A little help at the holidays...

Happy lunch time everyone!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this blog and I've decided its time kick it up a notch. While I'll always be a foodie at heart, I've realized there is a lot more about Boston we could be discussing here!

Most of you probably aren't panicking about the holidays yet, but in an effort to save you from the it's-3-days-before-Christmas-and-I-just-need-to-find-SOMETHING-for-my-sister feeling we all encounter, here are some suggestions to find the perfect gifts in our lovely city ahead of time. That way, rather than fighting with another last minute shopper over the last dvd copy of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" because its the only movie you know for sure she likes (and you're hoping she only has it on VHS), you'll be mixing up some egg nog knowing those funky, bohemian earrings that are PERFECT for her are safely wrapped under the tree.

First things first - make a list....who exactly do you need to shop for and what are your price points? Having one place you write down all your gift ideas will keep you cool and focused. So here goes - where to go, when to go, and even a cool gift idea that you can personalize for that special someone:


Downtown Crossing Holiday Market: Running Nov 27th - Dec 24th, Mon-Sat 11am-7pm and Sun Noon-6pm. The Christmas decorations are officially out in full blast in DT crossing! One of my favorite holiday locales to wander through during the holiday season, this area of the city is a great place to start your gift search. Every year they run an outdoor market with crafts, jewelry, art, delicious foods, and clothing.

Market starts Nov 27th, but you can check out the list of vendors in advance: click here. Most of the vendors have their websites listed, so do a little research in advance so you aren't completely overwhelmed when you get to the market. Jot down the vendors name when you see a piece of art that Aunt Susan couldn't possibly live without. Seems like a lot of work, you say? Not any more time and effort than scrambling through the aisles at the last minute and having nothing to show for it come xmas.

North End Specialty Shops: As you know from a prior post, a couple of my favorite stores in the North End are Polcari's Coffee and Salumeria Italiana. A great gift idea for anyone with a little italian pride in your fam, is to check out these shops and put together a basket of goodies. Grab some homemade pasta, a nice bottle of olive oil, some fresh spices and whatever else tickles your fancy. Now head over to Christmas Tree Shop - buy a basket, a nice cloth to lay in it (a holiday dish towel works just fine), some clear plastic (comes in a tube like wrapping paper) to wrap it up in, and some nice ribbon to tie it up. Ta-da! A thoughtful, homemade gift.

The nice thing about this gift is that you can spend as much or as little as you want, AND it can be tailored for anyone. Just pick a theme based on what your loved one likes (sports, food, movies, art) and run with it! Be creative :)

There are also some great jewelry and art stores in the North End that are very reasonably priced. Check out in-jean-ius, The North End Gallery, and shake the tree for some great finds!


Harvard Square: When all else fails, head to Harvard Square to wrap up your holiday shopping. This place is a mecca for unique little stores with the perfect gift. Check out this site in advance to grab a free map (click "maps and directions" at the top of the page) that will help you navigate the sea of perfect gift ideas you'll find here.

Here are a few of my favorites to get you started: Boston Bead Company (if you're feeling crafty and want to make something for mom), The Garage (check out Newbury Comics and Hootenanny in this little mall to find something for your spunky, 17-year-old cousin), Hidden Sweets (my all-time favorite shop - perfect for stocking stuffers, unique cards, and keepsake gifts), Lush (really fun bath and body type store - they let you sample everything and you'll probably walk out with just as much stuff for yourself as you do for others but that's ok - you deserve it), Black Ink (unique little trinkets you wont find anywhere else - I can't tell you how many times Ive come here and said "this is perfect for so-and-so"), and Mint Julip (great little clothing boutique with everything from European specialties to local jewelry).

Let me know what you find this year and where your secret spots are!

Happy shopping everyone!
Little B