Find perfect gifts from regional retailers – from the comfort of home
This holiday season, we could all do with a win.
Since coronavirus restrictions on store capacity is keeping many of us from doing our gift shopping in person (usually one of the merriest rituals of the seasons, for some of us), then I’m going to insist we make up for it by doing our online shopping with some creativity and élan. Which honestly isn’t such a bad thing — think shopping in your pajamas with your feet up, minus the lines and lugging of bags, and with a plethora of buying options.
But more importantly, I’d like to add an important Good Samaritan wrinkle here: All this winter, small businesses are struggling to survive the pandemic. One big way we can support them? By buying cool and stylish gifts from local retailers — those innovative small outfits around New England that can truly use a hand right now.
So here’s a handful of delights to send your loved ones. And remember, you’re not only bringing them a smile through this challenging season, you’re helping some of our region’s hardest working small companies make it through the winter.
Chocolate that guarantees ‘happy holidays.’
Made right outside in Boston since the 1920s, Hilliards chocolates are as classic as any Christmas candy out there, but with a few creative (and delish) twists. I’m partial to their Almond Toffee Crunch & Brittles ($14.95 on hilliardscandy.com), but the beer lovers on my list are going to adore their Craft Beer Collection ($35 on hillardscandy.com), filled with both chocolate beer caramels and beer brittle.
The coolest sneaks on the planet.
There are cute kicks, and then there are those that stop everyone in their tracks. Golden Goose makes the latter — iconic must-haves that I love so much, I snapped them up and sell them in my boutique in Wellesley. Grab a pair of Glitter Tongue Net Superstar ($530 on grettaluxe.com) and their gold star, glitter tongue and maroon heel will take whoever you give them to dancing into the New Year.
Shell out for a glam seafood feast.
The internationally renowned Luke’s Lobster is based in Maine, and everything you buy from them over the winter helps keep hardworking New England fisherman going. As if that weren’t incentive enough, the company’s conjured up the perfect way to cap off a crazy year in style: the Oyster & Caviar Holiday Bundle ($165 on lukeslobster.com). The package comes complete with two dozen oysters from the Georgetown Island Co-operative; impeccable Baika caviar; a shucking knife; and directions that make devouring the whole shebang a cinch.
Give them a beautiful Zoom.
The artful handcrafted glasswork of Vermont-based Simon Pearce has earned a following near and far. And with their new Woodbury Tablet Holder ($165 on simonpearce.com), they’re earning even more fans. The glossy glass stand holds all kinds of tablet sizes, whether for conference calls for your chic workaholic sibling, or for those cooking videos your BFF watches in the kitchen while playing master chef.
A truly transportive travel book.
We may not be able to cross state borders these days without a big fuss, but the beautifully shot photographs and well-told stories in the Maine the Way Bicentennial Issue coffeetable book ($35 on mainetheway. will whisk you away. Think windswept bays, soaring lighthouses, and meet everyone from oyster farmers to foresters. And after you’ve poured over it, it’s a fantastic collector’s item.
Toss a little sparkle around.
Vanilla Bean Mineral Gloss ($19 on krisscosmetics.com) by Manchester, N.H.-based Kriss Cosmetics. The allnatural, sheer lip glosses slide on like silk, stay on after your first eggnog, and are infused with a light vanilla flavor. In sassy shades like Rum Runner and Ballerina, they’re equally sweet as big gifts as they are stocking stuffers.
A book your children will pass down for generations. Enchanting stories and illustrations and charming characters fill all of the books made by Barefoot Books, based in Massachusetts. And some, like “Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon” ($8.99 on barefootbooks.com) are as funny and poignant as they are imaginative.
Give someone a smile. One thing we all wear most days is a mask. And wouldn’t it be nice to have people we see notice if we smiled at them? Enter the smile mask (starting at $24 for two on yoursocialmask.com); it has a transparent panel that lets people see your smile, and read your lips and facial expressions. They’re made by local entrepreneur Adam Goldstein of Rafi Nova, based in Needham. A perfect gift for any friends, family, co-workers and anyone else eager for a little self-expression.