Your Ultimate Maine Made Holiday Gift Guide 2017: 50 under $50

Behold! The 6th annual Maine Gift Guide!

Below we have a selection of 50 gifts under $50.

A much larger selection of gifts—hundreds, actually—can be found at Maine Gift Guide, a project of Knack Factory and Might & Main. And we’ll be adding nearly 100 more next week, so stay tuned!

All of these photographs were shot specially for this guide, and you can learn more about the photographers—and the larger creative team—here. If you would like your wares to be featured in future guides, let me know here.

Follow the Guide on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Join us on December 1st for a Maine Gift Guide silent auction, which will benefit Speak About It, the Frannie Peabody Center, and Maine Initiatives’ racial justice grant giving programs.

Also, we’ll be talking about the guide on Maine Public’s Maine Calling Friday at 1. Tune in!

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Tin ‘Can’dle by Human Nature of Maine [$10]

These Tin “Can”dles are made using natural soy wax, no colorant & pure essential oils with a hemp wick. They are hand poured into recycled cans. Choose from several natural scents. Approximately 12 oz. (size varies slightly by can). In addition, each recycled container candles are part of our program Feed the Flame. A portion of every candle sold will go to local food pantries.

BUY HERE 

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Steel Enamel Tumblers by Maineland Design Co. [$25 – $46]

Unique cups for kids can hold 10 oz of beverage, are dishwasher safe, designed in Maine and 100 percent versatile.

BUY HERE 

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Beatrice Lace Collar by Arthlin Jewelry [$34]

Statement black lace bib, a dramatic piece perfect for ball, prom or other formal events. Its thick, high quality embroidery has an intricate Victorian pattern.

BUY HERE

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Acadia National Park T-Shirt by Robert Hames Haskell [$17] 

This shirt features an original illustration by business owner Robert Haskell, who grew up right next to Acadia National Park, Maine. The original drawing is done in pen, and was then printed on shirts in his basement studio. Let others know how much you appreciate Acadia National Park by wearing this shirt everywhere you go.

BUY HERE

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Truthful Greeting Cards by The Hermes Crab [$5]

Many designs to choose from.

BUY HERE 

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Classic Log Building Set by Roytoy [$18]

Log cabin building directions included. Packed in a nostalgic canister.

BUY HERE 

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Positivity Pencils [6 pk gift set] by Earth Angels Arts [$6] 

Positivity Pencils will remind the user to stay positive, reach for joy and practice self-love and acceptance. What a great little gift!

BUY HERE

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Baby Blanket by Lilleput Studio [$48]

A soft and cozy jersey knit cotton blanket printed with our Birch Tree pattern in shades of gray and red. Lightweight and breathable; great as an extra layer in the stroller, car seat and other day to day outings.

BUY HERE 

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Dirigo Beanie by Might & Main [$35] 

A throwback to the days of our youth, this comfortable hat features the Maine state motto and tree icon knit into the side. The blaze orange pom pom is purely for safety during hunting months, of course.

BUY HERE 

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Gift Card by Buoy Local [starting at $25] 

We wanted to make gift cards matter more – matter more to the community and matter more to those who receive the card. Buoy Local® makes it easy to give the gift of local and it supports the community by being accepted only at participating locally owned shops, restaurants and businesses around Maine.

BUY HERE 

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The Entwined Hoop Earring by Stringin’ Along With ME [$20] 

Stringin’ Along with ME is a line of hand crafted jewelry created using the recycled strings from guitars, bass guitars and other stringed instruments.  Each piece is designed and created  with a hand-forged element that allows the integrity of the string to be maintained and highlighted.

BUY HERE 

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Maine Lighthouse Tee by Pinecone + Chickadee [$28] 

Maine design on a royal blue short sleeve tee. 100% cotton. Super soft and comfortable. Printed by hand in Portland, Maine with earth friendly inks.

BUY HERE 

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Dog Collar and Leash by Belted Cow Company [starting at $19]

Adventure-ready and wag-worthy, their exclusive Maine-artist designs and unmatched quality will put your pup ahead of the pack.

BUY HERE 

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Bug Light Photo Tile Coaster by Inspiredcoasters [$7]

Tile is approximately 4×4″, is tumbled travertine and has natural irregularities, holes, and markings. Image transfer was done by hand. Sealed with a layer of polyurethane to waterproof. Not dishwasher safe; wipe with damp cloth to clean.

BUY HERE

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Trajectory: Stories by Richard Russo [$18] 

Four brief but potent and surprising tales of midlife crises from the ever dependable Russo.

BUY HERE 

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Mountains of Maine T-Shirt by Hills & Trails Co. [$28]

Tri-Blend navy tee including Bigelow Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Pleasant Mountain, Tumbledown Mountain, Mount Katahdin, and Old Speck Mountain. 

BUY HERE

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After the Eclipse: A Mother’s Murder, a Daughter’s Search by Sarah Perry [$19]

A fierce memoir of a mother’s murder, a daughter’s coming-of-age in the wake of immense loss, and her mission to know the woman who gave her life.

BUY HERE 

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Retro Knit Hat by Allagash Brewing Company [$18] 

Our faves of the season! This hat invokes memories of snow forts, learning to skate, and hot chocolate with gobs of marshmallows.

BUY HERE 

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Christmas in Maine by Islandport Press [$18] 

Pulitzer Prize winning poet Robert P. Tristram Coffin’s 1941 depiction of the perfect Maine Christmas describes a farmhouse “banked with emerald jewels clustered on bayberry boughs,” a house stuffed with aunts, uncles, and cousins by the cart load, with mince pies by the legion.

BUY NOW 

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Handkerchief by Maineland Design Co. [$16]

Call it a hanky, swanky, cranky, or blankie; t’ll serve your needs. Handmade from cotton, water based ink, fabric.

BUY HERE

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Botanical Art by Kari Herer Designs  [$30] 

These handmade items, more specifically these photographs, feature materials such as roses and other flowers. They ship worldwide from the United States.

BUY HERE 

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Vacationland by John Hodgman [$25 Hardcover] 

John Hodgman is an older white male monster with bad facial hair, wandering like a privileged Sasquatch through three wildernesses: the hills of Western Massachusetts where he spent much of his youth; the painful beaches of Maine that want to kill him (and some day will); and the metaphoric haunted forest of middle age that connects them.

BUY HERE 

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Blended Coffee by Coffee By Design [$15] 

Coffee by Design make their blends with loving care. They select beans from farm partners around the world, then combine and roast each batch to just the right levels. Their signature blends – not to mention our collaborations with local restaurants and retailers – are all created to deliver a memorable cup of coffee.

BUY HERE 

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Treasure Hunter’s Kit by Moss and Grove [$37] 

Everything you need for a treasure hunt in a box to keep your treasures in forever! This kit includes a make your own treasure map, faux gold coins, pyrite and mica, a treasure hunter’s notebook and a twig pencil, a sea glass identification chart, a magnifying glass, a bag for collecting small treasures, and tourmaline filled mine tailings from Mt. Mica in Maine.

BUY NOW 

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Red Buffalo Plaid Baby Booties by Two Little Beans & Co. [$24] 

Unlike socks which so easily get kicked off, these organic baby booties will actually stay on baby’s wiggly feet. The baby booties come in a variety of fun brightly colored prints for boys and girls.

BUY HERE

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White Pine + Sage Soap by Bigfoot Soap Co. [starting at $6] 

All natural, Maine-made, plant-based soap.

BUY HERE 

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White Sand Body Cream by Finn & Co. [$38] 

Whipped with Shea Butter, infused with Vitamins A, C and E, Aloe leaf extract, and a signature White Sand scent. This body cream has notes of mandarin, honey suckle and sea salt.

BUY HERE 

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Very Machine [album] by An Anderson [pay what you can] 

This rock/punk album was composed and performed by Stefan Hanson, Ron Harrity, Dan Smith and Elijah True. Pay what you can, as all proceeds go to help pay for Elijah’s medical costs.

BUY HERE 

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Maine State Cheese Board by A & E Stoneworks [$26]

Handmade using Black Maine Slate and Food Grade Mineral Oil. Item is made to order.

BUY HERE 

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Lobster Treats for Salty Dogs by Two Salty Dogs [$11]

Made with Real Maine Lobster caught on Friendship Maine’s Own F/V “Emily”!

BUY HERE

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Large at Pendant by Tooth Fairy Handmade [$9] 

Looking for the purr-fect gift for your friends or family? Look no further than this handmade item, made out of metal, epoxy and cloth and perfect for any chain necklace.

BUY HERE 

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Organic Cologne Sampler by Portland General Store [$15]

Are you new to the Portland General Store organic colognes? Try a sampler. Order 5 or more and receive a free tin. Please note your scent choices, which include: wilder, wood, whiskey, tobacco, saltwater, professor, palo santo, moss, Maine, farmer’s, elderflower and bootlegger.

BUY HERE 

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The Maine Lobster Kit by Daytrip Society [$35] 

This compact kit comes with everything you need for a lobster feast! Picks, crackers, butter cups, and wet naps are all contained in a cute pine box with a slide top for easy storage. A fun gift for anyone who loves lobster and especially great for a wedding gift, house warming gift, or a New England summer home. Comes with 4 picks, 4 crackers, 4 stainless steel butter dishes, and 8 disposable wet naps. Made in Maine.

BUY HERE 

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Hot Sauce by Lost Woods [$5] 

Their most popular bottle. Twist top for sauce control. Great size and safe for traveling to the dinner table, picnic table or tailgate.

BUY HERE

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Drinking Chocolate by Bixby & Co. [$12] 

Four unique flavors available.

BUY HERE 

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Gift Certificate by Print Bookstore [any] 

Print, located at 273 Congress Street, features both adult and children’s titles, an active author and local event series, and children’s programming. Print is located in one of the city’s burgeoning neighborhoods, taking over designer Angela Adams’ old storefront.

BUY HERE 

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Zippered Pouch by TRÖSKÖ Design [$26]

This zippie bag has a Scandinavian inspired pattern with a big fish on a vibrant red background. It is made of 100 percent cotton twill outside and 100 percent yellow nylon inside.

BUY NOW 

 

 

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Whale Baby Onesie by Milo in Maine [$26] 

Made of 100 percent cotton (Antique: 100 percent organic cotton). Made in USA and hand printed in Maine.

BUY HERE 

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Money Clip by Hennessey Jewelry [$45] 

These money clips are available in sterling silver or bronze, and in your choice of two sizes: Narrow money clip is 2 inches long and 3/4 inches wide or wide money clip is 1-1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Your money clip can be personalized with initials.

BUY HERE 

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Welcome to Paradise Unisex T-Shirt by Fox Island Printworks [$25]

Printed with love on an island in Maine.

BUY HERE 

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Pint Glass Coozie by Maine Leather Co. [$30]

Hand stitched, fastened with brass rivets on backside. Non adjustable. Glass included.

BUY HERE 

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Knotted Necklace by Bird and Bear Boutique [$12] 

These beautiful knotted necklaces are made especially for beautiful mamas! Perfect for giving their teething babies something to pull and chew on while being held, fed, hugged, carried and snuggled.

BUY HERE 

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BeerME T-shirt by LiveME [$25] 

Show off your love for Maine beer with the original BeerME t-shirt. Support your local brewery! Available in six different sizes, three different colors.

BUY HERE 

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Fire & Smoke Sugar Cubes by Vena’s Fizz House [$8] 

These house made Fire & Smoke bitter infused sugar cubes are the perfect addition to your tequila or bourbon cocktail. Add to cocktails, mocktails, tea, seltzer, or toddies for a spicy, smokey bite!

BUY HERE 

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Cold and Flu Salve by Rooted Earth Farm [$10]

When you aren’t feeling well, using this product will help you feel much better. You can use it as a chest rub, so you can breathe in the herbs and essential oils to clear up congested respiratory passages. It has a cooling sensation that helps with fevers. Can also be used on sore/achy muscles (from working out or from being sick) because the organic menthol crystals numb your nerves.  Even better, it is made from organic oils: hemp seed, castor, and olive.

BUY HERE 

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A Dozen Cupcakes by East End Cupcakes [$28]

East End Cupcakes are passionate about giving you the highest quality product. Their signature buttercream is unlike most cake frostings you will find in the area. They use an Italian buttercream which produces a lighter, more delicate and less sweet result than an American buttercream, and offer vegan and gluten-free options as well.

BUY HERE 

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Maker’s Tools Trundle Bag by Madder Root [$45] 

Featuring a roll top design with no velcro or zippers to catch your yarn the roll top closure has a metal buckle to allow you to fold the top down and secure all your yarn, needles, and notions. Flat bottomed open it up and use it like a yarn bowl . Lined with a pocket to keep sharp needles from poking through.

BUY HERE 

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Halfway Wild by Islandport Press [$18]

Debut children’s author Laura Freudig pairs with award-winning illustrator Kevin Barry to create a poetic and playful picture book that investigates feelings, emotions, and imagination, exploring the connections we have with the animals around and within us.

BUY HERE 

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Maine Christmas Stocking by Cobalt Sky Studio [$38]

Stocking styles include whales, lobsters, anchors or crabs. You may also opt for lettering on your stocking instead! Each one is made from canvas, professionally sewn, and hand painted to your specifications. Size of stocking is 7 inches wide and 20 inches long.

BUY HERE 

 

 

 

 

Alex Steed

About Alex Steed

Alex Steed has written about and engaged in politics since he was an insufferable teenager. He has run for the Statehouse and produced a successful web series. He now runs a content firm called Knack Factory with two guys who are a lot more talented than himself.