The Maine Made Holiday Gift Guide
Shopping for gifts that feel heartfelt and unique can be a challenge - especially if you are trying to shop small and local for the holidays! It can take way more time than you have to search for that needle in the haystack.
So to save you the trouble, I compiled a list of some of my favorite small business and their Maine-made products! Even if you are shopping for someone out-of-state, you are bound to find something for everyone on your list! These gifts will not only show that you put some thought into the present, but they also support local makers. What could be better than that?!
To make it even easier, all of these makers will ship right to your door! Amazon who?
For the homebody
Underdog Candles
Candles are the perfect gift - whether it's for a new homeowner, the hostess at a holiday party, or just someone who loves to make their space as cozy as possible. Underdog Candles is a woman-owned company that handcrafts small-batch, 100% soy wax candles that burn cleaner and longer than their paraffin counterparts.
Gifting with a sense of humor? Choose from scents with funny names like Overzealous Apple Picker ($22), Middle Child ($22), or Third Wheel ($22). These candles are a fun and fragrant way to combine cozy with funny.
Want it all done for you? Order a Luxe Gift Set ($65) featuring your choice of candle, a sleek glass jar of matches, and a wick trimmer. These ready-to-gift sets come in a black matte box and are carefully packed with kraft crinkle paper.
White Pine Bath + Brew
If you really want unique, you have to check out my favorite handmade, craft beer soaps here at White Pine Bath + Brew. Forget everything you thought you knew about bar soap! Thanks to the Maine craft beer in each, these soaps are far more soothing, nourishing, and skin-softening than typical soap. The hops in beer is calming for irritation, and the brewer's yeast is loaded with vitamins that will keep your skin smooth and soft!
Feeling festive? Holiday soaps like Lump of Coal ($11.99), Cranberry Frost ($11.99), and Beer + Christmas Cheer ($11.99) make perfect stocking stuffers and cater to a wide variety of scent preferences.
Shopping for a trend-lover? Grab one of these soap-on-a-rope style Holiday Stocking Charms ($19.99) that will add flare to their stocking while making the whole room smell incredible!
Can't choose between candles and soap? You don't have to! Snag the Wood Stove Bundle ($29.99) - a cozy collaboration with Underdog Candles designed for those who just want both! It's a subtle, unisex scent of leather and smoke that feels like a day of reading by the fire.
Abby Clark Creative
As a homebody myself, curating my space is an ongoing process. I'm always adding art and special touches that reflect my personality and help me nestle-in further. These prints by Abby Clark Creative are the perfect way to enjoy Maine's iconic natural beauty from home.
For the lighthouse lovers, prints like the Ram Island Ledge Light ($36), the famous Portland Headlight ($36), and the stunning Spring Point Light ($35) are excellent choices.
If you're shopping for a Maine craft beer fanatic, check out the Beer Map of Portland ($35). This print packs a hoppy punch, highlighting the 25+ craft breweries in Portland alone!
Pair a print with one of these Etched Acrylic Map Ornaments ($28) of Portland, Maine to complete the gift!
For the style-lover
Sundew Sewing Co.
For a gift that's both stylish and unique, you have to check out the hand-crafted hats from Sundew Sewing Co. These hats feature unique, modern designs from the owner, Sarah, who sews each one from scratch in her home studio in Maine.
Sarah offers her signature hand-printed camp hats ($50-$70) for both adults and children. Each hat is a statement piece, perfect for anyone who loves to add a pop of personality to their outfit.
Looking for a hat with a bit more detail and texture? Choose one of the quilted camp hats like this Naturally Dyed Camp Hat in Indigo Checkerboard ($90).
Rouxco Leather Goods
One of the hardest things to do when shopping for gifts is finding the perfect balance of function and personality. Rouxco Leather Goods nails it, making handcrafted wallets and small goods with bold colors, premium materials, and just the right amount of character. Every piece is handmade in Maine and designed to start a conversation.
When I find myself shopping for someone who already have everything, I like to lean into a practical gift with a touch of personality. The Brighton Minimalist Wallet ($70) is a great example. It has two exterior pockets and a larger central pocket for easy organization while still maintaining a sleek, slim profile. It's available in multiple colors and fits in both a front and back pocket.
My personal favorite, though, is the Casco Key Organizer ($40). This stroke-of-genius product not only silences the annoying clatter of keys in your pocket but also prevents them from scratching your phone screen. One last thing to love? A portion of every purchase from Rouxco is donated to Maine-based nonprofit organizations!
Ellie Begin Jewelry
Ellie Begin is a jewelry designer whose work is inspired by the intricate textures in nature. Her unique method of wax carving (an ancient technique) allows her to design molds for molten metal to recreate stunning pieces that perfectly reflect the natural world.
I can't believe the detail she achieves in the sterling silver Sacred Cedar Earrings ($139) and the sterling silver Fern Earrings ($175). If you are shopping for a ring lover, you can't go wrong with the Fern Ring Band ($149) which depicts twin ferns uniting in the center.
For the artist or creative
Antimadder Art
Whether you are shopping for an amateur or professional artist, the watercolor paints from Antimadder Art are a great way for them to explore painting. These hand-mixed paints are made from ethically-sourced micas and pigments as well as eco-friendly materials.
Starting small? These watercolor dot cards ($15) are an easy breezy way for your favorite artist to sample a variety of colors without commitment. Not sure what palette to start with? Keep it festive with this limited-edition 'Tis The Season' dot card ($15)
Got an experienced artist in the family? Choose one of the watercolor sets ($38-$55) in bespoke palettes like Atlantic Seacoast', New England Flora, or Aurora Lights. These compact sets travel easily and make an excellent stocking stuffer.
"Antimadder's mica watercolors are the perfect addition to my live wedding painting pallete! They're so smooth and vibrant, and they add just the perfect amount of shimmer." - Katie Nelson, Artist/Owner at Katie Nelson Fine Art
Tempered East
Want to go beyond art supplies and gift a whole experience? The DIY Hat Marbling Kit ($80) from Tempered East is a perfect gift for the artist on your list. This kit provides everything needed to try this unique art form at home, making it a fun and interactive experience for anyone who enjoys a creative challenge!
For the Foodie
Weft and Warp
For the discerning home cook, chef, or baker, the tools from Weft and Warp make perfect gifts and elevate everyday cooking rituals. These hand-crafted culinary products speak to an appreciation for enduring organic materials and meticulous artistry.
The signature knife rolls, like the sleek six-pocket Enoki Wrap ($95), offer a safe and stylish transport solution for the mobile chef's essential tools.
Shopping for a messy cook? Go for one of the many handmade aprons like the canvas Minimal Taupe Apron ($50) with cotton webbing strap or the waxed Cambian Full Apron ($90) with both a small chest and large hip pocket.
Fish-Eyed by Gabrielle Jolie
Looking for something a little more light-hearted and playful to spruce up the kitchen space for your favorite foodie? Check out the whimsical, oceanic tea towels from Fish-Eyed.
Each one is 100% cotton and block printed in Maine using water-based ink. Choose from one of three designs—Tinned Fish ($22), She Sells Seashells ($22), and Fishes for Your Dishes ($22)—or bundle to save on a set of all three ($60). They are a perfect, practical accent for any foodie with a love for fish and coastal flair.
What kind of person are you shopping for this year? Leave a comment to share!