Benson Homes’ Holiday Gifts Unwrapped
Every holiday season we enjoy giving a gift of thanks to our clients, vendors, and employees that feature local goods made by artisans who put the same level of quality and beauty in their workmanship as Benson Homes.
Here’s a peek at the gifts we gave this year and why they are meaningful to Benson Homes’ President, Jim Benson.
Hand-Painted Coastal Marsh Card
This card is reminiscent of the stories Jim Benson's mom would tell about going to her grandparents' home on coastal marshes in Ellisville, Massachusetts where the sheep would graze and the menhaden fish would come into the marshes to spawn. The land had been in the family since the 1600s and is now Ellisville Harbor State Park.
Each year we recruit a local artist to paint our holiday cards and this year’s card was made by the talented Coleman Senecal Art in Chesapeake, VA. If you’re interested in purchasing a print of this painting, she’s going to start selling them on her website soon!
Pottery Mug
Jim remembers visiting Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts as a boy and being mesmerized by watching pottery being made by hand. We had these mugs custom-made for Benson Homes by William Kemp Pottery in Norfolk, VA. We think your favorite warm beverage just tastes better when it’s in a beautiful handmade mug!
The above photos show the behind-the-scenes of building, glazing, and firing the mugs.
Coastal Porcelain Ornament
Jim loves going to the beach and these ornaments bring the feel of the ocean whenever you see them. We included these custom-made ornaments in our gift bags and we love that they can be used for holiday decor or as a special little token hung in an unexpected place in your home year-round. Made by Coleman Senecal Art in Chesapeake, VA.
Maya Drinking Chocolate
Growing up in New England, Jim loved ice skating as a boy and warming up with a hot cup of cocoa afterward. Our desire was for each gift recipient to feel that same holiday cheer when they sipped on Gearharts Fine Chocolate signature hot chocolate blend, accented with rich cocoa and infused with bright notes of orange, and savory cinnamon and finished with a subtle smoke of Ancho chile. This delicious, rich drinking chocolate is vegan, gluten-free, and made in Charlottesville, VA (sourced locally from VA Goods).
We hope you enjoyed learning about these local artisans. Head to their websites or give them a follow on social media to learn more!