Preservation Maryland's Made in Maryland Holiday Gift Guide

From award-winning libations to botanical skincare lines to food items steeped in Maryland tradition, this Holiday Gift Guide showcases the diversity and creativity that exists among Maryland’s makers. While making your list and checking it twice, we hope you enjoy reviewing the unique gift options which can be found through the fabulous businesses in our great state.

WOCKENFUSS CANDIES

Wockenfuss Candies is one of Baltimore’s oldest candy-makers, and has been in operation for over a century. The family-owned business’ signature homemade chocolate nut clusters, candies, and truffles are what they are most well-known for. However, if you’re not in the market for chocolate, the candy-maker also offers a variety of other sweet treats including caramels, licorice, taffy, and gummi candies. Wockenfuss Candies confectionaries can be purchased at one of their nine locations across Maryland or on their website.

FIREFLY FARMS CREAMERY & MARKET

FireFly Farms is one of Maryland’s premier and most awarded cheese makers. Through the production of their cheese, they aim to create value for their local farming community as well as the economy of Western Maryland. All of their handmade goat cheese is made with milk sourced within 30-miles of the creamery, and is free from added hormones or antibiotics. You can find their products at FireFly Market in Accident, Maryland or on their website.

BLACK ANKLE WINERY

Black Ankle Vineyards is located in the beautiful rolling hills of western Maryland. The vineyard is well-known for yielding award winning wines of great complexity, subtlety and nuance. Black Ankle Winery offers a wine for every taste, including full-bodied reds, vibrant whites, and delicious port-style wines. Consider stopping by their Mount Airy location, joining their ever growing wine club, or buy a bottle from one of their many vendors across Maryland.

BANNER BEE COMPANY

BannerBee Company started off as a hobby, and now two generations later, has developed into a booming family-run business. The family’s apiaries are located across the state, providing their bees with an abundance of nectar to choose from. Banner Bee Company offers a variety of small batch artisan honeys and honey inspired health & body care products. They also offer a unique array of beeswax candles and flower pots that will instantly make any occasion more festive. BannerBee Company’s products can be found in locations across Maryland, and on their website.

WJ DENT & SONS

No holiday feast is complete without a Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham. WJ Dent & Sons’ store was first established in 1927, and was owned by several families, before being taken over by the Dents. The store is home to Andy’s Butcher Shop and Deli, which has been serving up Southern Maryland Stuffed Hams for over 35 years. The ham is stuffed with a variety of greens, onions, and spices, before being boiled to retain maximum juiciness. WJ Dent & Sons hams can be purchased at their location in Tall Timbers, Maryland or on their website.

NO THYME TO COOK

Set out on a culinary adventure with No Thyme to Cook. Owner Chef Gwyn Novak has been cooking and writing about food for more than 25 years and now offers her special skills and passion for good food and nutrition to help you improve yours in the kitchen. No Thyme to Cook has classes for all skill levels, spanning a broad range of cuisines and topics. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Solomons Island harbor, while having a ball in No Thyme to Cook’s brand new teaching kitchens. To browse their full list of classes or to purchase a gift card, visit their website.

ROUTE ONE APPAREL

Route One Apparel is an e-commerce platform that specializes in making trendy and affordable Maryland pride apparel and accessories for those who want to make a statement. Route One Apparel offers great accessories and a huge selection of designs featuring Maryland icons like Natty Boh and Old Bay.

EVERYMAN THEATRE

Everyman Theatre is a professional theatre dedicated to bringing accessible and affordable theatre to everyone. Each season of plays is carefully curated to foster a diverse range of human experiences found in a mix of dramas and comedies selected from timeless classics to world premieres of plays. This season’s line-up includes crowd pleasers such as Agatha Christie’s: Murder on the Orient Express, Be Here Now, and Berta, Berta. No matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed an experience that is sure to please. For the most flexibility, and best savings, consider purchasing a 3, 5, or 8 play subscription. Individual tickets can also be found at the box office or on their website.

CHARM CITY CHOCOLATES

Charm City Chocolates is a gourmet chocolate shop in Hampden run by husband-and-wife team Todd and Michelle Zimmerman. The small shop offers carefully curated handmade chocolates that originate from family recipes. Each and every chocolate is made from the finest local ingredients with chocolate sourced from sustainable growers around the world who treat their lands and people with respect.

MILK & ICE VINTAGE

Milk & Ice Vintage was started by best friends, and Maryland natives, Angie Gavin and Kate Thomas. Their carefully curated collection specializes in vintage clothing from the turn of the century until the early 1990s – offering everything from Edwardian wedding gowns to perfectly broken in concert Tees from the 1980s. Milk & Ice share a storefront with Sturgis Antiques on the Avenue in Baltimore’s hip and historic Hampden neighborhood, making it a one-stop-shop for the vintage enthusiast in your life. You can shop Milk & Ice’s eclectic selection of vintage garb and antique collectibles at their shop in Baltimore or through their Etsy shop online.

BIGGS & FEATHERBELLE

Biggs & Featherbelle started in 2003 with two sisters looking to make Christmas presents for their friends and family. Since then they evolved to year-round production of all-natural botanical based soaps, lotions and skin care products that, in their own words, “smell too good to be true and appeal to everybody”. With background in fine art and fashion, they provide fun packaging while providing body care products for specific skin types which have no preservatives, additives or synthetics. Better yet, this year’s holiday collection is inspired by the magic of a classic gingerbread house. You can find Biggs and Featherbelle goodies in stores across Maryland or order straight from their website.

FRANKLIN’S RESTAURANT, BREWERY & GENERAL STORE

Since Mike and Debra Franklin acquired the Hyattsville Hardware Store in 1992, they have grown this business into something fun for everyone. Their delicious brewpub provides interesting food options based on locally source ingredients served beside a diversity of multi-award winning beers, such as Twisted Turtle and Tripel Bliss. But, this is only part of the fabulous feast they provide. They also cater, provide gallery space for local artists and have a general store which must be seen to be believed. Franklin’s General Store stocks unique kitchen and office accessories, thoughtfully chosen children’s toys, a nostalgic and conscientious candy collection, a mixture of jewelry, wines, beers, and personal gifts items for every picky gift recipient.

GLEN ECHO PARK

Glen Echo Park has something for everyone on your list. This holiday season, find one of a kind gifts for your loved ones at the park’s numerous artist studios & galleries. Register for one of the hundreds of classes in visual and performing arts; or drop-in for a children’s weekend art activity and take a spin on the restored 1921 Dentzel Carousel. Learn more about the park’s organizations & upcoming events on their website.

STELLARIUM

Baltimore jeweler Morgan Phillips, made Stellarium to be a place to see the stars, to focus on the great beyond, and to heal and grow. A seasoned antiquer, Phillips uses patinas and ageing techniques to recreate the look of aged metals. She crafts each piece with the intent to last, so that her works can be passed on to as many people as possible, spreading beauty and a sense of self. Stellarium jewelry can be found at vendor fairs throughout the area, as well as their website.

COMMUNITY FORKLIFT

Community Forklift is a nonprofit reuse center for home improvement supplies. They offer building materials to the public at low cost, and provide vintage materials for restoring old homes. Their vintage furniture, building materials, and architectural salvage are the perfect gift for the do-it-yourselfers in your life. Interested in making a handmade gift of your own? Community Forklift also provides public education about reuse projects. To view their selection, visit Community Forklift’s main location or their website.

MCCLINTICK DISTILLING

McClintock Distilling is an organic certified craft distillery located in beautiful downtown Frederick, Maryland. The distillery aims to embody the innovative and creative spirit of their namesake, locally renowned inventor McClintock Young, by never settling for the industry standard for high quality spirits. Their double gold awarded McClintock Reserve and Maryland Heritage White Whiskey is sure to be a welcomed addition to any holiday party. You can find their products at local vendors throughout Maryland or at their location in Frederick.

RAR BREWING

Based in Cambridge, Maryland on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, RAR Brewing is housed inside an 80 year old former pool hall & bowling alley. They are dedicated to producing well-balanced American and Belgian inspired brews 10 barrels at a time. You can find their products at their taproom in Cambridge or at one of their many distributors. Check out their website for their current beer list and additional merchandise.

OPEN WORKS BALTIMORE

Open Works Baltimore is a non-profit dedicated to making tools, technology, and the knowledge to use them accessible to all. Open Works sits in the heart of one of Baltimore’s original manufacturing districts, a stone’s throw from the old Crown Cork and Seal complex and the former Lebow Brothers Clothing factory. From curious hobbyists to skilled makers, Open Works has classes for all levels of experience, including metalwork, embroidery, 3-D printing, and much more. Check out their website to find out more about their classes or to sign up for a membership.

BROKEN HAMMER FORGE

At Broken Hammer Forge, owner Dave Collier uses the traditional hot forging method to create a wide variety of items ranging from artistic pieces to small architectural works that are guaranteed to make the perfect gift. If you prefer a more hands on approach to gift giving, Collier also teaches blacksmithing classes with the intent of spreading the iron addiction. For more information on upcoming classes or to view Collier’s portfolio, visit their website.

Happy Shopping Local from Preservation Maryland!

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Preservation Maryland’s Made in Maryland Holiday Gift Guide