It’s not difficult to buy quality Cornish goods. All of the Christmas tree treasures below can be bought online, and some are available at your local surf shop or Christmas fair.
Pants
Men and women love em. They wrap your privates in a warm and alluring fashion and deserve more appreciation. So buy a pair (or two) of top quality undies for someone you love. I’m not talking 5 for a fiver at George, I’m talking proper job pulling pants. Like these superfine Merino undies from Finisterre in St Agnes:
Surf accessories
A new surfboard might be a bit of stretch in these times of economic uncertainty, but it doesn’t mean you can’t accessorise your surf gear. From a fresh bar of wax to a handy board bag, nothing makes a surfer happier than playing with surf accessories (except surfing). Did you know Leatherman do a tool just for surfers? Finshack in Liskeard does, and you’ll get 10% off if you use ‘surferdad’ as a discount code!
Cool Charity stuff
Support your favourite surf charities this festive season, like Surfers Against Sewage and The Wave Project. They were both born in Cornwall but do great work across the UK. Surf charities have an awesome selection of surf accessories including books, coffee cups, lip balm and sun lotion. Perfect stocking stuffers for saltwater fanatics. Here’s a couple of cool examples:
For winter weather
British waves are frigid in winter, so surfers need to get fully rubbered up. Only the mega macho will enter the water without boots, hood and gloves. Fortunately all these winter wetsuit extras make great Christmas presents. For the painful transition from wetsuit to warm clothing post-surf, you need a good beanie to prevent brain freeze. The boys in Bude have a lot to offer in this department, from C-Skin booties at Zuma Jay to head-hugging bobble hats from Atlantic Surf Co:
Dark evening reads
For food lovers I highly recommend the Saltwater Kitchen Cookbook. Strong Adolfo’s slow roast pork recipe is a regular in my house and there’s lots of fantastic food adventures from surfer friendly eateries across Cornwall. Need to buy a little something for a little-un? Pigs Might Surf by Olly Miles and Anna Louise is imaginatively illustrated by Rory Donald and has entertained my daughter on many occasions. Pigs might fly elsewhere but in Cornwall they surf.
Hope you have a few festive waves and Santa brings all you wished for.