There’s no place like home for the holidays, right?

So why buy a sleigh-load of gifts made in China? Some of the best presents are made in our own back yard. And they aren’t all lobsters and lighthouses, either. Whether you’re looking for stylish accessories or a walking stick for the hiker on your list, chances are, you can find it here.

To help make your shopping a little easier, we’ve compiled some of our favorite gifts from Maine. People “from away” love a little something from Down East this time of year, but this stuff is so cool, even the locals will dig it.

The moose is loose

Suds up in style with Winterport Soap Works’ soothing, luxurious soaps, then smooth your skin with their Hoof & Body Creme, which features Linwood the bathing moose on the label. The soaps contain no animal oils or fats, and the products come in decadent scents including lavender, sweetgrass (like an American Indian basket), Maine blueberry, moosemint, and the hilarious holiday Chrismoose varieties.

Winterport Soap Works creme and soaps cost $5 at Molly’s in Winterport, or you can order them online at www.winterportsoapworks.com.

It’s in the bag

Coach and Dooney have nothing on Angela Adams. The uberhip Portland textile designer’s bags, rugs, pillows and paper goods have made the pages of such magazines as Yankee, Lucky and Metropolitan Home in recent years, and it’s easy to understand why. Her chic, graphic, colorful designs are enough to make you reconsider another black bag or another taupe rug. For information or to order, visit www.angelaadams.com or check out her shop on Congress Street in Portland. Her designs also are available at Casco Bay Books and Wallis Girls Chic Market in Portland or at the North Haven Gift Shop.

Tails will wag

If Fido is the center of your universe, check out Planet Dog, a Portland-based company that specializes in toys and accessories for the canine set.

Our model, Cassidy, liked the fleece bone, and one Bangor Daily News writer swears by the Maine-made Orbee ball, which she calls “indestructible.” The toys are dog-tested, which means man’s best friend may be more likely to chew on them than, say, your couch. Also, check out their small but swell line of feline accoutrements ? love the polka-dot collar.

As fun as Planet Dog’s products are, there’s a serious side, too. Annually, the company donates 10 percent of its profits to promote environmental, educational and animal-welfare causes. Which makes us and our animal friends want to howl with joy.

The Planet Dog line is available locally at Blue Seal, The Grasshopper Shop, Green Acres Kennel Shop, and World Over Imports in Bangor. For a list of all Maine retailers or to order online, visit www.planetdog.com.

Beautiful beads

The first time I saw a necklace by Surry-based designer Sarina Speed, I nearly stole it off my friend’s neck. But I decided to take Speed’s phone number instead, and promptly lost it.

Fortunately, Speed works part time at The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor and has started selling her jewelry there under the label Summerfly Designs.

Speed learned metalsmithing in college, where she created large-scale sculpture. Though she is working on a much smaller scale these days, it’s clear she’s still working with an artist’s flair for color, contrast and sculptural details. In addition to sterling silver, she also works with vintage beads and semiprecious stones. The pictured necklace combines turquoise with antique glass beads. Speed’s work is available at The Grasshopper Shop in Bangor.

Makes scents

Fill up the tub, kick back and relax with the Maine Highlands bath and body gift bag, which will help you create a spa atmosphere at home. It includes soothing bath salts, specialty soap and

aromatherapy candles by Greenville-based Maine Mountain Soap and Candle Co., as well as beeswax lip balm and hand salve by The Maine Hive in Cambridge.

The Maine Highlands Guild, which promotes artisans and crafters in the northern half of the state, also offers a breakfast bag, a snack pack and a bag of assorted gifts. Prices range from $18 to $40. For information or to order, call 564-0041.

Walk on

Love to hike? So does Phil Cronin, who created the Maine Walking Stick in 1999 after he found the available options lacking in either form or function. Some were too pretty, others were poorly made, so he set out to develop a high-quality wooden stick that combined beauty with ergonomic quality. The result is a simple, elegant walking stick made of northern ash, leather and brass.

A basic stick costs $129 and is guaranteed for life. You could also add a stainless steel compass or an LCD GPS system. To order, visit www.mainewalkingstick.com or call 695-3568.

Berry cool

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to flood your back yard to grow cranberries. Cranberry Creations of Mount Vernon trades the bog for a pot and sells the fruiting plants as striking holiday centerpieces. If you can keep the plant alive long enough, you can plant it in your garden when spring arrives ? truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Cranberry Creations baskets range in price from $20 to $39.50 and are available locally at Lougee & Frederick’s in Bangor, or online at www.cranberrycreations.com.