12 handmade, Mass.-made gifts for everyone on your list
Support local artists as you surprise your friends and family.
Boston has a lot to offer, from top schools to innovative public art, and that theme extends into holiday gift giving options. You can find a gift for everyone on your list and support Boston artists at the same time. Here’s some awesomeness made around Massachusetts you can gift this holiday season.
1. For a snail-mailer who’s full of Boston pride:
South End Textiles (technically based in Somerville) makes Boston-based notecards that your family members can send to relatives across state lines to remind everyone where they’re from (and why it’s great). They can send love from the iconic Citgo sign or greetings in honor of Southie’s historic power station. ($5, southendtextiles.storenvy.com)
2. For your college bestie who is so done with finals:
Over It Studio is Boston designer Julia Emiliani’s collection of “cute and cheeky handmade goods.’’ She makes T-shirts, pins, stickers, patches, and prints of her illustrations. And with this shirt, she totally captures that feeling about being so done with classes in anticipation of winter break. This “Over it’’ shirt might be a gift you have to give early, so your friend can wear it on the last day before she heads home. ($15, .etsy.com)
Sydney Hardin
3. For your dog-obsessed bud who can’t have pets in their apartment:
Boston apartments can come with a lot of hangups, and maybe the most heartbreaking for someone you know is the inability to house a furry friend. Solve for that with these hand-painted pet portraits. Jamaica Plain-based artist Sydney Hardin can even create a custom portrait based on pets that are still living with parents. ($375, .etsy.com)
4. For your real-adult friend who is adding to their family:
Instill hometown pride in a little one with this onesie, custom made by Maptote for the Davis Square shop Magpie. It’s 100-percent organic cotton (to please the parents) and hand silk screened with a map of Somerville so the kid can start planning his bike routes before he can speak. ($26, magpie-store.com)
5. For the sports fan who likes a drink during games:
Bully Boy Distillers, located in Roxbury, handcrafts spirits in the Boston style of small-batch distilling. Grab a bottle and this “You Can’t Root for New England with Whiskey from Tennessee’’ poster, the perfect addition to any (stylish) Massachusetts sports den. ($15, bullyboydistillers.com)
6. For the jewelry-and-outdoors lover:
NEAPTIDE designs makes handcrafted jewelry “inspired by the land and sea.’’ Artist Ali was born and raised in Boston but took time away from the harsh winters to visit Hawaii, bringing back that natural style to the northeast. This coconut spike gold necklace, made with a sliver of coconut wood on a gold chain, is a beautiful contrast between glam and nature for women of any age. ($34, .etsy.com)
7. For the family that spends their summers on the Cape:
The Rubbish Revival reuses sea glass to add pastel colors to jewelry, ornaments, and trinkets around the home. For the family that misses the beach when it’s too cold to go outside, get them a sea glass and starfish mobile. It’s so beautiful, it goes way beyond just for hanging above a crib. These use natural materials and are made to order, so you’ll be gifting a one-of-a-kind present, too. ($209, .etsy.com)
8. For the whiskey snob who wants to do it themselves:
Turn any ol’ bottle of whiskey into a spirit that’s really up to snuff with this personalized whiskey barrel. Made of American white oak, it conditions up to two liters of spirits and has a name right on the front so roommates and guests know it’s your friend’s or family member’s booze. Plus, get an engraved flask to go with it. ($77, .etsy.com)
9. For your friend with expensive taste:
You don’t have to spend a lot to invoke feelings of luxury with Boston-based Wicked Candle’s Champagne scented gift. All candles are hand-poured and made of soy wax, which burns cleanly and slowly (see: for more than 65 hours), so you’ll be treating your friend and her home. ($13, .etsy.com)
10. For the kid who dreams of catching dinosaurs:
This faux taxidermy wall art is totally harmless and just as totally adorable. When dino-printed sheets aren’t enough for your nephew or niece who’s obsessed with all things prehistoric, get the kid this stuffed-animal Triceratops trophy. And don’t worry: The Beverly-based company Zooguu assures that “no actual dinosaurs were harmed in the making of these wall hangings.’’ ($75, .etsy.com)
11. For the person who’s always cold:
Irismint is a Boston-based knit company that uses yarns from independent mills and sheep farmers from the U.S. and turns them into chunky, cozy cowl neck scarves. This burgundy scarf will keep out the chills and help your friend or family member get through the Boston winter in style. ($72, .etsy.com)
12. For the one who wants Boston with them whenever they have a drink:
So that one can plan the route to the bar during a pregame—or at least appreciate the Hub while he or she sips—these four rock drinking glasses are etched with a map of Boston. The Uncommon Green makes efforts to use “Earth-friendly materials and practices,’’ locally sourced packaging, and give back to Boston with charity efforts, so your giftee can feel good about how he or she imbibes, as well. ($50, .etsy.com)
And then there’s always…
For your little sibling or cousin you still love to tease (or, heck, someone who actually deserves it):
Coal. Seriously.The same brains that shipped New England’s winter snow and fall foliage are letting you send a tangible “Bah-humbug!’’ in the most classic way this holiday season. ($14.99, shipcoalyo.com)
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com