My 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Does anyone else find holiday shopping overwhelming? My mailbox is jammed with catalogues and my email is filled with Black Friday this, Cyber Monday that. It's too much! In the holiday rush, it's easy to just buy something (anything!) rather than finding gifts that seem special and reflect the people I'm buying for. So this year I've been making a list of things that I love and that I love to give and I'm sharing it with you in case someone you're buying for would love them too!
Below, you'll find a few of my gift go-to's this year. Most of these are small businesses and some of them are from Maine. And the best Part? My favorite ones even happen to be friends and part of this Pilates community!
Laurene Richards Jewelry
Laurene creates beautiful custom designed jewelry in her home studio in Dallas. The gallery below are just some of the pieces she’s created recently and include necklaces, bolos, belt buckles, and rings. She loves the creative process and she’s happy to work with you to design a piece that’s meaningful to you that you’ll want to wear every day or on those occasions when you want something truly special. Laurene’s website is currently under construction so contact her by email at laurene.richards@icloud.com.
RanchView Artwork by April Williams
April Williams has taken a love of graphic design and applied it to digital photos to create these special keepsakes. She'll transform photographs of your favorite pet or equine into beautiful works which have a painterly quality similar to fine art pastels. Each portrait is a work of art and guaranteed to be special for the animal lover (or art lover) on your list.
RanchView Artworks. Find April on Facebook on the RanchView Artworks Facebook page or click the button below.
McLoon’s Lobster Rolls
For anyone on your list who loves lobster, the very best lobster rolls are found just down the coast from me at McLoon's Lobster Shack in Spruce Head, Maine. It's an out-of-body Maine summer experience! While the lobster shack is closed in the winter, you can order McLoon's lobster roll kits online year around through Goldbelly. They ship overnight so the lobster they catch today can be at your door tomorrow! So easy and it takes the stress out of what to give to the food lovers on your list.
Marin Skincare
I discovered Marin skincare products a year ago and I've been big fan ever since. Their cream is the best I've found for healing dry skin and has been a game changer for my dry, itchy, eczema-prone skin. And it's made from marine glycoproteins that are a by-product of lobster processing! Talk about upcycling! They also make the most amazing lip balm which comes in four flavors for the holidays. This is perfect as a stocking stuffer or for your holiday gift exchange.
Drew Doggett Photography Coffee Table Books
From my living room to yours! Drew Doggett's beautiful new equestrian-themed photography book just in time for your holiday shopping. “Untamed Spirits” is his latest endeavor documenting horses from all over the world. Or pick up “Wild” with stunning images of the wild horses of Sable Island. This is a gift for art lovers, horse lovers or anyone who appreciates a gorgeous design aesthetic.
Calyse Repurposed Saddles and Tack
Okay, so this one's pricey but for someone really special on your list (and this can include you!) here's something the equestrian fashionista will love! Made from repurposed saddles, these bags are hand made in New Hampshire by Cassandra Severino under her brand name Calyse. Each bag has unique detailing using leather and hardware from saddles, bridles and other items of tack. She releases her latest collection of bags every few months so check her website or join her mailing list for updates (her latest drop went on sale today). Or check out her saddle upcycling option - if you have an old saddle laying around consider having her repurpose it into a custom bag. Her bags are one-of-a-kind classics that will never go out of style and will last a lifetime.
Let me know what if you have any products you love, gifts that you love to give or receive and if you buy anything on my list let me know what you think. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday and a wonderful start to the new year.
