Sometimes your family and friends make it easy for you to buy them gifts — small children are fun to spoil, newlyweds and recent homebuyers need all sorts of stuff, and music or sports lovers will take albums or memorabilia every year. But sometimes, it’s difficult.
That said, if you want to find something for the Bangor area resident that not only thoughtful, but also something that’ll make a direct impact on folks in your community, look no further than this hyper-local gift guide. It contains 20 things that come directly from the Bangor area — from Old Town to Frankfort, and from Corinth to Bucksport. In some cases, you might even be able to meet the people that made your gift in person! How’s that for local?
Even better, every artisan, crafter, foodmaker or business here offers something that costs $20, or, in most cases, much less — so you can buy local without breaking the bank.
Give to those you love, and in the process, give back to your community. Now that’s the holiday spirit.
“Greetings from Bangor Maine” mugs, t-shirts and postcards
The brightly colored “Greetings from Bangor Maine” mural that graces the side of the McGuire building in downtown since Fall 2014 is already an icon of the Queen City. Now you can own a little piece of it with the mugs ($14), t-shirts ($22) and postcards ($1.50) available at The Rock & Art Shop on Central Street. Proceeds will benefit the Beautification Committee of the Downtown Bangor Partnership.
Char Chiarito Designs
This Carmel resident makes ingeniously repurposed jewelry and accessories out of truly unique things, whether it’s a rock n’ roll necklace made from Scrabble squares, bracelets made from old computer parts, earrings made from guitar picks, or purses made from cigar boxes. Char Chiarito-Childs calls it “upcycled and wearable art.” Presently, her work is available at Retro Swagger in downtown Bangor; she also sells at craft fairs and can be found on Facebook.
Beer, wine and cider from local breweries
We’re right in the thick of the Bangor beer renaissance, so for an affordable treat, pick up a six pack or big bottle from either Geaghan’s Brothers Brewing, Penobscot Bay Brewery/Winterport Winery, Friar’s Brewhouse, Black Bear Brewery or Sea Dog Brewing Company, all of which bottle and sell locally at places like Bangor Wine & Cheese Company, Swett’s Hogan Road Deli and State Street Wine Cellar in Bangor, Burby & Bates in Orono or Tiller & Rye in Brewer.
Maine Shellware mugs, jewelry, ornaments and cutlery
Get a piece of the Maine ocean with Maine Shellware products, all of which are made in Bangor by Nicole and Michelle Klam. Shells are crafted into a unique, mottled material used to decorate and array of objects, including lobster picks ($14) and crackers ($25), ornaments ($18), bracelets and earrings ($20) and one of its most popular items, travel mugs ($20). Available at Rebecca’s, Giacomo’s and at the Natural Living Center in Bangor, Tiller & Rye in Brewer and Old Paddy Hollow in Holden.
NyNy’s Nest crocheted items
Levant grandmother Chrystal Adams crochets all sorts of adorable things for her five grandchildren. Her oldest grandson nicknamed her NyNy, and it stuck. She specializes in one-of-a-kind, handmade crocheted crafts for babies and toddlers. She the most darling little children’s clothing, including booties ($15) sweet animal-themed hats ($15-$30), toddler purses ($20), blankets ($20) and cardigans ($35). They are available by ordering via NynysNest@gmail.com, or at Maine Cloth Diaper Company in downtown Bangor.
Ken’s Wicked Good Lip Balm
If your smoochers are feeling a little dry and cracked, look no further than Ken’s Wicked Good Lip Balm, made in Brewer with avocado oil and mango butter by Ken White, in nine yummy flavors including chocolate, raspberry, pina colada and Christmas peppermint. You can buy balm locally at just $4 a stick at Huckleberries Gift Shop in Brewer.
Savour Chocolatiers
In her Veazie chocolate kitchen, Kim Dagher makes to-die-for treats that any candy lover will crave. Truffles, caramels, brittles, toffees and chocolates are made using premium Belgian and Swiss chocolates and natural ingredients. You can buy these goodies — priced between $3 and $16, as well as larger specialty boxes — at Rebecca’s, Bangor Wine & Cheese Company, Frank’s Bakery and Sweet Stuff at the Bangor Mall, all in Bangor, as well as at the EMMC and St. Joseph’s Hospital gift shops.
Todd’s Salsa
When he’s not letting folks in Eastern Maine known what the weather’s going to be like, WABI meteorologist Todd Simcox is a salsa man. Todd’s Salsa, available at Hannafords, Tradewinds, Ledbetter’s, Dysarts and many other locations, is priced at just $5 and is available in mild, medium, hot, habanero, pineapple, chipotle or maple flavors; there’s also his new Inner Beauty hot sauce, priced at $9.
Champion the Cure-naments
In Aug. 2014, 5-year-old Tyler Priest participated in EMMC’s Champion the Cure Challenge to raise money for local cancer research. In Dec. 2014, Tyler started selling handmade Christmas ornaments, called “Champion the Cure-naments,” for $5 each, raising $1500 in total. Tyler, now 6, is making ornaments again this year, for sale at the Old Town Recreation Department during business hours, and at Old Town High School, 6:15-7 p.m. Dec. 10, Bangor High School 2:15-3 p.m. Dec. 13, Governor’s Restaurant in Old Town 4-8 p.m Dec. 15, and Old Town Elementary School, 6:15-7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17.
Dichroic glass by Glass Orchid
This Frankfort-based studio creates brilliantly colored dichroic glass items, including a $20 tin of lovely magnets for the fridge. They also make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry, starting at $22 and going up. Glass Orchid products are available online at their Etsy shop, and at glassorchids.com.
Eye Catching Jewelry
Charm bracelets, charm earrings and necklaces and fun, funky keychains are the main things Apryl Stanley of Corinth-based Eye Catching Jewelry makes. Her earrings and bracelets, priced around $20, and her keychains, priced around $6.50, are available to purchase online at eyecatchingjewelry.com or in stores at Rebecca’s in Bangor, the Old Town Trading Post, or Van Raymond Outfitters in Brewer.
Savage & Sons Coffee
Small-batch roasted coffee, made right in Bangor by local boy Jeff Savage. We’re pretty sure that it’s that — not mass-produced swill — that’s the best part of waking up. You can buy one of Savage’s delicious, fair-trade blends at Hannaford Supermarkets, or at local stores like Rebecca’s or Van Raymond Outfitters.
Gentle Meadow Goat Farm body products
For a locally-sourced treat that’ll leave you feeling soft and sweet-smelling, try the handcrafted products from Gentle Meadow Goat Farm in Winterport, Soaps and lotions made from all-natural goat milk, priced at between $5 and $15 for most items. It’s available online at their Etsy shop, or at the Creatively Maine pop-up shop in downtown Bucksport through the end of December.
3 Legged Dog 8×10 prints
Lyndsey Marston Monroe creates bold, charming prints of animals, plants and household items, elevating simple things to the iconic. She’s got lots of cards of both the holiday and year-round variety, as well as a number of 8×10 prints for $15 and 11×14 prints for $25. For the animal lover in your life, 3 Legged Dog prints are a winner. They are available at the Creatively Maine pop-up shop in Bucksport, at Daffodils, also in Bucksport, and on the 3 Legged Dog Etsy store online.
Maine Scents and Seasons candles and potpourri
Once again, the Creatively Maine pop-up in Bucksport shine a spotlight on a local artisan — candles, potpourri and other nice-smelling things made by Maine Scents and Seasons, based out of Hampden. Make your home smell like apple pie, the Maine woods or cranberries and spice, in an all-natural, locally-made alternative to chemical-based scents at big box stores. Available at Creatively Maine or by emailing mainescentsandseason@gmail.com.
Studio Three 14 jewelry and ornaments
Made locally by a mother, father and daughter in Milford, take your pick of either gorgeous glass Christmas ornaments ($20), sweet little earrings ($14) or an assortment of rings, bracelets and other jewelry items, as well as home decor. Available at Creatively Maine in Bucksport through the end of December.
Books by local authors
Local authors published a number of wonderful books this year, including Ardeana Hamlin’s “The Havener Sisters” (Hampden), Richard Shaw and Brian Swartz’s “Legendary Locals of Bangor” (Bangor) and Douglas Coffin’s children’s book “One Maine Christmas Eve” (Stockton Springs). Available where books are sold.
New England Cupboard products
Did you know that Bakewell Cream — legendary for its assistance in making sky-high biscuits — is made right here in the Bangor area? New England Cupboard, which manufactures in Hermon, makes Bakewell Cream, as well as an assortment of baking mixes, spice rubs, dip mixes and dog treat mixes. Almost everything is priced between $5 and $10, and it’s available at Hannaford and other grocery stores through the region.
Madder Root tea towels and bags
For the sweetest looking holiday table around, Christina from Madder Root in Old Town makes gorgeous, hand-printed linen tableware, as well as tote bags, inspired by nature. Prices start at $11 and go up; Madder Roots products are available on their Etsy.com store online, and at The Rock & Art Shop,
Blueberry ware mugs
Available exclusively at Rebecca’s in downtown Bangor, the folks at the Creative Arts Center in Brewer make charming, lightweight-yet-durable ceramic blueberry-decorated ware, including mugs that are especially ideal for toasty hot beverages in the middle of winter. Priced at just $9, they’re affordable too.
