15 Handpicked Vermont-Made Gifts for Every Occasion
As the holiday season twinkles into view, and the frenzy of Black Friday shopping has passed, there’s nothing quite like the charm and warmth of Vermont-made gifts to spread the festive cheer. If you’re anything like me, these weeks before Christmas are a favorite time to shop!
One of the best things about living in Vermont is the easy access to so many delicious local food items, handmade goods, and gear companies that are based here. It’s a treasure trove.
Looking for the perfect present for the outdoor enthusiast in your life or a foodie who loves to indulge? Or maybe a special something for those who adore beautifully crafted wearables and home goods? My list of favorites has you covered with unique, must-have items!
Enjoy, whether you’re looking for something special for your family, a thoughtful gift for a friend, or even a little treat for yourself!
Each item in this holiday gift guide has been handpicked with love, some recommended by my friends, showcasing the best of what our local artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs have to offer in our home state.
1. Vermont Gloves
Vermont Glove specializes in tough and durable hand-crafted leather gloves and mittens, crafted with high-quality materials and designed for both professional and everyday use. You’ll often see them worn by skiers in Vermont!
These tough-as-nails gloves are all made to last and are hand-sewn in their factory in Randolph, Vermont. All gloves eventually need replacing, am I right? So this is a great gift for someone who “already has everything.”
2. Thuja Apparel
If you’re looking for a unique Vermont gift for an outdoorsy person, check out Thuja’s custom outdoor apparel, such as their signature Burrow Hoodie. It’s not often that you can find handmade outdoor apparel! These hoodies are the best and make the perfect mid-layer when skiing.
Thuja offers a blend of style, functionality, and environmental sustainability and their customizable options allow you to create a personalized and meaningful gift because you even get to pick the colors!
3. Darn Tough Socks
Well, maybe you’re thinking socks aren’t the most sexy gift, or are they? Everyone loves a nice new pair of quality socks, especially cozy wool socks that last a long time. My sock drawer is filled with socks in their fun patterns, from stripes to woodland animals.
Expect Darn Tough socks to be the most durable you’ve ever owned. However, if they fall short of this standard, you can return them to the company for a replacement pair! They really stand by their products.
4. Cabot Cheese
It’s likely you already know all about Cabot Creamery Cheese (and how yummy they are) but did you know about their stellar gift bundles that can ship right to your door? For example, you can order a Winter Fondue Kit for Two or a Cabot X Tony’s Chocolonely Pairing Pack!
I think their aged cheddars, in particular, are a standout. Besides the classic cheddars, Cabot Creamery also excels in gourmet flavored cheeses. These Vermont cheeses are made with pure, rich milk straight from family farms, ensuring top-notch quality and flavor.
5. Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream
Vermont ice creams have earned some attention because we have so many mouthwatering options in the state. Well, Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream brings a scoop of joy a bit further with their ice cream subscriptions!
Imagine a delicious surprise at your doorstep three, six, or twelve times a year! Choose from four or six-pint packs, bursting with whimsical flavors like “Chocoholics” and “Taste of Vermont.” This gift is perfect for ice cream aficionados and those with a sweet tooth. What’s not to love?
6. Sparkling Maple Syrup
Our family has recently started to indulge in Snow Globe Sparkling Maple Syrup around the holiday season on our pancakes. It’s made in Cambridge, Vermont by the family-owned Runamok company. I am not sure there is anything that can make a Christmas breakfast more festive!
Your kids will giggle delightfully as they pour this magical syrup over some yummy blueberry bread pudding and dip their strips of bacon into it for some extra fun. Get yours now, this is going to be a huge hit! Pure maple syrup is perfect but add in some sparkles and it’s epic. The tiny bottles make great stocking stuffers!
7. von Trapp Cheese
If you were not familiar with the option of ordering amazing gooey cheese straight from the von Trapp Farmstead, you are now! You can find special gift packages like the Baked Bloomy, The Vermonter, and Cheese Please, all of which are to die for!
They also offer mix-and-match options with individual cheeses like Savage, Mt Alice, and Mad River Blue. Additionally, there are unique items like Whey-Fed Pork Salami, Nosy Cow Stickers, “I ❤️ Cheese” Socks, and more.
8. Lake Champlain Chocolates
A box of chocolates is one of the most beloved edible gifts around the holiday season! Lake Champlain Chocolates has seemingly endless options for those chocolate lovers in your life and they make really tasty treats.
You can purchase gift boxes of truffles, peanut butter cups, peppermint bark, caramels, and so much more. I am also a fan of their hot chocolate mix. Their offerings are perfect stocking stuffers for everyone in your family!
9. Skida Hats
Skida’s got some super cool gifts, especially their hats! They’re all about colorful, playful designs in a variety of styles like beanies, brim hats, and fleece hats. A Skida hat is a fun, useful, and thoughtful gift for your friends who love to stand out.
These hats are very popular and are perfect for winter adventurers or anyone who loves adding a pop of color to their outfits. Plus, they’re made with recycled materials, so you’re also doing a bit of good for the planet.
10. No. 19 Skin Products
For the person in your life who cares about their skin AND natural ingredients check out No. 19 products! This is more than a skincare brand; it’s a fierce tribute to Janie, the founder’s late daughter. Created in her memory, each product reflects a commitment to purity and sustainability.
Crafted in Vermont using eco-friendly methods, including solar power, these small-batch products not only nurture the skin but also honor Janie’s legacy. A portion of sales supports empowering young women, embodying Janie’s spirit, and leaving a positive impact on the world.
11. Handmade Pottery
There are so many excellent potters throughout Vermont and most of them will ship to you! A couple of my favorites are K.B. Ceramics based in southern Vermont and Jeremy Ayers, based in Waterbury, VT. I own multiple pieces from each artist.
Both are exceptional potters, make beautiful functional pots, have self-owned businesses without mass-produced items, and throw all the pieces themselves. A new coffee or tea mug is always a welcome gift!
12. Queen City Dry Goods House Shoes
Looking for a cozy gift? Check out Queen City Footwear’s Vermont House Shoes. They’re like a warm hug for your feet! They are made with soft leather and come in cool styles like hi-tops and mules.
These homemade shoes are perfect for lounging at home with a touch of Vermont charm! They are a practical and thoughtful gift and they’re great for anyone who loves to kick back in style. Check out their other goods too such as wallets, sunglasses cases, belts, and more!
13. Jen Khan Jewelry
Jen Khan Jewelry has established a well-deserved following over the years. She makes exquisite pieces in what she calls a modern bohemian style drawing inspiration from both industrial and natural forms.
Her earrings are immensely popular. Jen and her pieces can be found at The Soda Plant (with 40 other artisans) in Burlington, numerous stores around Vermont, and she also ships her work. Handmade jewelry is the perfect gift for someone who enjoys adding some flair to their style!
14. Handmade Soap
Some of my favorite soaps are made right here in the Green Mountain State! Both companies have soaps that have ingredients that are both kind to your skin and the environment. Elmore Mountain Farm Soap Works carries festive scents such as Christmas Soap, Pine Forest, and Spearmint Bergamot which I love.
Green Village Soap Company is a small business in the Northeast Kingdom of VT. They craft amazing natural, nourishing soaps like Clove, Orange, Rosemary, & Eucalyptus (my favorite), a perfect blend of refreshing and soothing scents.
15. Big Picture Farm Caramels
Big Picture Farm is a total gem for caramel lovers with an artisan flair! They’ve got amazing farmstead goat milk caramels that have won heaps of awards. They’re all about quality, using GMO-free, local, and/or organic ingredients along with fresh, creamy goat milk from their happy goats.
The Sea Salt & Vanilla and Chai flavors are just out of this world – sweet, and creamy, with that perfect kick of flavor. They’ve got a whole range of other fun flavors too, like Maple Cream and Cocoa Latte. Perfect for gifting or, let’s be real, treating yourself!
This and That
- Johnson Woolen Mills – a wide range of high-quality wool clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.
- Butternut Mountain Farm – Some of the best pure Vermont maple syrup and maple products including delicious maple sugar.
- Eden Specialty Ciders – They offer a unique Cider Club where members receive quarterly shipments of their artisanal ciders, with options for Ice Cider only, Harvest Ciders only, or a mix of both.
Do you have more ideas? Share them with me in the comments and maybe someone will read your note and buy it for you!
