Favorite small business holiday boxes

Holiday boxes are a great way to support several small businesses at once. You can keep them together and gift as a set, or split up the goodies for multiple gifts, stocking stuffers and even a little treat for yourself ☺

Here are some of our favorite small businesses holiday boxes still available for purchase!

The Pancake Social Box, $100

This box was spearheaded by a MaryLovesLocal artisan – Elle Jarvis of Elle in the Weeds! Elle came together with several other businesses on the South Shore of Mass. to put together this unique gift box that – of course – supports a great cause.

The box includes a pancake mix and vanilla blueberry compote from Elle in the Weeds, a 16-ounce bottle of barrel aged maple syrup from Boston-based CaskForce, a pound of Breakfast in Vegas Coffee from Marshfield’s SlackTide Coffee and a four pack of the “Breakfast In Vegas” beer from Stellwagen Beer Company of Marshfield. The imperial porter is brewed with both SlackTide Coffee’s special “Breakfast In Vegas” blend of coffee and CaskForce’s special syrup, bringing the whole meal together.

The best part? 10% of proceeds from the pancake social box will go to support local families through Marshfield Community Christmas.

Order here and pick up starting Friday, Dec. 18.

The Mom & Pop Village (MAPVIL), $45

This box is part of a movement started to support New England small businesses in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a holiday candle from Willow Ridge Candles (a MaryLovesLocal artisan!), lip balm from Boston-based Bee Balm Co., a resin ornament from artist Jen Lashua,soap from Just Soap, sea salt caramels from Secret Stash Sweets and an MAPVIL “shop local” decal.

In addition the goodies inside, these boxes come with a special QR code that allows for discounts at nearly a dozen other local small business, including deWolfe leather goods, Louis Sel, Quite Fetching Bakery, and more!

A portion of proceeds go back to small businesses. Available here.

Winter Box, $56

This box gives me all the self-care vibes! The items in this box retail for more than $100, so this is a wallet-friendly way to support local brands.

The Winter Box includes a beautiful pair of stud earrings, a Howlite (a stone said to calm the mind) wrap bracelet and a knit beanie from Luxa Jewelry; a sparkling citrus and vanilla candle from Amesbury-based Farm + Sea; and a sugar scrub from Fiorella Soapery of Framingham.

Available to purchase here.

Mystery box, $50 or $75

This box is for the brave of heart, but I totally don’t think it’ll let you down.

Michelle Barrett of Kind Goods, a Maynard-based shop that sells handmade and fair-trade items, is selling a “mystery box” this year for $50 or $75. The trusting shopper just leaves a note at check out with a few fun facts – things like “I love cocktails and the color blue” or “I like bubble baths and musky scents” – and Michelle will put together a boxed filled with treasures! She will deliver or ship the boxes straight to your door.

Available here in limited quantities.

Foodie Boxes, $25 to $150

Holmestead Harvest of East Bridgewater does these boxes all year round, so they aren’t ~exactly~ a holiday thing, but that doesn’t make them any less gift-worthy. These boxes offer seasonal food items from local sources with an emphasis on supporting female farmers, which we of course love! This is a great choice for the person in your life who is always in the kitchen.

There are eight boxes available: the small and large meat sample boxes, small and large produce sample boxes, medium and large sampler boxes, the gluten-free sample box and the large goodie gift basket (my favorite). The gift baskets are made with whatever is seasonal and fresh, so you don’t know exactly what you’ll get, but it usually includes some top-tier steaks, homemade pasta from Deano’s Pasta in Somerville (a soon-to-be MaryLovesLocal artisan😉), jams, sauces, breads and seasoning salts. You can also let them know about any preferences or allergies.

Browse here.