Welcome to the first of two parts of my Maynard Holiday Shopping List. If you can't find something for your people around here there's a problem. Doing the majority of your holiday shopping is completely possible right here in Maynard. Last year I challenged myself to do it, and I did it!
Somehow we've convinced ourselves that we need to get exactly what we want when we want it, and that it will be dropped off on our doorstep within 24 hours of our clicking a button. That just feels wrong to me. Maybe it feels wrong to you, too. If so, join me in strolling Maynard's sidewalks in search of something with greater impact. As you do it you might say hi to people you know on your way, or catch coffee with another local friend doing the same.
My list is so long that I did my best to try and group some things together. I'm hoping the divisions make sense. The second part to this blog will be photos of some of the really great things that I found.
Please allow me a gratuitous plug for the
ArtSpace Maynard Holiday Sale. There will be lots of interesting stuff there. It takes place the first weekend of December (1-3). I'll be there in my studio—come chat with me and I'll try to point you to things you might be interested in.
Heading toward Christmas
• Christmas ornaments and decorations: Summer St. Fine Consign, 6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studios, The Paper Store, Sugar Snap, Video Signals/Art Signals Studio
• Poinsettias: The Flower Pot, Hawes Florist
• Wreaths: The Flower Pot, Hawes Florist
Fun
• Vintage toys: Collector’s Paradise, Summer Street Fine Consign
• Stuffed animals: The Paper Store
• Matchbox cars: Collector’s Paradise
• Harry Potter merchandise, wands: Oliver's Wands and Wizarding Wares
• Kids art supplies: The Paper Store
• Games (classic and new): The Paper Store, Collector’s Paradise
• Kids’ books: Video Signals, The Paper Store, Library’s ongoing book sale
• Comic Books: Excelsior Comics, Legends
• Legos or Duplo blocks: The Paper Store
• Action Figures: Excelsior Comics, Collector’s Paradise
• Sled or snow tube: The Outdoor Store
Miscellaneous
• Tools: Butler Lumber, Parker Hardware, Maynard Supply
• Leather wallet: Outdoor Store, Kind Goods
• Decorative candle: The Paper Store, Denault Studio
• Handmade soap: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods, Denault Studio
• Jewelry Box: 6 Bridges Gallery, Summer Street Fine Consign, Denault Studio
• Yarn/knitting holiday cracker: Island Yarn Company
• Handmade handbags: 6 Bridges Gallery
• A hand-bound blank book: 6 Bridges Gallery
• A piece of local, one of a kind art: 6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studio, Gallery 7, ArtSpace Maynard
• Semi-precious stones, pretty stones: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares
• Artistic pens: Denault Studio
• Collectable coins: Collector’s Paradise, Summer Street Fine Consign
• Collector’s memorabilia: Collector’s Paradise
• Tech gear: The Paper Store
• Books: Video/Art Signals, The Paper Store, Library’s ongoing book sale
• Sports Team mugs: The Paper Store
• Repair to a stringed orchestral instrument: Spencer Brook Strings
• Stocking stuffers galore: Sugar Snap, The Outdoor Store, Collector’s Paradise, The Paper Store, Art's Specialties
Classes:
• Knitting or crochet classes: Island Yarn Company, Dee Cohen (ArtSpace)
• Learning to make some of the cool stuff you see in their window: Kind Goods
• Glass working class: Denault Studio
• Martial Arts lessons: Metrowest Kung Fu, the Concord School of Taekwon-do
• Classical Guitar Lessons: Berit Strong (ArtSpace)
• Yoga: Metrowest Kung Fu, Karyn Force
• 5 Sessions with a personal trainer: Aim for Fitness
• Writing/storytelling classes and workshops: Ruth Herman (ArtSpace)
• Painting class for adults: Michelle Garro (ArtSpace), Sandy Wilensky (ArtSpace), Ernie Stonebraker (ArtSpace)
• Adult pottery class: Mary Henderson (ArtSpace), Kind Goods
• Sewing Classes: Donna Melanson (ArtSpace)
• Couples workout sessions: Aim for Fitness
• Dance and movement classes: Dreamscape Collaborative (above Siam Village) newdreamco@gmail.com
Make your own Gifts
• Beads for making jewelry: Denault Studio
• Paint your own pottery: Video Signals/Art Signals, Denault Studio
• Items to color: Sugar Snap
• Beautiful Yarns: Island Yarn Company
Wear it
• Ask Raspberry Beret to put together a special outfit for someone.
• Handmade jewelry:
6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studio, ArtSpace jewelers (Holiday Sale)
• Maynard T-shirts and sweatshirts: Summer Street Fine Consign, The Paper Store
• A pair of sunglasses: LOOK Optical, The Outdoor Store
• Fun socks: The Paper Store, The Outdoor Store
• Red Sox, Bruins, or Patriots shirts and caps: The Paper Store, Maynard Outdoor Store, Collector’s Paradise
• A pair of pajamas: The Maynard Outdoor Store, The Paper Store
• A pair of gold earrings: Richard Goddard, jeweler
• Workout Clothes: The Maynard Outdoor Store
• A pair of gloves: The Maynard Outdoor Store, Corner Closet, Raspberry Beret
• Pair of jeans: The Corner Closet, The Maynard Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret
• Really cozy woman’s sweater: Raspberry Beret, The Outdoor Store, The Corner Closet
• New coat, (or a newish coat): The Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret, The Corner Closet
• Hats: Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret, 6 Bridges Gallery, Denishe Hats (ArtSpace)
• Plaid flannel shirt (so popular): The Outdoor Store
• Artistic eyeglass frames: LOOK Optical
Active people
• A cyclists tire repair kit: Ray and Sons
• A new bike: Ray and Sons
• Ice skates: The Outdoor Store
• Baseball mitt: The Outdoor Store
• A bicycle helmet, water bottle, and bike bell: Ray and Sons
• A Swiss army knife: The Outdoor Store
• A pair of binoculars: The Outdoor Store, Summer Street Fine Consign
• Hockey Gear: The Outdoor Store
• Camping Gear: The Outdoor Store
• Fishing Gear: The Outdoor Store
Food related:
• Chocolates: The Paper Store, Art’s Specialties, Summer Street Fine Consign
• Special beer brews: Battle Road Brewery, Art’s Specialties
• A collection of hot sauces: Art’s Specialties
• Locally-made cookies and treats: Art’s Specialties
• Very local maple syrup: Art's Specialties
• A hand-glazed platter from the kids: Video Signals/Art Signals
• Vintage kitchen gear: Summer Street Fine Consign, Collector’s Paradise
• Cast iron pan: Collector’s Paradise
• Beautiful hand-made mug: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods, Denault Studio
• Fancy olive oil dispenser: Denault Studio
• Wine bottle stoppers: Denault Studio
• Measuring spoons: Summer Street Fine Consign, Denault Studio
• Wine bottle holders and openers: Denault Studio, Summer Street Fine Consign, The Paper Store
• Artistic cutting board: Denault Studio
• Gift certificates for restaurants
Services:
• Have a special memento or photo framed: Gallery Seven
• Gift certificate for a massage: Pathways to Wellness, Bailey’s Therapeutic Massage, Massage Visits
• Health club Membership: Anytime Fitness
• A custom piece of jewelry: Richard Goddard Jeweler, Bone Flow Studio (ArtSpace)
• Spa day for a favorite pooch: Scrub-a-Dog, Wags to Whiskers, Dirty Paws
• Manicures: Crystal Nail and Spa, Royal Nails, Toast ‘n Shine
• A tan: Toast ‘n Shine Tan and Spa
• Repair to an old photograph: Erik Hansen (ArtSpace)
• A facial: Flawless
• A psychic reading: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares
Gifts that don’t take up much space:
• See also classes (above)
• Multipack movie passes: Fine Arts Theatre
• A season subscription for local theater (plays): ACME Theater
• And of course, plenty of gift certificates to any of Maynard’s great restaurants
Tip: I wanted family in Western Mass. to visit us more, so last year I gave some of them gift certificates to stores and restaurants here in Maynard. They knew what I was up to, and I think they appreciated the message that I love them enough to want them around me.
Think about passing this list along to your family members who don't live in the area. Maybe they'd like to give you a gift from right here. Definitely share this list with others—money spent in Maynard helps Maynard.
If I've missed something, it was not intentional. Feel free to add your favorite finds to the comments section.
Thanks for reading! Happy Holidays!
