While 2020 has been a doozy, my favorite time of year is finally here: the season of gratitude and gift-giving. I love nothing more than choosing the perfect give for someone I love. And it feels even better when that gift is locally-made and purchased from a small business.

With everything happening in the world right now, it’s more important than ever to shop early and buy locally. While 2020 has been hard on all of us, it’s been especially tough on small businesses. Instead of hitting up the doorbusters at the big-box stores, I encourage everyone to think about gifts and products made and sold in your communities. It’s been said that when you support a small business, you’re supporting a dream. I really believe that to be true.

So in that spirit, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Massachusetts-made holiday gift ideas below. And a few even include a special deal or discount for Travel Like a Local: MA readers! (It’s worth noting I don’t receive a commission or any sort of payment. All gift ideas included are all products and brands that I truly love and personally own/use in my everyday life.)

Read on for some local Massachusetts-made gift ideas. And please join me in shopping small and buying local this holiday season!

Allison Cole Jewelry: Handmade Nautical Bracelets

I love gifting locally-made jewelry, and one of my current obsessions are the nautically-inspired bracelets from Allison Cole Jewelry. The Essex bracelet is a great option for holiday gifting, as you can personalize it with a monogram, giving it an extra special touch. I also love the Newbury, which comes in a variety of color combinations, and the Beacon, which has a sweet hand-wrapped thread detail.

Bracelets are made from leather, rope or ribbon, depending on style. They can be accented with silver or gold details and clasps. They look great worn in a stack, and it’s fun to mix and match styles based on your outfit. All jewelry is hand crafted here in Massachusetts and is made to order. Receive 15% off your purchase with code LOCALMA.

Shop online at www.allisoncolejewelry.com and follow Allison Cole Jewelry on Instagram at @allisoncolejewelry. 

Alex’s Ugly Sauce: Hot Sauce 3-Pack

Anyone else have a hot sauce fan on their holiday gift list? In my family, hot sauce is one gift that always shows up under the Christmas tree, and Alex’s Ugly Sauce is one of my favorites.

A small-batch hot sauce company based in Boston, all hot sauces are made from different combinations of peppers grown locally by farmers in Massachusetts. Each hot sauce also includes the company’s special blend of beets, honey, onions, and garlic. (Beets and honey? You read that right!)

For the hot sauce enthusiast, Alex’s Ugly Sauce 3-packs make great gifts. The Variety 3-Pack, including the original, the Cayano and Habanero, is a great classic gift pack. Those looking for more spice will love the Extreme 3-Pack, which includes the Original, Habanero and Ghost Pepper. You can also create custom boxes as well!

Shop online at www.alexsuglysauce.com and follow Alex’s Ugly Sauce on Instagram at @alexsuglysauce. 

Duxbury Saltworks: Holly Jolly Salt Duo

Looking for an MA-made holiday gift for the cook in your life? Look no further than the Holly Jolly Salt Duo from Duxbury Saltworks! Sure to spice up your holiday gift-giving, this set includes the Autumn blend (sea salt, paprika, dill, chili pepper and black peppercorns) and the Winter blend (sea salt, rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley). Pair it with a Classic Sea Salt Spoon Jar, which is amazing sprinkled on top of chocolate chip cookies!

Based on MA’s South Shore, Duxbury Saltworks turns sea water from Duxbury Bay into culinary sea salt flakes. All of products are hand-made, 100% pure and packaged with sustainability in mind. While you can buy the salts and blends individually, they also offer a Sampler Pack and a Gourmet Gift Set, which make great gifts as well. Receive 10% off your purchase of $50 or more with code TRAVELWITHSALT.

Shop online at duxburysaltworks.com and follow Duxbury Saltworks on Instagram at @duxburysaltworks. 

Live in Mosaics: Children’s DIY Mosaic Ornament Craft Kit

Give the kiddos a fun craft this holiday season with the Kids DIY Ornament Craft Kit from Somerville-based Live in Mosaics. Each kit contains a round wooden ornament and an assortment of colorful and textured materials including buttons, rhinestones and round-edged mosaic tiles in various shapes and sizes.

The kit comes with white paint and two colors of string. The only thing you need to provide is glue to stick all the fun and sparkly materials onto the ornament. Recommended for ages 3+, children get to be creative and make a keepsake sure to be treasured by parents, grandparents or loved ones for years to come.

Jessica, owner of Live in Mosaics, is a professional mosaic artist, and also creates beautiful custom work including mirrors, picture frames, wall art and more. Be sure to check out her website and Etsy shop for more one-of-a-kind gift ideas this season!

Shop online at www.liveinmosaics.com and follow Live in Mosaics on Instagram at @liveinmosaics.

McCrea’s Candies: Caramel Advent Calendar

Caramels have always been one of my favorite types of candy, and McCrea’s Candies are hands-down some of the best I’ve ever had. With flavors like Single Malt Scotch, Cape Cod Sea Salt, Tapped Maple and Dark Roasted Mocha, it’s hard to choose a favorite. But with the adorable McCrea’s 2020 Advent Calendar, you can try them all!

With a sweet woodland creature motif painted by NH-based artist Cindy Hendrick, the Advent Calendar features 12 different flavors of caramel: one behind each of 24 doors marking the countdown to December 25. A perfect Christmas gift for those eagerly awaiting their visit from Santa, make sure to get yours before they’re gone.

McCrea’s also has a number of other great MA-made holiday gift options, including the Holiday Party Box and the Flavor Family Tube. And the McCrea’s pillow boxes make awesome stocking stuffers as well! Use code LOCALMA to receive free shipping on your order, now through Dec. 31, 2020. (*Code not valid for gift cards, single pillow packs or caramel of the month club.)

Shop online at www.mccreascandies.com and follow McCrea’s on Instagram at @mccreascandies.

Noted Candles: Winterberry Reed Diffuser & Fraser Fir Candle

There’s nothing more inviting than walking into a room scented by a cozy winter candle. And with fragrances including Winterberry and Fraser Fir, Noted has you covered this holiday season. With scents inspired by nature, the 100% soy candles and non-toxic reed diffusers are all made by hand in small batches in Noted’s South Boston studio. Their simple aesthetic is designed to complement your home. And I always love seeing the fun designs on the inside of each lid.

The Fraser Fir candle and Winterberry reed diffuser are two of my favorite MA-made holiday gifts this season. In addition to buying them individually, you can also choose from a variety of gift sets. I recently treated myself to the Winter Warmer Gift set (a collaboration with Lowell-based Sweet Lydia’s) which includes homemade marshmallows and handcrafted hot chocolate, in addition to the candle scent of your choice. The perfect gift for a cozy winter evening at home!

Shop online at www.notedcandles.com and follow Noted Candles on Instagram at @notedcandles.

Organic Bath Co.: Bar Soap Gift Set & Clean Hands Kit

Based in my very own neighborhood of Charlestown, Organic Bath Co. offers an organic bath line of scrubs, lotions, soaps and oils that are ahhhh-mazing. I swear by their Drenched body butter (especially in winter), and Organic Bath Co. is offering some great gift sets this holiday season.

One of my favorite gift ideas is the Bar Soap Gift Set, which comes in a cute giftable “Hello Beautiful” pouch and contains all five of their scented bar soaps. With the citrus-scented Zesty Morning and the coffee-ground containing Java Jolt, the set is great for anyone looking to update their morning routine.

Another favorite is the Clean Hands Kit, which also comes in a zipper pouch and contains a gentle hand soap, travel size body butter and the company’s Clean Giving hand sanitizer, created in partnership with Boston’s Bully Boy Distillers. The best part? For every Clean Hands Kit Organic Bath Co. sells, they donate a kit to a frontline worker. How awesome is that?!

Organic Bath Co’s bar soaps, scented hand sanitizers (which smell great and don’t dry out your skin) and body butters all make great stocking stuffers as well. Save 15% off your order with the code LIKEALOCAL.

Shop online at organicbath.co and follow Organic Bath Company on Instagram at @organicbath.

Palm Prints: Boston & Cape Cod Map Prints

Based in Boston’s North End, Palm Prints offers illustrations of the places you know like the back of your hand, along with spots that bring back memories of vacations by the sea.

In addition to illustrations of landmarks like Brandt Point Light on Nantucket, Acorn Street in Beacon Hill or the Warren Tavern in Charlestown, owner Courtney also offers illustrated maps that include favorite spots around New England. I love the Boston Illustrated Map, which includes some beloved places like The Barking Crab, Fenway Park and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Another great option is the Cape Cod Map Print, which includes landmarks like The Beachcomber, Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar, the Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham Squire and Truro Vineyards – literally all of my favorite spots! Sold in sizes 8” x 10” and 11” x 14”, you can choose the size that best fits your space.

Other map prints are neighborhood-specific, including The North End, Charlestown, South Boston, Somerville and others. The whimsical designs are sure to please, and custom offerings are also available. Save 10% off your order through December 15, 2020, using code LOCAL.

Shop online at https://www.palm-prints.com/ and follow Palm Prints online at @palmprintsco.

Q’s Nuts: 6-pack Gift Basket & Snack Packs

Somerville-based Q’s Nuts are a classic holiday treat. Perfect for those with food sensitivities, all of Q’s original recipes are vegan as well as gluten, soy and dairy free. Offering fun and delicious flavors of Cashews, Pecans, Almonds, Peanuts and more, varieties include both sweet and savory. Popular flavors include Maple Bourbon, Sea Salt with Rosemary, Chocolate Lavender and Cayenne Mango, among others.

For the holidays, Q’s Nuts offers beautifully packaged 6-pack Gift Baskets, which can be customized to include your favorite flavors of Cashews, Pecans, Almonds and Peanuts. The company also offers Almond Snack Packs and Cashew Snack Packs, which each include three flavors – and are perfect for stocking stuffers this holiday season. Enjoy 10% off your order of a Gift Basket this holiday season with code BASKET10. Enjoy 20% off Snack Packs with code SNACK20.

Shop online at www.qsnuts.com, and follow Q’s Nuts on Instagram at @qsnuts.

Sweet Lydia’s: Handcrafted Marshmallows & Hot Chocolate Mix

When I think of winter, I think of snuggling up in front of the fireplace with a mug of decadent hot cocoa filled with fluffy marshmallows. And Sweet Lydia’s, based in Lowell, offers the most delicious, handcrafted marshmallows you’ll ever find. With flavors ranging from Vanilla and Chocolate to Coconut, Raspberry, Caramel, Spiced Chai – and even a Stout & Pretzel option – these are really something special.

Pair a combo pack of homemade marshmallows with Sweet Lydia’s hot chocolate mix (choose from three flavors, including Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate Mocha and Sweet & Spicy) for the perfect holiday gift. Throw in a box of Chocolate Covered Salted Caramels or Maple Bacon caramels, and your gift recipient is in for an extra special sweet treat this holiday!

Shop online at https://sweetlydias.com and follow Sweet Lydia’s on Instagram at @sweetlydias.  

What are your favorite Massachusetts-made products and gift ideas? Let me know in the comments below! Happy shopping!