Shop Talk : Santa is coming to town
By Katryn Yerdon
Published: December 10, 2009
We're all looking for great gift ideas and great deals. Help by emailing me your suggestions, and we'll tell the world - our tiny bit of it, that is.
Santa is not only busy on December 24. He has many scheduled appearances before then, several of them right here on the Vineyard. Between his appearances and super busy Christmas Eve schedule, he still finds time to help towns set up festive events along with excellent shopping venues. Take some time this holiday season to see some of Santa's handiwork.
Tonight is Vineyard Haven's second Twilight Thursday, which means you can shop until 7 pm while enjoying holiday specials, music, and treats. Rainy Day has numerous gifts that are a perfect way to help Santa with the stocking stuffers. Or, pick up a decorative cookie plate for Santa at LeRoux at Home.
On Thursday, Dec. 17, Friends and Family night in Tisbury will keep you entertained, well fed and loaded with shopping bags filled with great deals from the shops. You can stop by the Beach House for a complimentary gingerbread cookie while choosing your centerpiece candle, or you could decorate your own cookie at Krista's Gourmet to take to Santa's first appearance at Shirley's Hardware at 4:30 pm. Follow Santa to his next stop on the porch at Tisbury Marketplace at 5:30 pm and find your final kids gift at the Toy Box.
Personally, I will be looking forward to his last visit of the evening at Bunch of Grapes (6:30 pm), because I will get to listen to the Minnesingers in front of Bowl and Board, where I can get my boyfriend one of his favorite gifts of bamboo, then head over to LeRoux for a wine tasting and mom's favorite 25-year aged Balsamic Vinegar. I will also get to see all the excited kids come out of the free showing of the Polar Express, where moms can't resist a Capawock Theatre gift certificate for all the great holiday movies coming out.
Keep in mind that all the Vineyard Haven stores have gotten together to run a holiday raffle, which will be picked and announced by Santa in front of the Capawock Theatre on December 20, at 2 pm. All you have to do is enter your name every time you make a purchase in a participating store. Good luck.
Oak Bluffs is also ready for the holiday season. They too are hosting a Santa Sweepstakes worth a total of $1,500 split between 60 winners. I like those odds. Their free raffle entry requires only that you make a purchase at one of more than 30 merchants or delightful restaurants, and the winners will be drawn on December 21. If you are a winner or even if you are not, you'll still have an opportunity to pick up those last-minute gifts at such great places like Knickers and Laughing Bear for those special ladies or Phillips Hardware and Black Dog for your busy man.
Don't forget Dockside Jewelers or Sanctuary for your mom or Basics and Jim's Package Store for Dad. Make sure to leave time in your busy schedule to stop and listen to the music on December 17, when the Hospice Annual Holiday Concert starts at 7:30 pm in the Our Lady Star of the Sea church.
The 38th Annual Christmas in Edgartown, December 11 through 13, is by far the Island's largest group celebration of the holiday season. Whether you visit the Martha's Vineyard Museum, take a tour of the inns (with refreshments), or watch the Lighting of the Edgartown Lighthouse at 5:30 pm on Friday in front of the Harbor View Hotel, you will be filled with a festive feeling of joy.
While partaking in all the festivities you can take advantage of the town's Fishbowl Discount Shopping and Dining to finish up the last-minute holiday gift list and get yourself entered into their "I Love Christmas in Edgartown" shopping raffle. You can be entered into the raffle once per every $25 spent, with the winners drawn on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 pm in the Christina Gallery.
On Saturday, those who love a good holiday fair are in luck. The Edgartown School is hosting it's 17th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show in the gym from 10 am to 4 pm, with a variety of local art, jewelry, candy, photography, candles, food and more. The Plum Hill Preschool will not be outdone, though, with their Elves' Fair from 10 am to 4 pm at the Federated Church. There, you can participate in craft making, games, and a silent auction to benefit the preschool. With these choices being just a few of the numerous festivities, check out the complete list of events so that you can time your shopping with your favorite event.
P.S.: Santa always pops in at Donaroma's annual Wreath Workshop on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. He'll also be at the Wharf on Sunday (8 to 10:30 am) for breakfast, which benefits the Jim Lambert Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Happy holidays and happy shopping.
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