Lesley Weidenbener: Give me your ideas for the 2025 gift list

Regular readers won’t be surprised to learn that The Last Word Q&A in this week’s issue is one of my favorites of the year.

Arts and culture reporter Dave Lindquist interviewed Nate Olp, a leather artist who makes wallets, bags and other goods by hand. No sewing machine. No power skiving machine to reduce bulk at the seams. Lindquist writes that Olp cuts material by hand, stitches bags and wallets by hand, and hammers rivets and ornamentation by hand. Each piece is one of a kind.

It’s just the kind of thing—and Olp is just the kind of maker—we want to feature in our upcoming Executive Gift Guide. I can’t wait to pick out one or two of Olp’s pieces to include on this year’s list.

I’m shopping for the list now. And by shopping, I don’t mean actually buying. I would love to take home everything on the list, but my wallet (and my husband) wouldn’t be thrilled, and our little house would groan under the weight of all the great stuff.

Still, I’m trying to find special pieces to include—and I’d love your help. I’m looking for gifts that have some kind of Indiana connection.

That can mean the product is made in Indiana or is made by an Indiana company (even if it’s manufactured elsewhere). It can also mean an item that is sold at a locally owned shop but is made elsewhere or even mass produced.

Our goal is twofold. First, we want to showcase interesting gifts that might not have been on your radar, items that could be perfect for that hard-to-please person in your life. Second, we want to support Indiana people and businesses that make and sell things.

I’ll give you a few examples from last year’s list.

Hiker Trailers custom camper trailers. Columbus-based Hiker Trailers manufactures small custom trailers, often referred to as “teardrop trailers,” that can be pulled behind trucks, SUVs and even cars. The trailers are designed and made in Indiana and can be ordered online or purchased at a showroom in Columbus.

Silk pocket squares from J.Benzal. J.Benzal is a locally owned retailer with shops in the Mass Ave area of Indianapolis and at City Center in Carmel. The stores carry edgy and sophisticated suits, pants and jackets as well as snazzy accessories, including pocket squares. The squares aren’t made in Indiana, but they carry the J.Benzal logo and are sold locally.

Jan Barboglio bourbon glass. Jan Barboglio is a brand based in Dallas and founded by an artist from Mexico who designs home goods, barware and jewelry. Only a few places in Indiana carry Jan Barboglio items; Addendum Gallery in Carmel is one of them.

We’re also looking for services. We know a lot of people have too much stuff and are looking instead for gifts that are experiences. Last year, we featured a hot-air balloon ride from Balloons over Bloomington and an Oliver Winery Picnic Package for two.

What do you think we should include this year?

Tell me about your favorite shops, talented artists you know and companies that are making great products in Indiana. It can be something that’s sold only online or an item that’s sold exclusively at a local store. It just needs to be interesting or fun.

Email me your ideas at [email protected] with “gift guide” in the subject line. And look for the guide in the Nov. 14 issue of IBJ.•

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Weidenbener is editor and assistant publisher of IBJ and assistant publisher of The Indiana Lawyer. Reach her at [email protected].