Shop Local: Holidays Gift Guide
The holiday season is an important one for small businesses every year, and it figures to take on heightened importance in 2021.
COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses between workforce shortages and giving their all to make the best of a tough situation.
As small businesses face difficult challenges, it’s no surprise many consumers want to support locally owned small businesses this holiday season.
Small businesses are the backbone of many communities, and the holiday season provides a great opportunity to support such firms as they look to recover from a difficult year.
Meet Northport’s up-and-coming fashion mogul: ‘The Golf Boy’
NORTHPORT — The next time your child or grandchild asks you for sports apparel, it might not be of their favorite sports team. Rather, the apparel might be coming from the online clothing store, TheGolfBoy.com, launched by 11-year-old Jason Thurston, Jr., of Northport.
Thurston put his newfound entrepreneurial skills to work when browsing options for golf clothing and realized the options were not very fun, or diverse, for… Read more
Shop Local Spotlight: ornaments, jewelry from discarded lobster, mussel, oyster shells
SOUTH BRISTOL—Many Maine artists use the concept of lobster in their art, but Tenley Seiders, an artist from South Bristol, actually uses lobster claws, tails, and other parts of the shell in her elegant jewelry and ornaments.
Born in California, she was first inspired to create jewelry from the abalone shells found on Pacific beaches. From there, she delved into working with pearls and semi-precious gemstones. After spending countless summers in Maine, an “a-ha” moment occurred… Read more
Vinalhaven’s An Hanna channels creativity, passion for dogs to produce martingale collars
VINALHAVEN — When Vinalhaven’s An Hanna was searching for collars for the sight hounds she raises, she looked for the best, highest quality collar possible that looked good and would keep the dogs safe. Unable to find collars that dazzled her, she opted to create her own collars now sold through her online Etsy store, The Royal Hound, which boasts handmade martingale collars.
“I've always had an attention to detail… Read more
Shop Local: Three handmade goods that are pure ‘Maine’
Given that so many artists were hard hit economically over the COVID-19 virus, Penobscot Bay Pilot puts a spotlight on the hard-working artists and entrepreneurs in Maine. So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.
The Original Lobstah Trap Beer Caddy
Cumberland, Maine
The back story: The Lobstah Trap Caddy is… Read more
Friendship artist Duff Powell’s driftwood creations remind you of the ocean’s beauty
FRIENDSHIP — Duff Powell, a resident of Friendship, has been an artist and craftsman his entire life, and is sharing his creations made from driftwood found on Maine’s islands and coastlines through an online Etsy store, Driftwood Treasures.
“Everything that I have done in my life has led me to this passion of making beautiful handcrafted tables and furniture from ocean driftwood,” he said. “I really love… Read more
Rockland’s John Coppola: Captain by day, wood turner by night
ROCKLAND — During fishing season, Rockland’s John Coppola can be found on waters from Casco Bay to Penobscot Bay chartering fishing trips for striped bass, bluefish and bluefin tunas.
When he is not at the helm of a boat, wood turner Coppola is in his workshop crafting wooden handmade segmented bowls, bottle stoppers and ice cream scoopers.
Coppola opted to begin selling his Northeast Woodworks products online via Etsy… Read more
Shop Local: Three ‘Clutter-Free’ Gifts of Experiences
Giving someone the gift of services or an experience this season is one way to free the world of extra stuff and clutter, but it also supports many of the hard-working businesses in our community at the same time. It’s a win-win! So each week, until Dec. 25, we will bring you this series until you can’t take it anymore. Ready. Set. Go.
Traveling Escape Games
Edgecomb, Maine (But… Read more
Shop Local: Three unique Maine eats
Each December, we shine the spotlight on Maine craftspeople who make products by hand. This week, we focus on those who work out of their homes, farms and kitchens to make quality products, using unique Maine flavors and ingredients. Best of all, all of these items can be picked up locally and shipped.
Toddy Pond Farm Fromage Blanc
Monroe, Maine
… Read moreResources
PenBayPilot.com’s business directory
PenBayPilot.com’s Midcoast Entrepreneurs hub
Eco-friendly gift options
The saying “the more the merrier” certainly applies during the holiday season. But during a season of big gifts, extra food and travel, “more” can exact a heavy toll on the environment.
According to Stanford University, Americans generate 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve than during the rest of the year. But there are various eco-friendly gifts that can make great presents and benefit the environment at the same time.
Purchase experiential gifts
When making holiday shopping lists, think of gifts that offer experiences rather than material goods.
Gifts that involve experiences, such as going to a sporting event or attending a play or musical, decrease reliance on wrapping paper. Such gifts also reduce clutter in the recipient’s house and conserve the resources otherwise used to manufacture alternative items that would have been purchased.
Experiential gifts that also tap into environmental pursuits, such as touring with an animal rescue group, or accommodations at a carbon-neutral hotel can be an added bonus.
Opt for locally made gifts Select gifts made by local artisans or companies that operate domestically. This cuts down on the carbon emissions from having to ship products from long distances or even overseas.
Get crafty
Gifts from the kitchen or ones made by the giver can be crafted from sustainable materials. They also show how you care by taking the time to customize a gift for the recipient.
Avoid gag or useless gifts
Select gifts only with utility in mind.
Skip purchases that are made only to beef-up the look of presents under the tree or to make it appear that gifting was more generous.
Items that a person cannot or will not use will ultimately be relegated to the trash, which is wasteful.
Wrap in reusable materials Fancy wrapping paper certainly looks nice, but choose other materials that can be reused.
Look for decorative tins, boxes, fancy gift bags, and other items that can be reused for years to come.