One of my favorite things about November here at Boston Mamas is that it’s typically when we put out lots of amazing holiday roundups, including our mega-roundup of local holiday craft fairs….because, YAY for supporting local artists and makers! I’m probably especially tuned to the local shopping space since I have worked the craft show circuit in the past (when I used to own a paper design company). The holidays are such an important time for artists and makers!

Given where we’re at with the pandemic (summary = not good, OMG please wear a mask and limit social contact), I decided to replace the craft fair roundup and do some research to spotlight local artists and makers in my favorite gift categories. Note that many of these businesses are new to me so I can’t speak specifically from the perspective of having tested their products but I researched so I could present you with a collection of local businesses that offer amazing looking products, are well rated (or in a few cases were recommended to me by friends I trust), and offer online shopping capability. Also, please note, obviously there are tons of amazing local businesses (please shop them over big box this season!); this roundup is focused on people who make the products being sold (vs. a local business that curates goods from all over).

Hooray for local artists and makers! Have other favorite Massachusetts artists and makers? Drop their links in the comments at the bottom of the post!

Personal Care Products

I’m a huge fan of clutter-free gifts and lovely, natural or organic personal care products are a great choice, as either main gifts or stocking stuffers.

Dear Botanicals (Andover)

Soap is one of my very favorite clutter-free gifts! The handmade soaps by Dear Botanicals (by Emily Chou) are pricier than other options I found during my research; however, I overwhelmingly prefer the clean composition of these bars (soaps with weird flavor names are a hard no for me!) and the packaging is minimalist and gorgeous.

Honey Bee Farm (Shutesbury)

Honey Bee Farm offers a variety of home and body products but given that we’re approaching dry, cracked skin season, I have my eye on their dry skin balm.

Ornami (Boston)

You’ve gotta love an all-natural, women-owned, Black-owned skincare line inspired by a breakup! The collection is small but I’m here for Ornami’s mission to help people break up with toxic ingredients.

Plainville Homestead (Plainville)

If you’re looking for man gifts (and other delightful items), check out Plainville Homestead’s beard oils, balms, shave creams, and more.

Organic Bath Co. (Charlestown)

If hand sanitizer isn’t the ultimate 2020 stocking stuffer, I don’t know what is. In additional to an array of bath products, the hand sanitizer section at Organic Bath Co. feels like disease prevention + aromatherapy in one.

Edible Gifts

Like personal care products, I always focus on edible gifts around the holidays because OMG NO MORE CLUTTER PLEASE.

True Moringa (Cambridge)

Black-owned True Moringa offers amazing looking skincare products, but I’m actually planning on asking for their organic moringa powder. I need all the superfoods in my life!

Flour Bakery & Cafe (Boston)

I actually love making granola for holiday gifts, but if that’s not your thing, you can grab bags of Flour Bakery & Cafe’s mom’s housemade granola.

Mystic Coffee Roaster (Medford)

Can coffee lovers ever have enough coffee? The answer is NO. Every year I gift coffee and Mystic Coffee Roasters blends are delicious and an added bonus? This business is woman-owned.

Beantown Tea & Spices (Boston)

If you’ve got a tea drinker in the house, a sampler from Beantown Tea & Spices would be a delightful gift.

Serenade Chocolatier (Brookline)

Whether you want gorgeous gift sets or animal-shaped chocolates, Serenade Chocolatier has tons of options, including vegan and dairy free.

Taza Chocolate (Somerville)

A second chocolate option is necessary because, well, snacking chocolate is a different category. Taza Chocolate dark bark = perfect stocking stuffer, especially for those like me who can only do minimal sugar; these barks are 80% dark chocolate and contain quinoa! Super virtuous!

Home

We’re at home more than ever, so it’s the perfect time to spruce up with some delightful home items.

Noted (South Boston)

Flip your mental script on the overpowering weird-smelling candles by the brand that shall remain nameless with the nature-inspired candle options from Noted.

The Ahlgren Collage (Boston)

I’m a big fan of cotton napkins and tea towels and these gorgeous veggie tea towels from The Ahlgren Collage will brighten your kitchen in the dead of winter!

Jill Rosenwald (Boston)

I basically want to throw out all of my small bowls to replace them with these gorgeous cafe au lait bowls by ceramics artist Jill Rosenwald.

Cold Hill Studio (Lincoln)

If you’re into modern, sustainable design, check out Cold Hill Studio’s collection. I’m obsessed with their squarish coasters.

Sprague Woodworking (Harvard)

Cutting boards are a high-use item, so why not equip yourself with a gorgeous one, like this walnut, maple edge grain cutting board from Sprague Woodworking?

Smudge Ink (Acton)

In my opinion, now is a great time to prioritize unexpected, loving snail mail. Smudge Ink offers lots of stationery and gift items; this chipmunk friendship card feels particularly fitting since I truly miss seeing people’s faces.

Emily Quigley Ink (Wellesley)

Among various artistic offerings, Emily Quigley Ink’s custom pet portraits can help you level up your crazy pet person status. (No judgment, I am a crazy dog lady now.)

Carolyn Mackin (Wellesley)

Hanging real art in your home is an act of love. Carolyn Mackin is a delightful human I know in real life and I love her inner reflections series. And also, if you want to give yourself or someone else the gift of creative time, check out her Cape Cod Stripes Workshop! I’m awaiting the Surfside Kit #1 and will be taking the workshop soon. And if you want $20 off the workshop, use code “HELLOCK20” (expires 3/31/2021).

Jewelry + Accessories

Shepherd’s Run (Somerville)

Yeah, yeah, we rarely go out anywhere but these gorgeous little Shepherd’s Run cup studs from Rebecca Scott will surely brighten your days at home (and on Zoom!). I have my eye on the rose gold pair!

Sheila Corkery Jewelry Design (Medford)

I own several pieces of jewelry from Sheila Corkery; her work is earthy and organic and so gorgeous! This stepping stones ring might be my next acquisition.

Abeer Gulal (Arlington)

Love the look of embroidery but too exhausted to try your hand at it? Check out the embroidered pouches + hoop art at Abeer Gulal.

Clothing

Maggie Stern Stitches (Concord)

Honestly, gimme one of everything from the collection of socks, masks, and totes at Maggie Stern Stitches.

New England Knit Co. (Acton)

I am most definitely on Team Big Pom Pom and the knit hats at New England Knit Co. are adorable.

Queen Adeline (Lowell)

Queen Adeline’s clothing and accessories are, well, majestic. African textiles are available in everything from scarves to masks to kimonos to jackets.

Brave New World Designs (Boston)

Yes, this is my business, and it’s worth including because 20% of the profits of each t-shirt at Brave New World Designs is donated to an organization related to the design. Also, we recently posted a 50% off sale; woo hoo!

Massachusetts artists and makers to shop this holiday season

26 Massachusetts Artists + Makers To Shop This Holiday Season