The holidays shouldn’t be stressful—but they are. On top of planning get-togethers, writing cards, and concocting excuses to get out of that office party, there’s that gift list to plow through.
The tough part is finding something that’s useful, fun, and not something they already own.
Here’s a list of out-of-the-ordinary things that can be found right here in the Hudson Valey.
For the tiny adventurers in your life—A cloth wallet with a field notebook and pencils for kids to write down what they see on their forest ambles. (SO Handmade, Woodstock)
Hikers—Memorialize that time you and your buddy summited a peak—or just admired it from the Ashokan Rail Trail—with a framed print of the Catskills, made right in Orange County. (Bold Version Design, Monroe)
If your friends love getting dirt under their fingernails—A double gift for the gardener: Beautiful flowers, plus the visiting bees and butterflies that adore them. (Hudson Valley Seed Co., Accord)
To banish local spirits—A boxed set with a candle, maple syrup, honey, note cards…and a smudge bundle with powerful effects. (Spirit Trading Co., Greene County, NY)
Forage and fun—The Outside Institute offers field guides to identify wild plants; arrange a private walk, and founder Laura Chavez Silverman will tour your property and identify all the cool wild things that are growing there. (The Outside Institute, Sullivan County)
Vintage car lovers—Ok, so you’re not actually giving someone a Mercedes-Benz. But these accessories— from handbags to keychains—are made from vintage upholstery from a Benz: Let’s call these “Mercedes-adjacent.” Best of all, Unshattered gives new purpose to the women employed there. (Unshattered, Hopewell Junction)
Clean and environmentally conscious—This cleansing oil replaces those landfill-clogging towelettes, plus it smells damn good. (Flora Beauty, Kingston).
Rebel spirit—Now THIS is something your man doesn’t have: the scent of the Hudson Valley, bottled into a cologne oil. What does the HV smell like? Why, it’s “Rebellious with Hints of Whiskey and (non-animal origin) Leather.” (Roosevelt Grooming Company, Cohoes)
For the tiny adventurers in your life—A cloth wallet with a field notebook and pencils for kids to write down what they see on their forest ambles. (SO Handmade, Woodstock)
Hikers—Memorialize that time you and your buddy summited a peak—or just admired it from the Ashokan Rail Trail—with a framed print of the Catskills, made right in Orange County. (Bold Version Design, Monroe)
If your friends love getting dirt under their fingernails—A double gift for the gardener: Beautiful flowers, plus the visiting bees and butterflies that adore them. (Hudson Valley Seed Co., Accord)
To banish local spirits—A boxed set with a candle, maple syrup, honey, note cards…and a smudge bundle with powerful effects. (Spirit Trading Co., Greene County, NY)
Forage and fun—The Outside Institute offers field guides to identify wild plants; arrange a private walk, and founder Laura Chavez Silverman will tour your property and identify all the cool wild things that are growing there. (The Outside Institute, Sullivan County)
Vintage car lovers—Ok, so you’re not actually giving someone a Mercedes-Benz. But these accessories— from handbags to keychains—are made from vintage upholstery from a Benz: Let’s call these “Mercedes-adjacent.” Best of all, Unshattered gives new purpose to the women employed there. (Unshattered, Hopewell Junction)
Clean and environmentally conscious—This cleansing oil replaces those landfill-clogging towelettes, plus it smells damn good. (Flora Beauty, Kingston).
Rebel spirit—Now THIS is something your man doesn’t have: the scent of the Hudson Valley, bottled into a cologne oil. What does the HV smell like? Why, it’s “Rebellious with Hints of Whiskey and (non-animal origin) Leather.” (Roosevelt Grooming Company, Cohoes)