Support local
Cayman Islands inspired Christmas gift ideas for everyone in your life? We say, “Yes please!”. It’s that busy time of year when we start thinking about gifts for loved ones for Christmas. This holiday season, inspired by the lovely Vicki Wheaton’s article in the Cayman Compass, we want to support our local Cayman Islands makers, brands and creatives and encourage more people to do the same.
Whether you’re a local Cayman Islands resident or tourist, we hope we can help you discover some new sources for great quality, locally inspired gifts. If you’re a tourist, how lucky are you to be in the Cayman Islands at Christmas time?! We pull out all the stops on our islands. Cayman Christmases are famously fabulous and the parties starting early in November!
The Cayman Islands creative community has a plethora of locally-made items that make the perfect island inspired gift for your nearest and dearest. Come with us to explore Santa-worthy gift options from the talented Cayman artisans - from jewelry, accessories and home decor, to delicious things to eat and drink. This holiday season, please consider supporting small local Cayman businesses, because we all put so much heart into the little pieces of magic we create. Gift joy this year by giving a gift and supporting a creative dream.
Check out this amazing lineup of local Cayman Islands inspired Christmas gift ideas to inspire you for this year’s holiday shopping season. We’d love to add to this list so please let us know of your favourite local stores, designers and makers so we can keep building this list.
Cayman Islands inspired Christmas gift ideas for everyone in your life:
For Your Stylishly Fashion Forward
Raine Jewelry by the Finishing Touch
Delicately pretty contemporary fashion jewelry designed and sold in-house by The Finishing Touch boutique.
Isy B.
Resortwear and luxury fashion accessories including silk blend Kimonos and scarfs all inspired by the stories of the Cayman Islands.
Mariner Surf Co.
For trendy surf inspired hats and clothing. Their new range includes Cayman Islands images on the brims of the hats
Peripheral Sunglasses
Created by Cayman based artists, surfers, and stand up paddle boarders for those who love the active outdoor life.
Rachel Christ Jewelry
Local designer Rachel Christ pairs silver with semi-precious stones from around the world to create her beautiful contemporary artisanal jewelry pieces.
Beeline Jewelry
Artisanal jewelry which incorporates local materials and semi precious stones including Caymanite pieces.
A Little Jewel of Cayman
A Little Jewel of Cayman has discovered a way to preserve and share a little piece of Cayman Islands with their sustainably stylish jewelry pieces incorporating pieces of palm leaves and bougainvillea from the land, and sea fans and sea shells from Cayman’s waters.
Beautiful yoga inspired jewelry made from semi precious beads in a range of vibrant colours and reminiscent of the tropicalCayman Islands vibe, Santosha's designs are sure to be a hit, espceially for the stylish yogi in your life.
For Your Home Enthusiasts
Cayman Scents
One of the longest established makers in Cayman. Visit their Seven Mile Beach location for a wide selection of locally made sugar scrubs, lip balms, shower gels, body sprays, candles and diffusers.
CH Casa by Carolina Hane
Launched just this year by local interior designer Carolina Hane; CH Casa by Carolina Hane sells beautiful home fragrances and handcrafted tablescape pieces.
Ted Green Perfumes and Candles
Local perfumier Ted Green’s fragrances and candles are evocative of the Cayman Island’s plant life including wild banana orchid, seagrape, mango, and guava.
Goodnessky
The exclusive retailer of a curated selection of local creatives and small brands, Goodness KY is a great source for one of a kind, and sustainable gifts inspired by the Cayman Islands.
Lively You
Hand poured in Grand Cayman, the Lively You candles could be the perfect gift for both men and women. Shop their wide selection of small batch candles, wax melts and room sprays.
For Your Foodies
Powder Monkey
Specialising in gourmet homemade and professionally packaged treats for creating personalised gift baskets with a Cayman touch including plantain chips, pepper jellies, marshmallows and many other delicious treats.
Tea Time in Cayman
The perfect gift for your sophisticated tea lovers. Made out of 100% natural ingredients, their wonderfully named teas such as Beloved Isles Tea and Cayman Wedding are sure to raise a smile.
Local Cookies and Cakes
Who doesn’t love cookies? Gift a whole package to your loved ones or put one cookie in each Christmas stocking this year. The signature gourmet cookies of Cayman Cookie Company are classic butter shortbread cookies with chocolate chunks, sprinkled with Cayman sea salt on top. You can order these and other flavor cookies on their website. Also check out Brookies Cookies for beautiful individual handmade cookies. PS. If you’re a business owner, they also offer corporate gifting, so you can look sweet to your clients by sending them cookies for Christmas with your company’s logo. Don’t forget Tortuga Rum Cakes, sold all over the world - they’ll ship, and are created on our lovely islands.
Also don’t forget to check out the Cayman Islands Farmer’s Market for other delicious foodie gifts.
For Your Deep Thinkers and Creatives
Cayman Islands Inspired Notebook Journal from Isy B.
Gift friends and family with a space to express themselves and be creative with a Cayman Island inspired journal. The artwork is inspired by original Cayman Islands folktales to inspire creative daydreams, visioning and intentions and goals for the new year and beyond. Each journal features a hand-drawn print on the cover and a QR code to listen to the stories. Find them at the Mercantile (Kimpton Grand Cayman), La Boutique (Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman), Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa, the National Gallery Cayman and online on Isy B.’s website.
Pure Art
Explore this treasure trove of locally made and inspired art, home decor and jewelry pieces from one of the Cayman Island’s oldest gift shops.
3 Girls and a Kiln
Gift their home with island vibes with ceramic gifts by the talented artists at 3 Girls and a Kiln. Alternatively, if they’re the crafty type, give them the amazing gift of making it themselves in the ‘MAKE & TAKE’ or ceramic classes. 3 Girls and a Kiln boutique also features the work of many of the Cayman Islands creative community including Sarah McDougall and Nasaria Suckoo Chollette.
Cayman Islands Gift Shops
For the best one-stop shops to find a variety of locally-made Cayman Islands gifts and souvenirs, there are some of our recommendations:
- National Gallery gift shop - Esterley Tibbetts Highway, George Town, Cayman Islands
- Goodness - 31 Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
- 3 Girls & a Kiln - 47 S Church St, George Town, Cayman Islands
- Pure Art - 5 Denham Thompson, George Town Cayman Islands
Are Christmas gifts in the Cayman Islands taxable?
This one is for the tourists and those new to the island. Cayman Islands are tax-free when Christmas gifts are bought locally but there are duties on imported Christmas gifts. So by shopping locally, you’re not only saving money on Christmas gifts this year, but you’re also supporting local Cayman businesses.
Which Cayman island is the best for Christmas?
The answer? All of them. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman all have their own Christmas vibe and traditions. Little Cayman is perfect for a quiet and laid back Christmas. Cayman Brac still upholds many of Cayman’s Christmas traditions from yesteryear, and Grand Cayman has its more cosmopolitan take on Christmas reflecting the traditions of residents who come from all over the world. We say who needs snow when we have powder white sand beaches on which to celebrate?!
Help us build our list. Let us know of your favourite local makers, designers and creatives for Cayman Islands inspired gift ideas and we’ll add them to the list. Let’s support local together.