News

Notes from the Studio: On Buying for Men

I’ve been thinking about why it’s so hard to buy gifts for men.

Every season it comes up again. Birthdays. Holidays. Father’s Day. And the same frustration.

So much of what’s marketed toward men feels like it was approved by committee.

“Ultimate.”
“Extreme.”
“Sport.”

It’s strange how quickly something becomes generic when it tries too hard to be specific.

There has to be something more thoughtful than this.

I started Present Day Goods because I was tired of everyday products feeling impersonal — including the ones in my own home.

Grooming. Candles. Room sprays.

They’d all been flattened into categories instead of experiences. 

Daily rituals shouldn’t feel corporate.

They should feel like yours.

A Small Shift 

I’ve noticed — both as a maker and just as a person paying attention — that most men don’t want more stuff.

They want fewer things that feel right: useful, grounded, quietly personal.

The marketing world tells us gifts need to be flashy. But the gifts people remember are the ones that feel like personal preferences and favorites.

 

On Making Redwood + Tobacco

When I created Redwood + Tobacco Hair & Beard Oil, I wasn’t thinking about masculinity.

I was thinking about standing in Northern California under tall trees.

Warm wood. Earth. A faint smokiness in the distance.

I wanted something that felt grounding but not performative.

It conditions hair. It softens skin. It does what it’s supposed to do. But it also slows you down for a second, and our scent blends are the real difference.

The same thinking shaped the Redwood + Tobacco Body Lotion. And the candles in both 3 oz. and 6 oz. sizes.

Nearly 40% of our candle customers are men.. The idea that men don’t care about scent or atmosphere has never felt accurate to me — just convenient for marketing departments.

19

The 19 Body Oil Spray and 19 Body Spray came from a similar place.

I wanted something that could layer, that stayed close to the skin instead of announcing itself from across the room.

There’s something deeply personal about scent when it’s worn this way. Not a cloud. More like a quiet signature.

Fragrance as Material

As a sculptor and printmaker, I’m always thinking about material. Paper weight. Surface tension. Light across a form.

Fragrance is material too.

The California Redwood candle shifts a room. The California Redwood room spray opens the air in a car or studio without that sharp synthetic edge.

These things are atmosphere, small interventions in ordinary life.

Lip Balm for Men

I think about this a lot — how the smallest things shape our day.

Chai. Peppermint. Vanilla lip balm.

Not flashy. Just steady. Made with nature-based ingredients.

Taking care of your lips before heading into cold air might seem insignificant. But it’s a small kindness. And I believe in building a life out of small kindnesses.

Cutting Back

Maybe that’s really what this is about.

Cutting back on corporate thinking. On identical bottles and vague ingredient lists and scents designed for the broadest possible approval.

I’m more interested in:

Small-batch candles.
Natural beard oil.
Thoughtful home fragrance.
Fewer, better options.
Products made by someone who is paying attention.

If You’re Trying to Buy Something for Him

Here’s what I would say, as a friend: Don’t buy the obvious thing.

Buy the thing that makes an ordinary moment better.

A beard oil that smells like forest instead of cologne.
A candle that marks the end of the workday.
A body oil that makes post-shower feel intentional.
A room spray that resets the air after a long afternoon.

That’s what thoughtful gifts really are.

Just present.

That’s what I’m trying to make.

At this time of year, on a day like this, with wet, cold shorter days without many birds or even people outside it's already feeling winter-ish (even though solstice is weeks away).

As an artist I am OK with this! Working from my studio it is warm and bright inside and all the rich scents and soft, warm textures of coconut wax, shea butter, sweet almond oil, Jersey City beeswax--ingredients for all kinds of projects, it is endlessly interesting work. I get to do research, hash out ideas and come up with products I wish I had, and get to share them with family and friends and then our local community and customers.

The life of independent makers bringing their things to holiday markets is complicated and inspiring! The sadness and relief of the end of the year is a wrap up and rebirth at the same time. I have worked for many weeks on getting a winter collection together, and I get to offer them in person to my local community. It's especially great when customers are surprised and happy to find a special nostalgic candle or smooth hand salve or naturally made lip balm. These products check all the boxes: handmade, distinctive scents and packaging, a real and simple business mission, and we share our interest in these simple joyful things. I'm a big believer of good things in small packages!

As 2025 winds down, it ends with a bang of fresh new products for gifts to ourselves and our friends, passing time with our families in closer quarters, enjoying meals and having gratitude for all the luck we might have had in the past 12 months.

This Winter 2025 I'm getting the hang of seasonal trends. On top of offering our strongest line-up of best-selling fragranced coconut wax candles, I discovered the wonderful world of Winter Balms, Luxe Body Lotions, Luxury Oils for Hair and Body Oil Spray, and of course we continue with our handmade soap and lip balms.

I hope you all are having a terrific holiday season so far, and don't forget to spread the word about this small business to friends and family that love high-quality, smartly packaged personal fragrance products from this maker brand. 

Summer at the Markets: New Scents, Sunny Days, and Good Neighbors

This summer, I have to say—our farmer’s market schedule has been such a joy. I’m seriously grateful for the chance to set up shop and spend time with our local friends and neighbors on these beautiful days. Somehow, we got lucky with all the sunshine.

The article below was coverage about me, the origins of Present Day Goods and inspiration, plus a plug for our local Lincoln Park Farmer's Market, and frankly a plug for all the farmer's markets out there--these are great places to preserve through patronage. 

This week we caught up with Maureen Gallagher, founder of Present Day Goods. You can find her selling handmade candles, lip balms, sugar scrubs and other products made with natural ingredients today at the Lincoln Park Farmers Market from 10am-2pm! You can also find her at the Riverview and Hoboken Farmers Markets. And her lip balms are available at Busy Bee Organics at 451 Palisade Ave in the Heights.

Our bestselling Indigo Bar Soap is back. Handmade in Jersey City with olive oil, kaolin clay, and a soft orchid and olive scent, this vegan bar turns everyday washing into a moment of calm. Limited batch, small-batch luxury—get it while it lasts.

Ready to experience the benefits of a foaming sugar scrub for yourself? Take advantage of our special discount offer and treat yourself to a winter wake-up like no other. Start your day with a burst of energy and a touch of luxury, all while giving your skin the care it deserves.

Whether you’re celebrating with your partner or indulging in some self-love, at Present Day Goods, we believe that Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic gestures — it’s about cherishing love for all of us. Find little thoughtful surprises and bigger impression gifts right here. 

To our incredible friends, family, customers, and neighbors: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support, encouragement, and kind words have made this journey so fulfilling. Whether you stopped by our tent at a local market, placed an order online, or simply cheered us on from afar, we’re endlessly grateful.

As the summer season comes to a close, Present Day Goods is thrilled to share some exciting updates with you. We have been busy participating in various summer markets, showcasing our latest products and connecting with our community.

Thank you to all of the people who support this small business! All of you who visited the markets, liked our social media posts, and thank you to the customers who placed their trust in this business and ordered candles, soaps, balms and detergents for yourself, family and friends.

We are now moving into the creation of soap thank you to the generous citizens of the DIY movement on the internet.

We've been busy crafting something truly special at our studio, and we couldn't be more excited to present our latest creation – our Solid Lip Balms. These little tins of goodness are here to update your lip care routine and keep your lips soft, protected, and moisturized.