Massachusetts-Made Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas.
Whether you love it or you think it’s a made-up holiday, Valentine’s Day serves as an annual reminder to tell our loved ones just how much they mean to us. And sometimes, that includes giving a gift.
Those who follow me probably know by now that I’m big fan of shopping local and supporting the small businesses and artisans in our local communities here in Massachusetts. And while I believe flowers and a box of chocolates are always lovely to receive, it’s also sometimes fun to think a little outside the box.
Whether you buy something from one of your local shops or boutiques, or purchase directly from one of the many artisans and makers based around Massachusetts, your Valentine (or Galentine!) is sure to appreciate the extra effort. Below I’ve compiled a list of Massachusetts-made Valentine’s Day gift ideas that will be sure to put a smile on your Valentine’s face. And if you still want more, check out my post on 7 Massachusetts Makers You Need to Know About for some additional locally made gift ideas. Happy shopping!
For The One with a Flair for Design
Jill Rosenwald’s handmade ceramics are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful products you’ll find being locally made here in Boston. Specializing in vases, bowls, trays and more, each of her pieces is one of a kind, hand painted and gilded with a 14K gold edge. (Planning to get your Valentine flowers? Why not get them a beautiful new vase to display them in?) You can find her pieces at shops around Boston like Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill and Place & Gather, along with Bells & Whistles in Belmont and The Chatham Home on Cape Cod. Her work is also available in her showroom located in the Seaport, or online.
For the Environmentalist
A company that my husband discovered last winter that we’ve both become big fans of is Treeline and Tide. Based in Scituate, this husband and wife team uses hand-drawn designs and sustainably-forested wood to create unique, yet timeless, objects. I love their personalized State Bottle Openers, and they also make card cases, cufflinks and even jewelry – and do a ton of custom work as well. And as the icing on top, Treeline and Tide partners with One Tree Planted to support reforestation, and one tree is planted for every product sold.
For the Ones Who Likes Some Sparkle
It’s always fun to receive a little bling for Valentine’s Day, and there are lots of local jewelers and artisans who make one-of-a-kind jewelry here in Massachusetts. One designer I’m particularly fond of is Pam Older Designs, based in Newburyport. Her handcrafted jewelry incorporates colorful beads and gemstones and metal textures that range from polished gold to rustic oxidized silver. I love these pearl and garnet mini-stack earrings, these ruby and diamond gold stack rings, and the aptly named Mystic Rose Valentine Necklace. You can order online or visit her studio in Newburyport to buy.
For the Writer
I first came across Felix Doolittle in the Rugg Road Paper Company in Beacon Hill, and was instantly enamored. The company creates personalized stationary and gifts based on artist Felix Fu’s charming watercolor illustrations, all of which are handcrafted in his studio in West Newton. The company’s Valentine’s Day shop offers everything from heart notecards to return address labels, nearly all of which can be personalized. Felix Doolittle pocket mirrors also make a great little gift, as do personalized versions of his signature note cards.
For the One Who Likes to be Cozy
Anyone who likes both fashion and function will appreciate a cozy hat or wrap from Boston-based knitwear company Sh*t That I Knit. (In fact, The Boston Globe just wrote a great feature on founder Christina Fagan and her business success.) Her knit beanies come in a fun variety of colors and styles with faux-fur pompoms, and her pardy wraps are great for keeping warm in this winter weather. You can find Sh*t That I Knit in several shops and boutiques around Boston, including Flock Boutique in the South End, Place & Gather in Charlestown, Whitney & Winston in Beacon Hill, and For Now in the Seaport, along with Salt & Grove in Newburyport.
For the Minimalist
Based in South Boston, Noted Candles are designed with the minimalist in mind. All candles are pure white, with minimal branding and clean typography – but with exquisite scents like Sea Salt Sage and White Tea Lavender. All candles are hand poured in small batches with the goal of helping people create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in their homes. The company recently launched a line of gold travel tins with wooden wicks – adding the cozy crackle of a fire in the fireplace – and they offer diffusers as well.
For the One With a Sweet Tooth
Instead of Godiva, how about getting your loved one a locally made treat this Valentine’s Day? I love a good salted caramel, and two of my favorites are made by McCrea’s Candies in Hyde Park, and by Sweet Lydia’s in Lowell. McCrea’s offers a ton of great options for caramels, including both Cape Cod Sea Salt caramel and Black Lava Sea Salt caramel. They also offer fun flavors like Single Malt Scotch caramel and Dark Roasted Mocha. While the chocolate-covered salted caramels are my absolute favorite offering from Sweet Lydia’s, she also offers maple bacon caramels (yum!), along with scrumptious s’mores, gourmet marshmallows, candy bars and more.
For The One Who Loves Whimsy & Wit
I’ve been a fan of Curly Girl Design, based in Belmont, for many years. With whimsical illustrations and funny sayings (think, “Out of all the weirdos in the world, I’m so glad that you’re my weirdo” for your significant other, or “As friends we share many things – most notably, a love of carbs and a healthy disregard for maturity” for your bestie), a hand-written card from Curly Girl Design is sure to put a smile on its recipient’s face. She also offers mugs, chocolate bars, and – my favorite – bottle straws (perhaps to accompany a special bottle of bubbly to enjoy on Valentine’s Day!).
For the Baker
Anyone living around the Boston area who loves to bake is probably familiar with Joanne Chang and Flour Bakery. For those who aren’t able to get to the bakery on a regular basis but still want to enjoy her decadent treats, Joanne has published several cookbooks, which make great gifts. While available on Amazon, I recommend ordering signed copies (which include a personalized inscription from Joanne herself!) of Flour, Flour, too, and Baking with Less Sugar directly from the Flour website. You can also order Flour’s famous gooey Sticky Buns, or a pack of their light-as-air Raspberry Meringues, to be shipped directly for a special Valentine’s Day treat!
For the One Who Loves New England
I love the cute town of Rockport up on Cape Ann, and a shop that I always pop into when I’m in town is Rusty and Ingrid. The artist couple celebrates their love of New England through the creation of limited-edition fine art screen prints in a fun, vintage poster art style. Featuring many iconic scenes through the North East, the hand printed works feature popular spots within Boston, Greater Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, and Cape Cod and Rhode Island, along with popular ski destinations throughout New England. A print of your favorite vacation spot or ski mountain makes for a great gift, and will bring back fun memories every time you look at it.
For Your Four-Legged Friend
Now we can’t forget our furry friends on Valentine’s Day! And there is no better place to get your pet a special treat than Polkadog Bakery. At Polkadog, all treats are handmade from locally-sourced ingredients and slowly dehydrated in their kitchen in South Boston. Fan favorites include Wonder Nuggets and Chicken Littles. And they always have seasonal doggie cookies and/or “pupcakes” in fun shapes and colors, along with seasonal dog toys. The shop has locations in the North End, South End, Lynnfield, Chestnut Hill and Jamaica Plain, and items can also be ordered online.
Have other ideas for locally-made gifts this Valentine’s Day? Add a comment below and let me know which Massachusetts-made products are your favorite!
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Categories: Made in MA, The Best of MA