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Manatee has a question colouring book

Give local gifts – T&T wildlife colouring book

By Stacey Alfonso-Mills. In the blink of an eye the Christmas season is upon us once more. The traditional painting and “pulling the house together” is a must-do. Making sorrel, pastelles, black-cake and punche-de-crĆØme are all local traditional favourites ā€“ all the while listening to parang or soca-parang, no doubt!

Think, shop, buy local in Trinidad and Tobago

But with a strained economy and equally strained bank account, we are all rethinking the economics of Christmas shopping. Over recent years, there has been a steady move by Trinbagonians towards more local, economic, natural, even environmentally-friendly and creative gift items. Luckily, within our very creative nation, we have many local products with all of those characteristics. The problem we face is we don’t know whatā€™s available and where to access them. 

So, in the spirit of local, creative and economic shopping and gift giving, here are a few quality local small businesses to consider visiting this season. All of these vendors and products have my stamp of approval as a customer. They are all worth a visit!

Local colouring book based on Manatee Has a Question storybook

I started writing in 2009 and love how my books have influenced children locally, regionally and internationally. My books are written in Standard English in a read aloud format that includes local content for the beginning and early reader. Also available are the Manatee Has a Question Colouring Book and wooden ā€˜PlayPalā€™ toy characters. These toys are locally hand-painted by Suzie Playpals with non-toxic paint and sealant and are excellent interactive toys for little hands. Books and toys are available directly from the author and also at:

– Caboodle Gifts, Long Circular Road

– Rainy Days, Ellerslie Plaza, Maraval

– Paper Based, The Normandie Hotel, St Anns

– Irie Elephant, Rookery Nook, Maraval

– Horizons Art & Framing, Mucurapo Road, St James

Contact:

Phone: (868) 684-7240

Email: staceyalfonso@gmail.com

www.staceyalfonsomillsbooks.com

Mosaics Custom Designs By Vanessa Dalla Costa in sweet T&T for Sweet TnT Magazine, Culturama Publishing Company, for news in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with positive how to photography.

Mosaics Custom Designs By Vanessa Dalla Costa

Beautifully, hand-crafted glass, ceramic or clay items designed to suit any budget. Vanessa Dalla Costa designs small/medium items such as bowls, cheese plates, boxes, lanterns, spoon rests, bird houses and larger items such as mirrors, tables, and trays. You may also commission her for murals, pools or larger furniture projects. She hosts the annual Bits and Pieces local artisan Christmas fair, so if you missed her items this year this is a great opportunity to grab a few items before they are gone.

Items are available at her workshop on Gray Street, St Clair.

AI Naturals by Gezelle Morle, a line of locally crafted and handmade artisan skincare products infused with natural and indigenous ingredients in sweet T&T for Sweet TnT Magazine, Culturama Publishing Company, for news in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with positive how to photography.

AI Naturals by Gezelle Morle

AI NATURALS produces a line of locally crafted and handmade artisan skincare products infused with natural and indigenous ingredients. Available are soaps, scrubs, candles, hair and skin oil sand other natural products. AI NATURALS captures our countryā€™s multicultural and vibrant aesthetic needs and provides nourishment and therapeutic relief for various conditions and personal needs. Products are animal testing free and chemical free. AI NATURALS products are available in Woodbrook.

For more information or orders contact:

Email: ai.naturalstt@gmail.com

PlayPal Dolls by Suzie in sweet T&T for Sweet TnT Magazine, Culturama Publishing Company, for news in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with positive how to photography.

PlayPals by Suzie

Bespoke, wooden, hand-painted character dolls, crafted with love with each delicate brush stroke. These custom-made dolls are the perfect gift choice for any age. Suzieā€™s unique character dolls can capture any family moment or season and can even be fashioned for personal moments such as weddings, anniversaries, baby showers and even graduations. Suzieā€™s designs include dolls, plaques, key-rings and more. They are the perfect personalised gift.

For more info visit Facebook: Playpals by Suzie or contact her on:

Instagram: playpals_by_suzie

Email: suzie4rahim@gmail.com

Charmed (I can't believe it's not Pandora) Jewelry by Racquel Charles and Nicole Abraham A "build your own design" costume jewelry in sweet T&T for Sweet TnT Magazine, Culturama Publishing Company, for news in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with positive how to photography.

Charmed (I can’t believe it’s not Pandora) Jewelry by Racquel Charles and Nicole Abraham

A “build your own design” costume jewelry selection featuring beautiful charm bracelets, earrings, rings and watches. You can either select your own beads and charms to create your own designs or they can be customised at your request.

A wide variety of glass beads and charms are available for you to choose from making it easy to personalise the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone.

For more information contact:

Raquel Charles at (868) 751-1967

Nicole Abraham at (868) 768-9983

There are so many more local small businesses out there to support this Christmas. Please take time to seek them out and share them with friends and family.

Be safe, be happy, be healthy this Christmas!!

December 2016   www.sweettntmagazine.com

You may also like:

Manatee Has A Question ā€“ launch

Thoughtful handmade gifts

Cherise: My handmade is heart-made

About Sweet TnT

Our global audience visits sweettntmagazine.com daily for the positive content about almost any topic. We at Culturama Publishing Company publish useful and entertaining articles, photos and videos in the categories Lifestyle, Places, Food, Health, Education, Tech, Finance, Local Writings and Books. Our content comes from writers in-house and readers all over the world who share experiences, recipes, tips and tricks on home remedies for health, tech, finance and education. We feature new talent and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago in all areas including food, photography, videography, music, art, literature and crafts. Submissions and press releases are welcomed. Send to contact@sweettntmagazine.com. Contact us about marketing Send us an email at contact@sweettntmagazine.com to discuss marketing and advertising needs with Sweet TnT Magazine. Request our media kit to choose the package that suits you.

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