Small Business Saturday 2021: Massachusetts Holiday Gift Guide

MASSACHUSETTS — You could just send a gift card or go on Amazon and snag a deal to have a gift wrapped and shipped directly to the people on your holiday gift list.It's a busy time of year, and we won't judge if you take the easy way out.

But if you're looking for something unique —not to mention something that will support local businesses —there's no better day than Small Business Saturday to find gifts that are made in Massachusetts, Massachusetts-themed, or both.

Independently owned boutiques, gift shops, mom-and-pop hardware stores, restaurants and the like in Massachusetts are facing unprecedented challenges as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic changes how Americans do their holiday shopping. You can search the list of local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday

In the meantime, we spent Black Friday getting ready for Small Business Saturday by looking for gifts that have Bay State flair. Here are our favorites for the 2021 Holiday Season:

Under $30

617 Rock Glass, $16.95 from Greentail Table (Newton): Pay homage to the state's favorite area code with a set of four rocks glasses engraved with 617. Greentail Table also has a wide selection of Newton-themed products. Our favorite is the Newton cheese board gift set ($28).

Taco earrings, $18 from Scrumptious Doodle (Worcester): The detail on these handmade earrings is exquisite. And if tacos are your gift recipient's thing, they have loads of other food-themed jewelry options to choose from.

Deacon Giles Yankee Vodka, $24.99 from Deacon Giles Distillery (Salem): Loads of craft distilleries are popping up on the North Shore, and Deacon Giles has been producing craft batches of vodka and gin in Salem since 2015. While you can buy their Yankee Vodka at local package stores, it's also worth taking a trip to tour their facility. Prefer your liquor on the brown side? Try Privateer Rum out of Ipswich.

The Somerville onesie, $26 from Magpie (Davis Square): The 100% certified organic cotton knit and hand silk-screened was made exclusively for Magpie, meaning you won't find this onesie for your favorite little one anywhere else. Available in sizes 3-6 6-12 and 12-18 months.

Hot sauce variety pack, $26.87 from Hillside Harvest (Milton): Born in Jamaica, Hillside Harvest founder Kamaal Jarrett moved to Milton as a child. His company's products take the best culinary elements from his native Jamaica and his new home in America. The hot sauce variety pack is the perfect way to get a taste of what Hillside Harvest is all about.

Dumpling making class, $33 from MeiMei (Boston): Want to give an experience instead of a thing? Despite moving online as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, these dumpling making classes are still a hit with students. MeiMei also offers a noodle making class for $45.

Under $75

Gluten-free “Cake And Cookies” Gift Box, $43 from Annie's Gluten Free Bakery (Shirley): Who says gluten free can't taste good? This gluten-free bakery in Shirley offers loads of celiac-friendly holiday treats. The "Cake and Cookies" gift box includes 1-pound Flourless Chocolate Cake and one package each of Chocolate-Drizzled Coconut Macaroons, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Cookies, and Chocolate Sugar Cookies.

Speckled white olive oil decanter by Jeremy Ogusky ($48): Handmade by a local potter, this decanter includes a cork pourer that fits snugly in the top and is available on Ogusky's etsy shop. You can find more products and information about the artist on his Website.

Wine Club subscription from Urban Grape in Boston's South End ($50 and up): Urban Grape urges wine lovers to "drink progressively," and they can help with a monthly wine club subscription. Each monthly package includes four bottles, with prices going as high as $235 for the most expensive offering.

Olive wood cutting board by Massachusetts artist Brittney Carbone ($55): We love usable art, like this olive wood cutting board for sale as of this writing on the artist's Website. Because everything for sale on Carbone's Website is one-of-a-kind, there's a good chance it will be gone by the time you read this. The good news is she has dozens of other unique gifts for sale among a wide range of prices.

$75 and Up

Custom gift basket from New England Country Market ($75-$500): Have a loved one who can't make it home to Massachusetts for the holidays? Send them a taste of New England with a custom gift basket from this Chelsea-based company that celebrates all edible things local.

Febe Hobo Gold Crackle Italian leather shoulder bag, $378 from Lara B designs: Locally made and handcrafted from Italian leather, this shoulder bag has an outside smartphone pocket for easy access and a roomy, interior pocket with a leather pull string closure.