For nearly ten years, Kazeem Lawal has been a man about town and the globe, designing and curating the apparel, home goods, tools, stationary and more at his store, Portland Trading Co. (83 Market St.) It’s a unique place to find a gift for a unique person. Here are some of our favorites, all available online at portlandtradingco.com, with more items in store only.
For the Yankee Swap
An elegant contribution to the party: Indigo florals are a signature decorative technique on ceramics from Jalisco, Mexico, where these salt and pepper shakers ($8) and other items at PTC were made.
For the wandering soul
Japan-based Traveler’s Company makes modular writing/drawing products to customize for each journey. Start with the leather notebook ($58) which includes a refillable paper pad, then add the brass pen ($35 with $2 refills), pen holder ($15), or brass clip for intriguing scraps ($18).
For the hibernator
PTC carries scents you may have never experienced. The Abandoned Mansion by Imaginary Authors ($48) smells like cedar, quince and paperbacks. L’Etang Noir by Maison Louis Marie ($36) carries notes of tobacco flower, ginger and benzoin musk.
For the cook or crafter
These brilliant, 8” kitchen shears ($36) are made in Spain by Knives Pallarès, which has been around for over 100 years. London-based Merchant & Mills makes all sorts of sewing goods, including these gold, fine work scissors ($12).




Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less