12 Days of McMinnville Christmas Holiday Song

This year, for our annual holiday gift guide, the Tiny Travelers are showcasing the best gifts from local stores and producers to send to all of the far-flung friends and family you haven’t been able to visit during the past year. We at Visit McMinnville wish you health and happiness this holiday season and for 2021, too! 

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me… 

♫ TWELVE GOOEY CANDIES

One Fork Farm Caramels makes divine hand-made confections in flavors like Chocolate Bourbon, Vanilla Bean, Rum Horchata, Wildflower Honey and Spiced Chai. Order them online or visit the adorable shop on HWY 18 headed towards the Oregon Coast, but do it early. They are immensely popular and they sell out.

♫ ELEVEN HEALTHY BAR SOAPS

Perhaps the coolest location in town is Mac Market’s camper-store Sustainable Rituals, where you can pick up healthy handmade soaps without the extra packaging. Choose from standouts like Oregon Hemp Farmers’ Sweet Cinnamon, S.A. Plunket Naturals Rose Clay, and Booda Organics All-in-One Soap. There’s even one from local Eola Crest Cattle for washing your dog! The best gift in the age of COVID? All signs point to yes.

♫ TEN JARS OF JAM

You really can’t have enough varieties on hand of Alchemist Jam’s perfectly pureed, silky smooth jams, and they’ve got stunning label art to boot. The holiday gift box (you can order online) has three 6 oz. varieties: jar Marionberry Jam, Peach Vanilla Nutmeg Jam, and Raspberry Cardamom Rosehip.

♫ NINE PERFECT GIFT CARDS

So many places in McMinnville offer gift cards, but with rest and respite on the menu for many, consider sending a surprise gift to local friends who may want to get their own gift at  Bella Casa,  Boersma’s Sewing Center, Yamhill Valley Dry Goods, Accessory Appeal, Found Objects, or Mes Amies Ladies Fineries.

♫ EIGHT HAND-DIPPED TRUFFLES

That’s two boxes’ worth at the Brigittine Monks chocolate shop near Amity. You can order these giant, monk-made chocolate truffles directly from the monastery or pick up a box to share with your pod at Harvest Fresh Grocery and Deli. The monks’ new gift boxes are finally worthy of the product — 1.5 oz. each of heavenly chocolate paired with coffee and caramel.

♫ SEVEN NIGHTTIME NOVELS

‘Tis the season for curling up under the covers with the latest fiction releases. Escape with any number of narratives from Third Street Books, McMinnville’s beloved bookshop. You can create your own wishlist on the shop’s website, browse staff selections, or nab a new puzzle for dreary evenings at home. Make it super easy on yourself and order all your book gifts in one fell swoop.

♫ SIX FAIR TRADE EARRINGS

Or necklaces. Or bracelets. Or wacky wooden desk mushrooms that feel oh so Oregon but were actually produced by global artisans halfway around the world. In the season of giving, Many Hands Trading is both a gift to visit (new novelty items make it to the shelves all the time) and a blessing to buy (the business model supports direct trade and cultural exchange). 

♫ FIVE BAGS OF BEANS!

From Flag & Wire, our family-run coffee roastery, whose beans are sourced from reputable single-origin plantations around the world. Wanna be a real hero? Send someone a year’s subscription.

♫ FOUR OLIVE OILS

Start your own online account at 3rd Street Oil & Vinegar and you’ll be sending classic Arbequina and botanically-infused oils to everyone you want to live to be 100. You do want your family to survive 2020, don’t you?

♫ THREE GREAT ZENS

What’s the best way to recover from 2020 over the holidays? Pick up some healing teas at Velvet Monkey Tea. The basement shop also has the area’s best selection of stylish teapots so your gift panache can earn a permanent placement in your friend’s rituals and routines. You’re welcome.

♫ TWO CRAFTY KITS

It’s going to be a long winter, and who couldn’t use something to do after the sun goes down? The Merri Artist has oodles of kid craft kits on hand and how-to books and tools for picking up a new skill. Even better? The artist-run store’s e-commerce game is on point.

♫ AND A BOTTLE OF THAT PINOT GRIS!

Yes, Pinot noir. But what about planning something different, like a meal around fish or crab, which pairs great with the Oregon varietal known for its citrus notes and zesty acidity? Who makes Pinot gris in McMinnville? Lots of people. Try R. Stuart & Co. Winery (under the Big Fire label), Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, The Eyrie Vineyards, Coeur de Terre Vineyard, Maysara Winery Pinot Gris and more. We could all use something light and bright this season.

Emily Grosvenor is the voice behind Tiny Travels, the Editor of Oregon Home magazine, and chief storyteller for #mcminnvilledentist.

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