OK, so it’s not really beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It’s actually beginning to look a lot like Memorial Day. But don’t let the weather fool you – there’s not much time left until the holidays are here.

Fortunately, the little elves in the newsroom of the Bangor Daily News have been busy making a list and checking it twice. They left out what’s naughty and focused on “nice.” What they came up with was a bunch of unique, interesting and unexpected gifts from Maine.

Whether you’re playing Santa for your neighbors in Bangor or your sister in California, everyone loves a gift that’s made in Maine. So delight your uncle in Florida with a shipment of smoked salmon. Take a six-pack of Maine microbrews to your annual Christmas party instead of the usual wine. Give your best friend a fishing license for next season or give man’s best friend a tail-wagging treat called Sea Jerky. The following are a few ideas to get you started.

A sweet option

Christine Thomas, owner of Dream Catching Creations in Orland, has a sweet answer to filling in the gaps of that Maine food gift basket you’re sending to out-of-state relatives. Reminiscent of that delicious-smelling concoction your grandmother would cook on top of the wood stove, Christine’s No Bake Cookies (in chocolate or peanut butter) are an affordable treat at $10 per dozen. Also available are Whoopie Pies at $10 per dozen. To order these confections, call 469-7473. – Mary Ford, graphic designer

One potato, two potato

They’re red, white and blue and make a fun novelty gift for friends and family in and out of Maine. Jim and Kate Cook and their children Leah, Marada, Skylar and Land raise many varieties of heirloom potatoes – ozette, onaway and all-blue to name a few – at Skylandia Organic Farm in the Aroostook County village of Grand Isle. Call Crown O’ Maine Organic Co-op at (800) 743-7783. – Letitia Baldwin, Style editor.

Salty dog

Got a pokey pup or a creaky canine? Coastside Bio Resources of Stonington puts out a unique product to help dogs with arthritic joints and stiffness, and it makes a great doggy Christmas gift.

Sea Jerky is an all-beef treat that contains chondroitin from sea cucumbers, glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, garlic, vitamin E and lecithin to help improve mobility.

My dog, an 11-year-old Boston terrier, loves it so much that she snaps the jerky stick out of my hand. I had to move the bag to a higher shelf in the pantry when she figured out how to jump up and knock it to the floor.

Sea Jerky, at about $17 a bag, is available at health food stores in Bangor, or go to www.nutrisea.net for a complete listing of products, including similar treats for cats, horses and people. – Jeanne Curran, assignment editor

Touch of glass

When I saw Angel Antics’ sculpted wire stars embedded with gemlike glass drops, I had to buy one immediately, and I was pleasantly surprised at the $15 price tag.

Jerry Maske, who runs Angel Antics in East Sullivan with his wife, Ann, said they created the stars after Sept. 11 as a patriotic-themed gift, not necessarily for the holidays. But they would look great on a Christmas tree, especially when the lights catch the shimmery glass and silver wire. They come in two sizes, decorated with red and blue glass, some with a clear glass heart in the middle.

The stars cost $10 and $15 and are available at Angel Antics on Route 1 in East Sullivan or by calling 422-2250. – Kristen Andresen, Style writer

Knot your average gift

Irish eyes will be smiling when they see one of Cider Press Pottery’s Celtic Knot designs.

Biddeford-based potter Matt Barnes takes traditional knot designs, Gaelic monuments and the Book of Kells and adorns his glazed earthenware with them. The pieces are beautiful and elegant. Especially interesting is the oven-safe bakeware, which leaves a raised knot design on top of cakes or breads.

The collection also includes serving dishes and accessories. All pieces are dishwasher-, oven- and microwave-safe and come with a card describing the origin of their knot design.

Cider Press Pottery designs range in price from $24 for a set of coasters to $220 for a large charger. For information or to order, visit www.ciderpresspottery.com or call 799-3183. – Kristen Andresen, Style writer

The great outdoors

For the hunter-gatherer type on your list, a Maine fishing or hunting license makes a practical and much-appreciated gift. Check with the municipal office in your community on types of licenses, rules and prices.

At the start of winter, think summer. Treat a loved one to a pass to one or more of Maine’s many parks. Acadia National Park offers season passes at a reasonable price. Also consider a reservation for camping at Baxter State Park as a gift. Remember that spots get bought up early; contact park officials for details. – Becky Bowden, copy editor

Some like it hot, some like it cold

You get to pick at Sullivan Harbor Farm in East Sullivan where Atlantic salmon is cold-smoked with hickory smoke and hot-smoked with a blend of hickory and cherry wood. The farm also offers gravlax (salmon cured Swedish-style with fresh dill, red onion juice and cracked peppercorns), smoked scallops, smoked salmon pate and smoked Maine mussels.

I hate overcooked fish and like cold-smoked salmon because it’s not fully cooked and has a subtle flavor and texture. I’ve enjoyed Sullivan Harbor Farm’s salmon for years and recommend either the cold- or hot-smoked salmon as a gift. The retail store is open by appointment. 422-3735. – Letitia Baldwin

Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

Going to a holiday party and want to veer from the traditional gift of wine? Celebrate Maine by bringing along some of the state’s tasty microbrews. Mix and match so revelers can sample the many unique flavors coming out of local breweries. And don’t forget that any good party needs good music, and Maine is brimming with talent. Consider giving CDs or tapes by Maine bands; keep track of those memorable groups you hear when you’re out on a Saturday night, and see if they have recordings out. Giving one as a gift exposes not only the recipient to some good new music, but also the band to a wider audience. – Becky Bowden

Swap or sell it

My husband can spend a good half-hour, without blinking, perusing the ads for vintage Allis Chalmes tractors, old outboards and other good stuff in the pages of Uncle Henry’s. I bet he’s not alone and why not indulge your husband, boyfriend, father or brother with a subscription, which costs $78 for one year and $42 for half a year? Subscription form is available in the weekly publication. – Letitia Baldwin, Style Editor

Berry nice

Whether you’re stuffing the stocking of the hip or the hippie on your list, they’ll surely savor the flavor of Maine Intellihemp Co.’s wild Maine blueberry lip balm. The smooth formula is a blend of hempseed oil, calendula-infused olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E, jojoba oil, orange oil and natural blueberry flavor. As far as the folks at Maine Intellihemp know, it’s the only Maine blueberry flavored lip balm on the market, and no, it doesn’t taste like pot.

The Waterville-based company sells its products at convenience stores, gas stations, natural food stores, gift shops and specialty stores and through its Web site at www.intellihemp.com. It costs between $1.99 and $2.99, depending on the retailer. – Kristen Andresen

The gift that keeps on giving

Philanthropy can be the best gift of all, and in light of recent events, more people are keeping charitable donations in mind. Send a friend or family member a card telling them that you have made a donation on their behalf to one of the myriad organizations benefiting state or local causes.

Friends of Acadia, Friends of Fort Knox, Maine Heritage Trust, the Joshua Chamberlain park fund, or the Maine chapter of the American Red Cross are just a few. Know someone who has moved away from a town they loved dearly? Make a donation in his or her name to that community’s historical society, or even a children’s playground fund. – Becky Bowden

That’s the ticket

Got a sports fan on your list? How about a season pass for his or her favorite UMaine team? Fits neatly in a Christmas stocking and keeps giving long after the holiday is through. – Becky Bowden