Hello, friends!
It’s that time of year where we are all purchasing gifts for our nearest and dearest loved ones. I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite gift ideas for the naturalist, green thumb, wild adventurer, bird lover, leisure enthusiast and spirit junkies in your life. We intentionally shop items that can be sourced locally, handcrafted by artisans, are specially curated by small shops and will be enjoyed year after year. We love heartfelt and original gifts so be sure to personalize them with your own good vibes and super special wrapping (totally love comic section wrapping and butchers paper with handwritten notes). There are no affiliate links or sponsored items here. These are items we truly enjoy. I hope you find something inspiring. <3
The Bird Watchers
- Bird houses – handmade are so fun!
- Seeds + suet from your local co-op or farm store.
- Handcrafted wreath or garland.
- Pocket binoculars.
- Outdoor tree camera for up-close view of nests and perches. The Queen of England does this too!
- Books – bird identification and guide to feathers are both fun!
- Membership to local Audubon chapter. Michigan peeps join here!
The Green Thumb
- Organic seeds, bulbs or tubers of a unique variety. I talk about my favorite sources here but don’t miss Fedco, Harris and Fruition seeds.
- A new tree or berry shrubs. Mmmmmm, homemade jam.
- Rain chain or wind twirly. I love these copper ones from Hearth & Plow.
- Specialty Garden Book – tea gardens, herb gardens, potager or spirit gardens are all great ideas.
- Local pottery. Sturgeon River Pottery is local to us and they have some really great collections (shipping is available). I picked up a couple mushrooms for my indoor plants this Summer and love them.
- New garden gloves and/or snips. Felco F-2 shears get my vote! Made in Switzerland from steel. All parts are replaceable and sharpening is a breeze.
- Access to a private garden or green space they would find inspirational. I recently took a trip to Mackinac Island with a friend to scope out some lovely homes and gardens. The horses, the markets, a cold drink on a nice Summer day…it was a good time!
- Solar bumble bee string lights. No explanation necessary.
- A garden hod! Originally used by Maine clam diggers, these mesh bottom gathering caddies are so nice for harvesting, rinsing and drip drying all the fresh veggies.
Wild Adventurers
- Boots! Who doesn’t love a new pair! My best hiking boots are the Wolverine 1000 mile boots. I have several pairs of winter boots but am currently loving my waterproof Sorel ‘Joan of Arctic’ boot. I do have Steger Mukluks on my wish list this year! Made in Minnesota with incredible craftsmanship.
- Guided herb walk or forest meditation from a local naturalist.
- Cast iron pan + a fire based cook book. Generations of our family have passed down Lodge cast iron pans with the 10″ skillet bring our most used pan. Our beloved Dutch oven is from Staub, made in France. My wildest recipe creations are coming out of ‘The Boreal Gourmet’ recommended by my friend Melanie. Tasty stuff!
- Botanical, mushroom, wildlife identification guides. Tons of these available for many different regions. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with Peterson or National Audubon field guides if you’re not sure what to choose.
- Handcrafted wine or spirits for enjoying personally or passing around the fire. Locally, Mackinaw Trail Winery has a great red called Big Red that’s not too dry, not too sweet and perfect for gazing at the tree.
- A great hat! I have several GigiPip hats, but also wear Brixton (their tones are so rich!), Lack of Color, Michigan made Stormy Kromer and Stetson.
- New adventure experience… skiing, hiking, boating, rock climbing, etc.
- AppStore Credits – iNaturalist app membership (often free) – guides through 100+ National Parks and wildlife areas as well as identification tool for birds and wildlife. PlantSnap is fun for identifying botanicals in the wild and Merlin is a wonderful bird reference.
- A great bush craft knife and leather sheath.
- Beautiful copper fire ring. Oogling over this one!
Leisure Enthusiasts
- Handcrafted hat, mittens or scarf and luxe woolies (socks). If you don’t know anyone local, Etsy is my next destination for unique and handmade options.
- Artisan coffee and tea experience. Locally, Superior Coffee offers roasted beans and a cozy coffee shop. I also love a good french press, Teabloom blooming tea and accessories, and locally harvested blends with a homemade treat.
- Beeswax candles from the one and only Winter Bee Shop!! Incredible quality and insanely affordable. Sacia is a talented one woman show! One of my FAVORITE gifts ever!
- Cozy alpaca wool blankets from QISU cause lets be honest they are amazing every season of the year. Made in Texas and so, so soft!
- A gorgeous hammock.
- Wicker or woven picnic basket and blanket. I’ve been known to thrift amazing vintage baskets, fill them with a ready to go picnic or family game night. Great gift! I’m really loving these outdoor blankets from Wandering Folk too! So dreamy!
- Music! Such good medicine… I’m binging everything from Trevor Hall folk tunes, classic country artists Chris Stapleton and Brent Cobb, to Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater, Springsteen, J Giles Band and Bing Crosby these days.
Beauty + Body Care Guru
- Gua sha kit! Wildling stones are my absolute favorite and they have so many great tutorials on their social media!
- Handcrafted silver and/or gemstone jewelry. I have all the heart eyes for North Star Silver and Jonna Jinton creations right now.
- Organic hair, body and beauty products. Organic Bunny is my beauty pro! Tons of product advice and cruelty free brands for every glamour girl. I believe she still does complimentary consultations too.
- Handcrafted herbal bath bombs, tea, salts and soaks. Pair with a fuzzy robe or slippers and you’re good to go! I’ve got my heart set on a Bamboni robe from Saranoni. So plushhhhhhh!!
- Dry brushing tools. So amazing for lymphatics and glowing skin.
- Natural mani/pedi basket. Zoya is my low-tox polish choice these days.
- Collection of herbs, butters and organic oils to craft their own beauty. American owned Mountain Rose Herbs offers just about everything you might need on one stop!
The Creative Soul
- Natural watercolor kit and paper or canvas.
- Homemade salt dough kit with essential oils and flowers.
- Meditative coloring books with specialty pens.
- Beautifully bound journal. I find these list journals from Moorea Seal quite inspiring too.
- Painting, carving/sculpting, calligraphy or photography class.
- Macrame book and fiber.
- Maybe an instrument! Ukulele would be my choice! I am learning on a Kala uke and really enjoying it! Its not too big, not too loud and feels like a little bit like a Caribbean vacation. Waiter! Pina Colada, please!
The Spirit Junkie
- Oracle or Affirmation Cards. These seem to be all over the place these days. Books stores, occult shops, publishing houses, spiritual artists…just remember they can be a very personal experience and the receiver of this beautiful gift may already have an exact set picked out. Try to see if you can surprise them with their favorite.
- Mala necklace or bracelet. I purchased a beautiful, authentic gemstone mala with silk tassel from the Mala Collective many moons ago. It still feels brand new and I’ll keep it forever.
- Yoga mat or meditation pillows. Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Collection is my favorite!
- Meditation App/Membership, Class or Online Offering. Calm is the freaking BEST!! I have also really enjoyed the documentaries and inspirational films from Gaia.
- Beautiful crystal or dream catcher to adorn a window or nightstand.
- Sustainably harvested smudge sticks or incense. Check with your local native tribes to see if they have any wild crafted offerings.
- Night sky gazing app membership or calendars. Star Walk 2 is beautiful and the upgraded version is only $5.99.
Fshew! Are you still here? Have anything you would add? Please share your suggestions below. I’d love to hear them! Brownie points for handmade!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and whatever your holiday celebration looks like this year, I hope its full of magic and joy! Cheers!
