Well, there are only a few days left before Christmas. Have you finished all of your shopping yet? Are you finding it hard to finish the last of your shopping while attending all your pre-holiday events? Not to worry, Island stores are still stocked and ready for you.
Finding last-minute Island-made gifts and stocking stuffers is a breeze with the Holiday Pop Up stores run by Island artisans. There is the Vineyard Holiday Gift Shop, located around the corner from Main Street in Vineyard Haven on Spring Street, which contains the work of 20 Island artisans. Here you will find everything from glass works to bags and jewelry to dog or cat treats. There is also the new Pop-Up Co-op located in the storefront known as Lemonade on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Within these holiday walls, a variety of items are available to make your gift giving special this year. In need of a wampum inspired gift? Not a problem. Or perhaps your list includes a cute fabric barrette or an illustrated children’s book for that wonderful young one in your life. Whatever your needs, fulfilling your holiday gift list from a local artisan can feel really good.
If you are looking for presents for your co-workers or friends, why not go the gift certificate route for their favorite restaurant, coffee house, or pizza place? Many businesses will offer additional incentives, such as Edgartown Pizza’s buy $30 get an additional $7 free, or buy $50 get $10 free, and finally buy $100 worth of gift certificates and get an additional $20 free (all amounts can be split into several certificates).
While many restaurants might not offer an additional incentive for their gift certificates, you can choose a restaurant that has a weekly specialty night that your recipient can take advantage of to make your gift worth that much more. An example is The Grill on Main, which offers a fixed price menu Mondays through Wednesdays and their Two for One special Thursdays through Saturdays. Owner and chef Tony Saccoccia says they will be available every day, including Sunday, beginning at 12 noon for gift certificate purchases.
Another gift certificate option might be to Edgartown Cinemas, where they are offering a free weekday movie pass with every $30 or more purchase and with their new digital cinema upgrade, that is great news.
Stocking stuffers, the must-have but too often forgotten items, can sometimes be the most fun type of gift to shop for. Take Alley’s General Store for example. They consistently bring in unique, special items for the holiday that please not only the receiver, but the giver too — from their unusual lines of novelty gifts, from lunch boxes and fun bandaids, to exceptional toys for the kids, kitchen accessories for the adults and distinctive outerwear accessories for the whole family. Leave yourself extra browsing time when visiting for last-minute gifts: there are so many great items to admire.
Gentleman, are you still agonizing over what to get your special lady this year? If so, hurry to RougeLuxe Apothecary, located on Kennebec Avenue in Oak Bluffs, where the knowledgeable staff can help you put together an amazing gift. Find products for skin care and beauty, bath and body, make-up, fragrance, home, accessories, and even men’s products. So go ahead and let them help you make a gift basket that will earn you many, many thanks.
Keep in mind that these are just a few suggestions of the many holiday gifts available at our numerous Island stores.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
