Holiday Gift Guide - 2020 Edition
This holiday season I am trying to focus my gift giving and donations on local, small, and/or sustainable options wherever possible. This includes artisans working in small batches, local stores, small farms and more. That’s not to say I don’t still have some of the usual super hero figurines, legos, and playmobil on the lists, but creating this focus is helping me limit buying more unnecessary plastic while also spreading our dollars directly into the local economy. Here are a few of the items that I’m giving and/or have caught my eye this season. I hope you find this useful!
Give the gift of good, local food
Did you know you can buy a gift card to support a farm? There are a couple options locally here in the Seacoast, but other producers in New England have gift cards and/or can ship their products A couple of my favorite local farms and food businesses to frequent include Vernon Family Farm, Three River Farmers Alliance, Heron Pond, The Daily Haul, NH Community Seafood, and New England Fishmongers. Several of these sell other local prepared foods and small batch producers. Check out farms in your area to see if you can give the gift of a CSA memberships or buy a gift card there instead for the holidays. Last year we bought a half pig from Short Creek Farm to go in our new chest freezer from Stafford Appliances. This year we tried Vermont Wagyu beef (amazing!) and discovered Jasper Hill Farm cheeses (which you can also get through Three River Farmers Alliance). I also did some research on Black owned businesses here in New Hampshire earlier this summer to start thinking more about where my dollars go. While there are some great ones all around the state (see Seacoast Moms, WMUR, and other directories), I’ve become partial to New England Sweetwater Farm and Distillery, Clyde’s Cupcakes, and Cup of Joe (gift cards available or head to your local NH Liquor Store and look for distilled spirits). Some of the items in this section are more special occasion items, but the holidays are a perfect time for a little splurge!
Photos just keep on giving
This might seem like a less than great time of year for outside family photos, but many professional photographers have gift certificates available. This provides some income stability for local photographers and you get great photos later in the year (which you can also turn into gifts for next year). Buy one for yourself, your spouse, your kids (great way to ensure grandkid photos!), that friend with a little one on the way, or anyone really! And if you’re in the Seacoast area, please check out Tara Photography and Lindsay Fairchild. There are many great photographers but I can vouch for both of them personally!
Thank a teacher, support a local business
If you’re looking for something smaller to give to a teacher, mail carrier, dog walker, or anyone else who we can’t live without, consider picking up Dover Dollars (or your local equivalent). These are available from many local businesses in Dover or at the Chamber of Commerce and can be redeemed at many local businesses. It’s giving the gift of choice and supporting local business. If you’re not in Dover, check with your local Chamber to see if they have something similar available.
Give the gift of a memory
Experiences are another option to support local organizations and set the stage for some great memories. We lucked out and “won” a boat excursion in the Seacoast Science Center fundraising auction earlier this fall and I plan to give it to the kids as a surprise to look forward to in the Spring. It’s a win-win-win, I’m supporting a local organization, getting out on the water, and looking like a hero to the kids! While the SSC auction is over, you can still get gift cards for boat excursions with the Gundalow Company, local whale watch companies, or even a museum membership or other experiences.
New year, new habits
The holiday season is also a great time to rethink some of our habits and the waste we generate. I’m so glad that We Fill Good opened up nearby in Kittery, but I’ve also noticed many stores starting to carry products that help us think differently about plastic waste and more. Would someone in your life like to try bar shampoo? Refillable soaps? Bar dish soap? Check out local stores like We Fill Good, Bona Fide Green Goods, and others for more ideas.
Prefer to make something?
I remember as a kid spending hours planning out the just right gifts for my parents and grandparents. They probably really didn’t need a tiny candle with dried flowers glued to the base, but they certainly acted appreciative (and I think they were). While chex mix and Russian tea cakes are typically the extent of my homemade gifts, it’s something I want to get back to (there was that one year I took glass blowing lessons so everyone got “unique” handmade glass objects). Our kiddos have gotten really interested in sewing so some of the gifts they’re giving come out of their “My First Sewing” books. Craft kits are a great option too (places like The Makery or Bella Luna Toys have some great items). Cooking kits are also a great way to give homemade food either as a kit for your recipient to make or for you to make. This year I’ve learned to make mozzarella, butter, and yogurt using kits from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company, vanilla extract from King Arthur Baking Company, and my own vanilla sugar (no kit needed!). Give them a look for the foodee or maker in your circle.
That hard to shop for person?
One of my weak spots in terms of online stores is Uncommon Goods. I love their mission to focus on artisans and small producers (along with being a certified BCorp). Whether it’s unique jewelry, games and puzzles for kids, or fun kitchen and bar gadgets, there’s something for nearly everyone on your list. I love their business model so while I try to focus on local, I recognize that sometimes online is easier. Give them a look!
*We are an affiliate seller so we receive a portion of sales from these links.
Give the gift of paying it forward
Donations can sometimes be a tough road to tread if you have different priorities than your intended giftee. If you know them well though, supporting an organization with a shared goal can be a great way to reduce waste and revisit the true meaning of giving and helping others this holiday season. Earlier in the pandemic, I made a commitment to donate $20 each week to a different local organization or effort throughout the year instead of waiting for year end donations. It’s been a great way to find new groups and learn more about the many efforts around me instead of defaulting to my usual places. It’s helped me be more intentional and diverse in my giving as well. I’ve been thinking about how to adapt this to a gift setting this year as well. Perhaps along with monthly cards to the grandparents to instill writing and giving habits in the kids? Making a donation can also be a way to support local businesses. One of my favorites is the Secret Senior Blooms where the giver donates the cost of the flowers and the Flower Room delivers them partner senior housing facilities for residents who could use a boost (flowers make a great gift for anyone too). So whether is a donation of time, money, or flowers, revisiting what giving means this holiday season can help us all increase our positive impacts.
BOOKS!
A few years ago, someone shared with me this gift giving mantra to try to reduce consumerism and over buying during the holidays: “Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” I certainly haven’t been able to stick to it, but I try to keep it in mind. And I think perhaps the last one can be the best and most challenging one, the “something to read.” Our house is overflowing with books, but I just can’t resist getting more, especially because I find that kids' books are so helpful as I try to navigate sometimes tough conversations about the world with my kids. Since my kids are little, I find books one of the easiest since there are so many great kids books out there and I have a pretty good sense of their interests. Grownups can be harder depending on the type of relationship, but I still think there is something really thoughtful about sharing books with others to expand all of our worlds and thinking. I’ve put together a couple lists in my Bookshop store of favorites for kids (Raising Engaged Kids, and Women in Science for example) and for grownups (Relearning our History, and Sustainability Mindset are two, see my Bookshop page for other collections).
*We are an affiliate seller so we receive a portion of sales from these links.
And secondhand is okay!
While this list has a lot of new things on it, I think efforts to normalize giving secondhand gifts are really important as well. One of my son’s favorite toys is a wood parking garage that my parents got at a yard sale. Antiques, yard sale items, trades, etc. are all great gifts. Your local thrift or vintage store is also a great option. Or visit ThredUp to peruse thousands of consignment clothing and jewelry items. It doesn’t have to be new to be thoughtful. If the item has run its course with the current owner, why not give it a second (or third) life?
Final tip: If you’ve been asked to put together a wish list or one for grandparents to help with kid gifts,
check out “Things to Get Me” as an alternative to certain large online retailers…