Shop Small Holiday Gift Guide 2020: Big Flavors, Part 2

Discover some of my favorite small and local businesses in this year’s holiday gift guide—ideas that make a meaningful impact when you shop small. See part 1 here.

There are so many talented small businesses to feature that I split my recommendations into multiple posts—this is part 2. If you missed it, you can view part 1 here.

I do much of my shopping through curated marketplaces like Etsy for handmade items—think unpaper towels, novelty coffee mugs for fellow pop-culture fans, and clever greeting cards. I’ll admit I sometimes use Amazon for convenience, but I make an effort to prioritize local makers and independent shops whenever possible.

I also stand behind many of the gift recommendations I’ve shared in past years—see my older gift guides for more ideas and inspiration.

Bucci Coffee Co.

Nik Bucci crafts beautifully balanced, organic cold-brew and whole-bean coffees from Cortlandt Manor, NY. Bucci Coffee Co. focuses on specialty cold brew and freshly roasted beans that work just as well at home as they do in cafes.

Their mail-order options make it easy to send fresh coffee across the United States—perfect for gifting to the coffee lover in your life. I find the cold brew exceptionally smooth, and the whole bean roasts pull a great cup when freshly ground (I brew mine with a pourover and a reusable filter).

I also appreciate small touches like the hand-typed labels on their bags—things that make a product feel personal and handmade.

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I asked Nik to share how Bucci Coffee Co. began and how he landed on roasting and cold brew:

Big Flavors: How long have you been in business? Tell me about your background and how you got started.

Nik Bucci: We’ve been operating for just under two years. My background is in engineering and photography, and travel played a big role in my love of coffee. A friend introduced me to specialty coffee in Milan, and while traveling in 2017 coffee shops became my workspace and inspiration. After that trip, I launched Bucci Coffee Co.

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BF: What products do you offer?

NB: We offer a 1.5L eco-friendly, shippable cold brew pouch that yields about 8–12 servings and keeps well in the fridge. We also roast two whole-bean options: a medium-roast Ethiopian and a dark-roast Brazilian, both organic and fair trade.

BF: Where can people buy your products?

NB: The best place to order is through our website. We’re also working on getting back onto local shelves in Westchester, like A&S Fine Foods in Croton.

BF: Best way to connect?

NB: Join our email list or find us on Instagram and Facebook for updates. We look forward to meeting customers in person again soon.

Bliss Co-op

Dana Anders runs Bliss Co-op in Sugar Loaf, NY, a charming shop that spotlights handmade goods—many created by women artisans from the Hudson Valley region. I first connected with Dana after an Instagram post about a cheeseboard, and she gifted me a beautiful hand-stamped vintage cheese knife.

Because of 2020 I hadn’t visited in person, but Dana gave me a virtual tour of the shop that was delightful—personal shopping from my bed while I recovered from surgery. Her curated selection blends whimsy and utility: tea towels, kitchen tools, local ceramics, and small gifts perfect for stocking stuffers.

One simple, sustainable idea: use a tea towel as eco-friendly wrapping. It cuts waste and becomes part of the gift itself—a practical, beautiful choice.

I asked Dana to describe Bliss Co-op’s beginnings and what they carry:

Bliss Co-op opened April 1, 2011. It grew out of selling handmade greeting cards in Sugar Loaf and evolved into a storefront celebrating women artisans from the Hudson Valley. Our shelves include pottery, jewelry, baby items, kitchen and foodie goods, and more. We welcome messages via Instagram and Facebook for purchases and offer shipping or local drop-off. This holiday season we’ll be vending at local markets like Wickham Makers Market in Warwick and Campwoods Holiday Boutique in Ossining.

C-los Carpentry

I discovered C-los Carpentry at Makers Central during the Westchester Craft Crawl. Carlos and Elena create beautifully finished wooden pieces—cheeseboards, cutting boards, bowls, trays, and vases—often using salvaged wood or offcuts from furniture projects so each item is unique.

Their work shows careful craftsmanship and an eye for hospitality—ideal for anyone who loves hosting or gifting thoughtful kitchen pieces.

Big Flavors: Tell us about C.los Carpentry’s background.

C.los Carpentry: We’ve been operating as C-los Carpentry for two years and have steadily expanded our studio and product range. Carlos grew up in carpentry and started as an apprentice at 12. Elena holds a degree in interior design and discovered woodworking while working in build-and-design. Together we blend fine woodworking and hospitality experience to make pieces for restaurants and homes.

BF: What do you offer?

CC: Our offerings include a variety of cutting boards, cheeseboards in woods like cherry, birch, and walnut, wooden vases, salad bowls, and more. Many pieces are one-of-a-kind because we reuse salvaged materials.

BF: Where can shoppers find your work?

CC: Customers can contact us to visit our studio by appointment, shop select items through our website, and find us at Makers Central holiday markets and the White Plains Holiday Market in December.

BF: Best way to connect?

CC: Email Carlos or Elena directly, or reach out via Instagram.

Two Knit Wits

Aimee and Janine—friends and talented makers—create a range of handcrafted goods I love gifting. What started as a knitting hobby grew into a small business that now includes macramé and poured soy candles.

About 3.5 years ago I started knitting as a hobby, then began making pieces for friends. This year I expanded into macramé and candle pouring.

Their soy candles use phthalate-free essential oil blends and come in cleverly named scents. I appreciate their balanced fragrances—options like Mint Grapefruit, Fresh Picked Cucumber, and aPEELing are fresh and not overpowering. They offer holiday sampler packs, seasonal candle subscriptions, and a candle care kit with a wick trimmer and wax dipper.

They also accept candle vessel returns for a discount on future purchases, and their labels can be personalized—great for gifting. Beyond candles, Two Knit Wits offers knitwear, macramé pieces, and accessories like geometric earrings and cozy beanies that I’ve enjoyed personally.