Once again this year, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things! Twelve to be exact. And each one has been created or at least imagined here on St Croix aka Christmas Island. We always recommend shopping local and shopping small on St Croix – but you can’t always be here. So, below are some of my favorite St Croix things and places to buy them online so that you too can share a piece of the islands mon.
My-StCroix.com Gift Shop
We’ve got lots of great gear and gifts for the St Croix enthusiast with new items always being added. Supporting the Gift Shop helps us to keep bringing you all the great info, events and “where to” guides found on our My-StCroix.com website and Facebook Page. Our Zazzle Store has also got daily sales thru Christmas and shipping is fast to get to you in time for the holidays. So, what are you waiting for?! Grab a t-shirt, mouse pad or coffee mug and show the world… I ♥ St Croix
St. Croix Food & Wine Experience: A Culinary Guide to the Island Featuring More Than 100 Recipes from Island and Celebrity Chefs
I just love this cookbook and have one in my kitchen. You’ll find recipes for everything from apps to main dishes to desserts and even cocktails (of course featuring Cruzan Rum™) from some of St Croix’s favorite restaurants and their popular chefs. This is the ultimate gift for the St Croix culinary groupie. Pair it with a bottle of Cruzan Rum and a bottle of Miss Anna’s hot sauce for the perfect gift (see below)!
If you’ve been out to eat just about anywhere on St Croix, you’ve likely come across Miss Anna’s Hot Sauce on the table. This unique blend of curry, garlic, habanero and spices was originally created by the famed Miss Anna’s grandfather on St. Lucia over 100 years ago as a condiment for his fish. Years later when Miss Anna moved to St Croix with the family-recipe, her hand-crafted hot sauce became an island staple. Today, you can find it in most grocery stores and restaurants in the USVI and I’ve even found it on shelves in Maine! (see picture). This is a great little gift to add to gift baskets for the holidays or as a stocking stuffer for any island enthusiast.
Order online: www.missannashotsauce.com
St Croix Snorkeling Guide
This inexpensive little book is a fun beginner’s guide to snorkeling spots on St Croix. Makes an excellent stocking stuffer or gift for someone planning a trip under the waves of St Croix. Pair it with a gift certificate from St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures for snorkel gear or Dive lessons and you have the perfect water-lover’s gift!
Christmas Island
Jimmy Buffet may have wrote this in the Florida Keys, but I’m sure he was thinking of the real Christmas Island… St Croix! Our little island in the sun is one of the most festive holiday places I’ve known with the yearly day-after Thanksgiving Jump Up, Christmas Boat Parade, Crucian Christmas Carnival and Three Kings Parade. Download this fun, island-y Christmas Album and you’re sure to get into the Crucian Christmas Spirit!
With almost 20 different flavors and proofs to choose from, you can’t go wrong with a little taste of this island spirit (pun totally intended, I just couldn’t help myself). Cruzan Rum has been distilled on St Croix by the Nelthropp Family since 1760 (and they are still running the Cruzan Rum Factory so be sure to take a Tour while on St Croix). Pick up a bottle of your favorite flavor or the Aged Single Barrel as a hostess gift when you’re heading out to the next holiday party.
Find out where to Buy Cruzan Rum in your Locale
ib Design – Share the love!
ib Design is one of the most popular jewelry stores on St Croix and for good reason. They make handcrafted “feel good” jewelry. You’ll often find artisan Whealon Massicott working in their quaint shop in Christiansted and his wife Kris helping excited customers make the perfect choice.
Order online: www.ibdesignsvi.com
Experience the islands with Itiba
If you want to know what the island smells and feels like, shop Itiba. Simply the most decadent scents in soaps, body oils, body butters and more – all made with 100% natural goodness and made locally here on St Croix. Owner Yoki Hanley has recently opened her new shop in Frederiksted so be sure to stop by when you’re here. Your senses will thank you. Tip: My favorite is the Carib Lime which is an invigorating unisex scent that not only gets me going in the morning but just leaving it in the shower makes my entire bathroom smell like a spa!
Order online: www.itibabeauty.com
eat @ cane bay is one of St Croix’s most popular beach bars with their funky beachside menu that easily segues into deliciously gourmet dining. They also have really fun swag including hats, coozies, t’s and more. A fantastic gift for the St Croix beach bum on your list.
Order online: www.eatatcanebay.com
Jan Mitchell Larsen is a world-renowned sculptor and artist whose works have graced many important places including the Tree of Peace in Washington, D.C. which has hung her ornaments for the past several years.
The Mitchell Larsen Studio on Company Street in Christiansted displays many of her whimsical glass suncatchers, dishes and other items. And if you’re in just about any big contest here on the island, you will likely see her stylish custom glass awards. Jan’s Christmas Ornaments are a wonderful addition to any tree.
Order online: www.mitchelllarsenstudio.com
I absolutely adore FantaSea Jewelry. You can often find designer Liz in the vendors plaza in Frederiksted on Cruise Ship days greeting passengers and showing them her beautiful designs. Her whimsical pieces are inspired by animals of the sea and many feature Caribbean blue genuine Dominican larimar gemstones. Sea turtles are a frequent piece lending to the conservation work Liz has done with local organizations.
Order online: www.etsy.com/shop/FantaSeaJewelry
Take a trip to paradise through the lens of my camera. Brighten up your personal space with some of the images you see on My-StCroix.com and more. Choose from prints, wall-hangings, and other keepsakes.
Order online: cindyleigh.smugmug.com
what are your favorite St Croix island gifts?