Shopping this holiday season is going to look a lot different this year, with many of us cruising stores online from our couch, not in person. And while Amazon beckons, it’s always a good idea to support local (and find something not everyone else has). These NJ Etsy shops started by NJ moms, and dads offer unique and unusual gifts for making your at-home life happier, from crafty holiday decor to all-natural soaps to comfy loungewear. Scroll down to see our picks of gift ideas you should click on this season that will surely be a memorable gift to give and get—happy shopping!
Featured photo via Right Here At Home
Ginger Sweet Crafts 
Diane Cohrs has a passion for sewing and creates felt ornaments, banners, and decor to celebrate holidays and those special moments. This Sussex County mother of four has been on Etsy since 2012, and her Gingerbread Christmas ornaments were even featured in Better Homes & Gardens. Feeling crafty? Buy and download the PDF of her patterns to make your own ornaments.
Before The Rings 
When Alyssa Lindell couldn’t find the exact accessories she wanted for her wedding, she created them. Now six years (and three boys) later, her Etsy shop has custom gifts, invitations, and unique items like personalized carved wooden ornaments and customized gift sets for everyone from teachers to nurses. Looking for a friend celebrating a quarantine birthday? She’s got a custom box just for that.
PCB Home 
Parents Alyssa and Dan started PCB Home in 2012, with the intent of creating meaningful home decor. They’re known for their austere aesthetic and have been featured in Real Simple and the Pottery Barn Blog. Look for tea towels, pillows, makeup bags, table linens, and more with holiday sayings, song lyrics, and sweet illustrations imprinted on them.
Mt. Lebanon Soap Company 
Port Murray parents, Chris and Erin, started making artisanal soaps as wedding favors, but their Etsy shop now serves a bigger purpose—to support and educate their daughter with Down Syndrome. Check out the delicious sounding scents like refreshing Mojito Cocktail, sparkling Peppermint Frost Shea Butter, woodsy Pine Barrens For Men, and earthy Garden State (which smells like what else—Jersey tomatoes), as well as the holiday-themed bath bombs and lip balms.
PricelessKids 
You’ll find the cutest party favors (including colorful dino tees that you can personalize for each kid) here, as well as seasonal gifts like stockings and matching graphic Christmas tees for the whole family. The owner Agnes, a mom of three in West Orange, specializes in personalized group gifts (check her out for your post-Covid family reunion), including totes, hats, tees, and sweatshirts.
Rose and Lily’s Boutique 
Kids will love snuggling up to these stuffed animals with memorable dates and names embroidered on their floppy ears (so sweet) and cherish them for years. If you want to match your daughter’s hair to a holiday or event, Sparta mom Shannon has just the bow—she creates them around themes, like pumpkins for fall, gingerbread for Christmas, and even pencil themed ones for back to school.
Hope On A Rope Jewelry
Shop owner Kim remembers hunting for tiny, simple jewelry on a trip to New York City, and when she couldn’t find what she was looking for, she decided to create her own. Now, this Frenchtown mom has an Etsy shop featuring her hand-stamped minimalist necklaces and bracelets in silver and gold. Look for charms stamped with meaningful symbols like dainty mandalas, keepsake flowers, crashing waves, and bright rainbows—an everyday piece to keep close to your heart and a reminder of all good things to come.
Right Here At Home 
In 2016, when Niki Gizzi started her comfy clothing shop, she had little idea that Right Here At Home would be the motto for 2020. Check out her fun and fresh lounge options—with sayings like “Caffeine and Quarantine,” “It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere,” and Mama Needs More Coffee,” you’ll find a tee or sweatshirt to boost your day and be the conversation starter on all your Zoom calls. There are also options for Dad and the kids so the whole family can do matching hang at-home style.
Rahway mom Kierra Bussey wants to evoke inspiration, mindfulness, and peace when you light up one of her handcrafted soy candles. With inspirational scents like Ignite Courage, a combination of grapefruit and blood orange, Ignite Peace, with white tea, these candles make an uplifting gift to help bring a sense of calm and relaxation into the new year.
Brushes With A View
A personal hobby became a business for this Pompton Plains mom, Ann Yaconis, who turns plain objects into beautiful works of art. Check out her festive holly glasses (perfect to pair with a bottle of wine), kid piggy banks, and personalized pet gifts like dog treat jars and water bowls. Have something in mind that you can’t seem to find? No worries—she also takes custom orders.
