2021 Gift Guide
Hello! Hello! Hello! Happy Holidays. Tis the season for spreading love and joy.
After a tough and unusual 2020 holiday season, where many of us were unable to gather with family and friends, we are excited about the simple joy of spending time with loved ones. Our approach for the 2021 Gift Guide emphasizes consumables and other meaningful items that can be enjoyed together. We hope this collection of Maine crafts inspires you to shop locally, gift thoughtfully, and eat well.
I start every day, holiday or workday, with a cup of coffee, and it’s pretty neat to know your coffee and the mug it’s served in are both local. For the coffee fanatic, the cozy day reader, or the locavore, here’s some of our favorite gifts:
1 Rwanda Bean, South Portland website | instagram
More than just a delicious roast, Rwanda Bean works closely with their farmers in Rwanda to get them health insurance and support in other ways. Coffee has a way of connecting people and that’s what they’re in business to do!
2 Campfire Pottery, Westbrook website | instagram
These to-go coffee mugs are crowd pleasers. They’re stylish and versatile for around home or on the go. Campfire Pottery was featured in Issue 01: Winter, where we got a closer look at the interesting and beautiful raku process. If you haven’t heard of them, definitely explore their beautiful ceramics.
3 The Wild Electric, Portland website | instagram
Insanely talented Devin Mauch has channeled his artistry into burning beautiful wooden pieces. This board would make an epic serving platter, but he also has pieces to hang or adorn a shelf. Reach out to him if you have a vision for a piece of wood in your life!
4 Maine the Way, Portland website | instagram
From subscriptions to single issues, Maine the Way makes a great gift for loved ones near and far that have a special place in their heart for Maine. We may be biased, but we think this is a great gift for a young reader, office mate, in-law, or anyone drawn to long-form journalism!
5 Sasha Lennon Pottery, Carrabassett Valley website | instagram
From bowls to mugs, platters, and ornaments, Sasha’s pottery is fun and functional. Her carved colorful flare makes her pieces both an accent and a staple! We loved this deep bowl for a hearty salad or holding fruit.
6 Wildwood Oyster Co., Cumberland website | instagram
The quality of the leather used to make these bags is undeniable. Between that and the fun-colored dock line strap, we’ve had our eye on one of Becky’s bags for a while now. There are many more color combos, so be sure to browse!
7 Near and Native, Westbrook website | instagram
Candles are a great little gift, stocking stuffer, or decoration. This white pine scent brings wafts of Maine and creates such a wonderful warmth to any space. And when you burn through it, you can bring the vessel back to Near and Native for a refill!
A new, but much loved holiday tradition in our household is a cheeseboard—everyone brings a few favorite items to chip in, and suddenly we’ve got a full spread of charcuterie to share. Here are a few of our favorite items that will undoubtedly be a hit.
8 Bread & Friends, Portland website | instagram
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we were thrilled to find the various jams and preserves made by bread & friends. Their accouterments accent a cheese-board beautifully or could be gifted to your foodie friend that loves new and fun flavors.
9 Winter Hill Farm, Freeport website | instagram
These cows milk cheeses are a delicious addition to your holiday spread. Ranging from mild to funky, there’s something for everyone in their lineup. Put a variety on your cheese-board this season and you’ll be sure to please everyone!
10 Amphitrite Studio, Newcastle website | instagram
This beautiful linen apron would be a wonderful gift for a stylish friend that loves to cook and host. Amphitrite emphasizes the sustainability of her business by using natural fibers and patterns that minimize fabric scraps.
11 Treeline, Bethel website | instagram
Beautifully designed serving boards, spreaders, and forks are charcuterie essentials. Using all different kinds of wood, these pieces add to any table-scape. If you don’t see something on the Treeline website, be sure to reach out as they’re focusing more on custom pieces these days.
12 Maine Crisp Co., Waterville website | instagram
Whether you’re gluten-free, plant-based, or not, these delicious crisps highlight everyone else on the cheese-board and stand on their own. Bring them to your next gathering and count how many times people say how good they are… you’ll run out of fingers!
13 Anastasia Inciardi, Portland website | instagram
What would be on your dream charcuterie board if you could design one? Anastasia has a menu to build your own that she’ll print in her fun, whimsical way! The prints can also stand on their own in darling frames.
Want a gift that can be enjoyed between morning stockings and holiday dinner? It's hard to beat oysters and a Maine Negroni! And if your family is anything like ours, the holiday afternoon often includes a trip outside for some firewood to stoke the stove.
14 Solsa, Newcastle website | instagram
If you haven’t put hot sauce on your oysters before, you’re missing out. Featuring Scotch Bonnet peppers, this sauce has a nice blend of heat and flavor. Give it a try!
15 Glidden Point Oysters, Edgecomb website | instagram
For those that love oysters, this is a great gift. If they’re land-locked, send them a taste of the sea. If they’re nearby, bring them to your gathering. Shucking is always fun and my my are they tasty.
16 Drink ME 93, South Portland website | instagram
Whether on the rocks with some seltzer as a light spritzer or in a Negroni, this vermouth is a delicious ingredient. We were thrilled to find this unique Maine spirit made with Maine grapes and rhubarb!
17 Bimini Gin, Biddeford website | instagram
A barrel aged gin combines the best of gin and whiskey in a lovely way — great for cocktails or on the rocks.
18 Liquid Riot, Portland website | instagram
Liquid Riot’s Fernet Michaud certainly has a personality of its own. Typically served over ice at the end of a meal, we put a dash of it in our Maine Negroni for some botanical body.
19 Brant & Cochran, South Portland website | instagram
Once a staple in Maine, Brant & Cochran make locally forged axes. We also featured them in Issue 01: Winter. It’s wonderful to see the demand for Brant & Cochran grow and, if you want one, put your name on the list soon!
20 North Spore Mushrooms, Westbrook website | instagram
Have you ever wondered how mushrooms are grown? Now you can grow them ever so simply. This kit makes it easy to grow the nutrient-packed fungi at home. Do you know someone that would love that?
Hope this inspires you to shop local, from someone you feel a connection with for someone you love in a meaningful way.