Your 2017 Guide to Local, Handmade Gifts on Etsy

Of all the great things about shopping local, making online purchases in the middle of the night isn’t necessarily one of them. Often, the local businesses that actually have websites offer just a handful of their in-store selections, and with their inventories constantly updating, could you really blame them? 

So if you’re reading this at 2 a.m., you should probably go to bed, but before you do, check out the hundreds of Hudson Valley vendors on Etsy, the virtual artisan market where buyers can purchase directly from crafters. And if you’re in search of a holiday gift for a special someone, we’ve already done the hard work for you. Here are 10 incredible locally made gifts that are all under $100, so you can purchase some of these for yourself too.

Handmade from paper and painted with ink, this festive ornament is as delicate as it is precious. What starts as essentially a brown paper bag is transformed through days of layering, pinning, and gluing. It’s then adorned with tiny pearl pins and a sturdy decorative silver button, giving it a classic, vintage vibe that’s perfect atop any tree. More than 30 other styles and colors are available through ElegantOrnament’s Etsy shop, so you can purchase a truly unique creation for everyone on your list.

This artfully crafted statement piece is dressy enough for your fingers to feel finished, but still understated enough for everyday wear. It’s originally hand carved from wax, then cast in solid brass and hand polished for a light-reflective mirror-like finish. And if you’re more of the necklace-wearing type, OwlkillStudio’s Etsy shop also has many to choose from.

We all know that alcohol can sometimes be the ultimate cure-all, but add this to your craft cocktail concoction, and let’s just say you’re set. This healthful mixture of mixture of elderberries, elder flower, ginger, apple cider vinegar, and honey is everything your body needs and your tastebuds want. And considering it contains Vitamin C and anti-viral properties, it makes for great supplement with seltzer or drizzled as a dressing. Other flavors like honey ginger, fennel, and fire are also available and in-demand.

If you’ve got a finicky foodie on your hands, think outside the generously filled gift basket and consider giving them something that every cheese-eater would adore. The ceramic serving platter and charming cheese markers are individually handmade from strong white stoneware clay with influence from the many shapes, colors, and textures of the Hudson Valley’s unique landscape.

This handmade play mat is made from 100% organic cotton, making for a great, guilt-free gift for any tot. The design features the Hudson River loud and proud, complete with a bridge and lighthouse landmarks. The set also comes with an adorable wooden tug boat toy that lends for hours of happy entertainment and play. 

Whether used as a pencil case or make up bag, this pouch is exactly what every organized girl-on-the-go needs. It’s stylishly designed from a scrap of Marimekko fabric and sewn sturdily to protect small-sized knick knacks. Over 100 other designs through handjstarcreations’s Rye-based Etsy shop guarantee a good fit for every possible personality. 

Vintage sentiments merge with modern necessities, making for a unique razor set that’s equally as functional as it is rich in local history. The water-resistant razor handle and stand are constructed from 125-year-old American Chestnut wood, originally part of a circa 1892 beam from a Kingston home. The metal finishes are also luxurious, plated with a bright 24k Gold for a vintage vibe that that any gift-receiver would adore.

Good for a feature wall or simply plopping atop the fridge, these minimalist natural wood flower vases add that extra something your space might be lacking. Inside, a plastic test tube holds water to keep flowers fresh, and for that one friend who can’t seem to keep plants alive, dried flowers also add a personal touch.

Let’s be real, everyone could use some added relaxation around the holidays. So if the scents of Italian bergamot, jasmine, pepper, and cedar wood sound soothing, you may have just found the gift to top your holiday wish list. Because the fragrance is both both feminine and bold, it makes for the perfect gift for anyone in need of a little R&R.

Complete your baby’s room with a mobile that’s created with warmth and love. Individual felt flowers are handmade, making each piece uniquely adorable. And if you’re looking for a statement that’ll perfectly suit the color scheme of your nursery, all of the flowers, leaves, and base colors are completely customizable. Still on the search? Check out MomsOfRoyal’s other mobiles and nursery decor.