Inspired by Alaska: A Holiday Gift Guide by Salmon Sisters

Inspired by Alaska: A Holiday Gift Guide by Salmon Sisters

There are so many amazing creators and small businesses in Alaska. The holiday gifting season is upon us, and we hope you feel as inspired as we do to shop local and support those in our community who pour their hearts and time into their craft–whether it's writing, illustrating, beading, sewing, growing, harvesting, knitting, developing new recipes, designing, organizing, giving back or creating with their hands. Alaska's wild gifts are present in so many of the unique creations in this gift guide 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 our small Alaskan business, we are proud to be surrounded by so many inspiring and talented people and proud to return the love. Happy gifting everybody, and happy holidays! 

 

Berry Song by Michaela Goade

Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book, which takes place on an island in Alaska at the edge of a wide, wild sea, where a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. It's an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth, and a gorgeous staple on every Alaskan bookshelf.

 

Working Boats: An Inside Look at Ten Amazing Watercrafts by Tom Crestodina

This visual treat of a book by Alaska fisherman and illustrator Tom Crestodina is filled with detailed cross-sections and exploded views of working boats. A perfect gift for kids & adults curious about the mechanics of boats and the lives of people who work on them. 

 

Trickster Company x Rumpl Puffy Blanket

Trickster Company is an Indigenous-owned design shop founded by siblings Rico and Crystal Worl. Crystal collaborated with Rumpl to design the Raven, Moon & Stars Blanket with the story of Raven “the Trickster” bringing the sun, moon and stars to the world. It is a beautiful, durable, packable, cozy companion for just about any adventure. 

 

Alaskalux Candles

A women-owned, hand-crafted candle company based in Kodiak, Alaska using all-natural soy wax 100% sourced from American Suppliers. Sample a myriad of Alaska-inspired scents including Marine Fog, Emerald Isle, Driftwood & Beachgrass and Mug Up! 

 

Wild Waters Tea Company

A woman-owned, rural Alaska tea company, based in Bristol Bay using hand-processed, wild-gathered and garden-grown ingredients. Try the Mother Tundra Mint Tea, a blend of organic peppermint mixed with labrador tea, also known as tundra tea or ayut (in Yugtun) to those in Bristol Bay. 1% of revenue is donated to combat climate change.

 

Linda Infante Lyons Art Prints

Limited edition signed giclee prints of landscape and icon portrait oil paintings by Alutiiq Alaska Native artist Linda Infante Lyons. Find original paintings on her website as well. 

 

Boyland Knitworks Patterns

Approachable and customizable patterns for hand-knitters of all levels, designed in Homer, Alaska by Caitlin Hunter. The knit-wear patterns are "inspired by nature and the desire to create garments that combine art and functionality." We love the Halibut Sweater–a perfect gift for a crafty pal or family member!

Kelp Chili Crisp by Barnacle Foods x Outdoor Chef Life

Barnacle is a Juneau-based small business preserving coastal food, including a new Kelp Chili Crisp made in collaboration with YouTube fisher and chef Taku of Outdoor Chef Life

 

Paniggaq Qaspeqs

Brandi Hale is a Yup’ik qaspeq designer based in Hooper Bay, Alaska. Keep an eye out for new styles on her Instagram account (@paniggaq_), including beautiful custom pieces and qaspeq vests. 

 

Phases of the Ptarmigan Puzzle

Anchorage-based watercolor artist Max Romey often takes his paints to the outdoors to capture Alaska's wild beauty. This limited edition puzzle captures the phases of Alaska's state bird and is the perfect for the outdoor enthusiast. 

 

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute: Forty Years of Fish Downloadable Cookbook

Treat yourself and the seafood lovers in your life to this free downloadable cookbook featuring recipes for all your favorite Wild Alaska Seafood. 

 

Allie Spurlock Art

Allie Spurlock is an artist living in Sitka, Alaska who creates one-of-a-kind pieces on repurposed bouys, shells and glass fishing floats reflecting life in her fishing town and the wildlife nearby. You can purchase her unique pieces on Instagram (@sallisonspurlock).

 

The Ocean Gift Set by Waterbody

Waterbody makes hand-crafted body care products inspired by the wild landscape of Southeast Alaska. The Ocean Collection Set is a 3-piece body care kit to indulge your skin and your senses in the invigorating, restorative magic of Alaska's wild Pacific Ocean.

 

Adventure with Alaska Surf Guides

Grab your buddies, climb aboard the Milo Surf Boat 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. Alaska Surf Guides specializes in remote surfing adventures, utilizing Helicopters & Boats to access remote waves for half-day Heli Trips and multi-day Boat expeditions.

 

Qaspeqs and Workshops with Sew Yup'ik 

Sew Yup'ik is a small business owned by Quluqaaq (Nikki Nick Corbett) that specializes in sewing qaspeqs and sewing classes. Keep up with her many talents on the Sew Yup'ik Facebook page, Instagram account (@sewyupik), and website. 

 

Smoked Coho Salmon in Birch Syrup by Wildfish Cannery 

Limited edition Wild Alaska Smoked Coho Salmon, smoked and canned by Wildfish Cannery in Klawock, Alaska with the special edition of Homer's Bridge Creek Birch Syrup. Perfect for the tinned fish fanatics on your list, and smoked salmon fans.


Ray Troll 2023 Calendar

Plan next year's adventures with Ketchikan-based artist Ray Troll's new wall calendar, full of new and classic prints. Perfect for making plans big and small.

 

Alaska Shellfish - Shipped Fresh from Kachemak Bay

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.

 

Chix̂tax̂ Designs

Contemporary Alaska Native art and jewelry by Unangax̂/Yup'ik designer Mercedes Laadax̂ Kuchax̂ Kashatok. Find her latest creations using salmon leather, seal gut, seal/rabbit fur and other traditional materials on her Instagram account (@chixtaxdesigns). Her community has gifted her the tools and knowledge to create, she wishes to acknowledge them all as well, support Indigenous artists!


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 more (mulling spices!).

 
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 of winter ski days, mushing adventures, and snow angels — all without injuries and with the feeling of confidence and trust in your body.

 

Morel Pottery

Morel Pottery is handmade in Fairbanks, Alaska by Heidi Morel and is inspired by her life and travels throughout Alaska. Her stackable bowls, mugs and other useful vessels depict patterns and animals from nature, carved with a technique called "sgraffito."

 
Mammoth Skin Care Gift Set for Men by ArXotica 

ArXotica is an Alaska Native owned skin care company based in Bethel, Alaska. Its founders, Michelle, Cika and Amy Spark, are triplet sisters who use traditional knowledge to harvest wild botanicals for their line of skin care products, including these (Angutet) Genuine Mammoth Tooth extract infused products for men.

 
Papercut Art by Valisa Higman 

Valisa Higman is an artist living and working in Seldovia, Alaska. Her work is inspired by a deep connection to both her natural surroundings and her community. She combines drawing, bold saturated colors and cut paper. Her prints, cards and illustrated children's book are lovely housewarming holiday gifts.

Coastal Rock Design

Parkas, atikluks, hooded cowl atikluk vests and more, made by Iñupiaq designer Danielle Rock, based in Point Hope, Alaska. Stay tuned on her Instagram account (@coastal.rock.design), where you'll find her turning traditional Iñupiaq garments into contemporary designs. 

 

Outdoor Guide Books Illustrated by Sarah Glaser

Sarah Glaser is an Anchorage-based illustrator whose educational and quirky drawings have brought instruction to life in titles like "Becoming a Superwoman on a Bike: A Beginner's Guide to Mountain and Fat Biking," "The Packraft Handbook," "Dheglaya: A Hatcher Pass Climbing Guide" and "Alaska Ice Guide." Perfect gifts for the outdoor recreators in your life!

 

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.

 

 
Aluiyagnaq Creations

Katiya Lena Aluiyagnaq is an Alaska Native artist making handmade beadwork in Unalakleet, Alaska. She uses a mix of different mediums and practices to create unique and purposeful earrings, necklaces and more. 

 

ABCs of Alaska Book by Brittany Jones

A book of whimsical paintings of all things Alaska A-Z by artist Brittany Jones. A perfect new baby holiday gift. 

 

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

 

Happy gifting everybody! For more ideas, browse Salmon Sisters Holiday Gift Ideas and Salmon Sisters Holiday Gift Boxes.

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