The holiday season is full of traditions, and you hold in your hands one of Seven Days’ favorites: our annual Gift Guide. Whether your holiday spirit this year is in the “Bah, humbug!” basement or reaching Buddy the Elf echelons of excitement, chances are you’ll give and receive at least a couple of presents in the next few weeks. Some people are buttoned-up list makers and others are last-minute store-to-store dashers, but over the years I’ve developed my own go-to gift-exchange guidelines.
For example, if someone asks you what you want, please tell them! Don’t demur. Don’t say, “I don’t need anything.” This is a chance for the giver to be generous, and our world needs all the generosity it can get. So go right ahead and tell them you’d love the orange-glitter vinyl edition of Taylor Swift’s new album, if that’s your jam.
Also, when you open a gift, the best response is “Thank you,” not “You shouldn’t have.” A gift means someone cares about you. Accept the love.
But here’s my No. 1 rule about gifts: Whenever possible, buy local.
You’ve probably heard that old adage about how chopping wood warms you twice — once when you chop it and once when you burn it. I propose that shopping locally has the potential to toast three times: It ignites a bright spark in you when you find the ideal present, made or sold by a fellow Vermonter. Your pal feels cozy and cherished as they open that package. And it surely warms the cockles of a small-business owner’s heart to know you resisted the allure of the online-monolith-that-shall-not-be-named. The need to support our downtowns is, well, evergreen.
So, are you ready to make spirits bright in this season of giving? Shops and studios across the Green Mountain State are stocked with bits and bobs for everyone on your list, from your BFF to your brother-in-law.
To inspire you, we’ve put a big shiny bow on this guide full of eclectic, enchanting and entertaining suggestions from Vermont makers and retailers, everything from lip balm to lamps. We’ve even selected a few items for Ruth Bader Ginsbark and Meowly Cyrus. There are plenty of gifts under $25, plus a few that make an extra impact for worthy causes. And who says all presents have to be wrapped up in pretty paper? We’ve included some one-of-a-kind experiences that serve as memorable gifts. Read on for a veritable sleighful of ideas.
Wait — did you say you want to give us a present? Here’s what we really want: for you to become a Super Reader. Thank you!
See how easy that was?
Wearables & Accessories top
1) Grandma is out early every Saturday to pick up “just a few things” at her local farmers market. But every week, without fail, she hauls home more tomatoes, squash and jam than human hands were meant to carry. Get her the Wren Tote Bag from Vermont Flannel, and the company will donate $14 to the Vermont Foodbank so others can share in the state’s bounty. $39.80 at Vermont Flannel in Burlington, East Barre, Ferrisburgh, Johnson, Manchester, Shelburne, Waterbury and Woodstock.
2) Your sister’s “five-minute” meditations invariably last much longer, and you love that journey for her. Someone as spiritually inclined as she is will appreciate the significance of a wooden ring with braided sweetgrass from Vermont maker Isaac Shoulderblade, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The made-to-order symbol of our connection to nature and community will mean more to your sis than just good style. $155 at ShoulderbladeDesigns on Etsy.
3) Every time you refresh Instagram, your childhood friend is posting stunning photos from yet another picturesque destination, from Swiss ski trails to plates of pasta in Palermo. Designed for wanderers like him, BirdieBlue’s Traveler dopp kit is handcrafted in Vermont from upcycled ski and snowboard gear. Your buddy’s toiletries won’t get buried at the bottom of his backpack, and when the journey’s over, he can toss it in the washer before packing for his next adventure. $58 at shopbirdieblue.com.
4) Your uncle means well but has a knack for ruining holiday dinners with bon mots about a certain U.S. politician. He usually includes a rant about how he can no longer wear his favorite Philadelphia Phillies hat, lest people make assumptions about his party. He’ll get a chuckle from the “Make Red Hats Wearable Again” Trucker Hat. If he sports his opinion on a snapback, maybe he won’t bring it to the dinner table? $27 from Solid Threads in Burlington.
5) Things are going swimmingly with the new lady in your life. She laughs at (most of) your jokes, remembers how you like your coffee and looks really good in your hoodie. Get her a gift that says “I have artsy taste, but I also have a bed frame”: a Riveted Relic Reversible Necklace from local jeweler and metalsmith Jennifer Kahn. It’s effortlessly cool, just like your love. $150 at Jennifer Kahn Jewelry in Burlington.
6) It’s time for the office gift swap, and you drew the coworker who gets misty-eyed about the first time they saw Phish at Nectar’s. (RIP.) Spark their Burlington-area memories with a set of whimsical Way Back Buttons from Suspicious Duck. The tiny pins are “microdoses of nostalgia” for a time when Friday night meant lacing up at Skateland or hitting the Hot Topic at Burlington Square Mall. $9 at suspiciousduckvt on Etsy.
7) At every family gathering, your brother-in-law suggests a hike. Then he curses all the way to the summit, complaining that it’s too cold for short sleeves but too warm for a fleece. He needs the Partial Zip Profanity Hoodie from woman-owned MoLa in Richmond. The mid-weight fabric will keep his core warm while the lightweight back and sleeves will vent sweat. Maybe he’ll stop venting about his gear on those challenging climbs! $132 on molahoods.com.
Food & Drink top
8) Waffling on a gift for your mother-in-law? Brighten her breakfasts with Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup from Benito’s Hot Sauce. While the Morrisville makers may be masters of spice, they’ve got a sweet side, just like her. Each eight-ounce bottle of Silloway Maple’s wood-fired dark robust maple syrup is infused with a whole organic vanilla bean — a classic combo. Maybe the recipient will thank you by finally sharing her pancake recipe. $13.99 at benitoshotsauce.com.
9) Office holiday swaps can be a drag. Make sure there’s at least one crave-worthy gift by wrapping up a half-pound block of Beer Cheddar, a twice-as-tasty collaboration between Shelburne Farms and Fiddlehead Brewing. Cheesemakers add 15 gallons of Fiddlehead’s flagship IPA per batch. While the alcohol is aged out during production, they promise that “beery notes remain,” from a yeasty aroma to hoppy, floral flavors. $17 at the Shelburne Farms Farm Store & Welcome Center.
10) Your sister makes a mean paella, but she’s sick of buying saffron — the key to its golden color — from the other side of the globe. Shrink her carbon footprint with Lemonfair Saffron’s Saffron Gift Pack: a jar of crimson threads from saffron crocus flowers grown in Vermont, plus a saffron-scented candle. Even better? The Ferrisburgh- and Brooklyn-based company donates 10 percent of profits to social and environmental justice organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund. $64 at lemonfairsaffron.com.
11) Eggnog, shmeggnog. Your brother is a G&T guy all year round. Split Spirits’ Mythic Gin will tickle his taste buds and appeal to his love of the great outdoors: The Middlebury distillery is the country’s first to be certified climate-neutral, minimizing its impact with solar energy; locally sourced, regeneratively grown grains; and bottles made from recycled glass. Cheers to that! $34.99 at Split Spirits tasting rooms in Middlebury and Manchester.
12) The aroma of fresh-baked goods is the secret to selling a house, but your cousin has burned every batch of cookies he’s ever made. Boost his budding real estate career with a Bunshine Candle. The Addison County collab captures the cinnamon-cardamom-vanilla scent of sticky buns from Haymaker Bun in beeswax hand-poured by Goshen’s Republic of Vermont. Just remind him not to eat it. $34 at Haymaker Bun in Burlington and Middlebury or at republicofvermont.com.
13) When you need to pick a restaurant, you text your foodie friend. She’ll be even more in the know with a membership to Eat Vermont, the mobile app that celebrates Vermont’s delicious food system. Members get discounts and secret menu items at restaurants and farmstands all around the state. $48 per year at eatvermont.com; price increasing to $72 in 2026.
14) Cleaning a box grater is the worst. Since your significant other does the dishes, simplify their kitchen cleanup with a Garlic/Ginger Grater Plate from Jericho’s Cedar Tree Pottery. Vivid glazes from red to lapis match the zing you’ll both enjoy after grating garlic on its rough center. It’s so easy that you’ll be tempted to grate extra, add olive oil and swipe crusty bread across the plate. $25-30 at E1 Studio Collective in Burlington and the Vermont Bowl Company in Wilmington.
Arts & Entertainment top
15) Recent headlines have your grandmother seeing red, and she needs a way to take out her rage while maintaining her demure persona. With a needle-felting kit from the Felting Studio in Corinth, she can craft a quaint scene that’s really an excuse for lots and lots of stabbing. Choose from calming images such as black bears, stylized medieval gryphons or Scandinavian reindeer. From $58.95 at Northeast Fiber Arts Center in Williston or thefeltingstudio.com.
16) Admit it: You’ve subjected your poor ol’ dad to years of your musical obsessions, from Cajun shoegaze to goblincore. Give him what he wants to hear with tickets to Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: Great American Crooners at Catamount Arts in Greensboro. The April 9 show features jazz vocalist and trumpeter Benny Benack III and others performing hits by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darrin and Tony Bennett. $42-45 at catamountarts.org; 20 percent off when purchased by March 10.
17) The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center’s biennial “Glasstastic” exhibition pairs kids’ drawings of fantastical creatures with skilled artisans who faithfully transform them into glass sculptures. If your kooky aunt with the funky glasses missed the show this year, give her a Hand-Blown Glass Mini Monster by participating artist Jen Violette. The 3- to 4-inch-tall creatures radiate charm and personality — as does your aunt. From $68 at VioletteGlass on Etsy and at the BMAC gift shop.
18) Your cubicle mate says hi to every dog she meets, but her landlord says no dice to pets in her apartment building. She’ll love a set of Vermont Pup Greeting Cards from Soijen Illustrations in Eden. Six assorted designs portray pups doing Vermonty activities such as ice fishing, biking and eating a maple creemee. They’re made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper, and 1 percent of sales goes to environmental conservation orgs. $21 at soijen.myshopify.com.
19) As the self-appointed keeper of family history, your sister maintains a messy trove of photos, letters and other ephemera. Help her corral her archive with a spot in one of Susan Smereka’s bookmaking workshops at the new new art studio in Burlington. Smereka is an experienced teacher with deep knowledge of printmaking and bookbinding; she’ll guide your sis to create something new from those old memories. Classes start at $240. Register at susansmereka.com.
20) Remember that time your nephew got his truck stuck in the Notch? Make sure he doesn’t forget it either with a Vermont State PicPL8, a picture frame hand-cut from a license plate by artist Aaron Stein of Burlington’s Revival Studio. Slide in a 3-by-5-inch photo of him with the state troopers he met that day! $55 at retailers including Thirty-odd in Burlington, Artisans Hand Craft Gallery in Montpelier and Northwood Gallery in Stowe, as well as at revivalstudio.com.
21) Finally, your twentysomething has graduated from a roommate situation to their own apartment. Upgrade the décor from trippy posters to actual art with an original painting from Vermont’s Giovanina Bucci. A bold abstract pig or Highland cow is one of a kind and sure to make the space feel special. Next up: plates that actually match. From $175 at Marigold Gallery in Burlington.
Outdoors & Recreation top
22) Imagine the first human who discovered that you can forecast the weather with a simple piece of wood. Powered by changes in barometric pressure, the solid fir Vermont Weather Stick points skyward when there’s fair weather ahead and downward as foul weather approaches. Surely there’s a Luddite farmer, hunter or hiker in your life who’d love to know the weather forecast without checking a smartphone. $9.95 at the Vermont Country Store in Rockingham or Weston.
23) Burdock root can be used to regulate blood sugar and improve digestion. Witch hazel bark treats minor cuts, insect bites and sunburn. And bee balm flower helps relieve nausea. Your patchouli-scented aunt is probably familiar with some of these natural hacks, but she might not know the best times for foraging. With a colorfully illustrated Harvesting/Wildcrafting Calendar poster, she can stock her DIY wellness tool kit. $24 at Railyard Apothecary in Burlington.
24) We’ve all been there. Deep in the woods with a friend, no cars or other people around, you look down and spot a fast-food wrapper or empty beer bottle littering the ground. If, like many Vermonters, you know someone who always picks up what others neglected to pack out, get them a Planet Pack from Planet People in Charlotte. Light, strong, washable and waterproof, the pack makes it easy being green. $19.99 at planetpeople.org.
25) What Vermont cyclist hasn’t experienced a mechanical breakdown on the road or trail? A blown tire or loose bolt requires immediate attention. Give the biking buddy in your life exactly what the moment demands: an ”Oh, Shit” Kit from Class 4 Designs in Jericho. Mounted beneath the saddle, it’s large enough to hold a full tool kit, inner tube and CO2 cartridges, plus it’s water- and mud-repellant. $65 at class4designs.com.
26) A body in motion stays in motion, unless it’s acted upon by an external force — say, a comfy couch, a cold beer and a warm TV. Your fella likes to hike when the weather is nice. But come frost, he justifies his couch-potato ways by complaining that it’s too slippery outside. Keep that man in motion all winter long with a pair of Kahtoola MICROspikes. From walking the dog to summiting Vermont’s tallest peak, he’ll stay upright. $83.95 at Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington.
27) The human body is like one big battery. It won’t generate much power without essential electrolytes — the ones that your über-jock sibling sweats away on morning runs. Energy drinks are loaded with sweeteners, microplastics and unpronounceable chemicals, so drop a variety pack of Plink! in their stocking. The Burlington-based company makes tasty hydration tablets packed with minerals but only a gram of sugar. From $34.99 at retailers such as City Market in Burlington and drinkplink.com.
28) To live so close to Lake Champlain and never harness the wind in a sailboat is to miss out on one of life’s great pleasures. Gramps always meant to learn. Thankfully, Vermont is blessed with skilled mariners who are more than happy to share this age-old knowledge, and you’re never too old to start. You’re never too young either, so why not sign both of you up for a First Sail class at the Community Sailing Center in Burlington? $55 at communitysailingcenter.org.
Home top
29) For the work buddy whose positive attitude and homemade cookies made the return to the office less painful, upgrade his cubicle with a mini bunting to match his cheery demeanor. Made by Fabric + Feed in Fletcher, the nine-foot string of 12 bright cotton pennants can festoon a plant, gussy up a standing desk or become a festive backdrop to brighten up those dull video meetings that persist even in the post-pandemic era. $38 at fabricandfeed.com.
30) Some people love the long, balmy days of summer; others can’t wait for adventures on snow and ice. Mom, however, is a devoted fan of pumpkin spice lattes, orange leaves and cider doughnuts. Celebrate her favorite season with a cheerful pumpkin rug, hooked from hand-cut wool strips by a multi-generation craftswoman at Green Mountain Hooked Rugs in Montpelier. $295 at greenmountainhookedrugs.com.
31) Since you and your kindergarten bestie were miniature, you’ve gifted each other all things mini — think fairy tea sets and teensy clay creatures. This year, tickle her tiny funny bone with a fanciful mini planter with an air plant. The thumb-size pots come hand-painted with stars, flowers, butterflies, owls or even a frisky pair of boobs — the perfect inside-joke present for your bosom buddy. $14-16 at Golden Hour in Burlington, Colchester and Winooski.
32) House-cleaning equipment is not on everyone’s wish list, but your homesteading sister-in-law is not everyone. A practitioner of traditional crafts, she’ll appreciate the meticulous handiwork that goes into the charmingly utilitarian Farmhouse Sweeper broom from Broken Shovel Brooms in Vershire. Made from natural materials, the old-school sweepers are almost too pretty to get dirty. Of course, that would never stop your sister-in-law from using a good tool. $90 at brokenshovelbrooms.com.
33) When your roommate abruptly adopted a cat — to which you are allergic — Aunt Abby cleared out her spare bedroom and wrapped you in a bear hug. No single gift could repay her for the warm welcome, bottomless cups of tea and patient ear, but she’ll love AO Glass’s luminously jewel-toned, handcrafted “Watercolor” vase almost as much as the accompanying voucher for 10 hours of your time weeding her flower beds. $180 from AO Glass in Burlington.
34) In the depths of winter darkness, we can all use some sparkle. Bring a kaleidoscope of radiant color to your sister’s apartment with a glass mosaic table lamp imported from Turkey. It will glow like a multifaceted jewel, suffusing the room with a rainbow of incandescence. $65-185 at Little Istanbul in Burlington and White River Junction.
35) Every frosty flake falling from the sky is unique, and every Ornaments 4 Orphans embroidered snowflake ornament is similarly, if more colorfully, distinct. Bright with delicate stitchwork and felted flowers, the wool-and-yarn creations help the Peruvian communities where they are made by supporting sustainable jobs, improving living conditions and providing access to education. They’re a festive, feel-good stocking stuffer for anyone on your list. $15.99 at Rail City Market in St. Albans.
Kids top
36) If your godchild can’t get enough hide-and-seek, she’ll love Alfie Explores A to Z: A Seek & Find Adventure by Seven Days contributor Jeff Drew. Designed for readers ages 3 to 8, the story follows Alfie as he travels through the alphabet searching for his pet dust bunny. From an awesome assembly of animals to a Zamboni ride through the zoo, each letter features a poem and a detailed illustration. $21.99 at Phoenix Books in Burlington, Essex and Rutland and other local booksellers.
37) Your niece has an iron-clad rule for her first child’s clothing: all-natural fibers or nothing. Toe the line — and keep that baby warm — with booties sewn in-house at Aurora Spinnery, the fiber mill Kristen Gallagher operates on her Berlin farm. Made from merino and alpaca felt scraps, each pair is unique. Colors are natural or plant-dyed, and the soles are leather from Pergamena Parchments & Leathers in New York’s Hudson River Valley. $25 at auroraspinnery.com.
38) Snow days are coming! Keep your budding bakers entertained with
Sweet & Salty!: King Arthur Baking Company’s Cookbook for Young Bakers. Pizza Party Buns, English Muffin Bread, Fluffernutter Cookies and Ooey-Gooey Cinnamon Buns are among nearly 100 recipes that span three skill levels. America’s first flour company includes tips and techniques to teach a new generation of home bakers. A snow day never tasted so good! $19.95 at King Arthur Baking in Norwich and independent bookstores.
39) Since she drew on the bathtub walls with soap crayons at age 2, your tween hasn’t stopped doodling, painting, or turning pipe cleaners and toilet paper tubes into adorable animals. Delight her with a DIY Craft Kit from Windham artist Lisa Caron Hickey. Choose from holiday ornaments, yarn-wrap bracelets, decorative bottle stoppers or greeting cards to keep her creative juices flowing. $9-14.95 at carondesigns.com.
40) Back in your day, the only screens in the classroom were the ones teachers pulled down to show filmstrips. While you nudge your grandkids off their devices, show them that learning can still be fun with Hugg-A-Planet stuffed toys. Classic Earth is a tossable, squeezable 12-inch globe labeled with countries, states, oceans, lakes and rivers. Thanks to the 43-year-old family-run Colchester company, kids can also throw, hug and study the moon, Mars and the United States. $24.95-149.95 at huggaplanet.com.
41) For a preschooler, the next best thing to listening to your favorite stories (over and over) is heading to the library to restock your pile of books. Your little neighbor will love The Very Hungry Caterpillar mini tote. The cotton canvas bag is big enough to haul a treasure trove of new titles and maybe a couple of snacks. $17 at Common Deer in Burlington.
42) Miss being a Secret Santa since you retired? Metaphorically don the red suit and white whiskers when you give to Montshire Museum of Science’s Warm Welcome Program, which provides reduced admission to Vermont and New Hampshire families. Entrance to the hands-on, indoor-outdoor Norwich discovery experience — normally $18 per child and $21 for adults — drops to $3 for both, and a $165 six-person membership is just $30. Donate in person, by check or online at montshire.org.
Beauty & Body top
43) Sleep can be elusive for your political-activist boyfriend. While nighttime rumination is good for generating protest-sign puns, losing too many winks means less energy for marching. Applied before bedtime, Whipped Magnesium Butter can aid slumber — plus soothe muscles and anxiety. $34 from Williston’s Ballou Family Apothecary at balloufamilyapothecary.com. Partial proceeds support a cause worth championing: affordable childcare for working families, through the Ballou Family Apothecary Foundation.
44) In her first year at Champlain College, your niece is learning a lot — about life, her major and how a Green Mountain winter bedevils the skin barrier. Maple Milk Hydrating Mist banishes dryness with aloe, witch hazel, sweet birch and antioxidant-rich sugar maple sap — how very Vermont. Bonus: This spritz has a subtle shimmer. As Gen Z would praise, “It’s giving glazed doughnut.” $17 from Underhill’s Boheme Botanika at bohemebotanika.com.
45) A brand-spankin’-new homeowner, your bestie is relieved to be done stalking Zillow. But it’ll be a while before his bank account rebounds, so help him settle in with some Riviera Hand Towels. Made with supersoft Ethiopian cotton, the handwoven cloths feature natural colors and a ribbed texture — a beautiful touch of coastal resort aesthetic for his new bathroom. $38 each at Farm Home Marketplace in Stowe.
46) Who says you have to choose between form and function? Certainly not your great-aunt, whose impeccably curated possessions invariably check both boxes. She’ll adore pouring her signature scent into an Egg & Facet perfume bottle handcrafted by local glassblower Michael Trimpol. The elegant bubble top balances a jolt of jewel-toned color — trés chic, just like her. $185 at Little River HotGlass Studio in Stowe.
47) Since learning about Champ at the local aquarium, your kiddos have been telling tall tales about spotting him — in the lake and under their beds. Introduce a fun nighttime routine with the No More Monsters Under the Bed! Anti-Nightmare Spray. Made with local lavender for sweet — and sweet-smelling — dreams, this pillow mist promises to repel scary stuff. (We could all use that kind of protection these days!) $8 from Lavender Essentials of Vermont in Derby.
48) Your skin care-obsessed sis will try any trend, new or ancient. Annwn, a Barnard company and sheep farm, embraces the latter, making products with nourishing tallow to ensure nothing is wasted. Drawing on millennia-old wisdom and infused with aromatic farm-grown herbs, the Sheep Tallow Lip Balm is a timeless cure for cracked or chapped lips. Pucker up! $10 at annwnvt.com or Echo Market in Woodstock.
49) When it comes to beauty, your mom is no-frills. What she does get a thrill from is ditching single-use plastics, so with every shower she’ll appreciate the Deep Cleansing Scalp Support System — a set of clarifying shampoo, conditioner and deep-cleansing shampoo booster in refillable aluminum bottles. The gentle formulas, in lavender mint and wild clover, are good for sensitive scalps and sustainability-minded souls. $87 at Flourish Beauty Lab in White River Junction.
Experiences & Classes top
50) Since reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, your book club buddies have been living la vida locavore. Support a small farm-based family business (and cross all the gals off your gift list at once) when you bring them to Woolly Fun at the Sheep Shop in Woodbury. You’ll meet the sheep, learn a wool-based craft and shop handcrafted sheep milk soaps, then select next month’s title over coffee and pastries in the on-site café. $70 per adult at sheepshopvt.com.
51) Why do family reunions have to mean uncomfortable picnic tables and warm potato salad? When you send your holiday cards this year, put out a call for your clan to track down their home-movie DVDs in preparation for an old-school family movie night at the Screening Room @ VTIFF in Burlington. You can laugh, cry and reminisce together in plushy stadium seating — and with popcorn. Rentals start at $200 for three hours at vtiff.org.
52) When you were a kid, your dad hid sweets in his desk drawer, and you filched only what you thought he’d never notice. As an adult, you learned that he always knew what you were up to and regularly restocked his stash just for you. Give him an automatically replenishing supply all his own with a chocolate subscription from Adagio Chocolates in Middlebury. Choose from milk, dark or mixed, sourced from around the world. From $175 at adagiochocolates.com.
53) When you ask your teen to do anything these days, she pops in earbuds and closes her bedroom door. Luckily, there’s still one obsession from her childhood that she hasn’t left behind: horses. A winter horseback trail ride at Lajoie Stables in Jeffersonville is a guided hourlong tour through scenic woodlands and is sure to put a smile on her face. Maybe it’ll even get her talking! $70 per person. Call 644-5347 to make a reservation.
54) As a second-grade teacher, your wife works in a veritable petri dish of germs every day and usually has a crackling cough by winter break. Treat her to a 45-minute salt cave session at Purple Sage in the Essex Experience. As she relaxes in a zero-gravity chair in the candlelit room, microscopic salt particles will give her respiratory system — and her spirits — a halotherapeutic boost. $25 at purplesagevt.com.
55) A few years ago your brother showed you the draft of his screenplay, and it was actually really good! But between work, kids and the chaos of everyday life, it’s been sitting in a drawer ever since. Give him some uninterrupted time with a three-pack of day passes to Treehouse coworking space in Waterbury, where the motto is “Inspired work needs inspired space.” An in-house coffee shop will keep him fueled while he polishes his masterpiece in peace. $90 at treehousewaterbury.com.
56) She’s been your BFF since you made friendship bracelets and tie-dyed T-shirts together at summer camp. Now she’s a legit artist with studio space and a style all her own. Honor the humble beginnings that led to great things — her career and your friendship — by making a donation to the scholarship fund at ONE Arts Center in her name. The Burlington program hosts afterschool camps and classes for kids, with a focus on making art education available to everyone regardless of income. Donate at oneartscenter.com.
Listening & Reading top
57) Your 15-year-old niece recently discovered the golden age of hip-hop and has been spinning her dad’s old Gang Starr CDs. She’s also reading The Catcher in the Rye and Edgar Allan Poe in English class and not totally digging them. Show her that the classics can be cool with a copy of Freddie Losambe’s Nevermore, a concept album from one of Vermont’s most literate and imaginative rappers. He riffs on Holden Caulfield, “The Raven” and more. Name your price at freddielosambe.bandcamp.com.
58) Funding cuts and book bans make for challenging times at libraries across the country. Those stressors are compounded at Fletcher Free Library, which sits at the epicenter of downtown Burlington’s struggles yet still serves the city with dignity, grace and stacks of great books. No doubt it could use a donation in the name of your favorite righteous book lover — or perhaps in honor of Robert Resnik, the beloved Fletcher Free librarian and radio DJ who died this year. Donate at fletcherfree.org.
59) When your suburban New Jersey cousins decided to move to the Northeast Kingdom and go off-grid, you had your doubts. But they’ve made a go of it, raising chickens and pigs and growing their own veggies. They can put that bounty to good use with My Harvest Kitchen: 100+ Recipes to Savor the Seasons, the latest from best-selling author Gesine Bullock-Prado that’s all about cooking with homegrown ingredients. $35 at Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne and other local bookstores.
60) Your hipster buddy in Brooklyn is always ahead of the next big thing in indie music — he hipped you to MJ Lenderman last year and was on to Phoebe Bridgers before most folks. This year, one-up him by sliding Greg Freeman’s Burnover under his Charlie Brown Christmas tree. On the heels of raves by Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, the Burlington indie rocker is primed for a breakout. $20 at gregfreeman.merchtable.com or $27.98 at Pure Pop Records in Burlington.
61) Back in the day, the lesbian couple you roomed with in Burlington’s Old North End were your go-to live-music buddies. Now they’re married and living in Jericho with a baby, so nights out are few and far between. They can relive their greatest hits with ECHO: A Survey at 25 Years of Sounds, Art and Ink on Paper, which chronicles a quarter-century of concert posters from South Burlington nightclub Higher Ground. $59.50 at higher-ground-music.myshopify.com.
62) The $25 spending cap for your office’s Yankee gift swap makes it hard to find something your coworkers will fight over after one too many spiked eggnogs. But no matter where you work, at least a few of your colleagues are likely to be bibliophiles. So grab a “BK NRD” Vermont license plate T-shirt for $24 from Vermont Book Shop in Middlebury and spend that extra buck on a scratch ticket.
63) Dad loves a good mystery: Who left the light on in the bathroom again? Why did someone put an empty milk carton back in the fridge?! And he always gets his man. Indulge his inner Hercule Poirot with The Black Wolf, Québec mystery writer Louise Penny’s 20th book featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. $30 at the Eloquent Page in St. Albans and other independent bookstores.
Pets & Their People top
64) After learning to care for his classroom’s bearded dragon — even bringing it home for a successful weekend playdate — your fourth grader will not stop raving about reptiles. He bombards you with facts about how a snake smells with its tongue and an alligator’s eyes glow in the dark. It’s time to get him a reptile of his own. Maybe a leopard, gargoyle or crested gecko? He knows the difference, for sure. Prices vary at Home Grown Scales in Barre.
65) Your college roommate and his wife are DINKWADs — Dual Income, No Kids, With a Dog, that is — and they track their puppy’s every move on social media. Indulge their obsession with “I Fucking Love My Dog” long-sleeve T-shirts from Romeo’s Naturals in Monkton. (There’s a PG version, too.) The woman-owned business donates 5 percent of profits to animal shelters, so throw in all-natural dog treats for their fur baby, too. $34 and $13.95, respectively, at romeosnaturals.com.
66) Private space is a must for your adorably introverted feline, but under your bed isn’t the coziest (or cleanest) hiding spot. Give Fluffernutter an upgraded me-time option with a machine-washable cotton canvas P.L.A.Y. Teepee Cat Bed. He’ll get a cushy hideaway; you’ll get an attractive alternative to one of those space-sucking cat towers. $94.99 at Pet Food Warehouse in Shelburne and South Burlington.
67) The comforting clucks from next door’s chicken coop are part of the soundtrack to your daily life, and your neighbors generously share eggs. Thank them and their backyard flock with an original print from North Hero artist Sarah Rosedahl. Her plucky poultry pals get tattoos, wear boots, drive tractors and protest injustice. From $15 at Rosedahl’s studio in Burlington’s Soda Plant or at fineartamerica.com/profiles/sarah-rosedahl.
68) Your tabby, Tuna Turner, is Green Mountain born and bred, but you’re pretty sure she’s not in the “Eat More Kale” camp. She’ll be happy to play with it, though, when you get her a supply of Crunchy Kitty Kale. Filled with 100 percent U.S.-grown organic catnip, this feline pastime packs a crunch, thanks to the crinkle paper at its center. $20 at Houndstooth in Burlington.
69) When it comes to snacks, it’s not a question of sweet or salty for your mother-in-law: She’ll choose cheese every time. Her fondue is family-famous, and she even named her French poodle Roquefort! She’ll get a Gouda laugh when you gift her beloved pooch a Cabot Creamery “Vermont Seriously Sharp” Dog Squeaker toy, made from recycled plastic bottles. Rocky will also think it’s grate! $12 at cabotcreamery.com.
70) The local dog park turns into a bit of a catwalk this time of year, with pups sporting their stylish winter gear. Your doodle won’t touch those weird snow booties, but he’ll draw all eyes with his custom two-tone Color Pop Adventure Leash from Waggle, Woof and Wander in Bristol. Its patented water-, odor- and mold-proof material is stronger than leather and comes in 17 colors. $35.99 at wagglewoofandwander.com; get 25 percent off through Christmas Eve.
This article appears in 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.
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