Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair is the ultimate destination for unique handmade gifts this festive season. Running from December 2 to 6, 2026, at RDS Hall 4 in Dublin, the fair features over 400 talented makers and producers.
Visitors can enjoy a special 10% discount on all purchases made on the opening day. This event is perfect for anyone looking to find original gift ideas and support local artisans.
Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair takes place in Dublin, Ireland.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Gifted runs from December 2 to 6, 2026, at RDS Hall 4, Dublin, Ireland.
- 2Scale and Focus: Ireland's largest craft fair, featuring over 400 makers and producers.
- 3Organiser: Hosted by Gifted, known for celebrating craft and design.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attracts over 30,000 visitors, including Christmas shoppers and craft enthusiasts.
- 5Entry: Tickets available online and at the box office; special discounts on opening day.
Why visit
Visitors will find thousands of unique gift ideas under one roof, supporting Irish businesses. The fair offers a festive atmosphere, a wide selection of handmade products, and the chance to meet talented makers. It's a great opportunity to complete Christmas shopping in one visit.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Gifted provides unparalleled visibility to over 30,000 potential customers. It's an opportunity to showcase unique products, connect with buyers, and be part of Ireland's largest craft fair. Exhibitors benefit from high foot traffic and the festive shopping spirit. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Local artisans and craftspeople, Food producers specializing in artisan goods, Jewelry makers showcasing unique designs.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Christmas shoppers looking for unique gifts
Artisan food enthusiasts
Supporters of local Irish businesses
Families seeking festive activities
Craft lovers interested in handmade products
Design aficionados looking for original items
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Local artisans and craftspeople
Food producers specializing in artisan goods
Jewelry makers showcasing unique designs
Textile artists offering handmade creations
Ceramicists presenting functional and decorative items
Sustainable product makers focused on eco-friendly goods
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Handmade jewelry and accessories
Artisan food products including chocolates and preserves
Ceramics and pottery
Textiles and homewares
Unique gifts and seasonal decorations
Art prints and original artwork
Location & Facilities
Venue
RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Facilities
Parking
RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall) in Dublin typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall) in Dublin typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall) for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
December 2 to 6, 2026:10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
December 6:10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
General admission
Adults
15General admission
OAPs
12
Who runs the show
Organisers
Gifted
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Dublin, Ireland
Why it matters
On 2026-12-02 to 2026-12-06, Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair in Dublin covering Handmade jewelry and accessories, Artisan food products including chocolates and preserves, Ceramics and pottery, Textil gives food buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Garner Hotel Dublin Temple Bar by IHG
budget
Temple Bar4.5
Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
luxury
Grand Canal Dock4.6
Premier Inn Dublin City Centre (Gloucester Street South) hotel
budget
Dublin city centre4.3
The Fleet Hotel Temple Bar
midscale
Temple Bar4.3
Premier Inn Dublin City Centre (Temple Bar) hotel
budget
Temple Bar4.4
Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre
budget
Dublin city centre4.3
Point A Hotel Dublin, Parnell Street
midscale
Parnell Street4.5
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge
midscale
Ballsbridge4.2
Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane
midscale
Grand Canal Dock / Cardiff LaneLocal transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
DART commuter rail
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forDublin Connolly or Tara Street to Lansdowne Road station, then a 10-15 minute walk to RDS Hall 4
Lansdowne Road is the closest DART stop to the RDS campus. Trains run frequently on the southbound coastal line, but December match days, Christmas shoppers and evening services can be busy, so allow a buffer before opening.
Dublin Bus
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forCity centre (Merrion Square, Nassau Street or Kildare Street) to Ballsbridge and Merrion Road stops near the RDS
Several cross-city routes run along Merrion Road past the Ballsbridge entrances. Exact routes and frequencies change with Dublin's BusConnects rollout, so check the TFI journey planner on the day rather than relying on an old route number.
Taxi / ride-hail
Estimated costApprox. EUR 14-22 for a city-centre to Ballsbridge journey of 2-4 km in normal traffic (about USD 15-24); confirm the meter fare and any Christmas surcharge on the day
Best forDublin city centre or Temple Bar hotels to the RDS Hall 4 drop-off
Ask for the RDS Anglesea Road or Merrion Road gate rather than 'the RDS', because the campus has several entrances and the wrong one adds a long walk with bags. Ride-hailing is available in Dublin but taxi supply tightens after 22:00 in December.
Venue car parking
Estimated costApprox. EUR 10-15 per day for event parking (about USD 11-17); confirm the current rate and pre-booking options with the RDS
Best forOn-site RDS car park, accessed from the Anglesea Road or Merrion Road side of the campus
Ballsbridge is a residential district with limited and enforced street parking, so on-site parking or a park-and-ride plus DART is the safer plan. Arrive early on the first day of the fair, when the car park fills first.
Walking / bicycle
Estimated costNo fare; a DublinBikes subscription or short hire is approx. EUR 1-3 for a short trip, and there are bike stands around the RDS
Best forGrand Canal Dock, Ballsbridge and Sandymount hotels to RDS Hall 4 on foot
Hotels in Ballsbridge, Sandymount and Grand Canal Dock are within a 10-25 minute walk of Hall 4, which avoids December traffic entirely; bring a waterproof layer because the walk is exposed.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from DUB to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forDublin Airport (DUB) to RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from BFS to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forBelfast International Airport (BFS) to RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from SNN to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forShannon Airport (SNN) to RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
Weather
Early December in Dublin is cool, damp and changeable rather than cold and snowy. Expect daytime highs around 8-9 degrees Celsius, night lows of 2-4 degrees Celsius, a genuine chance of frost on clear nights, and rain on roughly half the days - often as short, wind-driven showers rather than all-day downpours. Daylight is short, with sunrise near 08:20 and sunset near 16:05, so plan your venue-to-hotel journey in the dark. Bring a waterproof outer layer, layers you can remove inside a heated exhibition hall, and shoes suitable for standing on concrete. Snow is possible but uncommon; wind and rain are the practical risks for the walk from Lansdowne Road DART station to the RDS. Forecasts beyond about 10 days are unreliable, so re-check Met Eireann in the final week.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Ireland.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Irish business etiquette on the stand
Introductions are informal and first names are normal from the first meeting, but the small talk before business is real rather than decorative. A short conversation about the buyer's shop, town or current season is expected before you move to price and terms, so build 10-15 minutes of relationship time into stand meetings rather than opening with the catalogue.
Tipping and paying
Ireland uses the euro, and contactless card payment is accepted almost everywhere, including taxis, buses in card form and pubs. Restaurant tipping of around 10-15 percent is normal where service is not already included, and a euro or two is usual for bar staff for table service. Prices on stands quoted in euro are what buyers will compare with Irish retail margins, so avoid quoting in sterling unless a buyer asks.
Pub and evening culture
Much of the real business at a Dublin trade fair moves to Ballsbridge and city-centre pubs after the hall closes. Pubs are social spaces rather than heavy-drinking venues, and rounds are common, so expect evening invitations and treat them as relationship time rather than a scheduled meeting. Book a table for dinner in early December, because Christmas parties fill city-centre restaurants on Thursday to Saturday nights.
Weather and dress
Dubliners dress for wet weather rather than cold weather. A waterproof coat and comfortable shoes read as practical and professional, and stand teams should expect buyers to arrive damp from the Lansdowne Road walk. Bring a spare layer for a heated exhibition hall, where the temperature can rise well above the outdoor 8-9 degrees Celsius.
December timing in Dublin
The fair overlaps Dublin's Christmas season, which affects everything from hotel rates to taxi supply and restaurant bookings. City-centre shopping traffic peaks at weekends, so allow extra time for cross-city journeys and confirm evening reservations rather than walking in. The RDS is in a residential district, so keep noise and deliveries within the venue's stated hours out of respect for Ballsbridge residents.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Google Flights price insights on the New York JFK to Dublin search advised booking about 4-7 months before departure for the lowest fares; the London LHR to Dublin search flagged the cheapest window as up to 4 months before takeoff and rated prices at the time of capture as typical. Both captures were run with the 2-6 December 2026 round-trip window and fares had not yet rendered, so treat any number you see live as time-sensitive.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Dublin; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall): Temple Bar: Garner Hotel Dublin Temple Bar by IHG; Grand Canal Dock: Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel; Dublin city centre: Premier Inn Dublin City Centre (Gloucester Street South) hotel.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Dublin; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Dublin public transport (bus and DART/commuter rail) serves the RDS Ballsbridge area; the Google hotel capture lists Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge as 290 m from RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall), and several Temple Bar / city-centre hotels are within a short bus or rail ride of the venue. The transport capture returned no confirmed route or timetable details, so verify the bus or DART line serving Ballsbridge directly with the operator or organiser before the show.
Parking: On-site parking is available at RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall); confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December 2026
Temperature: Approx. 3-9 degrees Celsius: daytime highs typically 8-9 degrees Celsius and night lows of 2-4 degrees Celsius in early December, with frost possible on clear nights. Hall 4 is heated, so dress in removable layers rather than one heavy coat.
Seasonality: December is one of Dublin's wetter, windier months, with rain likely on roughly half the days, often as short showers rather than continuous rain. Daylight is short - sunrise near 08:20 and sunset near 16:05 - so the walk from Lansdowne Road DART station to the RDS is best done in daylight at the start of the day. Snow is possible but uncommon; wind and rain are the practical planning risks, so pack a waterproof outer layer and footwear suited to standing for hours.
Packing: Approx. 3-9 degrees Celsius: daytime highs typically 8-9 degrees Celsius and night lows of 2-4 degrees Celsius in early December, with frost possible on clear nights. Hall 4 is heated, so dress in removable layers rather than one heavy coat. December is one of Dublin's wetter, windier months, with r
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
14 days out: confirm the 2-6 December 2026 dates and that the fair is in RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall), Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, by checking giftedfair.ie for the final daily opening hours.
T-2
14 days out: decide whether you attend as trade or public - trade badges typically need company details and a VAT or tax reference, while public admission is priced separately.
T-3
12 days out: buy the ticket online (Ticketmaster fees apply) or note that the EUR 12 OAP concession is box office only during the fair, and budget EUR 15 for an adult ticket.
T-4
12 days out: book accommodation now rather than later; early December is Christmas party season in Dublin and Temple Bar / city-centre rates climb sharply in the final fortnight.
T-5
10 days out: choose a hotel in Ballsbridge or Grand Canal Dock if you want to walk to Hall 4, or pick a Temple Bar / Parnell Street hotel if you prefer evenings in the city centre and a short DART or bus ride out.
T-6
10 days out: map the venue entrance - the RDS campus has several gates, so confirm which gate serves Hall 4 before the first morning rather than circling the site in a taxi.
T-7
7 days out: plan the journey - DART to Lansdowne Road plus a walk, a Dublin Bus service along Merrion Road, or a taxi with a fixed drop-off point on Anglesea Road or Merrion Road.
T-8
7 days out: check the weather forecast for Dublin and pack a waterproof coat, layers and shoes suitable for standing on concrete floors for several hours.
T-9
5 days out: list the product categories and price points you actually need to fill (giftware, ceramics, candles, stationery, jewellery, textiles, Christmas ranges) so you spend hall time on relevant stands.
T-10
5 days out: prepare a buyer sheet with your shop or company profile, typical retail price band, order size and payment terms, because exhibitors triage stand conversations quickly.
T-11
3 days out: confirm any meetings with exhibitors or agents by email and note stand numbers if the organiser has published an exhibitor list.
T-12
2 days out: download tickets and confirm ID; carry the card used for booking if the organiser requires it at the door.
T-13
1 day out: plan arrival 30-45 minutes before opening on the first day you attend - December queues at Ballsbridge build quickly and security screening takes time.
T-14
Day of visit: carry a charged phone, a contactless card for Dublin Bus and DART, and a light bag for catalogues and samples, and note the last DART back to the city centre before the evening rush.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair registration concourse
RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
RDS Hall 4 (Industries Hall)
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$190.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 15 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 15 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Handmade jewelry and accessories and Artisan food products including chocolates solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair in Dublin.
Min. budget
$465.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Handmade jewelry and accessories and Artisan food products including chocolates products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Dublin show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Giftware
- Finished, non-food product bought primarily to be given: ceramics, candles, photo frames, stationery, textiles, small decorative pieces. At Gifted Fair, ranges are usually presented as seasonal collections rather than single SKUs, so buyers compare a whole story (packaging, price ladder, display unit) rather than one item.
- Homeware and home accessories
- Functional or decorative product for the home: tabletop, textiles, storage, scent, kitchen accessories. It sits alongside giftware at the RDS because Irish gift shops and garden centres buy both to fill floor space across the year.
- Own-brand / private label
- Product made to a retailer's own brand rather than the supplier's. Irish multiples and symbol groups use the fair to discuss tooling, mould cost, artwork approval and minimum run before committing to a season.
- MOQ (minimum order quantity)
- The smallest number of units a supplier will accept for one design, colour or carton configuration. At the show MOQ is normally quoted per carton or per mixed pallet, and it is the number that decides whether a small Irish shop can stock a line at all.
- FOB (free on board)
- A price quoted at the origin port before international freight, duty and clearance. Exhibitors importing from Asia or continental Europe often quote FOB, so the figure on the stand is not the landed cost in Dublin.
- Landed cost
- FOB price plus freight, insurance, Irish or EU import duty, VAT and any agent commission. Buyers at the RDS compare landed cost per unit against the RRP to judge real margin.
- RRP / SRP
- Recommended or suggested retail price. Suppliers publish RRP so a buyer can see the margin at a glance; it is a recommendation, not a fixed price, and Irish retailers frequently price above or below it.
- Trade registration vs public ticket
- A trade badge usually needs company name, address and VAT or tax reference so the organiser can verify a buying role. Public admission is sold separately, which is why Gifted Fair publishes an adult and an OAP ticket price alongside its trade registration route. Check with the organiser which days and halls are open to which badge.
- Sales agent / distributor
- An independent Irish agent who carries several complementary ranges and sells them into shops on commission. Gifted Fair is a working week for agents adding or dropping lines for the next season, not only for brands selling direct.
- Sample order / pre-production sample
- A small first order - often a single carton or a handful of units - used to check finish, packaging and colour before a bulk commitment. Buyers typically place these at the show and confirm volume after the sample lands.
- Collection drop / seasonal range
- Gift retail runs on a lead calendar: Christmas, Valentine's, Mother's Day, back-to-school, Halloween. A 'drop' is one dated release within that calendar, and exhibitors usually bring the next two drops to a December show.
- Sustainable gifting and packaging compliance
- Recyclable or FSC-certified board, plastic-free wrap, refill formats and accurate material claims. With EU packaging rules tightening, Irish buyers increasingly ask suppliers at the fair for packaging weight data and evidence behind 'eco' claims.
- Craft and design maker
- A small-batch producer, often Irish-based, working in ceramics, textiles, wood or print. Gifted Fair mixes makers with volume importers, so a buyer can build a range that pairs low-cost core stock with higher-margin local pieces.
- Licensed product
- Product carrying a character, brand or artwork licence. Licences are granted per territory and per category, so a licence that covers Ireland may not cover the UK or EU; exhibitors normally display the territory on the licence sheet.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair 2026
- Gifted-The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair Dublin 2026
- Gifted 2026
- Gifted Dublin 2026
- The Contemporary Craft 2026
- The Contemporary Craft Dublin 2026
- Dublin Ireland
- Craft & Design Fair Exhibition Dublin
- Handmade jewelry and accessories
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.