Local presents that will help save the world
Written by: Sam Pfeifle
If you spend any time online (and you really shouldn’t; it’s scary out there), you will quickly discover the world is ending. It’s over. Everything is awful and if you can’t see that, well, you’re a big dummy. At least that’s been my experience.
Luckily, though, I live in Maine. And I go outside regularly and get a chance to see the wonders this great state has to offer us. Plus, I regularly interact with people who smoke weed and drink beer for a living. They don’t seem to have it so bad. In fact, this place can regularly seem pretty awesome. Sure, the world is filled with horrors, perpetrated by bad people with entirely too much power and too little empathy, but if we focus our attention locally, on our neighbors and friends and the people who make up our community, it’s easy to see we’ve got it pretty good.
It would be nice, though, if we could keep it that way. Maybe even improve things a little here and there. That’s why it’s important not just to focus on community with our thoughts and attention, but also to focus on shopping local in gift-giving season, so your dollars stay in the community and maybe even come back around to you down the road.
I don’t want to get all preachy on you or anything, but just think about it for a second: When you choose the convenience of something manufactured in Bangladesh and shipped from Sacramento to your door, you’re sending your money out of state and into the pockets of bad guys. When you choose to make that extra little trip and pick something up from the store around the corner, you’re putting the money in the pockets of your neighbor, who’ll maybe pony up a little later down the road to sponsor your kid’s T-ball team or buy the next record your band puts out. Stranger things have happened.
So, this gift guide is full of stuff you can find right here in your communities — and some of them even ship stuff to your door.
For the Budding Farmer
The best thing about the new era of legal cannabis is probably the 10-packs of pre-rolls. That’s some Gen-X fever-dream stuff right there. Packs of … joints! However, the second-best thing has got to be that anyone and everyone is welcome to grow their own. And, sure, you can read the “DIY” column right here in this magazine if you want to learn how, but a nice, comprehensive guide to growing can be a great gift. Danny Danko is the editor of High Times, and he’s done a tidy job putting together an entertaining and informative publication (despite the title being profoundly dumb — is it cannabis or “marijuana,” Danny?). Plus: easy to wrap.
What: Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana
From: Sherman’s Books (we checked; it’s on the shelves in nine of their stores)
Where: www.Shermans.com for locations
For Your Canna-Curious Relative
We’ve all got them: Cousins or aunts or whomever that grew up straight-edge, but seem kinda cool, and just need that little nudge to dip into the world of cannabis and its many benefits. You know what they all have? Aches and pains. Even the young relatives. There’s always something nagging at you. And you know what helps? Wild Folk Farm’s High Strength Therapeutic Salve. No, really. With ingredients grown completely organically — from the hemp to the St. John’s Wort to the Bladderwack — it’s exactly what you need for muscle pain and skin irritations. Plus, there’s no actual THC, so you don’t have to worry about folks freaking out in a drug panic. Once they’re hooked, though…
What: Wild Folk Farm’s High Strength Therapeutic Salve
From: Wild Folk Farm, Vassalboro
Where: Available at Lois’ Naturals, in Scarborough, and www.wildfolkfarm.com
For the Sandwich Lover
It seems safe to say that people who love beer and weed also love sandwiches. Well, food of any kind, really, but that’s beside the point. Sandwiches are great! But no one likes a dry sandwich, right? Condiments are important. Except mayo. Mayo is not important. But mustard is! Especially mustard like Raye’s Mustard, which is made in small batches right in Eastport, Maine. Which flavor do we recommend? Yes, the Lunch Mustard, which is a spicy option that will get your tongue tingling thanks to whole mustard seeds marinated in Maine Beer Company’s Lunch IPA (they have a number of other beer-flavored mustards, too). The chili in this one gives it a little extra kick. Try it on a burger and feel it explode in your mouth.
What: Raye’s Lunch Mustard
From: Raye’s Mustard
Where: Raye’s Mustard Mill, in Eastport, ME, or www.RayesMustard.com
For the DIY-or-Die Types
Growing weed? Pretty easy, actually. Brewing beer? Watch out. While growing takes care and attention, things usually turn out alright in the end unless you really bungle things. Brewing requires one level more of sophistication and precision. But it’s doable! And very satisfying when you get it right. Luckily, too, there are plenty of smart folks at a place like Maine Brewing Supply to help a person out. Why not start your beloved tinkerer out with their Homebrewing Starter Kit, which has everything someone needs to launch into brewing, from the eight-gallon fermenter to the bottle capper? Just add a recipe kit and you’re good to go. Plus, you’ll probably get free beer at some point down the line.
What: Homebrewing Starter Kit
From: Handcraft Supplies
Where: Maine Brewing Supply, 542 Forest Ave., Portland
For the Over-Worked and Over-Stressed
What’s better than the gift of true relaxation? In today’s mad-dash world, just about everyone is looking for an excuse to get away from it all for a little bit. Enter Southern Maine Massage and Wellness, whose CBD Spa Day is just what the doctor ordered for a working parent or stressed out executive who needs a break and some me-time. Over the course of three hours, you get a 60-minute full-body CBD massage, then a 60-minute CBD facial (hydrating, lifting, AND firming), and then an hour-long “bubbly, fizzy” CBD foot soak and massage. We’re getting sleepy just thinking about it. This is a winner, men-folk. Trust us.
What: CBD Spa Day
From: Southern Maine Massage
Where: Offices are located in South Portland and Windham
For the Odd Ball in Your Life
Some people are just wired differently. Or maybe they like to demonstrate to others they don’t follow the rules. We have just the thing for them: Maine-made “beer glasses” that come with a lid and a straw. Most people, of course, drink beer from things like pint glasses or those snifter-looking glasses (we could look up the name; it’s not important), or mugs, or even bottles and cans. But who drinks beer out of a straw? Clearly, the people at Gem Lounge Jewelry, in Raymond, that’s who. They’ve got a set of frosted glasses, infused with Maine-themed designs, everything from Sebago Lake to puffins, which is normal and cool, but then they are capped with bamboo lids that come with a hole and a straw. Okay, okay, you don’t have to pour beer in there, and they’d be great for mixed drinks — whatever. They’re calling them beer glasses and we’re wondering about the straws.
What: Maine Beer Glasses with Lids and Straws
From: Gem Lounge Jewelry
Where: Lots of retail spots, find them at www.gemloungejewelry.com
For Your Cousin Who Goes to Ren Faires
We can sort of take or leave the Ren Faire stuff. If you want to get dressed up in short pants and hose and wear funny hats and watch people joust, good for you. Not really our thing. Blacksmiths, however, are fucking cool. Fire, heating up metal, hitting things with hammers, wearing leather smocks — all way fucking cool. Which is why you should get someone who loves a throwback one of these bottle openers from Tripp’s End, down in Saco. We’re keen on the one shaped like the state of Maine. It fits in your hand, perfectly. But they’re all pretty badass. If they’re into funny hats, they’re going to be into busting out one of these at the next party.
What: Iron Bottle Opener
From: Tripp’s End Blacksmith
Where: www.etsy.com/shop/TrippsEnd
For the Urban Stylist
Maine really hasn’t got much for city style. There’s Portland and … Lewiston? Bangor? You’re more likely to see flannel shackets in those spots than a spotless set of Jordans or a well-kept hat with a crisp brim. If you’ve got someone who’s trying to look sharp — you know, knows their barber by name and regularly gets their car detailed — send them over to Fire on Fore, right there in the Old Port, where they’ve always got a full wardrobe on offer, from lids to shoulder bags to bandanas, and all kinds of other accouterments. Okay, maybe the Old Port isn’t exactly 5th Avenue, but there are at least a few people who don’t shop exclusively at Wal-Mart and LL Bean in the area. When in doubt, ask for help.
What: Trucker Hat, Bandana, Shoulder Bag
From: Fire on Fore
Where: 367 Fore St., Portland
For the College Student in Your Life
Have you met college kids lately? They’re kind of boring. They, like, study a lot. And think about their futures and how they can better shape them with appropriate political action and policy creation. BORING. If you know a college kid, buy them a bong. Bongs are fun. They’re made of glass and they get you super high and you can wipe them with your shirt and they magically become free of all germs, allowing you to pass them right along to your friend. Just about every weed shop has bongs, really, but if you’re looking for something special, or want to have one shipped directly to this kid at college, try out ShopCannaStyle.com. Are they Mainers? No. Do they have an awesome Crystal Ball bong that fills up with smoke like the ghost of your long-lost grandmother? Yes! Do they have one shaped and colored like an anatomically correct heart? Also yes! This kid is going to think you’re so cool. Also, buy them some weed.
What: Bongs!
From: Shop Canna Style
Where: www.shopcannastyle.com
