25 New England gift ideas
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Want to give locally this year? Here are 24 New England-specific items that won’t only support the local economy, but make great gifts for the holidays as well.
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Famous for their rich hot chocolate and adorable chocolate mice, Burdick’s Chocolate Shop and Cafe has plenty of delicious gift ideas. Order some Christmas mice or a gift certificate online or visit one of their two locations in Cambridge or Walpole, N.H.
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They’re cute and cuddly and come from the Mountain State. Vermont Teddy Bears come in a variety of outfits, including special bears for Christmas and Hanukkah. Order them online or visit the factory in Shelbourne, Vt., or the retail store in Waterbury, Vt., to pick out the perfect bear for your loved one.
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A New England Brew
Several New England breweries offer up delicious beers perfect for the beer lover in your life. Visit Harpoon in Boston, Sea Dog, or Atlantic Brewing Co., both in Maine, to pick out the perfect ale.
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Every alpine company nowadays has some semblance of a snowboard in their line of equipment. But Burton offers the opportunity not only to buy locally, but from an original. Still the leading manufacturer of snowboards in the world, the Burlington, Vt., giant also offers a wide array of clothing and other signature gear on its website.
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Born and raised in Hawaii, Lovena Harwood has managed to bring a bit of the islands to the East Coast with her. Established eight years after her move to the continental United States, East Coast Tropics, based in Haverhill, sells hand-made soaps and other bath products in an effort to promote the Hawaiian culture. Orders like the Koko Mai gift box allow customers to choose the scent of soap and lotion they are to receive, as well as the packaging. Aloha!
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From maple syrup to maple candy, Vermont is one of the best places to get delicious maple products. The Vermont Country Store offers an online store as well as two locations in Weston and Rockingham, making it easy to grab the right maple gift for the holiday season.
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From fleece to boots to balsam Christmas wreaths, L.L. Bean is a one-stop shop for outdoors lovers. Visit one of their 10 New England locations or order online.
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A chocolate-flavored cheese just might be the perfect gift for the cheese lover on your Christmas list. Visit the farm in Hubbardston or shop online for chocolate and other unique cheeses.
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It’s not just a gift in glassware that they boast at Simon Pearce in Quechee, Vt., but an investment in American artisans. From ornaments and pottery to lighting fixtures, Simon Pearce’s signature name and designs are available at stores across the country, as well as online and in catalogs.
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Warm up with a cup of hot cider from the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt. Along with its delicious apple cider, you can choose from jellies, mustards, applesauce, fudge, and other goodies. Visit their online catalog to choose the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
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Satisfy the wine connoisseur in your family with a bottle from family-run Boyden Valley, which crafts wines from 8,000 grapevines and 100 acres of maple trees. They have robust offerings, and their Web site offers additional information on food pairings.
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Give the gift of reading to your children with a culturally diverse book from Barefoot Books in Concord. Co-founders Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland believe that it is never too early to introduce children to other cultures, languages, and art. Order online or visit their flagship store to peruse the shelves.
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Coffee lovers certainly appreciate finding roasted beans in their stocking. On that note, there are plenty of New England coffee companies to choose from, but Dean’s Beans, in Orange, offers you the opportunity to design your own packaging in order to give a truly original gift. Simply choose your roast, then name your creation.
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Like chocolate, cheese is a no-brainer. At Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, choose from: (counterclock-wise from top) North Stone cheese from Vermont, Lake’s Edge cheese from Vtermont, Chabichou cheese (top) from Carlisle, Alys’s Eclipse cheese (bottom) from Carlisle, and Twig Farm goat tome from Vermont. In addition to cheeses, the shop also offers coffee, oils, and pastas.
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Yes, you could run down to the supermarket, wrap some meat, and call it a day. But you’d still be hard-pressed to give the quality that Chicopee Provisions provides with its famous line of kielbasas. Guaranteed to arrive fresh, the Chicopee company offers a wide array of Polish sausages, gift packs, and other meats and cheeses certain to make for an authentic holiday meal. There’s a reason this place has remained at the forefront of the kielbasa market for almost 90 years.
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Give the gift of luxury with a skincare product from Fresh. A gift from Fresh provides a gratifying multi-sensory experience for anyone on your list. Try one of their signature gifts like the Sugar Lip Treatment, Soy Face Cleanser, Brown Sugar body polish, and much more. Visit their collection online or their store at 121 Newbury Street.
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Got a New England native on the Christmas list this season who finds himself or herself land-locked with a new address? Certainly they’ll appreciate the delectable taste of home that a Lobster Gram can deliver. Surprise them with live lobsters shipped from Biddeford, Maine. The crustaceans will arrive via overnight delivery, along with any variety of other items including cheesecake, steaks, and chowders.
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Mother’s Mountain has grown from a single recipe for mustard to more than 30 different products. The Falmouth, Maine, company offers a variety of mustards, jams, and pepper sauces on its web site, in addition to gift baskets and other paraphernalia. Every jar is personally packed and labeled, and the phone number on the label? That’s the home line for founders Carol Tanner and Dennis Proctor. Can’t get better customer service than that.
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Think Santa’s workshop. That’s the sort of feeling you’re apt to get browsing the collection of wooden toys created by Maple Landmark, a woodcraft company in Middlebury, Vt. Choose from wooden rattles, cars, jigsaw puzzles, and train whistles. Personalized gifts like the “Name Train’’ (left) make a fine addition to a child’s room. Available at retailers throughout the state, including Learning Express, and online.
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Who said the holidays were strictly a celebration for humans? If you need a gift for your furry best friend, visit Polka Dog Bakery in Boston’s South End or Jamaica Plain. This delicious doggy bakery offers treats with your pup’s health in mind. All goods are made fresh and all natural with no salt, sugar, or preservatives.
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They are images distinctly Rhode Island – headed to a tree near you. Rhode Island artist Duke Marcoccio (also an alumnus of CBS’ “Amazing Race’’) said he has been floored by the reception his landmark ornaments – including Del’s Lemonade, the Big Blue Bug, and the entrance to Rocky Point – have been receiving.
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Show the bird lover or feathery friend in your life how much you care with a specially crafted bird feeder from Duncraft in Concord, N.H. The company guarantees its quality materials and workmanship. Choose from bird feeders, baths, houses, and food. Check out their online catalog today.
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Give the gift of natural beauty with a natural body product from Sweet Grass Farm in Greenland, N.H. The company creates fragrant and gentle products at affordable prices. Choose from their selection of natural soaps, body care products, candles, or home care. Visit their online catalog.
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Famous for their tasty cookies, and other baked goods, Dancing Deer Baking Co. makes it deliciously simple to order treats for holiday gifts. Shop online to have Snicker Doodle cookies or a holiday gift basket sent directly to your loved one’s door.
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