Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

In a few more years, 3D printing will have advanced to a point that allows everyone to make their own Christmas presents at home. For this year’s holiday season, however, you will still have to get your gifts the old fashioned way—ordering them online. But just because your are buying from a website doesn’t mean you can’t get a unique and handmade gift for that someone special on your list. The following boutique shops produce distinctively Western crafts and ship directly to Japan.

Outlaw Soaps (www.outlawsoaps.com) offers artisanal soaps, and, yes, you did read that right. Japan is, after all, nothing if not a bathing society, and Outlaw‘s natural soaps with inventive names are sure to be a hit. Struggling to get your kids to take a bath? Get the rainbow colored Unicorn Poop ($12) and they won’t be able to wait to use it. Those with more adult sensibilities can try products like Fire in the Hole Campfire Soap ($8), made from natural essences that smell the way you remember things smell. It isn’t a taste of home, but a whiff of the way you would like home to be.

The rule of thumb regarding sweaters is the further north you go, the better they are. Buffalo, New York-based shop  O’Donnell’s (www.odonnellsclothing.com) carries a large line in the Fair Isle style sweaters from Scotland. One of the casualties of the synthetic textiles that have been developed for skiing and hiking has been wool, and these tops are made from real wool spun with traditional methods. O’Donnell’s is used to shipping to Japan, and priority packages arrive in a little over a week.

Vvego (www.vvego.com) founder Robert Porter and his team work in everything from high-tech, high-tensile synthetics to bison and alligator to create tough but distinctive wallets and bags. The Vvego Helluva Messenger Bags ($325) are a solid investment, with military spec hardware and outer webbing with a break strength rated at 6,500 pounds to keep your gear safe and secure if you bike in Tokyo or have a long commute. They also offer custom-made wallets for guys, so you can request extra pockets for all the point cards and commuter passes you have to carry around the city.