Made-in-Vermont Christmas Gift Ideas for 2016

I love nothing more than giving gifts. I would rather give gifts than receive something any day. I spend hours on end every Christmas season researching and brainstorming the very best gifts for the people in my life. I always like to find something unique, thoughtful, and, whenever possible, locally made. Here are my top made-in-Vermont gift ideas for the 2016 holiday season. What are your favorite Vermont gifts to give?

For the Beer Lover in Your Life:
Although admittedly spendy, Simon Pearce Ascutney Pint Glasses ($70) are a no-brainer for the craft beer enthusiast in your life. They are rugged and feel oh-so-good in your hand. They’re hand-blown glass and fit a full 16 ounces in the pint. Pair two glasses with a bottle of Lawson’s Finest or a four-pack from The Alchemist, and your beer-loving friends and family in Vermont will be forever grateful. It’ll be their favorite gift under the tree, guaranteed.

For the Newly Engaged Couple in Your Life: Heirloom pottery, that is, pottery that is timeless in design and made to last, is the perfect gift to start forever for a newly engaged couple in your life. Farmhouse Pottery, based in Woodstock, Vermont, delivers on everything from berry bowls to beehive salt cellars to your everyday pantry mug. The Silo Batter Bowl ($165) is one of my favorite Vermont-made wedding gifts, and it would be equally awesome for Christmas. Pair it with some maple syrup and locally made pancake mix to inspire a new Sunday morning tradition for the bride-and-groom-to-be.

For the Foodie in Your Life (or for the Holiday Hostess):
Find a unique basket at an antique store (or perhaps any old basket hidden away in a closet) and fill it with delicious Vermont-made products. For a breakfast theme, grab some hyper-local-to-you maple syrup, buttermilk pancake mix from King Arthur Flour, the best granola you’ll ever try (seriously) from Nutty Steph’s, Vermont Smoke & Cure maple brined bacon, and some coffee or tea from Vermont Artisan. For an hors d’oeuvres basket, fill it with some bars of Cabot Cheese‘s award-wining cheddar, Castleton Crackers, a Vermont Salumi red wine and garlic salami, gourmet mustard from Green Mountain Mustard, and a few bottles of a local craft beer.

For the Weekend Warrior in Your Life:
For the weekend warrior, or the friend or family member who travels frequently for quick business trips, gift the Overnighter bag ($238) from Red House. These bags are full of unique touches and made of waxed canvas, antique brass rivets and zippers, and Horween leather. They’re the perfect size to carry just the right amount and are available in a variety of neutral tones from Ash and Oak to Forest and Navy.

For Your Wife (Whose Gift You Can Never Quite Get Right):
Head over to Matthew Taylor Design in Shelburne to peruse his in-house selection of handmade (and stunningly gorgeous) jewelry. Or, if you are a planner and creative, work with Matthew to develop a custom piece. At the minimum, drop in and buy a Gemstone Candle ($35). Each handcrafted soy candle has a hand-selected gemstone inside… One in every 20 candles even has a diamond!

For the Travelers in Your Life:
Give the explorers and travelers in your life a gift card for a night away in a quaint Vermont town. Dorset, Vermont, would be my pick for a relaxing getaway this winter. Try a gift certificate to the Dorset Inn for friend or family member who prefers more traditional and historic, or the Barrows House Inn for those who enjoy high-end accommodations that are more modern and sleek. Give them a handmade itinerary of all of the hot spots in the area to check-out: H.N Williams General Store for a blast from the past, 3 Pears Gallery to admire some beautiful local art, JK Adams for anything and everything you could ever need for your kitchen, Hildene and nearby Manchester for a day of exploration.

For the Baby in Your Life:
I get excited every time I find out someone I know is pregnant, because I always pick up one of Zutano‘s Cozie Baby Hats ($18). They’re sherpa-lined and bunny-eared, and babies look oh-so-cute in them. For some added coziness and warmth for Vermont’s winter, also pick-up some matching Cozie Baby Booties ($24). I couldn’t imagine a more practical and cuter Christmas gift for the newborn, baby, or toddler on your list.

For the Dog Lover in Your Life:
Gift whimsical dog art from Dog Mountain and artist Stephen Huneck, or customized dog art from Native Vermont (Ryan Fowler was born in Vermont, but now operates out of Chicago, just for the record). Stephen Huneck’s gallery is so fun to browse; be sure to check out the Vermont-branded dog art as well. Many of Native Vermont’s dog art pieces ($36 and up) are customizable for a highly personalized gift a dog lover with love.

What are your favorite Vermont-made gifts to give? Share in the comments below to keep the conversation going!