Merrimack Valley Magazine

Artisanal Gifts

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For many shoppers during a normal holiday season, finding the perfect gift can be difficult. The pandemic has made it trickier, especially if you’re looking to support local businesses. For those who aim beyond the big online retailers, here’s a practical buying guide for great gifts made by area producers. Investing in such unique and personalized gifts will put smiles on the faces of your loved ones and show support for Merrimack Valley artisans. These creations have an appeal that goes beyond trends, and will be treasured long after the season has ended.   

 

An out-of-this-world gift.

“The Lonely Astronaut” is a series by New Hampshire-based photographer Karen Jerzyk, exploring contrasting feelings of wonder and isolation. Sparked by her purchase of an authentic vintage high-altitude space suit in 2017, Jerzyk has been traveling the world taking photos of women in the suit. Hive + Forge carries a large selection of 12-by-8 Jerzyk photographs. $20 each.

30 Church Street, Salem, Mass.
250 Jackson Street (Mill No. 5), Lowell, Mass.
HiveAndForge.com

 

Is it time for Christmas yet?

These whimsical pendulum clocks from Acorn Home & Design feature 3D pop out effects with easy-to-maintain quartz pendulum movements. Constructed out of thick laser-cut Baltic birch plywood featuring a variety of animals and motifs, they are perfect for your little one’s room. $54 each.

10 Essex Street, Andover, Mass.
AcornDesignCenter.com

 

Cucina Aurora’s spectacular holiday gift set is perfect for every food lover on your list.

This rich, burgundy box is embellished in gold foil and features two of Cucina Aurora’s best-selling infused olive oils: roasted garlic and rosemary oregano. Each box includes a booklet of recipes to inspire mealtime magic. No need to wrap, this beautiful box makes a perfect gift on its own. Oils are made individually by hand from 100% Italian olive oil with love in their Salem, N.H., location. $39.99 + free shipping.

CucinaAurora.com

 

Herbal, bright, and fragrant — a great kitchen candle!

This Rosemary + Mint reed diffuser from Farm + Sea is perfect for scenting small spaces without an open flame, and requires almost no maintenance. Rattan reeds absorb the oils and diffuse the scent into the air. Use all ten for a maximum scent throw, or just a few at a time for a more subtle smell. Wide selection of scents available. $22 each.

18 Red Spring Road, Andover, Mass.
45 Main Street, Andover, Mass.
MakAndCoAndover.com

 

 

Throw some hometown pride around your home.

These throw pillows from Helen Thomas Simply Smashing are custom-made and make a great decoration or holiday gift. Show some hometown love to those on your list. $68 each.

90 Main Street, Andover, Mass.
ShopHelenThomas.com

 

 

A moment in paradise.

A scientist with a background in chemistry and an abiding appreciation for natural ingredients, Jason McCrea is a man possessed by a single, simple idea — to make the best caramel in the world —nothing less. These black lava sea salt caramels from MAK & CO. are rich and creamy with crystals of Hawaiian black sea salt. Canister, $16; Pillow pack, $6.

18 Red Spring Road, Andover, Mass.
45 Main Street, Andover, Mass.
MakAndCoAndover.com

 

Silver and gold.

Visit Quiet Pleasures Jewelry to find an always changing selection of well-priced classic, contemporary or artistically funky jewelry designs and great gift items, too! These beautiful cuff bracelets from Peter James Jewelry will take you from one end of your day to the other, starting at $100. Whether shopping for others or for yourself, don’t you deserve something fabulous today?

24 Chestnut Street, Andover, Mass.
QuietPleasuresJewelry.com

 

Signs and cityscapes.

The art of Debbie Shirley captures local places you have been — or perhaps wish that you had seen. Shirley’s award-winning acrylic paintings are part of collections and exhibitions worldwide, and can be seen locally at Helen Thomas Simply Smashing in Andover. Nine-by-12 prints are $28 each.

90 Main Street, Andover, Mass.
ShopHelenThomas.com

 

Holiday green.

It’s the season for spicy, warm and comforting soaps as we go full swing into the holidays. These hand-crafted soaps from Red Antler Apothocary are made using Old World recipes and are great for people with common skin irritations, dryness and other issues.  $8.50 each.

30 Church Street, Salem, Mass.
250 Jackson Street (Mill No. 5), Lowell, Mass.
HiveAndForge.com
RedAntlerApothecary.com

Holiday Gift Guide – 2019

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The Museum Shop at the Addison Gallery of American Art

Find the perfect holiday gift at the Museum Shop at the Addison. Offering a diverse selection of one-of-a-kind items inspired by works from our collection, the Museum Shop also features unique and beautiful housewares, ornaments, jewelry, and more by artisans from around the region. Stop by on Museum Store Sunday, December 1, and receive 25% off all merchandise! 

On the campus of Phillips Academy
3 Chapel Ave. / Andover, Mass. / (978) 749-4015 / AddisonGallery.org

CoCo Collection

Treat yourself! This beautifully detailed sweater and wrap by Barcelona brand, Aldomartins are just two of the many standout pieces available at CoCo Collection this holiday season. We love to bring new designers and well-known brands together to appeal to a wide variety of ages and price points. All carefully curated for just the right look. Let our talented stylists help you find everything from the perfect party dress, to a fabulous sweater and jeans at CoCo Collection.

1 Main Street / Andover, Mass. / (978) 470-0632 / ShopCoCoCollection.com
Instagram @cococollectionboutique
Facebook @shopcococollection

Promotional offer ends 12/31/19. Gift cards must be purchased at a Massage Envy franchised location. Promotional cards expire on 3/31/2020 and are subject to restrictions on use. (See promotional card for details)

Massage Envy

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – to give the gift of wellness. A Massage Envy gift card might just be the best holiday gift ever because it unwraps the benefits of total body care including massage, total body stretch, rapid tension relief, customizable facials, Microderm infusion and chemical peels. Ask us for details.                                                                                                                                    Give the gift of wellness and help everyone on your list be their very best! 

Methuen – 70 Pleasant Valley St. / (978) 685-1077 / MassageEnvy.com
Billerica – 199 Boston Rd.  / (978) 663-3689
Nashua – 310 Daniel Webster HWY / (603) 598-4400

Merrimack Valley Magazine

Cut Santa some slack this year and give the gift of Merrimack Valley Magazine. Some people are hard to shop for, but everyone likes to know about the best places to eat, the best shows to see and the best places to shop. Merrimack Valley Magazine is a gift that lasts the whole year. It delivers fresh, original stories on local art & music, food & dining, home & garden, design, history, people and more. 

Order gift subscriptions at: MVMag.net/buy-issues

Solace Wellness Center & MedSpa

Give the Gift of Solace! Prepare your skin for the harsh winter months with our HYDRO-DERMAL facial with GLOW® technology. Water powered exfoliation and extraction allows deep penetration of  bio-organic serums and masks to firm and tighten skin and make it GLOW. Until December 31, purchase the HYDRO-DERMAL facial for $95 and receive a free SOLACE Ultimate Moisturizing Cream to keep your skin hydrated this winter. Treat that special person to some “me” time at Solace.  

Bio-Organic Inspired Anti-Aging Skin and Body Care
1201 Main Street / Tewksbury, Mass. / (978) 851-8600 / FoundSolace.com

Spa Nijoli and Salon

Relaxing massages and full service hair, nail and skincare all in one award winning location! When you struggle to choose the right gift for the holidays, consider giving the gift of relaxation from Spa Nijoli & Salon. Celebrating 17 years of excellent service and an impeccable staff of over 65 professionals. Purchase a holiday gift card from Merrimack Valley’s “Best Day Spa.”

116 Pleasant Valley Street / Methuen, Mass. / (978) 682-9772 / Nijoli.com

Red Antler Apothecary

Red Antler Apothecary specializes in Herbalist formulated soaps, body care, scrubs, non-harmful cleaning products and other holistic remedies! Foraged seaweed and juniper berries top a cooling peppermint and evergreen soap that smells as much like the New England winter forest as it does the rocky summer beach. Red Antler Apothecary is your shop for clean, environmentally friendly holiday giving. Choose a beautiful gift box in stores, or a monthly “Suds-scription” for the gift that keeps refreshing!

Mill No. 5 / 250 Jackson Street. / Lowell, Mass. / (978) 656-1366 / RedAntlerApothecary.com

Robert Jason Salon Beauty Bar

Brought to you by the award winning Robert Jason Salon, the Robert Jason Salon Beauty Bar offers you the finest in manicures, pedicures and makeup.  Gift certificates for pampering are always available and make the BEST gift for the holidays! At Robert Jason Salon, we strive in our commitment to deliver you a safe and strictly sanitized space, and our patent-pending ventilation system helps us guarantee a clean and harmless salon environment.

96 Main Street / Andover, Mass. / (978) 470-3103 / RobertJasonSalon.com

Quiet Pleasures Jewelry

Happy Holidays to our customers, old and new! Without you, we would not be here and we thank you for your business. Visit Quiet Pleasures Jewelry to find an always changing selection of well-priced classic, contemporary or artistically funky jewelry designs and great gift items, too! These beautiful cuff bracelets will take you from one end of your day to the other. Whether shopping for others or for yourself, don’t you deserve something fabulous today? 

24 Chestnut Street / Andover, Mass. / (978) 474-0390 / QuietPleasuresJewelry.com

MVM Cookbook

For more than a decade, Merrimack Valley Magazine has been the region’s premiere source of information about regional food, dining and drink, plus the people who live, work, play and make our area great. Along the way we’ve curated a great collection of personal recipes the region’s top chefs. We are publishing our first-ever cookbook featuring the very best of these recipes. The MVM Cookbook – First Edition is a great addition to your recipe library, and it makes a great gift!

Pre-order copies at: MVMag.net/cookbook

Restaurant Gift Cards

Give the gift of a great meal this holiday season by buying gift cards from the Merrimack Valley’s best restaurants! A night on the town is always a welcome gift and mvm’s restaurant partners won’t disappoint. Check out participating restaurants in our dining guide or on MVMag.net/dining

  • Angelina’s Italian Restaurant
  • Buono Bistro
  • Burtons Grill & Bar
  • Butcher Boy
  • Cafe Azteca
  • Capri Seaside Italian Grille
  • Chowder Factory
  • Cobblestones Restaurant & Bar
  • Copper Door
  • Dream Diner
  • Grazie Italian Restaurant at Four Oaks Country Club
  • Horseshoe Grille
  • Jocelyn’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge
  • Lowell Burger Company
  • Moonstones
  • Orzo Trattoria
  • Phoenician Restaurant
  • Sand Trap Bar & Grill at Merrimack Valley Golf Club
  • Seaglass Restaurant
  • Seoul Kitchen
  • Tuscan Kitchen

 

12 Days of Holiday Gift Guide – Day 6!

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Quiet Pleasures Jewelry

Find an always changing selection of well-priced classic, contemporary or artistically funky jewelry designs (and some great little gift items, too!) at Quiet Pleasures Jewelry. This collage of beautiful jeweled-tone bracelets is from Firefly, whose intricate mosaic pieces are made in Guatemala. We will be remodeling after the holidays. Check out our website or sign up for email updates on our grand re-opening at qpjewelry@aol.com. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

29 Main Street
Andover, Mass.
(978) 474-0390
QuietPleasuresJewelry.com

 

Check back tomorrow for another Holiday Gift Guide feature!

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