Your happiest holiday yet is within reach!
At Made In Washington, we partner with some of our state’s most talented makers, artisans, and entrepreneurs. These passionate Pacific Northwesterners awe us with their creativity and delight us with their delicacies all year round. And in this season of 4:30 sunsets, they’re here to sleigh with goodies that are certain to make your holidays a little more merry and bright.
Whether you’re gifting joy to others or are all about treating yourself this December, take a minute to cozy up with some hot cocoa and these magical finds from our 2023 Makers of the Month.
(And, pssst, you can check them all out here.)
January Maker: Apolis Craft Tea
Gift Idea: Peppermint Tea
While last January feels like…a long time ago, there’s no forgetting Apolis Craft Tea and its owners Audrey and Alex. This dynamic duo is committed to creating the best organic teas out there, and they’ve taken a thoughtful approach to the blends they craft and how they package their products to preserve flavor. Speaking of flavor, a jar of Peppermint Tea perfectly evokes the spirit of the season—although you can’t go wrong with any of their unique blends.
February Maker: Fran’s Chocolates
Gift Idea: Salted Caramels Holiday Wrap Gift Box
Chocolatier Fran Bigelow is a Seattle icon and the owner of Fran’s Chocolates. We’ve written about Fran extensively (including in our Seattle chocolate round-up)—and for good reason: her products aren’t just delicious—they look beautiful, too. Fran’s Salted Caramels Holiday Wrap Gift Box makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the sweethearts in your life—if you don’t dive into it first, that is! Pro tip: Hedge the temptation by adding an extra box to your own stocking and when you open it, feel free to gush, “Awww, you shouldn’t have!”
March Maker: Caffè Appassionato
Gift Idea: Reindeer Roast Coffee and Evergreen Roast Coffee
Caffè Appassionato couldn’t be more aptly named. For more than thirty years, co-founder Tucker McHugh and his team have poured their hearts into crafting gourmet coffee products that feature superior quality and low acidity. And while we simply can’t choose a favorite blend, the Reindeer Roast and Evergreen Roast taste extra festive this time of year.
April Maker: handmade. la conner
Gift Idea: Winter Woods Gift Box
A true labor of love, Robyn Bradley’s handmade. la conner is a lifestyle brand you should know about. While what began as a one-woman business has steadily grown, its commitment to simple, clean ingredients has remained the same for more than a decade. There are too many exceptional products to mention, but the Winter Woods Gift Box will ensure the special people in your life start 2024 feeling so fresh and so clean.
May Maker: Campfire Coffee
Gift Idea: Starry Night Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Coffee
Coffee is always a good idea, which is why we’re comin’ at ya with another can’t-miss maker: Tacoma-based Campfire Coffee and husband-and-wife owners Quincy and Whitni Henry. Campfire Coffee prioritizes ethically sourced ingredients and is also leading meaningful work through its Campfire Explorers Club. Like every maker, all of Campfire Coffee’s products are worthy of a spot in your cart, but the Starry Night Ethiopia Yirgacheffe seems apropos during this season of light.
June Maker: Tom Douglas Restaurants
Gift Idea: African Peri Peri Rub
Tom Douglas is a legend in our neck of the woods. Throughout his nearly four-decade career in Seattle, Tom has seemingly done it all—including earning honors from the James Beard Foundation. We carry a variety of Tom’s products, and his unique African Peri Peri Rub is the uber-versatile blend that’ll have your friends and family dreaming of warmer days ahead.
July Maker: San Juan Island Sea Salt
Gift Idea: Popcorn Blend Sea Salt
The perfect holiday gift is actually a trip to the stunningly serene San Juan Islands. The next best thing? Literally anything from San Juan Island Sea Salt. You can read about the company’s earth-friendly salt production processes on our blog, and when you’re done, be sure to nab Brady Ryan and team’s savory Popcorn Blend. Trust us: This hand-harvested product is the star of movie nights everywhere.
August Maker: Girl Meets Dirt
Gift Idea: Hot Damn Pepper Jam
You’ll also find Girl Meets Dirt and founder Audra Lawlor within the San Juan Islands archipelago. Girl Meets Dirt highlights the flavors of Orcas Island—with a twist. Case in point: the Hot Damn Pepper Jam, which is a little bit fruity and a lotta bit spicy (aka, the perfect holiday gift for those who can take the heat).
September Maker: Snoqualmie Valley Candle Company
Gift Idea: Cascade Winter Forest Soy Candle
With Snoqualmie Valley Candle Company, owner Megan Schweppenheiser captures the PNW in charming soy wax candles that are all-natural, renewable, and crafted right here in Washington. It may be a bit on the nose, but we have to say that Cascade Winter Forest is the scent of the holiday season. Fir real.
October Maker: SeaBear Smokehouse
Gift Idea: Co-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas Smoked Salmon
Salmon is core Pacific Northwest cuisine—and for Mike Mondello, president of SeaBear Smokehouse, there’s not much else that so perfectly encapsulates our culture and food. SeaBear Smokehouse has been treating tastebuds for nearly seventy years and the foodie in your family is sure to flip over its Smoked Wild Coho Salmon.
November Maker: Harvey’s Butter Rum Batter
Gift Idea: Harvey’s Popcorn Holiday Gift Pack
With a storied, seventy-year history, Harvey’s Butter Rum Batter has been delighting customers for decades. These days, and with owner Stacy Ryan at the helm, this Bremerton-based business also sells crisp and delicious toffee popcorn. Snag the Holiday Gift Pack for your bestie (or your boss) and they’ll revel in flavors like Sugar & Spice, Gingersnap, Snowman Crunch Kettle Corn, and Hot Chocolate. Sweet and savory? We’re all in.
December: Check out our team’s picks in the 2023 Local Gift Guide!
We curated more than 250 of our favorite Made In Washington products—from food and drinks to ornaments, home décor, and everything in between. Check out our tried-and-true recs and add something new to your list while you’re at it!
There’s No Place Like Washington for the Holidays
In addition to the 11 local makers we featured here, more than 100 others are offering hand-crafted goods and can’t-beat eats that will help you and your loved ones enjoy a jollier holiday. Spread the joy by sharing your best Made In Washington finds with us on social media! You can find us @madeinwashington_ on Instagram and @made.in.washington on Facebook.
From all of us at Made In Washington, here’s to a joyous holiday season and a bright new year!
