BDN Holiday Gift Guide 2022

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THE GIFT OFBeing Cozy

THE MOST COMFORTABLE HOLIDAY GIFTS

BY KATIE SMITH

When we think of the holidays many of us think of comfort and warmth. Giving a loved one comfortable, luxury gifts we don’t always splurge on for ourselves, is the best way to put a smile on their face this holiday season.

COZY SHEETS

What’s better than surrounding yourself in soft, comfortable sheets? Help your loved one get the best night’s sleep with the gift of cozy new bedding. Look for sheets made from soft bamboo that offers dreamers a breathable, temperature-regulating effect.

HEATED THROW

Give a super soft and cozy heated throw that matches the recipient’s home decor while providing the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter evening.

PLUSH SLIPPERS

Know someone who’s always cold? Warm them up with a pair of plush slippers. Some pairs are even designed to be microwavable to keep toes extra toasty.

SHERPA ROBE

There’s nothing like curling up in your favorite robe or throwing it on after a relaxing bath. Sherpa is so soft to the touch and feels amazing on your skin. It’s like gifting someone a hug.

MONOGRAMMED TOWELS

Giving monogrammed towels will make the receiver feel like they are staying in a luxurious hotel. Go for high-quality Turkish or Egyptian cotton for the best, softest and most absorbent towels.

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SPA GIFT BASKET

A spa gift basket is always a good idea. Find one pre-made or create one yourself with pampering gifts like slippers, tea, potpourri and bath salts. Pack it in a beautiful basket and it will look so inviting under the tree.

HERBAL TEA SET

Whether your friend or family member drinks tea every day or once in a while, help them enjoy a cozy day at home with a tea set. There are many Maine-made tea companies ready to help you find the perfect beverage. Consider including a teapot, tea strainer and dessert mix to round things out.

LAVENDER PILLOW SPRAY

Help your loved one relax and drift off to a peaceful night’s sleep with the scent of lavender. Spritz a fine mist on your pillow or sheets before sleep or use it to refresh the air in your bedroom before you turn out the lights.

FOR TEENSHoliday Gifts

Let’s

face it, trying to buy gifts for your teens can feel like an impossible feat. Their tastes and styles change as fast as they grow, and as soon as you think you have them figured out, you realize you are wrong about them (once again).

Here are some goodies you can get for your teen that will stand the test of time.

BAND T-SHIRTS

One of the latest teen trends is wearing band T-shirts from the ’80s and ’90s. No, they don’t have to like (or even know) the music they are promoting — that’s not the point. And the fun part is, we can borrow them.

BATH BOMBS

Bath bombs smell amazing, encourage cleanliness and relaxation, and they seem to be a hit among teens. It’s our go-to when we are getting gifts for my kids’ friends, and they usually beg me to pick up a few to add to their stash, too. Perfect to stick in a stocking!

NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES

Fancy headphones can cancel out noise to make study time a little quieter when the rest of your house is going crazy. Many have a built-in microphone to make phone calls crystal clear, and some are even Alexa-friendly.

LED LIGHTS

They want them in every room of the house, including the bathroom. LED lights are a favorite when it comes to teen decorating trends. These come in tons of colors and can be paired with Alexa and Google Assistant, and some can even sync with their music.

NAME NECKLACE

Who doesn’t like a little bling — especially when it’s got your name on it. A personalized name necklace is a gift they will have forever.

CHARGING PAD

They need to keep their phones charged, so why not give them a charging pad? Some can even be personalized. Plus, the charging pad can be kept in their room, so tangled charging cords won’t clutter kitchen counters or the coffee table in the living room.

DIGITAL INSTANT CAMERA

Polaroid cameras are back. Get your teen a point-and-shoot camera they can take anywhere, snap away and enjoy instant photos.

IMPRESSING TEENS IS TOUGH. LUCKILY, WE’RE HERE TO HELP BY KATIE SMITH

PORTABLE CHARGER

If you have more than one child, you know fighting over a phone charger happens way too often. Get them their own portable charger they can take with them anywhere.

BUBBLE TEA KIT

This trending drink can also be made at home. Kits are available to make it easy, and they come with everything your teenager will need to make their bubble tea at home.

GOOSENECK PHONE HOLDER

The perfect thing to keep your kid’s hands free if they like watching shows and videos on their phone. These holders can be mounted on a desk and have a flexible arm and adjustable clip.

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Gifts for your

FAVORITE

xperiential

gifts shift the emphasis from tangible items to building memories through experiences. Various studies have indicated that the memories gained through experiences may surpass the exhilaration and happiness of receiving a material item. What’s more, experiential gifts may be something that people can share together — expanding the possibilities of gift-giving even further.

There are many different experiences to accommodate people’s specific interests. People who enjoy spending time in the kitchen will undoubtedly be excited by these food-related experiential gifts.

CULINARY CLASSES

What better way to enjoy a passion for cooking than by learning more about techniques and terminology? Culinary classes can be the perfect avenue through which to gain more experience and instruction from professionals. While it’s possible to enroll in a culinary school if the goal is to change careers, many different private classes are ideal for hobbyists, such as cake decorating lessons to classes that cater to children and teens.

ATTEND A SHOW

Food as entertainment was first made popular by legendary television personality Julia Child. Child paved the way for many others, including professionally trained chefs and those like Rachael Ray, who honed her self-taught skills through experience. Network food shows often tape in metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles. Research how to purchase tickets and give the experience of being an audience member.

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FOOD AND BEVERAGE HOP

To promote local businesses, many cities and towns organize seasonal restaurant tasting tours. For a predetermined price, participants gain entry to various establishments that provide samples of their offerings. Giftgivers can purchase entry to these events, gifting a few people at the same time. Or take advantage of all the great restaurants in your area and create your own tasting tour, catered to your loved ones’ tastes. Then the group can sip and nibble the day away.

PERSONAL CHEF FOR A DAY

Treat someone to a professionally prepared meal in his or her own home. Private caterers and personal chefs will sometimes walk guests through the making of a meal, while preparing it right before their eyes. It’s a great way to learn technique and gather with a few other lucky people to enjoy a delicious meal at home with little effort.

To Satisfy a

SWEET TOOTH

Dovisions of bountiful platters of cookies dance in your head during the holidays? Do you awaken from this delicious dream to the terrifying realization of how much time is actually required to churn out dozens of different types of cookies? Never fear! Assembling an assortment of cookies need not require hours in your kitchen. Instead, you can curate your own diverse dozen by visiting these stellar bakeries. (No judgment if you then pass them off as your own — shh!)

AROUND BANGOR

First stop is The Sweet Spot in Bangor, which specializes in gorgeously glazed sugar cookies. Special order some hand-decorated cookies in holiday shapes and designs, and take home a few of their soft-baked, big-as-your-face cookies in creative flavors, such as triple chocolate, oatmeal apple spice, peanut butter chocolate fudge, strawberry cheesecake, and maple bacon. Also on hand this season are Christmas Cookie Advent Calendars, which include 12 ($30) or 24 ($57) individually-wrapped cookies packaged in a delightful calendar format. Limited quantities are available, so reserve early and let the cookie countdown begin! Visit thesweetspotcookies.com for more information.

Next is Frank’s Bake Shop, Bangor’s OG baker on the block. This family owned and operated business has been satisfying the carbohydrate cravings of area residents for more than 70 years. The bakery is perhaps best known for its donuts, but its cookie selection is not to be overlooked — especially with standout varieties like pumpkin chocolate chip and cookies stuffed with chocolate cream.

OFF TO BELFAST

Head over to Belfast, where Moonbat City Baking Co. has won the hearts of locals with its buttery croissants and breakfast pastries crafted by French pastry chef and master baker Michelle Berry. Grab an apple danish to fuel you on your journey but keep your eyes on the prize. Purchase a handful of their wonderfully tart and tangy lemon zest cookies or their signature crinkly brown sugar chocolate chunk cookies.

A hop, skip and a jump will lead you to Crumbs Provisions, also in Belfast, where you will find adorably plump cookies in flavors that include chai snickerdoodle, dark chocolate chip and oatmeal, blueberry and pecan. For any elves in your household with gluten and/ or milk sensitivities, be sure to pick a few of Crumbs’ gluten- and dairy-free peanut butter or ginger molasses cookies.

FOLLOW THIS HOLIDAY COOKIE TRAIL AROUND MAINE FOR SWEET TREATS THAT MAKE A PERFECT GIFT

HEAD TO ELLSWORTH

Then, it’s on to Ellsworth to round out your outstanding outsourced cookie cornucopia. Those with Sudetenland heritage will find nostalgia in sweet edible form at Ria’s German Treats, which vends Deutsch-style tortes, loaves and, of course, cookies. Try the piquant apricot terrassen, confectioner’s sugar-dusted crescent vanilla kipfel or the “tender hearts” streaked with chocolate. All of the aforementioned pair especially well with a hot cuppa, so add a few boxes of traditional Teekanne tea bags to your basket.

What’s better than a cookie? A cookie sandwich. And for some terrific versions of that double dish, see Downeast Specialty Bakery in Ellsworth. (You can also find their treats at Tiller & Rye in Brewer). This small-batch confectionary prides itself on producing decadent cookie whoopie pies that also happen to be low-carb and/or keto-friendly. Yes, dreams do come true.

FINAL STOP: ORLAND

Finally, it’s on to Orland’s the Breadbox Bakery. Don’t be misled by its name. This adorable virtual cabin of a bakery is home to more than just crusty loaves and pies and scones — oh my! Its claim to fame is its sinfully moist, rich peanut butter cookies, which many aver are the best for miles around. Pro-tip: Bring the Benjamins, because this quaint joint only takes cash.

Make a Locally Sourced

CHARCUTERIE BOARD

A VERY MAINE CHARCUTERIE BOARD

BY MARISSA DONOVAN

Thewinter months often come with many party invitations and opportunities to host your own get-togethers to celebrate the season. Creating your own charcuterie board will impress your friends, family and coworkers. Some people are under the impression that charcuterie is strictly meat and cheeses. While scrolling through many Pinterest posts and Instagram photos, you may find that charcuterie has become a catch-all term for an assortment of food. The food can range from cookies to crackers and sometimes even seafood! Here are just a few ideas that will get you ready for your winter festivities.

These tasty treats may be found at your local grocery store and food co-ops, specialty shops like Bangor Wine & Cheese, Tiller & Rye in Brewer, and Eat More Cheese in Belfast, and even online depending on the food item. Support a craftsman by getting a Maine-made wooden board to present all your delectable eats. The board I use for my snacking needs is made by D4 Woodcraft of Penobscot.

TRADITIONAL BOARD

If you’re looking to go the traditional route by using some staple meat products for your board, try getting pepperoni from W. A. Bean & Sons and house-made deli cuts of smoked ham, pastrami and prosciutto cotto from Maine Meat in Kittery. Then pair some cheese with your savory and salty snacks, with Timoney Mountain Asiago Cheese from Sonnental Dairy in Smyrna Mills and Sharp Cheddar Cheese from Pineland Farms of New Gloucester.

Pineland Farms’ queso would pair nicely melted, or dice it into cubes with a scoop of Blue Hill’s Sisters Salsa with Salt Crackers from Mill Cove Baking of Portland. This is a great palatable cracker because it tastes like a pita chip and could be combined with other food choices on your board. Temphebe Garlic and Herb Cheese from Ogunquit’s Beryl Marton & Co. and Bangor’s own Pilots Grill Original Cheese Spread are two dippable cheeses for Cheez-Isn’ts from Corinth’s Little Lad’s or Mapleton’s Fox Family Potato Chips. If you would like to add something a little sour, pick up some dill pickles made from The Canning Man of Glenburn.

ADD MAINE SEAFOOD

Seafood is the perfect addition to a Maine-themed charcuterie board. Try cuts of Grindstone Neck’s smoked salmon from Winter Harbor, which you could use as a topping for Bangor’s Bagel Central sesame bagels and plain cream cheese. If you would really like to impress your party host or guests, try reaching out to a local fisherman in your area for some lobsters to add tender tails to your board. If you love the idea of adding lobster but are not sure

PHOTOS: (SIDE) MARISSA DONOVAN;

SONYAKAMOZ/ADOBE STOCK

what to pair it with, consider toasting some slices of a baguette from Tinder Hearth of Brooksville and ciabatta bread from When Pigs Fly Bakery in Freeport.

FOR THE SWEET TOOTH Cater to the idea of a holiday dessert board by adding gingerbread men and frosting from Sweet Cheeks Bakery of Verona Island, graham crackers from Little Lad’s, and shortbread cookies from Sweet Monkey Business in Belfast. Aside from frosting, these sweets can be dipped or topped with Maine Mud Classic Hot Fudge from Wilbur’s of Maine in Freeport and Poland’s Attwood Farm Kitchen Honey Roasted Peanut Butter. If you would like to incorporate nuts and fruits on your board, place a small cup of chocolate-covered cranberries from Wilbur’s of Maine and Cadillac Trail Mix from Lucy’s Granola of East Blue Hill. If you’re looking for a sweet dessert or brunch option, chop up bitesized pieces of sweet cinnamon bagels from Bagel Central to dip into their cream cheese or Wild Blueberry Preserve from Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies of Deer Isle.

There are so many locally sourced food options to feature on your charcuterie boards for the holidays. Accommodate your selection based on the number of people you anticipate feeding, the size of your board, and being considerate of people’s allergies. Hopefully this season you curate some soonto-be food favorites while supporting a variety of delicious Maine businesses!

CELEBRATING Hanukkah

8 THINGS TO GIVE FOR HANUKKAH

BY SARAH COTTRELL

Hanukkah,

or the Festival of Lights, is probably the most well-known Jewish holiday in the U.S. For eight nights, usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Jewish families will light candles, eat traditional foods (yummy latkes!) and enjoy family time together. This year, Hanukkah begins the evening of Dec. 18. Gift-giving for Hanukkah is a uniquely American twist that began to appear in the mid-19th century but has only recently become popularized. Gifts tend to be family oriented, with presents that could be considered an heirloom, a fun family experience or something that everyone can appreciate.

If you are looking for a fun Hanukkah gift, check out these eight classic ideas for anyone on your list.

1. DREIDEL SET

If you’ve never played a game of dreidel with a group of kids, you are missing out! This fun game will have you yelling out Hebrew letters, swapping chocolate coins (called gelt) and laughing for hours. A gorgeous, handmade heirloom-quality dreidel for displaying during Hanukkah makes a lovely gift. And for kids, you can find plain wooden or plastic dreidels that they can decorate and some that are even fillable to stuff with sweet treats. You can find light-up dreidels for the youngest on your list that will spin and sing with whiz-bang entertainment.

2. CANDLES

A Hanukkah menorah has nine candles, and on each night of Hanukkah, you light one more candle than the night before. For a thoughtful gift, you can find handmade candles in beautiful colors to help add some sparkle to the Festival of Lights. Not sure how many to buy? Don’t worry. Most Hannukah candles come in packs with enough candles for all eight nights.

that help others. Consider donating to a beloved charity or rounding up some friends to volunteer your time—you can find many great opportunities at volunteermaine.gov.

4. COOKBOOK

It’s not Hanukkah without latkes (recipe on page 14) — or sufganiyot, challah, matzo ball soup, brisket. Every holiday can easily be described by the foods we eat to celebrate them, and Hanukkah is no exception. The home cook in your life will love Phaidon’s “The Jewish

FUN HANUKKAH TRADITIONS

BY SARAH COTTRELL

HANUKKAH CELEBRATES the miraculous story of oil. In the second century BCE, the Maccabees led a successful revolt against the Syrian Greeks who had destroyed their holy temple. In the aftermath, the temple had only enough oil to light the sacred temple menorah for one night, but a miracle happened, and it lasted eight nights, giving the Jewish people enough time to produce more oil.

To celebrate that miracle, we have eight nights filled with meaningful traditions. Here are a few you might not know about:

LIGHTING THE HANUKKIAH

A Hanukkah menorah is called a hanukkiah, and they are usually placed in front of a window. Each night of Hanukkah, one candle is lit using a “helper” candle called the shamash. By the eighth night of Hanukkah, nine branches of the hanukkiah will be lit, spreading their light of hope out into the world. It is not uncommon for everyone in a family to have their own hanukkiah, making the Festival of Lights truly brilliant.

EATING FOODS MADE WITH OIL

In honor of the miracle of the oil lasting for eight nights, we eat foods that feature oil. A few traditional Hanukkah foods include potato latkes (fried, shredded potato pancakes,) sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) and rugelach (chocolate and nut-stuffed pastry).

Hanukkah songs are a lot of fun, especially when you gather with friends and family. Sure, you might know the classic “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” song, but have you heard “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah” or Peter, Paul & Mary’s “Light One Candle”? Grab a guitar (or Spotify) and belt out your fav tunes with loved ones.

While the Maccabees were plotting a revolt, the Syrian Greeks were busy oppressing the Jews by forbidding them from studying their sacred texts. So, they invented the dreidel game as a cover. Any time a Greek soldier came upon a group of Jewish people studying Torah, the men would quickly hide their texts and throw a dreidel down, tricking the soldiers into thinking that the Jews were gambling. Today, kids play dreidel and “bet” with chocolate coins called gelt.

EXCHANGING GIFTS

Exchanging gifts on Hanukkah is a relatively new practice, and not all Jewish families observe it. But for those who do, it is becoming customary to give one gift for each night of Hanukkah, with at least one of them tied directly to charity.

TRADITIONAL GREETINGS

During Hanukkah, you can say “Happy Hanukkah!” or you can try one of these traditional Hebrew greetings:

“Chag Sameach” means “Happy Festival.”

“Hanukkah Sameach” means “Happy Hanukkah.”

“Chag Urim Sameach” means “Happy Festival of Lights.”

In Hebrew, the “ch” sounds like a guttural sound but can be pronounced with a hard “h” if it is too hard to make the throaty sound.

Cookbook,” which highlights recipes from Jewish communities worldwide. Another excellent pick is Jake Cohen’s “Jew-Ish: A Cookbook; Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch,” which has blown up on social media thanks to his delightful contemporary takes on classic Jewish treats, including a brilliant latke recipe you’ve got to try.

5. MENORAH

Did you know that it is not uncommon for everyone in a Jewish family to have their own menorah to light on Hanukkah? One quick look at Google, and you’ll find a breathtaking array of menorahs for everyone from kids to sports fans, the devoutly religious, and more. There are so many to choose from that it would be easy to find a beautiful menorah to fit your gift recipient’s personality. Just be sure to buy a menorah with nine branches, not seven. Hanukkah requires a candle for each

of the eight nights, plus the shamash or “helper” candle.

6. CHALLAH

Making challah bread is an ancient tradition, but it has become wildly popular in recent years thanks to foodies on social media. It may look like a complicated braided bread, but challah is one of the easiest (and most fun) to make. (You’ll find a vegan challah recipe on page 18 of the flipped Bangor Metro magazine.) Consider giving a challah breadboard and knife set, a decorative challah cover, or even a gift basket of challah and other goodies from companies like Challah & Company.

7. JEWELRY

If you’re looking for something personal to give, jewelry is always a great bet. Consider a few traditional symbols popular for Jewish gift-giving, including the star of David, the tree of life or a hamsa symbol

SERVE POTATO PANCAKES FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

POTATO PANCAKES are traditionally served during Hanukkah celebrations. This dish is often referred to as “latkes,” a Yiddish word that loosely translates to “little oily thing.”

Potato pancakes are not exclusive to Jewish celebrations and cuisine. Germans have their own variation called “kartoffelpuffer” that can be served with sour cream, applesauce or smoked salmon. The Irish have “boxty,” which may be made with a combination of shredded potato and mashed potato before being fried. Many potato pancake recipes are quite similar. They involve only a few ingredients and fry up in a flash. Some chefs recommend draining the shredded potato prior to cooking so that the pancakes will fry up crispy and not be soggy or break apart. Enjoy this recipe for “Latkes,” courtesy of AllRecipes.com.

LATKES (POTATO PANCAKES)

Serves 12

INGREDIENTS

3 large potatoes, peeled and shredded

1 small onion, shredded

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the potatoes and onion into a bowl, and stir in eggs, salt and flour as needed to make the mixture hold together. With wet hands, scoop up about 1/3 cup of the mixture per patty, and form into flat round or oval shapes.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, and gently place the patties into the hot oil. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes, then flip with a spatula and fry the other side until golden.

3. Line a colander or strainer with two paper towels, and drain the cooked latkes in the colander. Serve hot.

with a star of David inside. You can even customize a design at your favorite local jewelry store to incorporate birthstones or precious metals.

8. FUNNY GIFTS

Who doesn’t love a sense of humor? Hanukkah is a great time to give the gift of laughter with a touch of practicality. Think silly socks, a coffee mug with Yiddish insults, or even an ugly Hanukkah sweater. One quick Google search for funny Jewish gift ideas will take you down a hilarious rabbit hole of cheeky ideas perfect for the whole family.

A few faux pas to avoid when gift-giving

HELPING HANDGive Someone a

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE FAMILY DO-IT-YOURSELFER

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

Home-improvement projects enable homeowners to transform their homes into their ideal living spaces.

According to iProperty Management, most homeowners in the United States spent between $5,000 and $10,000 improving their homes in 2018. And it doesn’t stop there, as home improvement sales are projected to reach $465 billion in 2022.

Various renovation projects are best left to the professionals. However, many homeowners are eager to get their own hands dirty with various projects, large and small. Having the right tools and gear on hand can make projects go all the more smoothly. Holiday shoppers can consider these ideas as they seek to ensure DIYers have all they need to get the job done.

· PAINTING TIME-SAVERS: Painting requires some basic essentials, from paint trays to rollers to brushes. Projects can be made more efficient with innovative products that help save time and reduce mess. One such item is a paint brush cover, which snaps over wet paintbrushes between coats so they won’t dry out or require rinsing. Brushes that cut in easily and others with flexible handles for getting in tight places also make painting projects that much easier.

· CORDLESS DRILL: assembly projects and general renovations that require screws as fasteners. A cordless rechargeable drill will be easy to maneuver when handling projects away from outlets. Going cord-free also reduces the risk of trips and falls on errant cords.

· LAWN CARE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: extend to the exterior. In addition to mowers, trimmers and garden shears, DIYers may benefit from subscription products that improve on property care. These formulations are customized to the specific needs of homeowners’ lawn or landscaping greenery and are shipped to their door.

· ROTARY TOOL KIT: This is one of the most versatile tools homeowners can have on hand. A rotary tool can engrave, grind, sharpen, polish, cut, carve and more depending on the accessory attachment.

· MULTI-USE LADDER: A ladder is a necessity for various projects inside and outside the home. One that can transform into an A-frame, scaffold system, staircase ladder and other configurations helps ensure maximum safe reach for the job at hand.

· COMPOSTER: Whether you use an indoor kitchen composter or one designed for outdoor use, being able to generate one’s own compost is great for avid gardeners. Compost, often called “black gold,” is made from kitchen scraps, leaves and other items that break down into a rich fertilizer.

· TOOL BOX/TOOL ORGANIZER: Tool storage is a market all its own. It runs the gamut from rolling metal storage containers to plastic or metal boxes to canvas bags to plastic molded curated kits.

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LOCALGifting

SUPPORT MAINE ARTISANS & BUSINESSES

BUY LOCAL!

Looking for a truly unique gift that’s perfect for your loved one and supports a local Maine crafter? We’ve got you covered! Here are 10 fun and fab gifts for even the hardest to buy for on your list.

Want even more ideas? Visit sites like MaineMade.com and MaineOutdoorBrands.com to find hundreds of Maine artisans and makers. Support your friends and neighbors by giving locally made gifts this holiday season.

TRAVEL CRIBBAGE BOARD WITH CUSTOM CRIBBAGE PEGS FROM CAST & CARVE

Give a unique Maine gift this year with a travel cribbage board from Cast & Carve of Winthrop. Their all natural leather and wood travel cribbage boards are hand crafted and include any two sets of original personalized custom cribbage pegs. The game folds in half to fit easily in your back pocket or any travel bag. The “window” on the outside of the board provides a fun design of your choice to personalize in so many ways. They like to call their travel boards “Little Ramblers” because they are rugged, eco-friendly and rooted from Winthrop, Maine — home of the Ramblers.

CASTANDCARVE.COM

BEESWAX LIP BALMS FROM MAINE STREET BEE

Maine Street Bee lip balms are the perfect stocking stuffers. Lavender/ orange is considered a favorite! Combining the healing properties of natural beeswax and organic cocoa butter, their lip balm creates a formidable barrier against the cold, sealing in moisture to keep lips smooth. Prefer unscented? Their cocoa butter option contains the natural fragrance of cocoa butter and creamy texture. Contained in eco-friendly paper board push-up tubes, Maine Street Bee Beeswax Lip Balms can be found online at mainestreetbee. com, at their retail location at 125 US Route 1 in South Freeport and at these fine Maine purveyors near you: The Store Ampersand in Orono, Tiller & Rye in Brewer, The Rock & Art Shop in Bangor and many more!

MAINESTREETBEE.COM

BEVERAGE BUCKET BAG FROM SEA BAGS

Perfect for everything from tailgating to adventures on the boat to chilling in the beach or backyard, the ingenious design of this beverage bucket makes it portable and collapsible. Six interior pockets hold your favorite beverage, with an open center for ice and grommet to release any melted water. Handmade in Maine from recycled sail cloth.

SEABAGS.COM

Many amazing things are crafted right here in Maine. Check out these fantastic Maine-made gift ideas.

MAINE GIFTS

COZY MITTENS

FROM MAINE-LY WOOL MITTENS

Keep your loved ones warm this winter with the gift of upcycled wool mittens. Maine-ly Wool Mittens believes that helping the environment is a responsibility we all share. They work to keep our landfills small by sourcing materials from local thrift shops and yard sales and giving old tired sweaters new life by turning them into a one-of-a-kind pair of mittens. Even their scraps are donated back to local Goodwill or Salvation Army stores where they get yet another chance to become something useful. Find Maine-ly Wool Mittens products on Facebook and through Maine Made.

MAINEMADE.COM

GIFT BOX FROM BOX OF MAINE

Looking to send someone a reminder of home? Box of Maine is a family business that packages up quintessential Maine-made products in customized gift boxes and ships all over the world. From the humble beginnings of packing boxes in their basement six years ago, Box of Maine recently moved into a 7,100-square-foot facility in Brewer that has a retail gift shop. “You pick the items and we’ll ship’em!”

BOXOFMAINE.COM

BOLD COAST COFFEE FROM TILLER & RYE

For the coffee lover, Bold Coast Coffee’s Cafe Costa Fuerte starts with beans grown on their own farm in the Tarrazu region of Costa Rica. They are then hand harvested and shipped to Downeast Maine to be roasted in small batches. Find this and many more Maine coffees, ethically sourced and roasted to order, at Tiller & Rye in Brewer.

TILLERANDRYE.COM

MAINE GIFTS

HOLIDAY WREATHS FROM PAM'S WREATHS

What better way to spread Christmas cheer than through a holiday wreath? Have Pam’s Wreaths of Harpswell create and ship festive decor like this Moose Head Wreath to someone on your list. With a balsam fir body, white pine beard and white pine cone antlers, it’s perfect for anyone who loves the great state of Maine and the outdoors. Pam’s Wreaths has been creating unique Christmas decor since 1984.

PAMSMAINEWREATHS.COM

SURFBOARD KIT FROM GRAIN SURFBOARDS

Looking for a truly unique gift? How about a surfboard kit, perfect for winter woodworkers and surfers looking for something fun to do on those cold winter days. PlyBeam Surfboard Kits include everything you’ll need to create a complete Grain Surfboard with minimal woodworking skills or tools. The York-based company designed the kit to be simple to build, requiring few tools and set up. Plus, there are full instructions and videos online to get you on the water faster. Prices range from $650 to $975, depending on the model.

GRAINSURFBOARDS.COM

JEWELRY FROM THE LAUGHING LLAMA

Make someone smile with creative jewelry from The Laughing Llama. Run by owner Nancy Carhart and located in Millinocket, The Laughing Llama jewelry is sold at Moose Prints Gallery and Gifts in Millinocket and Gallery on the Lake in Greenville. Custom orders welcomed. Contact nbcarhart@yahoo.com for further information.

MAINE GIFTS

MAINEIAC BLEND COFFEE FROM BLACK INK COFFEE

Give the gift that keeps on giving, with a recurring coffee subscription from Black Ink Coffee of Bangor. A portion of the proceeds from every bag of their best-selling medium roast, Maineiac Blend, helps send free coffee to deployed U.S. troops so they can enjoy a taste of home through Back Ink Coffee’s Operation Caffeination. The program allows you to recommend a deployed unit where you would like the coffee sent, and they answer the call. Black Ink Coffee is veteran owned and operated.

BLACKINKCOFFEE.COM

Black Ink Coffee owner Parker Russell with his unit in 2018.