Are you still looking for ideas for Christmas presents? Check out these amazing products – brought to you by some of the Auckland Down Syndrome Association’s talented young members.
Hi, I’m Leisel and I am an Independent Nutrimetics Consultant here to help you with any skincare (made in NZ), homecare, makeup and gift ideas for everyone. All our products are plant-based, cruelty-free, and contain no nasties. We have fabulous gift ideas from $10, including Hand Crème, Body Scrubs, & Lotions, Shower Gels and plenty for the boys.
COST: from $10.
HOW TO PURCHASE: Email Leisel or visit her Facebook page or her website to order.
Hi, we would like to introduce our little business Matt and Tom. Matthew and Thomas are our 18-year-old twin boys who both have Down syndrome. As they will finish school in a few years we have realised we needed to help create their future. As a first step we came up with the idea of making reusable flat packed plywood Christmas trees and that is how Matt and Tom came about. We want Matthew and Thomas to help us in areas of the production of the trees that they can.
Please check out our website and consider ordering a reusable Christmas tree that you can pack away and use year after year.
COST: We have two different trees for sale, a large one that stands 145 cm tall and is $225, and a small one that stands 72 cm tall and is $125. We also have fabric storage bags for each size tree that cost $20 each.
HOW TO PURCHASE: Order online at mattandtom.co.nz or if you have any queries you can email Alison on alison@mattandtom.co.nz.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
Matthew’s favourite thing about Christmas is getting presents. Tom often says “Christmas tree”, so he knows about the Christmas trees.
Laetitia wrote this book with the support of her Speech and Language Therapist. She hopes to inspire others to use their imagination and tell their story. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as you are happy with it.
COST: $15 plus postage. Delivery and pick up available depending on location.
HOW TO PURCHASE: Send a message via the Facebook page ‘The Awesome Superheroes – The Bank Robbery‘ or call Laetitia’s mum on 021 627 802.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
Spending time with family.
My name is Laura Harkins and I have been making soaps for about two years now. I love making different soaps and I like to use products that are sourced and produced as naturally as possible, and I purchase my ingredients from New Zealand companies.
I work on a Monday and Wednesday in a gym in Beachlands and I make my soaps when I have spare time during the week and weekends. I have made many soaps to order when someone wants a particular fragrance and I have sent them all over NZ as well as overseas. I am constantly sourcing new fragrances to add to my collection. My soaps are popular gifts for Teachers, Mums, Grandmas Aunties, Cousins, Friends, Uncles and Grandads, and of course yourself because you are worth it!
COST: All soaps weigh 100 grams and are $6.00 each plus postage. I can make up gift boxes for an extra cost.
AVAILABLE FRAGRANCES: Apple Harvest made with Oatmeal – Black Raspberry/Vanilla made with Goats Milk – Coconut made with Oatmeal – Coconut/Frangipani – Coconut/Lime made with Shea Butter – Lavender made with Goats Milk – Lemongrass made with Hempseed Oil – Rose clear with rose petals – Rose made with Goats milk – Tea Tree/Peppermint made with Hempseed Oil – Sparkling Pomelo made with Goats Milk – Sandalwood made with Shea Butter; and Shaving soaps: Sandalwood – Mint/Peppermint/Tea Tree Oil
HOW TO PURCHASE: The best way to order is through to send me an email, harkins.lauraruth@gmail.com with details of what you would like.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
The best thing I like about Christmas is having my family together for Christmas Day.
Hey, I am Emma Jane Charlotte Ferens. This is my own line of products. I live in Mt Albert, with my two flatmates. I am very independent. I work two days week in a Ponsonby restaurant and volunteer at an SPCA op shop one day a week. I am a 32-year-old woman with Down syndrome.
I love to do a lot of colouring to keep me occupied, because I enjoy thinking of what colours go together and it helps me to be mindful, and remember what my Dad said, “to stay in the present moment”. My line is gift cards and I hope to expand into other product lines using my colourings. I also love writing poetry, so I incorporated this into some of my cards.
COST: Pack of eight gift tags $10, pack of six blank greeting cards $20, pack of six blank greeting cards with original poetry $20.
HOW TO PURCHASE: Order online at emmaline.co.nz (if you don’t hear back within five days call Sarah Ferens on 027 283 2542).
What is your favourite thing about Christmas?
Best favourite thing I would like to do about Christmas to have a really cool party and Christmas day with my family and who I’m wrapping all my presents that I have with my family and friends especially with my nephews and I will have a wonderful Christmas with my family and New Year’s with my friends and looking forward for the New Year.