Why shop anywhere else? Bluedotters share their favorite gifts to give and get.
Vineyarders take a lot of pride in their community — as do the local businesses, farms, artists, (and more!) who celebrate the Island and embrace the spirit of shopping local by providing us with so many amazing products. Here are some of our favorites … happy shopping!
Chilmark Coffee
“Now that I live off-Island, my mom gives me pounds and pounds of my favorite coffee beans — the Columbian blend from Chilmark Coffee! I also love sharing my favorite coffee with constantly caffeinated colleagues.”
–Julia Cooper, Social Media & Digital Content Producer
Find it at LeRoux, Cronig’s and more — see ChilmarkCoffeeCo.com for locations.
Alpaca Socks
“Simply the warmest, coziest, and most durable socks around! Like an alpaca hug for your feet. Mitts are awesome too.”
–Leslie Garrett, Editorial Director
Shop online at IslandAlpaca.com or at the farm at 1 Head of the Pond Road, Oak Bluffs
GillyB Apparel for Babies and Dogs
“Great gift for someone with a newborn or a dog! She has matching hats, onesies, and burp cloths with hand-sewn MV applique made of recycled T-shirt material. For dogs, she has hand-dyed dog bandanas.”
–Whitney Multari, Graphic Designer
Find her at Trust on Main Street, VH and on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/gillybmv; Check out her popup store schedule on her Instagram @gillybmv
High Quality Vinegar and Olive Oil from LeRoux
“LeRoux has different flavored vinegars and olive oils which make great gifts again for dinner parties or for something special from MV.”
–Whitney Multari, Graphic Designer
Find them at LeRoux at Home on Main Street, Vineyard Haven, at Alley’s General Store in West Tisbury, or at LeRouxKitchen.com
Sugar and Stone Artisan Chocolates
“Beautiful handmade local chocolates.”
–Whitney Multari, Graphic Designer
Find them on Instagram @sugarandstonechocolate
Handblown Glass
MV Glassworks creates beautiful glass vases and jewelry.
–Victoria Riskin, Founder and President
Visit their studio at 683 State Road, West Tisbury; you can also shop at MVGlassworks.com
Conrado: Thoughtfully Crafted Women’s Clothing
“Angela at Conrado has developed a thriving business with her own clothing designs and great gifts from other Vineyard makers. You can shop online as well.”
–Victoria Riskin, Founder and President
Shop in person at 75 Main Street, Unit A, Vineyard Haven; or online at ShopConrado.com
A Tote of Jellies and Jams
“Everyone loves Morning Glory Farm! On or off-Island, Mo Glo merch is a great local gift and can be bought online. Canned items such as beach plum jelly and strawberry jam can be bought in store and make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts or as part of a local goods gift basket.”
–Alison L. Mead, Digital Asset Manager and Web Producer
Visit Morning Glory Farm, 120 Meshacket Road, Edgartown; or shop online at MorningGloryFarm.com
Local Art to Fit Any Budget
“From prints to decals to apparel to notecards, there is something for every budget on local artist and angler Abe Pieciak’s online store. For those who want to really splurge, his sculpted pieces made with found materials from the Island’s beaches are unique, one of a kind and a lovely tribute to the Island and its wildlife.”
–Alison L. Mead, Digital Asset Manager and Web Producer
Find online at abraham-pieciak.squarespace.com
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver
“This book is fifteen-plus years old now, but its lessons about what it actually looks like to make a big environmental change in your life still ring true. Kingsolver writes beautifully about her family’s locavoric journey. Whether it’s possible for you to drop everything and start growing all your own food or not, I think this book remains a crowd-pleaser because it invites us to take an honest look at our environmental habits and what the process of changing them entails — the good, the bad, the ugly, and the funny.”
–Kelsey Perrett, Digital Projects Manager
Try Bunch of Grapes, Edgartown Books, or at here is an Amazon.com link.
Aromatherapy Eye Pillows and Heat Packs
“I often use my Austin Designs aromatherapy pillow at my desk. I heat it in the microwave for two minutes and put it behind my lower back — the scent is heavenly, too. I recommend buying extra covers that you can wash and preserve the longevity of your heat pack. I have bought many as gifts. Love!”
–Tara Kenny, Creative Director
Try Martha’s Vineyard Made at 29 Main Street, Vineyard Haven; Vineyard Artisans Annual Holiday Festival on Dec. 16; or online at VineyardArtisans.com and AustinDesignsMV.com
Flatpoint Farm Soaps
“I love these goat-milk soaps. Find them at the Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving and Holiday Festivals. You can also purchase from Martha’s Vineyard Made.”
–Tara Kenny, Creative Director
Find them at Allen Farm in Chilmark, Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown; check their site for other locations: FlatpointFarm.com/find-our-soap
Green Toys
“This toy ferry boat is great for kids and playful adults! The Lazy Frog sells it in store and online, so recipients can be on- or off-island. Made from 100 percent recycled plastic, the ferry boat comes with two cars to drive on and off.”
–Nicki Miller, Bluedot Santa Barbara and San Diego Editor
Visit the shop: 42 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs
Gateway Golf Discs
“Made from 100 percent recycled plastic, these discs provide a great way to get outdoors (MV has a course at the State Forest), and the whole experience is more environmentally friendly than regular golf. These discs are only sold in the store, so head over to Lazy Frog.”
–Jim Miller, Bluedot Santa Barbara and San Diego Editor
Visit the shop: 42 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs
By the Sea Salt
“I’ve been putting ‘By the Sea’ salt on bagels, fish, and more for decades. And I’ve gotten my entire extended family hooked, so I bring little bottles up as stocking stuffers. I have even had to send bottles up to (Bluedot Editorial Director) Leslie Garrett before she just decided it was easier to buy a house here and have a constant supply.”
–Jamie Kageleiry, Director of Publications
Try Larsen’s, LeRoux at Home, or their site: BytheSeaSalt.com
Soups + Sides Cookbook, by Catherine Walthers
“I had the great good luck to help taste recipes when Catherine Walthers (Bluedot’s food editor) was creating her Raising the Salad Bar, and Soups + Sides, so I can attest to how yummy (and healthful) this food is. Catherine’s always thinking about how not to waste food, so you’ll find tips like how to use a Parmesan rind (Italian Wedding Soup!). I gave this to my sister-in-law, and she loved it.”
–Jamie Kageleiry, Director of Publications
You can often find this at Bunch of Grapes in Vineyard Haven. Otherwise, here’s an Amazon link.
Find even more local at:
Martha’s Vineyard Made
Everything from chocolates to Peter Simon calendars to cute leather moccasins for babies, and all of it made by Islanders.
Shop in person or online. 29 Main Street, Vineyard Haven; MarthasVineyardMade.com
Featherstone Center for the Arts Holiday Gift Show
Dozens of Island artists and artisans; handmade creations include paintings, photography, pottery, crafts, jewelry, knitwear, clothing, ornaments, and more.
Until Dec. 17, open 12 to 4 pm daily. FeatherstoneArt.org/HolidayGiftShow
Vineyard Artisans Annual Holiday Festival
Island artisans including Beldan K. Radcliffe, Austin Designs, Chappaquiddick Wood Company, and Hypatia Book Arts
Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 am to 4 pm. VineyardArtisans.com
