When it comes to holiday shopping we are pretty minimalist with our gift giving. We like to focus on gifting things that are of high quality, locally purchased and fit one of our categories: wear, want, read, create plus stockings (you can read more about that here). We have recently started doing a bit of holiday shopping and here are a few things that I have picked up from various shops around Portland. A few items for us an a few gifts to give to family and friends.
1. Fermenting Weight ($10) from Portland Homestead Supply. If you are around Neil or I long enough we are bound to bring up Portland Homestead Supply. It is one our favorite shops in Portland and is filled with all sorts of things for DIYing at home from making soaps, lip balm, and candles to fermenting and preserving. Plus if you have little ones there are a few cute goats and chickens out back that you can visit; a weekly occurrence for our family. As for this item Neil actually purchased it for himself. This fermenting weight is perfect for anyone who is looking to get into fermenting. Pair it with a nice wide mouth jar, a lid and air lock and you have the perfect gift.
2. Molly Muriel Lip Balm ($4), find at the Molly Muriel store front in Milwaukie, OR or at various shops around Portland. This lip balm is fantastic and it is made locally here in Portland. It would make the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on your list. Molly Muriel also has a variety of other skincare products and some pretty amazing smelling candles.
3. Folding Ruler ($10) found at Schoolhouse Electric. So I’ll be honest this is the most exiting item you can find at Schoolhouse Electric but I still love it and think it makes a really great gift. Schoolhouse Electric is a beautiful shop and is filled with something for everyone. You won’t have a hard time finding something there. Personally I wish I just lived there.
4. Portland Bridge Magnets ($10) from April Black. We came across April Black at the Portland Night Market and just fell in love with her art work. We ended up picking up two sets of magnets and some cards to gift this Christmas. I’m wishing we had picked up a few things for ourselves as well but alas we didn’t so I’ll have to make an order sometime soon to get a few of her beautiful prints.
5. I love Books Pin ($3-5) found at Tilde. I can’t remember who this pin is by but it was one of the things I picked up on a recent Tilde trip. Tilde is another one of my favorite shops in Portland. It is filled with beautiful locally made jewelry, beautiful candles, skincare, greeting cards, bags including Matt & Nat for my fellow vegans and so much more. We love to pick up gifts here.
6. Soy Wax Candle ($15) from Wooly Beast Designs. I have known about Wooly Beast Designs for awhile because the owner was in a family meetup group I had a few years ago but it wasn’t until the Portland Night Market that I actually smelled any of her candles. Neil and I fell in love with The Bearded Man sent and we have been burning it for the last week. I am disappointed that I didn’t get in a Black Friday order to get a few more candles but I am still planning to pick up a few for friends and for myself.
7. Seely Mint Patties ($8) found at Whole Foods. The Seely mint farm is located along the Columbia River on the way to Astoria. The Seely’s us mint oil they distill from their 450-acre mint farm to make these delicious patties. The patties are also gluten free and vegan so they would be perfect for most anyone on your holiday list. I think they would make a perfect stocking stuffer.
As you can see there of great shops and products here in Portland. What are some of your favorite local Portland shops and/or products? Any local products that I should add to my gift giving list?
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in anyway. I purchased all of the items with my own money with the exception of the box of Seely mints that was sent to me to sample.
Great gift list – particularly the fermenting weight. That might be something I’d look into.
The fermenting weight is great – you can find it at Portland Homestead Supply in Sellwood.
I’m always a fan of candles as gifts. They seem to work for every occasion. It’s such a comforting present!
I have only recently in the past few years gotten into candles but I agree they are just such a nice gift.
What a fun holiday gift guide! LOVE the April Black magnets. I’ll be checking out her site right after this! Thanks for the great local gift ideas!
She has so many amazing prints, postcards and more. We found her at the Portland Night Market (there is another one happening for Valentine’s Day too) and just love her work.
Luv that you’re mindful with your gifting. Having categories is a great idea! Those Seely Mint Patties would probably find their way into MY stocking, though. š
The mints found there way to my uncle and my father and were gone in a matter of 24 hours haha. So good!
Fermenting weight! I think I have some reading to do re: fermenting.
We are fermenting machines over here or rather I should say my husband is. The weight is great but if you really get into a KrautSource makes fermenting super easy. Also The Art of Fermentation and Wild Fermentation are great resources.
What a fun list. I agree that Schoolhouse Electric is such a great place for gifts (or just to hang out at all times!). I also have been really into Made in PDX in the Pearl lately, it is a shop filled with local goodies like foods, clothing, leather goods, etc. I feel like you can find something for everyone and it being made locally, just makes it extra special!
I don’t get to go to Schoolhouse often enough. It’s such an amazing spot. I also agree Made in PDX is a great spot – so many great local items!