This holiday season, what with the looming economic and ecological crises, it's more important than ever to buy local and to buy green. Keepint that in mind, the Advocate canvassed the Valley, seeking out the best–and often strangest–homegrown and handmade gifts. The result is a mix of crafts, comestibles and comfort items, from organic soap and rack of lamb to emu oil and fresh vegitables.
Images of each of the below items are in the photogallery. Click on one of the icons to see an image, and then click on the left or right hand side of the image to view the rest.
1. Dog Lover's Gift Basket, $40-125, Nouveau Gift Baskets of Northampton, (866) 573-3762, www.nouveaugiftbaskets.com.
2. Doll's Clothes, $14.50-38, Grandma's Clothesline, Shelburne, www.shopwesternmass.com/grandmas.
3. Emu Oil and Lotion, prices vary, Songline Farm, Gill, www.songlineemufarm.com.
4. Hedgie's Hot Stuff, $5, Serio's Market, Cushman's Market, McCusker's Market, the Williamsburg Market, www.hedgieshotstuff.com.
5. Fish Sculpture, Good Dirt Pottery, www.gooddirtpottery.com.
6. Cuts of Lamb, $7.50/lb., Crescent Moon Farm, Belchertown, (413) 253-0528, www.crescentmoonfarm.com.
7. All-Natural Soaps, $3.25/bar, Delights of the Earth, Williamsburg, www.delightsoftheearth.com.
8. Fresh Produce Basket, $50, Valley Green Feast, www.valleygreenfeast.com.
9. Fresh Milk Delivery, $2.89-3.39/half gallon, Mapleline Farms, (413) 548-9107, www.maplelinefarm.com.
10. One-Of-A-Kind Clothes, Holly Daze Creations, www.hollydazecreations.etsy.com.
