Consider this your shortcut to thoughtful giving. We scouted Maine shops and makers to find small delights for stockings, gracious host gifts that travel well, and a shelf of Maine books curated by PRINT: A Bookstore. From kitchen keepers to page-turners, these picks feel personal and useful, with a spark of joy. Shop local, wrap with care, and send a little bit of Maine with every gift. And be sure to build in margin for joy—the moments are the real gifts.
1. KelpGlow® Facial Oil, Signature Citrus | $61 (1oz) or $28 (10mL) | coldcurrentkelp.com | 2. LooLoo Wool Dryer Balls, 3-Pack | $33 | loo-hoo.com | 3. Love Mert Marbled Eye Pillow | $35 | fitzandbennetthome.com | 4. Little Red Cup Tea Co. Four Tea Gift Sampler | $29.50 | littleredcuptea.com | 5. Rosemont’s Year of Flower Bouquet Subscription | $192 | rosemontmarket.com | 6. Human Nature Handmade Soap Bar, Casco Bay Breeze | $7 | humannatureofme.com | 7. Ragged Coast Pear Champagne Truffles | $18.50 | raggedcoastchocoloates.com | 8. Liis Luxury Fragrance | $175 | shop-loom.com | 9. Shore Soap Co. Body Balm | $12 | fitzandbennetthome.com
For the Host
Thoughtful bring-alongs that get used and loved. Think table-ready treats, small kitchen helpers, and easy pairings. Wrap with care, add a note, and leave your hosts with something beautiful—a thanks and reminder that gathering is the greatest gift.
1. Near & Native Winter Woods Wooden Wick Candle | $32 | shopnearandnative.com | 2. Vena’s Fizz House Nipper Sampler Flight | $31 | venasfizzhouse.com | 3. Erin Flett Kelly Vase of Flowers Hand-printed Linen Tea Towel | $24 | erinflett.com | 4. Sarah Madeira Day 2026 Calendar | $42 (with stand) $28 (without) | sarahmadeiraday.com | 5. Rosemont Breakfast Box | $69.99 | rosemontmarket.com | 6. Sea Bag Anchor Pop Wine Bag | Recycled Sail Bags | seabags.com | 7. Serving Friends, Large Flowers | $55 | store.portlandmuseum.org | 8. Turley Juvenile Zinfandel 2023 | $29.99 | oldportwineandcigar.com | 9. 44oz Squiggle Pitcher | $20 | store.portlandmuseum.org
Homegrown Reads to Gift
From picture books to page-turners, this Maine-made stack fits every reader. A huge thank you to PRINT: A Bookstore for curating this list, which is no small feat in a state brimming with writers and storytellers. How lucky are we?
Fiction: 1. Until Alison by Kate Russo | $30 | 2. Heart the Lover by Lily King | $28 | 3. Euphoria by Dave Patterson | $20 | Poetry: 4. Towards a Retreat by Samaa Abdurraqib | $12 | Nonfiction: 5. The Freedom Trail: Portland Maine and the Underground Railroad by Paul Ledman | $10 | 6. Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan | $29 | Kids Fiction: 7. If I Built a Town by Chris Van Dusen | $19.99 | 8. Broken by X Fang | $18.99 | Kids Nonfiction: 9. Sweet & Salty!: King Arthur Baking Company's Cookbook for Young Bakers by Jessica Battilana | $21.99 | Books available at printbookstore.com. Or shop in person at Print: A Bookstore at 237 Congress Street in Portland.