Gift Local: Your Guide to Buying Locally Made Gifts for the Holidays

It’s no secret that Oregon’s full of makers who know how to craft the good stuff — from bold hot sauces and small-batch marinara to hand-poured candles and wildflower honey. And the holidays? That’s our time to shine local! Wander your Market of Choice aisles and you’ll find gifts with heart (and flavor): your uncle’s favorite locally made hot sauce, a bottle of Willamette Valley wine from Community Cellars, or a beautiful card that says “thinking of you.”

Shopping local isn’t just about great gifts — it’s about supporting the people behind them. Every jar, bottle, and candle tells an Oregon story. So this season, give something thoughtful, delicious, and made close to home. Your loved ones (and our local makers) will thank you.

Gifts That Capture the Spirit of Oregon

From hand-poured candles and illustrated cards to sustainable bags and locally made journals, our Home & Gift department is full of thoughtful treasures waiting to be discovered. Each piece tells a story — crafted with care by Oregon makers who put their hearts into what they do. Whether you’re shopping for someone special or just treating yourself, you’ll find plenty of one-of-a-kind, locally inspired gifts to love. Here are a few of our favorites from right here in Oregon’s creative community.

Elle Cree: These beautiful paint-by-number kits, created by Portland illustrator, Elle Cree, are inspired by a diverse array of natural items including botanicals and still-life. This is a unique, and distinctly PNW gift idea for the art enthusiast in your life.

Sweet Pea Cole: From Bend, Oregon, this spirited artist makes quirky cards, stickers, coasters and bags. If you’re looking for a fun stocking-stuffer or Christmas card, check out Sweet Pea Cole’s art.

Oregon Road Book: Oregon based authors Mike and Kristy Westby have been exploring Oregon and the Pacific Northwest for decades, curating books that focus on discovering Oregon’s scenic byways, pathways and adventures. This season, give the gift of adventure with an author-autographed Oregon Road Book.

Broken Top Candles: Hand poured in Bend, these candles are free of parabens and phthalates. They are also gluten-free and cruelty-free.

Wreaths & Fresh Flowers: A fresh pine wreath or pot of locally grown poinsettias is always a welcomed gift for the holidays. Perfect as a host or neighbor gift. Check our Floral department for more unique, seasonal pieces.

Build Your Own Local Gift Box

We’ve made it easy (and fun!) to create your own local gift box this holiday season. Just look for the “Gather” end-cap display at your nearest Market of Choice and grab a free gift box to start. Then comes the best part — filling it up with your favorite locally made goodies! From small-batch sauces and Oregon wines to handmade soaps and sweet treats, there’s something for everyone. Once you’ve filled your box, simply purchase your items, pop on the lid, and boom — you’ve got a one-of-a-kind gift that’s sure to make someone smile. Need a little inspiration for what to include? Keep reading for our favorite local picks!

Pro Tip: Here’s how to use our grocery bags as gift wrap.

Oregon Made Food as Gifts

Food gifts are always a hit — and for good reason. Everyone eats, and let’s be honest, few things bring comfort and joy quite like good food on a chilly winter day. The trick is choosing those extra-special items people might not splurge on for themselves — the “just because it’s the holidays” kind of treats. From small-batch sauces and artisan chocolates to locally roasted coffee and Oregon-made honey, our aisles are filled with gift-worthy goodies that look as good as they taste. Here are a few of our local favorites to inspire your holiday gifting.

Blissful Spoon Granola: From Bend, Oregon, this woman-owned and family operated company blends organic granola made with ingredients sourced from local producers, including freeze-dried or naturally dried fruits. No salt or sugar is added, so you get pure whole food product that’s perfect for a vegan, or gluten-free diet. A great gift for anyone who enjoys good tasting food without harmful ingredients.

Holm Made Toffee

Wild Bee Honey Farm: Sweeten the season with this raw honey carefully sourced from Oregon bees. Honey is an easy, but thoughtful and sophisticated-looking gift. And, with its beautiful label, depicting Oregon’s mountain range, Wild Bee Honey Farm honey will look oh so cozy in a gift basket alongside the recipient’s favorite tea.

Ground Up Nut Butters: Give a truly enjoyable gift from a company that also gives back to the community. Ground Up works with Portland-area women overcoming adversity, providing them with job training and secure employment. They learn to make these delicious, natural nut butters from the ground up! We love their very giftable flavors, like Snickerdoodle and Toasted Macadamia.

Pistakio Pistachio Spreads: The holidays are a great time for sharing something that’s just a little different from the ordinary, and these delicious butters and spreads from a Portland, Oregon company, are certainly unique. Pistachio spread is also great for baking, so it makes a great gift for connoisseurs and those who enjoy baking their own goodies at home.

Monkey Brittle: From a small family operation in Hood River, Oregon, this crispy, delicious and healthy snack is made with just three organic ingredients: tree nuts, bananas and raisins. Monkey Brittle is a great local gift idea for the health nut in your life.

Cranberry Sweets & More Caramel Corn: This is artisan confection at its finest. Handmade on the Oregon coast, using sea salt and Madagascar bourbon vanilla, this caramel corn makes and elegant gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Oregon Crafted Hot Beverages

When the weather turns chilly, nothing hits the spot quite like a cozy mug of something warm. Whether it’s tea by the fire, a rich cup of cocoa, or that first sip of locally roasted coffee, hot drinks are the ultimate cold-weather comfort. They also make thoughtful, easy-to-love gifts — perfect for stockings, hostess baskets, or a little self-care moment. Here are a few of our favorite Oregon-made teas, coffees, and cocoas to help you sip your way through the season.

Portland Coffee Roasters Holiday Roast: A delicious and festive blend with notes of brown sugar, spice and chocolate. Perfectly festive and cozy, this gift is sure to please the coffee lover on your gift list.

Metolius Tea: This Bend, Oregon company is meticulous about the way they source and hand craft their artisan tea blends. From developing farm-direct relationships to sustainable packaging, each high quality tea is a testament to their overall mission: supporting people, respecting the planet and earning sustainable profits. Perfect for the chai or tea lover on your gift list.

Tea Bar: These beautifully packaged, high quality, fair trade teas from family farms around the world are blended in Portland, Oregon. Tea Bar is a woman-owned company with two brick and mortar shops located in NW and SE Portland. These teas are sold at any Market of Choice, making them easily accessible, even outside of town.

Plants by People: Blending the knowledge of Eastern medicine with modern science, this woman-owned, BIPOC company from Beaverton, Oregon, makes natural drink mixes that enliven the senses and wake up the body. With special formulas for relaxation, detoxing, and energy, there’s a plant based remedy for everyone within this collection. Every box is artistically designed and totally gift-worthy.

Momo Cocoa: This Portland, Oregon company makes high quality cocoa accessible to all. Most Momo Cocoa products are vegan and all of them are gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy a steaming cup without worry. This is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys a classic cup of cocoa.

Dappled Tonic: These Non-alcoholic craft beverages from a woman-owned company in Albany, Oregon, come in three flavors: Floral, Citrus and Aromatic. A versatile drink that can be enjoyed over ice, or mixed with spirits, Dappled Tonics make a beautiful addition to any gift basket. Look for them in the Beer & Wine department.

Oshala Farms Tea Blends: This family owned, regenerative farm in Southern Oregon grows herbs that support health. With blends for restful sleep, digestion and respiratory wellness, these teas make a thoughtful gift.

Oregon Made Spices for Cooking

Flavor is the cornerstone of every good meal. That’s why fine salts, seasonings and sauces make exceptional gifts for kitchen enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a flavorful meal at home.

Jacobsen Salt Co.: Made from salt sourced off the Oregon coast, Jacobsen’s Infused salt collection is packaged in gorgeous, gift-worthy tins and includes pairing notes for each of the six artisanal salts. Be sure to check out their Pinot Noir Salt and Salty Caramel Sauce, too!

Plant Bomb! Sauces: This Portland based maker takes flavor to the next level with all-vegan, ethnic-inspired simmer sauces made with only a handful of ingredients.

Chili Royale Chili Crisp: For those who enjoy turning up the heat and flavor, Chili Royale delivers. Chili crisp oils are a great way to elevate recipes and make every meal a masterpiece. This is a woman owned company from Bandon, Oregon.

Oregon Made Hot Sauces

Hot sauce is something of a collector’s item for foodies, so it comes as no surprise that a novel hot sauce is a well-received gift by those who love flavor and variety. Here are some all-time favorites from our neck of the woods.

Sakari Farms Hot Sauce: These hot sauces highlight the flavor of the tribal peppers that are grown on the maker’s regenerative farm and incorporated into the sauce, without overpowering heat. Sakari has an impressive selection of hot sauce flavors and heat levels, so you’re sure to find a sauce for every taste. All proceeds from sales go to support the Sakari Farms Tribal Education Program, which is an on-farm education program for tribal and county residents of Tumalo, a community near Bend, Oregon.

Bend Sauce: As the name (not so subtly) hints, this deeply rich and balanced chipotle hot sauce is made in Bend, Oregon using seven organic ingredients.

Sauce Lords: From Portland, Oregon, Sauce Lords is a luxury hot sauce line featuring unique blends such as miso, Fresno carrot and morita pepper.

Oregon Wine

Wine is a classic gift choice for a dinner host, co-worker or anyone who enjoys swirling a nice vintage. Fortunately, there’s no better place to get beautifully made wine than in the Willamette Valley.

Here are a few great choices from our private label collection. Crafted for us by the dynamic Willamette Valley wine community, these wines are beautifully expressive of place, balanced and food friendly.

Community Cellars Pinot Gris: Complex and balanced with lush ripe melon, mango, apple and a hint of baking spices on the finish.

Community Cellars Tempranillo: A bright, food-friendly red with notes of red fruits and spices, redolent of a Spanish Joven.

Place Pinot Noir: The latest addition to Market of Choice’s private label collection, Place Wine comes from the lush and beautiful lands of Dundee Hills. This classic, Pinot Noir truly embodies the earthy, fresh and fruity flavors of Oregon.

Oregon Made Chocolates and Truffles

Looking to elevate your stocking-stuffer game this year? Gourmet chocolates, truffles, bon-bons and fine candies will certainly make the grade. Luckily, you don’t have to visit the specialty shops to find these local favorites. Just stop by your Market Bakery and get gift-worthy candies at the same time that you pick up your weekly groceries. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Euphoria Chocolates & Truffles: Made in Eugene, Oregon, this local gourmet treasure is sure to delight any chocolate lover. Makes a great Christmas gift from Oregon.

Burst’s Chocolates: Made in Corvallis, Oregon, these fine chocolates come in whimsical themes, like the Chocolate Bigfoot, or Hazelnut Beavers.

As an independent, family-owned Oregon grocer, we’re all about community — and we know you are, too. The holidays are the perfect time to celebrate that spirit by supporting the incredible local crafters, makers, and dreamers who fill our shelves with goodness and wonder. From handmade candles to small-batch sauces and sweet treats, you’ll find plenty of gift-worthy gems made by real people right here in your community.

So go ahead — build a local gift box that spreads a little Oregon cheer! And don’t forget to show us your creations — follow, tag, and share your favorites with us on social. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!