Gift Guide | Etsy Finds for the Modern Homemaker
This year, it’s especially important to shop small and support independent artists and makers! As much as I can, I want to support small businesses over big retailers this holiday season. I’ve got a head start on my Christmas shopping (it’s seriously giving me so much joy!) and I wanted to share a round up of gift ideas from the best online resource for finding lots of amazing small businesses across the globe - Etsy!
Since we’ve all been staying home more this year, I wanted to find gifts that centered on the simple comforts and joys of home. Things to make your home feel cozier, your routines more special and your days a little brighter! Really, we are all homemakers if you think about it! The gifts are all under $50 and I tried to make this list mostly unisex, with a couple exceptions. I would personally be happy to find any of these things under the tree! Hopefully you can find some good gift ideas for your parents, your siblings, significant other and friends on this list.
I’ve included many awesome shops in the list below and I encourage you to explore more of what they each have to offer! Etsy is filled with a fantastic array of unique and personalized items that make excellent gifts for any one on your list! Let my list serve as inspiration and a jumping off point for your own Etsy hunting.
01. leather handle belly basket $33 - the best multi-purpose home decor gift! Use it to corral shoes by your door, stick a potted plant in it or put it to work as stylish kid or pet toy storage. Belly baskets are super functional and the leather handles make this one special.
02. custom house watercolor portrait $30 - whether you have a new homeowner on your list or want a meaningful gift for your parents, commissioning a house portrait is winning gift idea!
03. linen fringe pillow covers $20 - these are so affordable and I love the range of colors available.
04. eucalyptus shower bundle $21 for large size bundle - I love this idea for a gift that’s both decorative and functional. Include a note for them to hang this in their shower for a spa-like aromatherapy experience!
05. personalized cord organizer $10 - Such a great stocking stuffer idea! I’m putting one of these in my husband’s stocking with a new pair of headphones. Don’t tell him!
06. chai tea sampler $16 - Good coffee or tea always makes a great gift, especially varieties like chai that are harder to find a good make-at-home version.
07. heke creative tendency earrings $25 - lightweight handmade clay earrings made by a local artist here in York! Hannah makes tons of beautiful styles and colors to choose from.
08. coffee pour over $38 - this speckled ceramic pour over fits any mug and really elevates the experience of making coffee. Pair with a bag of locally roasted coffee!
09. sheepskin lined slippers $48 - cozy slippers are a quintessential holiday gift, and these ones are cute and look incredibly comfortable!
10. wood charcuterie board from $25 - I am a true charcuterie lover and often make “snack plate” style lunches for my daughter and I. A piece like this looks just as amazing hanging on the wall as it does serving your favorite snacks!
11. salt cellar with cedar lid $24 - so handy to keep near the stove while you cook! I love the cedar lid and the ceramic base comes in a broad variety of colors.
12. kantha quilt $40 - our favorite quilt I’ve had since I was a kid is on it’s last leg. We use it so much it’s literally in tatters! Which got me thinking how a lightweight quilt like this is a perfect gift - gets softer with every wash and is great as a bedspread or cozy throw blanket all year round! This pattern caught my eye but this shop has so many beautiful colors and pattern options!
13. organic leafy greens seeds starting kit $35 - with a winter of staying home ahead, growing greens from seed would make a very satisfying quarantine project.
14. turkish hand + bath towel set $34 - I love turkish towels because they are thin and dry fast but are still super absorbent! I think a few hand towels and some handmade soap would make a great gift!
15. beeswax candle making kit $30 - another simple project type gift for the months ahead. It’s super easy to roll your own beeswax candles then you get to enjoy all the candlelit hygge vibes.
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Cross Quarter Club gathered on Sunday, October 18th in celebration of autumn and Samhain/All Hallows. Unforntunately, our workshop had to be rescheduled at the last minute, but we enjoyed the pavilion for the afternoon, sharing good snacks and good conversation! Anya Peters of Hedgerow Photography also did mini sessions for anyone who wanted them. Enjoy this photo recap of the event!
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Looking for where to buy plants in York, PA? Here’s a list of my favorite independent, locally-owned, family run greenhouses and plant nurseries so you can support small business and your gardening hobby at the same time!
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My article, The Joy of Slow Decorating, was published in the Winter 2023-2024 issue of Verily Magazine. It was an honor to be commissioned to write about a topic so close to my heart. I feel it is my best piece of writing on the subject of interior design to date. My hope is that it will inspire others to find contentment
At every Cross Quarter Club gathering since the beginning, we’ve put together a spread of seasonally-inspired snacks and drinks. Over the last two years, there have been quite a few recipes that were a big hit! I thought it would be fun to compile all of the most requested recipes in one place for future reference…
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