Handmade Sheepskin is super cool – fact!
A Christmas Gift Guide to one of 2023 ’s most popular sustainable materials – Sheepskin.
Handmade Sheepskin Hot Water Bottle Covers – Flat Eric Teddy
There are quite a few handmade Sheepskin Christmas gifts we could choose from, but for the number one guaranteed success rate, it must be our Sheepskin Hot Water bottle covers, lovingly hand-cut and made in our Somerset workshops; here’s why:-
Suitable for all ages, everybody from Granny to Gen Alpha loves the practicality and comfort of a Sheepskin Hot Water Bottle Cover (especially if they come with the bottle already included – as do most of OB’s styles).
They are safe; no scalds or burns here; with the bottle secure and tucked inside its plush, cuddly case, no accidents will happen.
If you have any Christmas gift questions, please do get in touch or call us at +44 (0) 1458 442858
Guaranteed “aw” factor: imagine unwrapping the cutest Flat Eric Teddy on Christmas morning, whether it’s a gift for a child or an adult; the love and cuddles that just these fabulous sheepskin teddies give show that you care.
- They are great for the planet and the pocket. Turn the heating down a notch; these portable radiators stay warm all night.
- Various sizes and price points, starting for as little as £35 with a bottle included.
- Hidden bonuses are:- No fit issues: even socks come in sizes – argh!
- Longevity = These cute but practical gifts will never go out of fashion; they will always be perfect when someone is feeling poorly, chilly, or just in need of a soothing cuddle.
- Washable? – Yes, no worries there – check out our product care section – but basically, careful wool wash – like your best jumper.
- Maybe the most important thing is that they make an impact; when the recipient enjoys the comfort their Sheepskin Hot Water Bottle gives, they will always think of you and your kindness and thoughtfulness in providing this warm hug.
Trapper Hats – Winter Sheepskin Warmth
Handmade Sheepskin Trapper Hats are perfect for anybody who spends any amount of time outdoors, whether for work or pleasure, farmers, drivers, gardeners, etc. and especially folk who enjoy fishing, walking, golfing, on the touchline, open-top cars, the list goes on and on.
Always popular. This is an investment that some people never get around to, so here is your chance to shine with a gift that is really appreciated.
As featured in 
Magazine
Here are the main plus points as I see them:-
Water resistant – I have done a whole blog on this – unlike most fabric hats, sheepskin is very water resistant; it will repel the most ferocious of storms.
Flexibility: With four ways of wearing a Sheepskin Trapper, they can be relied upon in every situation:
Storm = pull those earflaps down and secure tightly under the chin – ears, forehead and jowls toasty warm and dry – tick
Crisp, dry, chilly = very easy and the most popular option, just with the earflaps untied, giving plenty of protection but not the full Monty; However, always ready for that extra cold snap.
About Town/ Walking out = A stylish piece with ears tied above the head. This is a beautiful hat that frames the face in a very flattering way, giving warmth to the head and body with elegance.
Anybody who tells you a knitted beanie looks good (even with a pompom) needs their bumps feeling – especially when removed, “Hat hair” is never such a problem with this less flattening hat.
On the slopes/In the beer garden = This is the ultimate fashion pose, and yes, we have to admit it does look stunning, with the flaps dragged back and closed at the back of the neck, That je ne sais quoi – is the ultimate après ski look – we love it.
Hat Size Guide and Benefits
- Easy fit: sheepskin has its own natural, inherent elasticity, so most Owen Barry hats fit one average size of approx. 58 cm centimetres circumference – check out our hat size guide here. If the recipient has a particularly large or small head, never hesitate to email or phone; we will be pleased to help you with the correct fit.
- Colour check – unsure of the colour, here at OB, we offer free-of-charge colour swatches; if you want to be 100% of the colour suitability before purchasing – shout, and we will gladly pop it in the post to you, no charge.
- Handcrafted in Somerset by a team with over 250 years of experience between them, you can be sure that our No Quibble Lifetime Guarantee is worth having.
Bestseller:
Don’t forget the Aviator Trapper has the added bonus of leather-covered seams (reminiscent of WWII Flying Helmets,) these seams offer an extra layer of protection.
Yes , I know this isn’t sheepskin, but I am thinking of your Christmas Brownie points!
Leather and Cowhide Backpack/Slouchy Handbag
So, Santa, if you want to be assured of a happy recipient on Christmas morning, giving an Owen Barry Mathilde leather backpack is a no-brainer.
Our Iconic convertible bag quickly and easily converts from a super lightweight, slouchy shoulder bag into a stylish, secure backpack.
The Mathilde Leather Backpack has all the features you would expect from an Owen Barry classic.
With a double secure drawstring and magdot closure, it is fully lined with British cotton twill, multiple leather and leather-edged pockets, and an easy-access leather key trigger to keep everything safe and secure.
It is the perfect bag for travelling, study, business, walking/cycling, hands-free shopping, and vacations.
Mathilde comes in various colours, whether our softee tactile leather or matched with one of Owen Barry’s statement cowhides. It is a guaranteed head-turner.
All are lovingly handcrafted in our traditional (75+ Years) Somerset workshops by a team of skilled artisans with over 250 years of experience and knowledge in the leatherworking industry. Learn more About Us here.
Hidden Bonuses are:
- This lightweight, well-balanced backpack has ample capacity for files, laptops, and even weekend break essentials.
- It is recommended for anybody suffering from bad back/neck pain, etc.; the well-balanced distribution of weight makes it very comfortable and easy to use. See my blog on this subject/testimonial.
- Perfect for mum’s needing handsfree.
- All the skins are 100% a by-product of the food industry, carefully resourced from LWG tanneries to a minimum of silver rating so you can be sure of ethical and environmental surety. Check out more in Our Materials section.
- Comes with the standard Owen Barry No Quibble Lifetime Guarantee.
Sheepskin Hand Crafted Draught Excluder
Now, I know I am supposed to concentrate on the benefits of the heat-saving Sheepskin Draught Excluder
– but first, let’s think about the impact of unwrapping “experience”!
Christmas Gifting Just Got Luxuriously Sustainable
Christmas Morning, under the tree, is the biggest Christmas cracker you can ever imagine – great fun and even better when they realise it isn’t one of those naff huge Smartie tubes, perhaps it’s me, but something stylish and useful is far better than a load of environmentally wasteful packaging with a few miserly chocolates inside.
Anyway, I’ll stop with the “Bah Humbug” and concentrate on the benefits and features.
A generous weight that stays put, with dense character wool that cleverly expands over the cracks and stops even the most persistent of draughts.
Leather hanging handle: when not in use, this means the Sheepskin Draught excluder can cleverly be suspended out of the way from the back of the door handle – ingenious.
Scandi Swedish Sheepskin
Four great colours, all in very on-trend Scandi style Swedish sheepskin, each of the shades will complement interior décor seamlessly.
Brilliant when wet – as already discussed with Sheepskin hats above – sheepskin has a natural water resistance, so these draught excluders are great for busy, damp thoroughfares. – See the blog on Sheepskin Water resistance here.
3 colours : Taupe (left), Moonlight (Ivory) and Mole
Hidden Bonuses are:
- Each draught excluder is carefully hand-filled with excess sheepskin waste; these scraps from our designer garment/lifestyle production are clean, soft, and weighty enough to offer the ideal heft and density to the OB Draught Excluders.
- The upcycling of this waste ensures our circular economy undertaking, helping Owen Barry achieve Green Growth Certification. And do your bit for the planet.
- Just soft and strong enough for whenever an impromptu Lightsaber is required, gotta be planning out battles with the Grandkids …. Sorry, is that just me?
Handmade Sheepskin Mittens
Much like our Sheepskin Trapper Hats, these mittens are a gift everybody would love but rarely buy for themselves, that is, until they have had a pair and then wonder how they managed without them.
Sheepskin Mittens have natural insulating properties, making them a go-to for Renard’s sufferers and providing comfort for anybody who suffers from arthritis and poor circulation and or just feels the cold badly.
You need sheepskin mittens for wild swimming !
Christmas Image courtesy of The Guardian.
The must-have for Wild Swimmers -you try pulling on gloves when your fingers are wet and numb; your hands warm much more quickly when the fingers are together and can be balled, rubbed and flexed next to their neighbour.
Available in Men’s and Women’s sizes.
Womens and Men’s Sheepskin Winter Mittens
Left: Mens M02 in Hurricane Brown
Below: Womens M02 in Brandy Cream
The women have several different styles and a selection of colours. The men’s – sorry, just one classic colour and style – however, we can make other colours, this will be via our customisation section – take a look.
These mittens are ideal for the obvious daily commutes, plus pram pushing, dog walking, cycling, and touchline cheering.
Sheepskin mittens provide excellent insulation and warmth, making them perfect for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or hiking in cold weather.
Hidden Bonuses are:
- Each pair of Sheepskin Mittens comes in a wonderful Owen Barry drawstring cotton twill dust bag that can be used for summer storage.
- These Sheepskin Mittens are hand-cut and made in our Somerset workshops, as they have been for over 75 years.
- Great protection during snowball fights
- The skins used in these mittens are 100% an upcycled by-product of the food industry, and this durable material is carefully handcrafted in Somerset, making the best use of designer surpluses. These environmentally friendly options must be a much more preferable alternative to the synthetic alternatives on the market.
So, there you have it, 5 Christmas gifts that are guaranteed to make the recipient very happy. – ho ho ho.
Remember, you have an extended Christmas returns window. Goods/gifts purchased after November 16th can be returned up to 20th January 2024.
You can read our delivery information, we offer free UK delivery when you spend £50. Owen Barry ships worldwide.