What are some of your favorite Vineyard treats to give or receive?
I like collecting beach stones. I polyurethane them so they always look shiny and wet and I put them around my house in little dishes.
-Sally Taylor, Cambridge and Vineyard Haven
Black Dog stuff…they LOVE it.
Chilmark Chocolates. theblackdog.com.
-Nicole Jackson, Graphic Designer, MVTimes; Vineyard Haven.
I love Ingrid Goff-Maidoff’s beautiful handmade gifts — books, boxes of wishes and quotes. She has her wares at Night Heron Gallery (among other places). She is a friend and a lovely person. Also Indian Hill Press’s prints — love the wry humor. And, of course, Chilmark Chocolates. We can’t show up at any family member’s house without them. And salt – M.V. Sea Salt Co. has nice sea salt (duh!) without the added seasonings that By the Sea has (not that that’s a bad thing…just different). A foodie’s delight. State Road’s chocolate bars (named after Island towns) are quite delicious, too. And the cute mugs and glasses that sport the drawing of the Islander. And the lemon-ginger honey made by the Martha’s Vineyard Honey Co. Wow…we have so much good stuff here! ingridgoffmaidoff.com. nightherongallery.com. indianhillpress.com. mvseasalt.com. stateroadrestaurant.com.
-Jennifer Crawford, Oak Bluffs
A friend of mine found a perfect flat rock at Menemsha Hills and put little pieces of felt on the bottom for me to use under plants or as a hot pad. I love it and use it every day.
-Nevette Previd, founder “Farm.Field.Sea. An Island Culinary Adventure.” ffsmv.com.
The main request from my family is MV calendars, either Peter Simon’s or Lisa Vanderhoop’s Sea Dogs. petersimon.com. vineyardseadogs.com.
-Holly Nadler, writer, Oak Bluffs
I send bay scallops from The Net Result, and the goat milk soaps from Flat Point Farm, and I go to the Allen Farm to see what they have in the shop. mvseafood.com. flatpointfarm.com. allenfarm.com.
-Laura Wainwright, author (“Home Bird”), West Tisbury
My family is a fan of Chilmark Chocolate gifts. One year I made my aunt an “MV holiday basket” with local lamb, eggs, bacon, winter squash, chocolate, goat milk soap, etc. It was a big hit.
-Erin Haggerty, student and food writer, Oak Bluffs
I have the same thing going on with Chilmark Chocolates. I think my mother and sister, among others, would never speak to me again if I failed to include a box in their Christmas haul.
A few times, we have also taken bay scallops to my sister’s when we’ve done Christmas there, and they have been very well-received.
-Laura Roosevelt, writer and photographer, West Tisbury
Peter Simon calendar — having sent it to friends in Hawaii, San Francisco, Kentucky, and Western Mass. — I am now obligated to buy several every year or someone’s Christmas is ruined!! Net Result shipped scallops…. have to send to the in-laws! Petersimon.com. mvseafood.com.
-Joanne Lambert, daycare proprietor, Oak Bluffs
My favorite “stocking stuffer” is now the honey from the Martha’s Vineyard Honey Company. OMG!!! The lavender, and the rose. You can get it at Cronig’s. It’s unbelievable! Just now I was thinking of what to bring to friends we’re visiting soon, and I thought: the honey! Both kinds. cronigsmarket.com.
-Nancy Slonim Aronie, author and owner of Writing from the Heart Workshops, Chilmark
One of my favorites is Nancy Slonim Aronie’s book Writing from the Heart. The gift and the book are both personal and inspiring. And if it’s in the gift-giver’s budget, gifting someone with Nancy’s writing workshop could be the most transformative special experience you could ever give them. chilmarkwritingworkshop.com.
-Linda Black, Vineyard Haven
What’s on your wishlist?
As a Vineyarder in temporary exile in Los Angeles I want Chilmark Chocolates, Alison Shaw prints, anything made by Beldan Radcliffe (not that anyone buying me presents can afford that), and a subscription to The Martha’s Vineyard Times. Alisonshaw.com. MVTimes.com.
-Nicole Galland, author, “Godiva,” Los Angeles.
Lifetime beach rights to Quansoo (kidding).
Chilmark Chocolates…over and over!
Philip Craig murder mysteries. Philiprcraig.com.
-Cathy Walthers, private chef and cookbook Author, “Soups + Sides”, West Tisbury.
I’d love another HydroFlask water bottle from the Green Room – it keeps water from freezing on winter hikes or getting too hot on sunny beach days. If anyone felt like dropping a couple grand on me, I wouldn’t mind a stand up paddle board either. Vineyardsurf.com.
– Kelsey Perrett, MVTimes Calendar and digital media associate, Edgartown
Island merchants suggest some treasures from their stores and beyond
Perfect MV gift for the Holidays? There are so many! From my store I would suggest a leather passport holder with the name of your favorite Island town embossed on it (for the traveler in one’s family), a jar of local M.V. honey, the book, “Potluck at Midnight Farm” (filled with great recipes by Island friends), a jar of our most popular and delicious mango-lime salsa, or a funky black Midnight Farm beanie hat, suitable for men and women. We are also selling the wonderful Gay Head Lighthouse tee-shirts with all proceeds going to the committee to save the light. Suggestions from outside the store are numerous! Heart rocks (they are free) from your favorite beach. Yes you will need to get out there and take a walk, so…a guide to hiking trails across the Island, gift certificates to your favorite store, restaurant, movie theater (support your local businesses) or Island charity (even better idea!).
-Tamara Weiss, Midnight Farm; midnightfarm.net.
The Chilmark Chai and Spiced Herbal Hot Cocoa are holiday favorites.
-Holly Bellebuono; Vineyardherbs.com.
We’re selling our handmade Candle Canes (organic hand-poured soy peppermint candles)!
I think that a couple’s massage in our gorgeous spa would be the first thing on any Islander’s wish list. I value my Buddha scroll from Sanctuary that says, “The most precious gift that we can offer other is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”
-Sebastian Pattavina;The Mod Spa, Edgartown; themodspa.com, marthascalminscents.com.
The Steamship Authority has an online gift store with some very special presents for everyone on your list. You’ll find neckties, totes and belts created by Vineyard Vines; Tervis Tumbler sets that feature artistic ferry images, as well as other unique ferry items. steamshipauthority.com.
-Diane McPherson, P.R. for the SSA
