Alaska is full of small businesses and talented creators. With the holiday gifting season upon us, we wanted to share a small collection of those who have been inspiring us lately. Whether these makers are in your community or brand new to you, Alaska's wild gifts are present in so many of their unique creations and we hope these gift ideas help you share what you love most about Alaska with your friends and family this holiday season. Thank you always for supporting small business and shopping locally; it makes a real impact. We are proud to be surrounded by so many inspiring and talented people and projects. Happy gifting everybody, and happy holidays!
Kaladi Brothers x Adrift Prints Collection
A special collection, designed by Adrift Prints, is inspired by familiar Alaskan ridge lines. It includes camp mugs, a hoodie, tote bag and art print featuring ridgelines special to Turnagain Pass, Hatcher Pass, and the Chugach Front Range with backcountry skiing in mind. 20% of all sales will go to benefit the Chugach Avalanche Center.
Ruby Rouser
Handwoven jewelry by Alutiiq Sugpiaq Artist Jessie Herman-Haywood in Juneau, Alaska. See special collaboration pieces with Lee Burkhart, a Tlingit artist also living in Juneau.
Cardboard Cribbage
Lightweight backcountry cribbage sets inspired by the Talkeetna Mountains. Each box and deck of cards is designed by Alaskan artist, Jessedeeks.
Working Boats Coloring Book
Step into the fascinating world of the maritime community, with this fun and gorgeous coloring book filled with Tom Crestodina’s illustrations of intriguing working boats and lively maritime scenes. Coloring enthusiasts of all ages will love bringing this dynamic world to life in full color.
Bristol Baybes Zines
Inside these zines you will find a collection of stories, artwork, and musings highlighting the experiences of women living and working in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are available on the Salmon Sisters webshop.
Sagebrush Dry
Sagebrush Dry Gear creates high quality dry gear in their workshop based in Kake, Alaska. They take great care in the quality of their craftsmanship, with products ranging from dry bag backpacks to camera bags to kayak packs. Salmon Sisters worked with Sagebrush Dry to create the Treasure Bucket (pictured above) – great for hands-free foraging, beach combing and more.
Jenny Nakao Ceramics
Studio potter and Prince William Sound/Copper River commercial fisherman based in Seward, Alaska. We love Jenny's mugs featuring fishing boats and her other ocean-inspired designs!
Kivliq
Britt’Nee Kivliqtaruq Brower is a strong proponent of Iñupiat values and their relevance in our modern age. She advocates the revitalization of the language, art, story telling, and tattoo traditions of her Iñupiat people and brings this passion to her artwork. Her work incorporates traditional Qupak motifs and adds a modern twist to honor traditional elements of her Iñupiat culture.
Wildhaven Wools
Keep your loved ones cozy outdoors this winter in grow-with-me merino wool base layers from Wildhaven Wools. Super soft, natural, warm but breathable and cute! Perfect on their own, or under rain and snow gear, these clothes are made for kids who love to play outside. Made in the USA and designed in Haines, Alaska.
Woven in the Waves
Handmade micromacrame jewelry by Lingít artist Cayla McCutcheon living in Sitka, Alaska. Find made to order items on her website, including earrings and hair pins, through the holidays!
Spirit Things
A collection of essays that evoke an adventurous spirit and the craving for myth, Spirit Things examines the hidden meanings of objects found on a fishing boat, as seen through the eyes of a child. Author Lara Messersmith-Glavin blends memoir, mythology, and science as she relates the uniqueness and flavor of the Alaskan experience through her memories of growing up fishing in the commercial salmon industry off Kodiak Island.
Sweetgale Meadworks
Crafting small-batch, award-winning berry meads and hard ciders on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula using 100% locally produced fruit and honey. Labels designed and paper cut by Seldovia-based artist Valisa Higman make these bottles a beautiful gift.
Mekegsaq
Crocheted wearable arts and stylish balaclavas, skirts and crop tops made by Siberian Yupik, Lingít artist Mek Apangalook.
Selkie Zine
A biannual (ish) publication and collective originating in Sitka, Alaska which takes its name from a group of friends discovering the underwater worlds of Southeast Alaska and exploring womanhood through their relationship to the land.
Bering Sea Designs
Jewelry hand crafted in Juneau, Alaska using sea otter fur and metal, inspired by the artist Carley's Aleut (Unangax̂) heritage and made for "the women who want to feel grounded and present in her life."
Forager & Co.
A natural dye shop based out of Homer, Alaska, owned and operated by Lily Kroll with product ranging from dye kits, silk scarves, printed tea towels to bulk fabrics and more.
Kachemak Kelp
Kachemak Kelp works with Kachemak Bay seaweed farmers to produce regenerative, delicious kelp products – healthy for people, our oceans and coastal Alaska communities. Shop a selection of products on the Salmon Sisters webshop.
Moonture
Moonture seeks to create jewelry "at the intersection of cultural intention and coherent emotion. Drawing from their Lingít and Maori heritage, Maka and Aorere center the soul of their work in intention, energy and Mana."
Wildland Chocolate
Hand-crafted small batch chocolate made from the bean to the bar in Anchorage, Alaska. Find owners and chocolatiers Suzanne and Jimmy at markets and bazaars across Alaska this holiday season.
Living Within the Wild Cookbook
The Dixon family has been running award-winning adventure lodges in Alaska for over thirty years, celebrating the bounty that the land has to offer with guests from around the world. Their new cookbook is full of recipes for fresh local seafood and produce featured in the lodges and restaurants.
Willow + Luna
Handcrafted one-of-a-kind Italian leather bags made in Juneau, Alaska by Erin. There's truly a style for everyone!
Winnie’s Fish Pants
Fish prints handmade in Homer, Alaska by Lindsey Kenton, who started making fish prints on worn out work pants. Shop canvas prints, tote bags, tea towels, aprons and more.
Ocean's Captain Storybook
A high seas tale of empowerment while trolling for Happily Ever After, written by Ocean Rutherford and illustrated by Homer, Alaska artist Oceana Wills.
Drifters Fish Alaska Sockeye Lox Box
Enjoy a 10 pound box of Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon, cured and smoked and ready to be sliced into silky ribbons of lox. Packaged in 5-6 oz portions and shipped by fishermen Nelly and Michael from Cordova, Alaska to your door.
Adventure with Alaska Surf Guides
Grab your buddies, climb aboard the Milo or Aleutia Surf Boats with Mike and Wendy, and head out on an adventure of a lifetime in Seward/Kenai Fjords, the Gulf of Alaska or the Aleutian Islands.
Qaadax̂ Studio
Sustainable beadwork, skin-sewing, mixed media art, and storytelling by Unangax̂ artist Qadaax̂ Chloe Bourdukofsky, who lives and works on Dena'ina Ełnena.
The Net Loft
Cordova's favorite shop full of tools for creativity offers beautiful yarn (and so many other treasures!) inspired by the sea, the forest and mountains of Alaska.
Alpha Kilo Metalworks
Take a workshop with metalsmith Maggie LaRue and learn how to make a custom ring! Workshops are based in Homer and occasionally in other Alaskan destinations throughout the year. Find Maggie's creations at her newly opened storefront (3939 Lake St. Unit 4) in Homer, AK.
ArXotica
ArXotica is an Alaska Native owned skin care company based in Bethel, Alaska. Its founders, Michelle, Cika and Amy Sparck, are triplet sisters who use traditional knowledge to harvest wild botanicals and minerals from the sea for their line of skin care products.
Alaska Shellfish Farms
This family-run shellfish growing operation out of Halibut Cove, Alaska harvests fresh Glacier Point Oysters daily and ships them fresh, overnight to the continental US and Alaska. The most incredible taste, from the most incredible place. Send to the oyster lovers in your life or save for your holiday menu.
Felicity Loft Teas
Warming teas for winter, made in Soldotna, Alaska. These loose-leaf blends come in lovely packaging and flavors like "Alaska Breakfast," "Vanilla Birch," "Lapsang Chaga," "Aurora Dreams," and our favorite Alaska kelp-infused "Mariner's Chai."
Heather's Choice
A woman-owned business making good food made to travel. Dehydrated meals for the backcountry and outdoor adventures, including Wild Alaska Salmon Chowder!
Ski Babes: Training for Winter Strength & Resilience
"Winter is more fun when you're fit & strong." Ski Babes can help you or your loved ones have the winter you've been hoping for. Gift this online training program to someone who's been wanting to build the strong muscles and the resilient (and self-compassionate) mindset you need to have an incredible winter filled with joyful memories outside — all without injuries and with the feeling of confidence and trust in your body.
The Dirty Apron
Book a cooking class for adults or kids at The Dirty Apron in Anchorage, Alaska, a beautiful family-owned culinary space and cooking shop that offers a wide array of learning opportunities.
Alaska Huts
The mission of Alaska Huts in Manitoba, AK is to "To build and maintain backcountry lodgings that promote camaraderie, stewardship, outdoor education, & Alaska’s cultural heritage." Get the gang together and rent a cabin or yurt this winter, enjoy the sauna after an afternoon ski, and get cozy by the fire with new friends. A great New Year destination.
Edible Alaska
Gift a subscription to Edible Alaska, a culinary magazine dedicated to Alaska’s local food movement. Every issue celebrates local farmers and fishermen, food artisans, brewers, chefs, and home cooks with stories and recipes.
Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit
Send a young fisherman in your life to the 2023 Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit, taking place in Anchorage, Alaska December 5-7th. They'll learn from industry experts in fishing business management, the fisheries management process, and the role of Alaska seafood in the global marketplace.
Fish For Families Donation Program
Help meet nutritional and cultural need and increase connection and food security in Alaska. The Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association seafood donation program helps facilitate the transport and distribution of wild salmon to Alaska Native communities suffering (sea)food insecurity.
Wild Salmon Fund
Help protect Alaska's wild salmon and clean water by donating to the Wild Salmon Fund. We all depend on these life-giving fish in Alaska, help keep their habitat healthy by giving back this holiday season.
Support Local Artists in Alaska
Dos Manos in Anchorage
Anchorage Museum Store in Anchorage
Kindred Post in Juneau
Poppy Lane Mercantile in Palmer
Salmon Sisters Flagship in Homer
Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer
The Net Loft in Cordova
The Museum of the Aleutians in Unalaska
Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak
Happy gifting everybody! For more ideas, browse our Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Kids and Made in Alaska gifts.