When my sister and I were tiny, the uncles in our extended family used to take turns “being Santa” and going from house to house, collecting the gifts for all the cousins and families and getting them to their destinations. We loved it when it was our dad’s turn. We’d go along with him and talk in the car about how being Santa was everybody’s privilege
Photo by Vagaro
Photo by Jacek Dylag
Choosing gifts is a special kind of fun. You get to think about your favorite people, savor memories, anticipate delight, treasure the connection, and send a message.
Shopping local for the just the right gift wraps presents in a luscious extra layer of love. Shopping local says, “I love us as a community. I want our talented neighbors to thrive. I want the view from your kitchen window to stay pretty and downtown to stay lively and fun.” You’re casting a vote for the kind of beloved world you want to live in.
The latest statistics tell us that $73 out of every $100 you spend with a local indie retailer stays local, as compared to $43 if you spent that $100 at a corporate big box store. (Comparing local eateries to chain restaurants, it’s $79 to $30.) Shopping local keeps quality and variety in our lives.
Local sales taxes fund road repair, firefighters and paramedics, youth sports, and festivities. And we’re fortunate not to be in this fix hereabouts, but anyone who has traveled a bit knows that when there’s not enough local shopping going on, eventually there isn’t anywhere local left to shop.
Shopping local takes the insanity out of holiday scrambling and replaces it with the lovely feeling of having done something good.
Photo by Drazen Zigic
Photo by Kirill
Photo by Chris Kursikowski
Photo by Olga Kudriavtseva
Do some research before you head out. This magazine makes a great starting point; you’ll find websites, phone numbers, and in-depth profiles of business owners describing their offerings. And if you’re looking for something specific, they’ll chat with you on the phone about whether they have it or can get it for you. (Try that with a corporate big box. Or maybe don’t—we value your sanity, Dear Reader.)
So pick a town or a general direction and make a plan, leave time for exploring places you discover in the wild, and choose a local eatery as your last stop, either to linger over a meal or to sip a well deserved beverage while you wait for your to-go order, crossing items off your to-do list and feeling clever. Shopping local takes the insanity out of holiday scrambling and replaces it with the lovely feeling of having done something good, a warm glow that—like the dollars-and-cents benefit to our local economy—radiates and resonates. It’s the feeling of co-creating a stronger community—and that, after all, is the reason for the season.
GIFTS WITH A MESSAGE:
Photo by Tessa Edmiston
Photo by Toa Heftiba
Photo by Juan Burgos
"you're beautiful."
Whether it’s a handcrafted piece of JEWELRY or a one-of-a-kind CLOTHING item, discover a world of fashion and accessories made with care and attention to detail from one of our local boutiques.
Adel Chefridi, Rhinebeck
Facets of Earth, Kingston
Green Cottage, High Falls
Hamilton & Adams, Kingston
Handmade & More, New Paltz
Himalayan Arts, New Paltz
Hummingbird Jewelers, Rhinebeck
J Bliss Studios, Woodstock
millie + madge, Woodstock
Montgomery Row, Rhinebeck
Moose Crossing, Shokan
NayNu, Margaretville
The Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties
Next Boutique, Kingston
Red Owl Collective, Kingston
Salix Intimates, New Paltz
The Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper
Tibetan Arts, Woodstock
"you're smart."
BOOKS, of course! Season tickets or memberships to a THEATER or a museum or a CONCERT venue.
Blue Heron Books, High Falls
Borscht Belt Museum, Ellenville
Colony Woodstock, Woodstock
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, New Paltz
Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston
Montgomery Row, Rhinebeck
Postmark Books, Rosendale
Shadowland Stages, Ellenville
Museum at Bethel Woods, Bethel
Photo by Aleksandra Sapozhnikova
Photo by Vincent Tantardini
"you're talented."
If your dear one enjoys a crafty or artistic pursuit, more supplies will always be welcome, and there are some great local sources. If you’re not certain of what they’d most love, you can go with a gift certificate.
Catskill Art Supply, Kingston & Woodstock
The Art Effect, Poughkeepsie
Photo by Crystal De Passille-Chabot
Photo by Viktor Forgacs
Photo by Karly Gomez
Photo by Jason Pofahl
Photo by Natalie Cardona
"i love your cooking."
ARTISANAL goodies, sauces, and spice blends. A reserved share at a local farm for the coming season. Nifty KITCHEN gadgets and accessories, or good cookware.
Adams Fairacre Farms, Various Locations
Blue Mountain Bistro-to-Go, Kingston
Cheese Louise, Kingston & Rhinebeck
FØLK Refillery & Supply, Kingston
Herzog’s Home & Paint Centers, Kingston
High Falls Food Co-op, High Falls
Kelder’s Farm, Kerhonkson
Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Kingston
Saunderskill Farm, Accord
Sunflower Market, Rhinebeck & Woodstock
Tetta’s Market, Olivebridge
The Kitchen Cheetah, Margaretville
Wallkill View Farm, New Paltz
"you put a song in my heart."
Discover the perfect musical instrument or accessory for the MUSIC lover in your life!
CHBO Drums, New Paltz
Vincitore's Piano Center, Poughkeepsie
Photo by Clem Onojeghuos
Photo by Nik
Photo by Andreas Haslinger
Photo by Kyle Glenn
Photo by Toa Heftiba
Photo by Josh Hemsley
Photo by Camylla Battani
"you deserve a stunning home."
HOME GOODS stores have beautiful decor items and textile pieces. Galleries have one-of-a-kind art and sculpture. Indie hardware and home improvement stores have all kinds of life-enhancing and labor-saving things.
Aqua Jet Pools, Kingston
Bare Furniture, Accord
Binnewater, Kingston
Fireside Warmth, Kingston
Foxglove General, Saugerties
Green Cottage, High Falls
Handmade and More, New Paltz
Herzog’s Home & Paint Centers, Kingston
Himalayan Arts, New Paltz
Houst Hardware, Woodstock
Kaete Brittin Shaw Gallery, High Falls
Kingston Consignments, Kingston
"...stunning home." continued...
Kingston Social, Kingston
Magic Hill Mercantile, Kingston
Miniature Works, Stone Ridge
Moose Crossing, Shokan
Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties
Phoenicia Arts and Antiques, Phoenicia
Red Owl Collective, Kingston
Stone Window Gallery, Accord
Tannersville Works, Tannersville
Tender Land Home, Phoenicia
Tibetan Arts, Woodstock
The Kitchen Cheetah, Margaretville
Williams Lumber & Home Centers
Photo by Vladamir Mokry
Photo by Tania Miron
Photo by Manja Vitolic
"pamper yourself."
Look for BODY CARE products that smell amazing. Scented CANDLES and essential oils; gorgeous crystals, divination tools. Or help them relax with a gift certificate for a MASSAGE, float session, or a restaurant they’d love.
Photo by Blocks Fletcher
Photo by Toa Heftiba
Photo by Jen Theodore
Photo by Munbaik Cycling Clothing
Photo by Aditya Chinchure
"have fun!"
GEAR or supplies for their favorite sport or hobby or membership to a nature preserve. And puzzles, GAMES, and TOYS aren’t just for kids anymore.
Belleayre Ski Center, Highmount
Camp Catskill, Tannersville
Catskill Art Supply, Kingston & Woodstock
Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz
Kenco Outfitters, Kingston
Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner
Montano’s Shoes, Saugerties
The Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Overlook Bicycles, Woodstock
Pitch Pine Outfitters, Gardiner
Plattekill Mountain, Roxbury
Potter Brothers Ski & Snowboard Shop, Fishkill & Kingston
Photo by Simon Berger
