Photo by Christian Harder
These three Hudson Valley businesses create lovely, gift-worthy items that anyone would be delighted to discover under the tree.
Creative Candles
Looking for beautiful candles that go way beyond classic tapers? Then you’ll love this unique collection. Greentree Home Candle owner Jenifer Green believes that “creativity can make any life spectacular”—and we agree that her artistic designs will do just that. The hand-poured, long-burning candles are manufactured in the Catskills town of Delhi from 100 percent beeswax—there’s even a subtle scent of honey. We’re partial to the sculptural shapes and range of colors from pastels to jewel tones. They can be purchased online or at these Valley shops: Hammertown in Pine Plains and Rhinebeck; Juniper in Millbrook; Kabinett & Kammer in Franklin; and Minna Goods in Hudson. greentreehomecandle.com
Irresistible Syrup
If you have maple lovers on your gift list, Tree Juice will make them very happy. The mission behind the Catskills-based company is simple and sweet: Spread happiness with maple syrup. Back in 2012, co-founders Jake Fairbairn, Ryan Annetts, and Rae Brundage breathed new life into an abandoned sugar shack on the Fairbairn family’s farm and have been tapping the 8,000+ maple trees ever since. The syrup is processed traditionally on a wood-fired evaporator and is available in a wide variety of interesting flavors, including bourbon, rye whiskey, vanilla, lemon, chocolate, blueberry, cinnamon, and garlic—which you can mix and match in gift sets. For a seasonal treat, try the candy cane syrup, infused with farm-grown organic mint. Syrups can be purchased at the Arkville farm shop, online, and at various retailers. treejuicemaplesyrup.com
Heaven Scents
Courtney Somer is passionate about channeling the power of fragrance to enhance one’s wellbeing. “A health issue in my twenties set me on a path of studying alternative healing techniques and I launched Lake & Skye in 2015 with a focus on aromatherapy,” Courtney explains. Her Kingston-based business produces a line of essential oil blends, floral waters, perfumes, and candles that are organic, vegan, and cruelty free. Somer highly recommends the clean, ethereal 11 11 scent, a bestseller that she says developed a cult following from the minute it hit the shelves. Lake & Skye’s Home Collection pairs an 11 11 soy-based candle with a bottle of 11 11 fragrance oil. Local stores that carry the line include Artemesia in Hudson, River Mint Finery in Kingston, and Glo Spa in Woodstock. Or shop online at lakeandskye.com