Ten Times Gift Guide
The Local & Handmade Stuff I Use All the Time
It’s the first ever Ten Times Gift Guide! I realized as I was making dinner the other night that I’ve slowly gathered a collection of lovely, hardwearing goods from small businesses. I use this stuff almost daily. I’m pretty picky about what I bring in to my house, so everything listed has my full stamp of approval. Most of it’s from businesses in downtown Sioux Falls, and I’ve linked to their online shops when available.
Kitchen
Staub Dutch Oven
From Plum’s Cooking Company (I don’t see the glass lid version, but it’s this size. And here’s another on sale). Found on super sale. It’s an heirloom worth saving up for. I use mine CONSTANTLY now that winter’s hit.
Wooden Spoon
From Sharing the Dream. I love a good wooden spoon. These are just right. Not too chunky, and they're sold individually instead of a dumb multipack you’ll never use all at once. Add some wood wax for an A+ gift. Big spoon // little spoon.
Silicone Baking Mat
From Terra Shepherd. I hate washing sheet pans, all bulky and weird in the sink. With this, I can peel the crud off and just wash the flexible mat.
Cookbooks
From Bookshop.org. I'm obsessed with Smitten Kitchen. Ever try to get your foodie friends to stan a recipe developer? The one I’m always trying to introduce is Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen, and for some reason, it’s a tough sell. Well, until I make said friends something from her website or cookbooks. Keepers is her newest book and it’s very very good. I’ve already made lentils with goat cheese, caesar-salad style white beans, and salt & vinegar cabbage. Trust me, it’s all good.
Also! Cooking for One! It’s a great gift for a recent grad just learning the ropes or someone who cooks all the time but is sick of mental math to size down recipes from an 8-person portion. Smart and helpful!
Tumbler
From One Eyed Cat Crafts (looks like my version isn’t available, but try Napoleon, Ron Swanson, or Mr. T-Rex). I've been told “It’s so gorgeous it shouldn’t have that picture on it” which cracks me up. It fits in a car cupholder! I always feel less rushed or something using this over a true travel mug. I like to live dangerously with open containers (of tea) on the go.
Soap & Dish
From Herbal Beauty (soap) & Terra Shepherd (dish). In high school, I nannied for the family who makes this soap and would come home smelling amazing —essential oils all blended together. It’s the best handmade soap I’ve ever used. Add a nice drainable soap dish to keep it dry-ish.
Wear
Hemlock Goods Bandana
From Terra Shepherd. I recieved one as a birthday gift and realized it was in almost all of my fave-outfit selfies, so I bought another.
Earrings
Earrings are a great pick when you love the vibe of a boutique but pieces there are investments, y'know? Horn hoops and pink curves are Terra Shepherd, those mint guys are Veza. Not pictured: Mint + Basil earrings, which gave me instant cool points when I gifted them to my teen sister.
Le Bon Shoppe Socks
From Mint + Basil. I’ve only owned these for 3 hours at time of writing, and I’m already obsessed. Christmassy and classic, but with great foot-hugging panels that feel like a fave athletic sock (but look fashiony).
ALSO: Smartwool Socks
From Great Outdoor Store. I have so many pairs. Warm and cushy and last forever.
Wool Scarf
I left this at home over Thanksgiving, so you get an old outfit pic for this guy. From Mrs. Murphy’s Irish Gifts. A good winter accessory instead of a mediocre one is a game-changer. This one’s so soft and super vibrant, and you can just TELL it’s quality. I’m a big wool girl (years of knitting do that to ya) and it’s just so light and warm and outfit-brightening.
Goods
Blackwing Pencils
From Zandbroz Variety. This one’s for analog note takers or sketchers. Fancy pencils are a thing they might not usually justify a splurge on but love to recieve. Sorta pretentious but also it’s a pencil, which disappears on you. Gotta love a paradox.
Basket
Sharing the Dream is SO GOOD, but I don’t know anyone else who shops there. PLEASE go buy stuff, because it’s lovely and supports Guatemalan artisans and I want this shop to stick around. I have this basket on my nightstand with pens and chapstick and it’s perfect to stick my hand in and rifle around in the dark. (I’ve gotten good at feeling out the ‘good’ chapstick from the backup chapstick.)
Family Secrets
Here are a few things that I’ve bought for family members this year, sans-photo so that they don’t spoil it for themselves (family descriptors inspired my my all time fave Cup of Jo gift guide):
This and this for my brother who tells stories with the funniest deadpan and is always fixing another car.
This for my sweet brother who collects plushies and draws adorable critters.
He’s loved this, this and this in the past.
This and this for my hilarious sister who makes the best thrown together dinners and is looking for an awesome new job.
This for my creative mom who taught me how to be an artist and collects bottle caps to make jewelry.
Thanks for reading! I hope this gives you some fun ideas for shopping local & small biz this year!