Here is a list of holiday gifts made by folks from Maine and/or have some sort of connection to the state. I am offering it as a service to you because you don’t want to go to the Mall on the day after Thanksgiving. Doing that is just stupid. Sure, you can get a new Blu-ray player for like $20, but you’ll also be at the mall on Black Friday and that’s like having your fingernails pulled out with a pair of needle nose pliers. I should know, as I worked there for about 7 years.

You can buy all of these gifts online or at local shops and craft fairs (like PICNIC, one of my very favorites), so that’s cool too. Also, by spending locally, your money stays here in the state and it doesn’t get laundered through some off-shore tax haven before going into the pockets of a cabal of corporate criminals.

Many thanks to the dozens of people who contributed to this list via Facebook and Twitter.

ALSO: I will be discussing this list on MPBN Maine Calling on Monday, December 2nd.

E.T. Necklace [$18] by way of Pinecone + Chickadee

Cardigan Sweater: Owls on Pink [$35] by way of Cherry Belle Designs

Fox Cowl Scarf Hood [$40] by way of  Makings of Shanna Tice

Chocolate Bar [$3.5] by way of Bixby and Co.

Note: I reached out to Kate McAleer, Founder of Bixby and Co., to ask her about the significance of being a young, emerging business owner in 2013. She responded:

“The significance of being a young, emerging business owner now is that I have an ability to forge ahead and be able to take risks in order to try and effect much needed change, largely as a result of my life experiences. A great area of interest in making that change is in the food system and in particular confectioneries. As an entrepreneur, I have the ultimate flexibility to shape my business into the areas that are important to me. I am not alone—I am part of a network of other young entrepreneurs. Clearly there is an awakening in our country to the fact that our food system and is broken and our environment is challenged and needs to be fixed. I am proud to be a part of this movement in our society and its acceptance of youth stepping to the plate to make a statement through their ethical and sustainable businesses. The State of Maine, in particular, is very supportive of young entrepreneurs.”

Child’s Cape [$90] by way of Chrononaut Mercantile

Unicorn Farts Bath Soak [$10] by way of Long Winter Farm Soap Co.

2014 Calendar [$15] by way of erin flett / studio e flett design

Plush Owl Pillows [$22] by way of Exit 232 Designs

Jamaican Beach Stone Earrings [$24] by way of Lofted Designs

Vintage Hammered Cuff [$20] by way of Shoreside Chic

Keyhole Necklace [$70] by way of c.e. golden

Balsam Forest Foaming Hand Soap [$9] by way of Frenchies’ Natural Products

Sweet Pea Necklace [$40] by way of Five Elements Gallery

Note: I reached out to Alison Thibault of Five Elements and asked her what made her leave a comfortable job in the corporate world to come to Maine and open a gallery.

“I had spent most of my childhood summers visiting my grandparents on Vinalhaven and I was always looking for a way to get back here. Vinalhaven is home for me – no other place has ever resonated so deeply.  Life on Vinalhaven is a perfect balance for me: the hectic busyness of summer and the slower pace of fall and spring with the comfortable solitude of winter. The distraction free space, the amazing light and the spectacular colors all influence my work and my life.”

Maine plaid t-shirt [$25] by way of bybethany

Note: I own one of these plaid Maine hoodies and I have never, EVER worn it without encountering someone who wants to know where they can get one for themselves. It’s a pretty hot commodity.

Maine Tank Top [$25] by way of Pinecone + Chickadee

Sterling Silver Ring [$154] by way of Quench Metalworks

Bearded Lady Doll [$45] by way of Strange Dolls

You were definitely WRONG card [$4] by way of Ferdinand

Dinner With the Smileys [$15-ish] by way of Sarah Smiley

Labradorite Briolette Dangle Earrings [$25] by way of The Last Domino

Advent Calendar [$20] by way of Running Blynd

Moon Sweatshirt [$48] by way of Pinecone + Chickadee

Dr. Who TARDIS Knit Chucks [$130] by way of PrettySneaky

Recycled vinyl [$25] by way of Second Spin Vinyl Record Designs

Love Birds Pullover [$52] by way of Red Prairie Press

Belt buckle [$39] by way of ScrapMetalMags

Birch Earrings [$65] by way of Maggie Bokor Jewelry

LiveME T-Shirt [$25] by way of LiveME

Note: These guys are super, super legit. They’re wonderful people, and their Maine-appreciation products are some of the very best out there. Accept no substitutes.

Drumming Squirrel Grey Romper [$16] by way of Ferdinand

Baby Owls Nighlight [$42] by way of Happy Owl Glassworks

St. John’s Wort Oil [$15] by way of Herbal Revolution

Ender: Intergalactic Space Captain [$30] by way of Mad Knits

Coral, Hot Pink & White Hairpin Set [$15] by way of PULP

Gold Dinosaur Planters [$27] by way of Alyce Paul

Reusable bowl covers [$25] by way of Anne Riggs Designs

Upcycled Coffee Sack Tote [$20] by way of ApRi

Tree and Couple Screen Printed Poster [$40] by way of Kris Johnsen / Emblem Studio

Reusable sandwich and snack bags [$14] by way of Molly Angle

Shop Small Winter Ball Cap [$49] by way of WorthyGoods

Letterpress Coasters [$8] by way of Wishbone Letterpress

Tea Towels [$18] by way of Nestleberry

Brain Poster [$17] by Yakawonis Quilling

Handspun Yarn [$34] by way of On the Round

Maine Beer Tour [$50] by way of Maine Beer Tours

Illustrated Wall Calendar [$40] by way of Swallowfield

Note: I reached out to artist Jennifer Judd McGee and asked about her favorite part of living in Maine during the holidays.

“I love living in Maine because we are so lucky to have so many talented artists and craftspeople making diverse and interesting gifts. I love how easy it is to shop locally, support our own communities and be able to give great gifts.”

Who are some of her favorite Maine artisans?

“A few Maine items I love and plan to buy for the holidays include Madder Root tea towels, More + Co tote bags and other goodies, 44 North Coffee and Lisa Hall jewelry.”

Tea Towels [$19] by way of Madderroot

Good Coffee [$11] by way of 44 North Coffee

Damnationland DVD [$20] by way of Damnationland

Mini Journal [$22] by way of Purplebean Bindery

Colored Card Holder [$32] by way of Shara Porter Designs

Good Coffee [$10] by way of Tandem Coffee Roasters

Glowing Skin Trio (Facial Grains, Toner, Moisturizer) [$40] by way of Herbal Grace Creations

Maine Beer: Brewing in Vacationland [$10 for Kindle, $15 for a hard copy] by way of Josh Christie

Custom Dog Bed [$129] by way of Dofähn

Note: I asked Ray Pare a couple of questions about Dofähn and his dog beds.

What do you love most about your product?

“They are handmade in Maine by stay at home moms! The durable dog bed duvet covers and inserts are removable for washing. We guarantee your dog sweet dreams on every Dofähn Designer Dog Bed.”

What would be a great sister gift to your custom dog begs?

“Since all of our products are sold as a collection, then a set of matching Dofähn pillows, a Dofähn dog bowl, or even a Dofähn dog bandana.”

Round Sticker Pack [$3] by way of Adventures of Claudia

Cherry Wood Wallet [$45] by way of Rogue Industries

Buoy Local Gift Card [Various] by way of Buoy Local

Note: I reached out to Sean Sullivan of Buoy Local to ask him a couple of questions about the gift card.

What’s the elevator pitch for Buoy?

“The Buoy Local gift card is your passport to fun in Portland. A single card redeemable at a variety of local businesses and a satisfying way to support the city’s local economy. We offer a great opportunity for people who love this city to gift their love of Portland and support the city’s small businesses,. It’s more personal than cash or check, and still allows the recipient some flexibility on how to use it. Plus, it fits easily down chimneys.”

Chalcedony and Sterling Silver Ring [$95] by way of Walker Silverworks

2014 Calendar [$20] by way of Jack Tar 207

Note: Read my interview with Jack Tar 207 founder LK Weiss here.

Autumn Leaf Earrings [$35] by way of Twigs and Heather

Shea Butter Hand Cream [$13] by way of Coast of Eden

Shower Gel [$20] by way of 2 Note Botanical Perfumery

Pizza Sauce Gift Box [$30] by way of Cheryl Wixson’s Kitchen

Holiday Three Pack of Flavored Simple Syrups [$30] by way of Royal Rose Syrups

Fancy Long Johns [$60] by way of Rambler’s Way

Print [$12] by way of Medusawolf

Gift Certificate [Denominations of $50] by way of Weft and Warp Seamster

Note: Read my interview with Weft and Warp’s Erik Desjarlais here.

Bese Saka Sq Hoop Earrings [$42] by way of Akakpo & Co.

Robot Baby Costume [$48] by way of The Wishing Elephant

Finder Paint Mix [$20] by way of Eco-Kids

MISCELLANY

Gifts

• Most everything tagged “Maineteam” on Etsy
• Scrap. Wood. Renaissance.
• New Balance
• Casco Bay Butter
• Vintage Photo Reproductions
• Northwoods Gourmet Girl Jams
• Lakonia Dafni Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Little Beach Books
• Pottery by Celia
• Mod Mud
• Art by Kimberly Convery
• Allen’s Coffee Brandy
• Goods from Cape Porpoise Trading Co.
• Portmanteau Canvas Bags, Totes, Capes and Cloaks

Shops

• The Rock & Art Shop [Bangor]
• Met Soul [Bangor]
• Daytrip Society [Kennebunkport]
• LeRoux Kitchen [Portland and Scarborough]
• Bunker Brewing [Portland]
• Portland General Store [Portland]
• Bull Moose Music [Brunswick, N. Windham, Waterville, Sanford, Portland, Bangor, Scarborough, South Portland and Lewiston]
• Oxbow Beer [Newcastle]
• Find [Portland and Scarborough]
• Black Point Mercantile [Portland]

Buy Local Guides

• The Conscious Consumer
• Close Buy Catalog