HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: 2021 (Including Local Small Businesses!)
The holiday season REALLY snuck up on me this year. I’m usually not surprised by how fast time flies, but for some reason I feel like I’ve been whiplashed into all Christmas everything. With that being said, I want to be very conscious of what I am purchasing for Christmas gifts this year. Conscious in the sense that I want to buy gifts for family and friends that have meaning or purpose. I’m usually pretty good about this, but do fall weak to it when I need a last minute gift and I just buy the first thing I see on the shelf. Buying something for the sake of buying something has never sat well with me, and truthfully, I think people forget that they are doing that more often than not!
Below is my first Little Chateau Holiday Gift Guide. The top section is focused entirely on LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES. The following section includes gifts I have purchased in the past from a couple small businesses I’ve come across on Etsy mixed in with other gifts I’ve given (or received) and really loved.
SHOP SMALL, SHOP LOCAL.
BOUTIQUES
Everything from plants to flowers to earrings and books. The Young Sisters have it all! They also curate gift set boxes to make your shopping easier with a collection of some of their best selling products all boxed in presentable wrapping.
The gift options in this shop are ENDLESS. This small business owner sells cool brands mixed with some vintage sourced pieces as well.
Looking for the ultimate gift for someone who may need a little bit of CBD in their life? Here’s your one stop shop! My personal fave is the watermelon gummies ($14.95). If you want to put something in your pet’s stocking (they deserve a stocking), snag some Premium Hemp Dog Chews ($34.95) while you’re at it.
Such a cute gift and home store on Spring Street in downtown Newport. Have a friend that is a cheeseboard fanatic? Wald & Sea has all of the necessities you would need to curate the perfect board (minus the cheese!)
ARTISTS/CREATORS
An amazing local artist and friend who actually just opened her first brick & mortar location this past year on lower Thames! If you are not local, shop her products right on her website. Everything from cards to ornaments to notepads; the ultimate gift idea for the writer in your life. This notepad design ($13) is my absolute favorite of all time.
Jordan creates such beautiful ceramic pieces at such a nice price point. My personal favorite are the “Speckle Candle Match Strikers” ($24), they look so cute displayed next to your favorite candle.
My cousin Rian, artist and creator of BPWS (black pants white socks) has had quite the year with multiple shows around the island displaying and selling his large canvas art pieces. Reach out to Rian for a custom piece as the perfect gift for your friend or loved one who needs some local artist magic on their walls.
Trisha’s candles smell AMAZING and are always poured in the most unique vessels. I have two teacup candles of hers and love that once I’m finished with the candles I’ll be able to make myself a lemon green tea with honey in them.
A very talented local jewelry designer who creates her designs from clay and brass. She also makes a variety of ceramics as well from mugs to ornaments. The ultimate combination of Christmas gifts if you ask me! I love these earrings linked here ($26).
BEAUTY/WELLNESS/SWEETS
I honestly don’t think there is a better gift than a gift card for a spa treatment. It gives the gift recipient something to look forward to! This is definitely a place I would LOVE to receive a gift card to (hint, hint mom).
Dustyn is the BEST. I go to her for my facials, spray tans, lash lifts and lash tints. You can easily purchase a gift card to the salon & spa through their website.
Not so much of a “small business” these days, but it once was and it’s still local! Farmaesthetics is one of my favorite skincare brands, period. And I’m not just being biased because it’s based in my hometown, but the products are actually clean, sustainable and they WORK. There are different holiday gift sets that make great gifts, but my personal favorite products are the Nourishing Lavender Milk ($42), Lip Softener ($12), Fine Herbal Cleanser ($42), and Rose Perfecting Polish ($32).
Give the gift of a HOLY GRAIL FACIAL TREATMENT. Angelica is amazing. She addresses all of your skincare concerns and adjusts the treatment based on what your skin needs. Another amazing gift card idea! Angelica also sells a variety of skincare products as well.
The best chocolate patties you will EVER have. Honestly, move aside Reese’s cups. The Seacoast Sweets peanut butter patty and the s’mores patty are easily my two favorite flavors and their packaging is nothing short of perfectly coastal and beautiful. They offer a variety of gift set ideas, which make for the ultimate gift for that sweet tooth friend of yours!
OTHER GIFT IDEAS
Digital Download: $48
Watercolor Print: $64 - $85
Canvas: $75 - $140
I purchased a custom house drawing for my mom last Christmas on Etsy and it came out AMAZING. This artist is so talented and is so reasonably priced for the quality of work. We had to sell our Cape house that we shared with family and it was so heartbreaking for us because I spent most of my childhood there. So I had that house painted for my mom and she was so surprised by it!
1 charm: $32
2 charms: $39
3 charms: $46
I had my dad’s initials separated on each heart of this bracelet for my mom last year. She has not taken it off since <3
$16.50 +
For the BRIDESMAIDS fanatic, this one is for all those Annies out there! And all my Miranda Priestlys? I didn’t forget about you, this one’s for you!
$49.99
THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST GIFTS I'VE EVER GIVEN: ladies and gents, The Cat Backpack. My BFF and I are just really obsessed with Taylor Swift and she has almost the exact same backpack for her cat (pictured in her Netflix documentary). I gave this backpack to my BFF and she was so happy lol.
Vivrelle Membership
Starting at $99/month
For the luxury lover! I have had a Vivrelle membership for the last three months and it’s like Christmas every month when a Gucci, Fendi, Prada (you name it!) shows up on my front steps.
$21
I read this book in a day. Perfect book for a recent college grad or any twenty something who is trying to figure out what they want to do and who they want to be! I admire this creator very much.
