Inspiration & AdviceQuintessentially Oregon: The Ultimate 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
We’re proud to live in Oregon. We’re proud of our entrepreneurs. And we’re proud of all the quirks and eccentricities that define our great state.
The holidays are a perfect time to support our entrepreneurs and show our Oregon pride. We asked you to give us your input on Oregon’s gift-worthy goods – unsurprisingly, you had some strong opinions! From 146 contenders and a whopping 6,414 votes, we’re excited to bring you The Ultimate 2015 Oregon Holiday Gift Guide. Get giving!
Got a preferred gift genre? Skip straight to:
Stocking Stuffers | Goods ‘n Things
Snacks & Sweet Treats | Sauces, Dips & Spreads | Craft Beverages
Stocking Stuffers
It’s time to spice up those stockings with these colorful, one-of-a-kind stuffers. Santa’s elves will be inspired!
Hoopswagg Socks
If you know a basketball player who needs some more swagger in his or her step, look no further. Whether you opt for Goat Farm Socks or Rainbow Farting Unicorns, this is one is a slam dunk.
» hoopswagg.com
Love Bottle
Everyone knows that person who always has a water bottle in tow. (Maybe you are that person.) Here’s a great looking, earth-friendly bottle supercharged with a little love for those water fanatics in your life.
» lovebottle.net
Sock It To Me
These aren’t your Grandma’s socks. But with over 300 designs to choose from, from ninjas to mustaches to sloths, they would make a perfect gift for Grandma – and just about everyone else.
» sockittome.com
Good Clean Love
Your words might be dirty, but your lube shouldn’t be. Good Clean Love personal intimacy products will help you and your special someone make love organic.
» goodcleanlove.com
Sweetbody Laboratories Performance Oil
Give the gift of pain-free living. Made from organic Arnica and organic Calendula, Sweetbody Performance Oil promises to provide all-natural relief to life’s inevitable aches and pains.
» sweetbodylaboratories.com
Goods ‘n Things
Gifts for outdoor enthusiasts, hipster babies, budding scientists, and just about everyone else!
Homeschool Outerwear
Want the best outerwear available? Homeschool promises to deliver just that. For the serious snowboarder or outdoor enthusiast looking for adventure in the “gnarliest conditions imaginable,” Homeschool has just the gear.
» homeschoolouterwear.com
Shwood Eyewear
Shwood was born when one of its founders saw a tree and said, “Hey, that branch would look really cool as a pair of sunglasses.” Turns out, he was on to something. Utterly unique glasses for your utterly unique family and friends.
» shwoodshop.com
Tessy & Tab Reading Club
Got a little reader-to-be in your life? Here’s a uniquely crafted, 60-book program for ages 2-6 that combines the thrill of anticipation and intuitive clues to help your child build reading skills. No work for you. All play for your child.
» tessyandtab.com
FINEX Cast Iron Cookware
For the intrepid home chef, FINEX promises a love story that will last forever. Give an heirloom quality, hand crafted cast iron pan that is sure to make all other pans jealous.
» finexusa.com
Baby Wit Baby Clothes
Got a baby in your life? Forget the teddy bear onesie. Baby Wit blends dry irony with heartbreaking cuteness – because here in Oregon, we like to groom our hipsters early.
» babywit.com
Snoplanks Snowboards
Any snowboarding enthusiast would be thrilled to fly down a freshly powdered mountain on one of these bad boys. Snoplanks marries function with breathtaking beauty for a board that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
» snoplanks.com
Cairn Subscription Boxes
Cairn is the gift that keeps on giving. This monthly box of outdoor fun has gear, apparel, food, skin products, and more to help nature lovers find the best products for their next outdoor adventure.
» getcairn.com
Wildfang Tomboy Collection
Know any badass women who like to raise hell? Wilfang’s Tomboy Collection has them covered with tees, hats, tanks, and totes that will help them show the world they mean business.
» wildfang.com
Hovden Formal Farmwear
Fashion inspired by farmers? Yup, Hovden Formal Farmwear has taken the 150-year-old Scandinavian work shirt and adapted it for the “modern” lifestyle. We assume that means more latte sipping and less farmwork.
» hovdenformalfarmwear.com
Yana Surf
If you’re a serious surfer, you need a board that reflects your own sense of style. Yana Surf starts you off a unique balsa wood board and lets you customize the board design, artwork, fins, and glassing options. Surfs up!
» yanasurf.com
Yellow Scope Science Kits
Can toys appeal to girls that involve neither pink nor sparkles? Yellow Scope, which offers award-winning foundation chemistry sets for girls, believes the answers to this question is a resounding ‘yes.’
» yellow-scope.com
Coyle Helmets
Helmets made of… wood? Coyle brings us the world’s most customized helmet line for any sport. Maybe that biker in your life can finally wear a helmet and feel cool.
» coyledesignandbuild.com
Snacks & Sweet Treats
Sweet and savory bites for in-between meals. Hell, why not for dinner, too? These Oregon-made snacks and sweet treats are created with indulgence in mind.
Lucky Rabbit Granola and Snacks
Granola has long enjoyed a reputation as a ‘hippie’ food. Now Lucky Rabbit is elevating it to the status of ‘foodie.’ From curry miso to hibiscus, it offers unexpected flavor combinations for the discerning palate.
» luckyrabbitgranola.com
Christine & Rob’s Old-fashioned Oatmeal
This slow-toasted oatmeal won first place at the International Fancy Food Show. If you didn’t know that oatmeal could be considered a ‘fancy food,’ perhaps it’s time to branch out when it comes to your breakfast staples.
» christineandrobs.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Cary’s of Oregon Toffee
The Oscars gave its stars Cary’s Toffee in its VIP goody boxes, and you can give Cary’s to the stars in your life, too. Each batch is made with creamery butter from Oregon farms, 100% pure cane sugar, and chocolate fit for a King.
» carysoforegon.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Portland Pet Food Company Dog Beer Biscuits
Dogs deserve gifts, too. Portland Pet Food Beer Biscuits are made with local spent grains from Portland breweries – so the next time you sip on a craft beer, you don’t have to leave your furry friend out of the fun.
» portlandpetfoodcompany.com
Moonstruck Chocolate
These handcrafted gourmet chocolates and truffles will make you feel a little… yes, moonstruck. Whether in the shape of a penguin, beer bottle, or mushroom, this decadent gift is sure to please.
» moonstruckchocolate.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Red Wagon Creamery Ice Cream
OK, you can’t exactly put ice cream in a gift basket, but you can order pints of heavenly, handcrafted, artisan Red Wagon Creamery ice cream online and deliver them directly to the good boys and girls of your choosing.
» redwagoncreamery.com
Fuller Foods Serious Cheesy Puffs
Fuller Foods is serious about its cheesy puffs. Unlike other cheesy puffs on the market, Serious Cheesy Puffs includes no artificial ickiness. Plus, one of its flavors involves bacon. Enough said.
» fullerfoods.com
Masala Pop
Movie night just got a lot more interesting. Masala Pop offers us a way to enjoy the rich, complex flavors of Indian food on our America’s favorite corn-based snack. Plus, it’s all-natural, fiber-rich, and gluten-free.
» eatmasalapop.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Brazi Bites
Here’s a grilled cheese sandwich with a twist—it’s bite-sized, gluten-free, and… Brazilian. OK, make that three twists. Brazi Bites, or “the perfect cheese bread,” simply begs to be paired with cocktails, soups, and salads.
» brazibites.com
Willamette Valley Pie Company Ready to Bake Oregon Fruit Pies
Nothing says Oregon like marionberry pie. Now you can give an all-natural, handmade slice of home without having to break out a rolling pin. The pies come in twos, so you can keep one for yourself.
» wvpie.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Nesbit Dog Treats
Flavors include peanut butter cup, French toast, and pizza bianca – and before your mouth starts watering, let’s reiterate that these are dog treats. Made with human-grade ingredients, they are sure to leave your pup barking for more.
» nesbitsdogtreats.com
Cricket Flours
It’s not just a whimsical name. Cricket flours are actually made from crickets. Why, you ask? Well, crickets provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable source of protein and nutrition. It just may be the next big thing.
» cricketflours.com
Sauces, Dips & Spreads
Nut butters, hot sauces, jams, and more. These Oregon-made sauces, dips, and spreads will bring your food to life.
Mt. Hope Spiced Marionberry Jam
This fruit spread from Mt. Hope Farms is summer in a jar. It blends freshly harvested marionberries with sweet spices for a mouthwatering jam that toast will just beg to be slathered with.
» mthopefarmsoregon.com
NW Elixirs Hot Sauce
Like hot sauce, but craving a more complex flavor than ‘hot?’ NW Elixirs ‘hott sauce’ will add flavor and kick to your food without refined sugars, gums, or gluten. In their words, their sauces are the ‘absolute embodiment of food.’
» nwelixirs.com
Red Duck Ketchup
Ketchup has a secret: it’s sick of French fries. It wants to branch out to stir fries, fish, and green beans. Luckily, Red Duck understands ketchup’s woes. With flavors like curry and pumpkin spice, they are redefining this American classic.
» redduckfoods.com
SMASHED! Boozy Jams & Jellies
You know what’s missing from your breakfast? Whiskey. That’s right – it’s high time to incorporate Pear Butter with Whiskey + Garam Masala into your morning routine. Because jams and jellies love booze. Who knew?
» etsy.com/shop/ArtisanalGoodsNW
Oregon Growers Fruit Butters
Oregonians love them some fruit butter. These may not have booze (see above), but they do have fresh fruit from the Columbia River Gorge. Combined with an aromatic blend of spices, here’s a butter that’s simply better.
» oregongrowers.com
Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters
No, these nut butters are not X-rated. But they are a far cry from Jiffy. With sophisticated flavors that more mature generations can enjoy, Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters bring a whole new twist to the classic PB&J.
» eliotsadultnutbutters.com
Portland Ketchup Company
Can ketchup change the world? Portland Ketchup Company invites you to envision a future where every food-selling institution offers healthy, environmentally friendly condiments. Because your buns deserve more.
» portlandiafoods.com
Fresh to You Vince’s BBQ Special Gift Pack
It may not be grilling season, but with this locally sourced sauce, rib rub, pepper jelly, and mustard, you’ll be inspired to dust off that grill and get cooking – rain or shine.
» Available from Best from the Cascades
Wild Friends Nut Butters
Peanut butter is known for its reliable, classic taste, but it wants you to know that it can get wild and crazy too. Luckily for peanut butter, two Wild Friends are spicing things up and even getting almonds in on the fun.
» wildfriendsfoods.com
Heidi Ho Chia Cheeze Sauce
Heidi Ho believes that vegans shouldn’t have to face a life without cheese. They also believe that cheese substitutes don’t have to be manufactured in labs. This creamy ‘cheeze’ sauce just might be better than the real thing.
» heidiho.com
Three Little Figs Wine Lover’s Trio
This version of the classic fairty tale has no big bad wolf. It does have wine-infused preserves – so you can eat and sip your wine at the same time. Just don’t open the door for any unexpected visitors.
» threelittlefigsjam.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Felton & Mary’s Artisan BBQ Sauces
What’s better than barbecue? Barbecue with a story. Felton & Mary’s Artisan Foods has emerged from a rich history that spans centuries, from the rural South to Southeast Portland. And its sauces are nothing short of legendary.
» feltonandmary.com
Craft Beverages
Brews, vinegars, coffees, teas, and other liquid treats. This is sipping at its finest.
Blue Lotus Chai
If you’re a chai fanatic, those grande Starbucks indulgences can add up pretty fast. Blue Lotus not only offers “the best cup of chai” that their customers have ever tasted, but it’s less than 50 cents a pop.
» bluelotuschai.com
Sauvie Island Coffee Roasters
Sauvie Island doesn’t just offer berries and pumpkins. No island in Oregon would be complete without its own line of utterly delicious, small batch, organic, fair trade, Rainforest Alliance and Smithsonian Bird Friendly coffee.
» sauvieislandcoffee.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Sage & Sea Shrub Sipping Vinegar
Wondering what a shrub is? Yes, it’s a small tree-like plant commonly found in front yards, but it’s also a sipping vinegar. Sage & Sea Farm vinegars offer myriad health benefits, and they are also tasty in cocktails. Cheers!
» sageandseafarms.com
Cellar 503 Oregon Wine Club
Love Oregon wine? With so many options, it’s becoming difficult for even the most committed connoisseur to keep pace. Let Cellar 503 do the grunt work for you and help you discover the full range of amazing Oregon wine.
» cellar503.com
Hot Lips Real Fruit Sodas
You almost have to feel a little bad for soda these days. Once a symbol of American life, soda has gained a rather notorious reputation as a corn-syrup and calorie-laden menace to our public health. Hot Lips aims to change that.
» hotlipspizza.com | » Available at Best From The Cascades
Portland Cider Company
With varieties that include Pearfect, Kinda Dry, Sorta Sweet, and Hop’rageous, Portland Cider Company will convince even the most diehard beer snob to give hard cider a chance. They say: “Drink it, it’s good!” That sums it up.
» portlandcider.com
RAFT Botanical Cocktail + Soda Syrups
Can your cocktail or soda actually be good for you? Maybe, if it’s blended with health-promoting herbs, roots, bark, and flowers. That’s exactly what RAFT offers, in exciting flavors like Hibiscus Lavender and Smoked Tea Vanilla.
» raftsyrups.com
Genki-Su Japanese Drinking Vinegar
If the thought of drinking vinegar makes you cringe, take a minute to explore the Genki-Su website, and we bet you’ll soon find your mouth watering. Out with Sprite, in with Shiso Japanese Basil.
» genkisu.com
Lola’s Fruit Shrubs
Sip Magazine proclaims that Lola’s Fruit Shrubs are “the next big thing!” With their delicate sweet/tart balance, herbal infusions, and fresh fruit flavors, we can see why.
» lolasfruitshrubs.com
