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Some gifts just make more sense when they come from home. If you're shopping for a homesick college kid, a relative who moved south, a client out of state or a neighbor who'd rather support the little guy, a box of things made in Massachusetts says a lot more than another gift card.
Here's our guide to Massachusetts-made gifts, ideas for building a New England gift basket, and a few of our own bars that smell like the Commonwealth.
The short answer
Great Massachusetts-made gifts include cranberry treats from the Cape and South Coast bogs, local maple syrup, Marshmallow Fluff (made in Lynn since the 1920s), Cape Cod potato chips (made in Hyannis), local coffee, pottery and other handmade goods, and small-batch soap. Combine three or four in a basket or box for a Massachusetts gift basket that ships easily and tastes like home.
Classic Massachusetts gift ideas
- Cranberries. Massachusetts is one of the country's biggest cranberry growers, with bogs across Plymouth County and Cape Cod. Dried cranberries, cranberry sauce, jams and chocolate-covered cranberries all travel well.
- Maple syrup. Western and central Massachusetts have plenty of sugarhouses. A small bottle of local syrup is a gift almost everyone uses.
- Marshmallow Fluff. Made in Lynn for about a century, and the key to a proper Fluffernutter. A jar is a fun, nostalgic add-on.
- Cape Cod potato chips. Kettle-cooked in Hyannis, and a reliable crowd-pleaser in any snack basket.
- Local coffee and tea. Small roasters all over the state sell beans and gift tins.
- Handmade goods. Pottery, candles, woodwork, knitwear and soap from local makers you'd meet at a craft fair or farmers market.
- Something for the fan. Boston sports gear never goes out of style, and pairs nicely with a hockey-puck soap (more on that below).
How to build a Massachusetts gift basket
Pick a theme, choose three or four items, and fill the gaps with shredded paper.
| Theme | What to put in it |
|---|---|
| Taste of Massachusetts | Cranberry treats, maple syrup, Marshmallow Fluff, Cape Cod chips |
| New England morning | Local coffee, maple syrup, a mug and a bar of soap for the morning shower |
| Cozy winter | Hot cocoa, wool socks, a candle and a pine-scented soap |
| Boston sports fan | A team hat or mug, snacks for game day and a hockey-puck soap |
| Thank-you for a client | A small box of local treats and two handmade soaps, with a handwritten note |
Soap is one of the easiest things to include, since it's light, won't spoil and doesn't break in the mail. For wrapping ideas and free printable tags, see how to gift soap.
Massachusetts-made soap from BubbleDrunk
We make every bar by hand in small batches outside Boston, so we're a little biased here. A few of our bars that feel especially local:
- 14th Amendment. Apple, pine and fresh water, layered to smell like growing up in New England. Made for anyone who gets misty about Lexington and Concord.
- Give Yer Balls a Scrub. A puck-shaped bar with bergamot, bourbon and burnt lumber. A natural for a Bruins fan.
- Shovel the Pond. Crisp and wintry, like clearing the ice for a pickup game.
- The Williamson. Apple cider with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Fall orchard season in a bar.
- Slam Trans-Am. Double-oaked bourbon and champagne, made for one of Boston's best '80s bands.
Small batches sell out between pours, so if one is gone, check back soon. Short on time? Our soap gift sets are ready to give, and the Locker Room Gift Pack pairs the puck with Post Game Interview.
Shipping a taste of home
If you're sending a Massachusetts gift to someone out of state, pack anything breakable well, keep liquids sealed and separate from paper goods, and give yourself extra time around the holidays. When you order soap from us, you can ship it straight to the recipient. Tick "This is a gift" in your cart to add a personal message, and US shipping is free on orders of $75 or more.
Shop local in person
If you're in Massachusetts, the best way to find local gifts is at a craft fair or farmers market, where you can meet the people who make them. You'll find us at a few of those too. Here's where we'll be next. For more holiday ideas, see our gift guide, and if you're headed to an office party, here's how a Yankee swap works.