It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year in Glacier Country. Our landscapes have transformed into winter wonderlands ready for play, and our quaint small towns are decked in holiday merriment. With the holidays just around the corner, our thoughts turn to gift giving. Whether you’re planning a trip here soon, or just left, these Montana made gifts are the perfect remembrance of a trip and a special present for that special person. From American Indian made goods, to leather bags, local artwork and fly-fishing trips, we’ve rounded up our top gifts made in Western Montana that’ll help you cross off all the names on your gift list.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Here’s a well-known secret—the best presents are not things, but experiences. Authentic exploits abound in Western Montana, and the holidays are the exact excuse to splurge on an adventure. Help your loved one cast a line in one of our blue-ribbon trout streams. Glacier Raft Company has gift cards for guided fly-fishing trips and white-knuckled whitewater rafting trips set against the jaw-dropping scenery of Glacier National Park. Wrap the card with an upcycled sunglass retainer or bracelet made of recycled fly line from Flyvines.
LEATHER BAGS
Leather goods are a quintessential Montana gift, and we’re lucky to have some fantastic artists, craftspeople and leathersmiths in the area who’ve honed their craft. Be extravagant with a one-of-a-kind beautiful leather handbag from Beargrass Leather. Their hand-cut and stitched leather goods are inspired by northwest Montana, each a lovely piece of artwork. Or check out a gender-neutral leather scout bag from Goertzen Adventure Equipment—it will outfit the explorer in your family with a versatile, must-have bag. Another favorite, T Bird Leather, sells chic oversized cross-body wallets perfect for traveling.
CANDLES
Glacier Country’s big blue sky, alpine forests and sweeping mountain meadows are breathtaking. Capture the essence of Montana with hand-poured soy candles from The Montana Homestead Emporium, with scent names like “Flathead Lake Cherry Blossom,” “Mountain Storm” and “Wild Huckleberry.” We’re also big fans of FarmHouse Candle Company’s Dough Bowl Candles, a three-wick candle set into a reproduced vintage dough bowl. These rustic farmhouse candles burn more than 30 hours and make a great addition to any space.
ARTWORK + SIGNS
Capture your Montana moment with artwork and wall hangings made from local artists. Emery Art’s 2020 calendar features woodcut images highlighting the birds, animals, cabins and landscapes of Glacier Country. Share holiday cheer with a holiday card from TheBobFactor. Talented photographer Robert Hosea takes awe-inspiring Montana photographs and turns them into wall art, home decor and more. Transport yourself to the Northern Rockies with a wall hanging from Salvage Signs. Made with hand-salvaged repurposed wood found all over Montana, each sign has its own unique character. Designs include the “Get Lost (in Montana)” logo, inspired by the drive to explore Montana’s extensive and spectacular unspoiled nature.
AMERICAN INDIAN MADE
Celebrate Montana’s cultural heritage with an American Indian made gift. Traditional pieces of authentic turquoise jewelry, beadwork and leather goods pay homage to the First Nations that have called the plains and mountains of Montana home for millennia. Look for original pieces at Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana or The People’s Center in Polson.
GLACIER COUNTRY STORES
Capture the magic of the season by shopping in one of our charming small towns. From vibrant to quaint to eclectic, our downtown shops, boutiques and art galleries are a treasure trove of fun-finds for everyone on your holiday list. Here are some of our favorite shops, all of which offer online shopping: Great Gray Gifts in Charlo, Purple Mountain Lavender in Lakeside, Riecke’s Bayside Gallery in Bigfork, Glacier National Park Conservancy, Sage & Cedar in Whitefish and Kalispell and Rockin Rudy’s in Missoula.
Find more Western Montana boutiques and shops here.
November 18, 2019
Related: American Indian, Arts and Culture, Bigfork, Charlo, Glacier National Park, Holidays, Kalispell, Lakeside, Missoula, Shopping, Whitefish
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