a win, and Bermuda's got some excellent locally crafted options. Genelle John, the mastermind behind Salt Spray Soap Co., makes handmade soaps, body butters, salt scrubs and lip balms – everything anyone needs to get that fresh Bermuda feeling, even if they’re far away from the island. The colours and design of her soaps – with a lovely map of Bermuda carved into each bar – will put a smile on every face.
Don't forget gifts for the kids. Always a winner: plush stuffed sea creatures from the gift shops at Dolphin Quest and Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ). The BAMZ gift shop also features a new pop-up book called Let’s Go to the Aquarium – A Pop up Adventure. This colourful, multi-dimensional book from Bermudian graphic designer Jasmine Hendrickson will captivate kids, and it's educational too. You can also look for the book at the Bermuda College Bookstore in Paget, the Bermuda Bookstore on Queen Street in Hamilton and Brown & Co. in Hamilton.
