Merrimack Valley Magazine

Holiday Gift Ideas – Part 3

December 2, 2021 by Digital Manager

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.

Tried and True from Red Antler Apothecary

It’s the season for spicy, warm and comforting soaps as we go full swing into the holidays. Red Antler Apothecary grows much of their own ingredients right here in the Merrimack Valley. These hand crafted soaps, balms, teas, tinctures and more are made from herbalist informed recipes and are tried and true, for even the most sensitive.

250 Jackson St. (MIll No. 5)
Lowell, Mass.
30 Church St. Salem, Mass.
RedAntlerApothecary.com

Art by Alyssa at Acorn Home & Design

Alyssa Watters, a Beverly-based artist, creates handmade gifts with her talent in oil painting. Her original artwork has been turned into a wonderful collection of coasters, trivets, ornaments, boxed notecards and calendars. The subject matter includes seacoast, wildlife, holiday, New England sports, fruits and vegetables, among others. Shown above: Trivets: $26, Coaster Sets: $45, Ornaments: $20. Not shown: Boxed Cards: $18, Calendars: $28. Visit Acorn Home & Design for more unique holiday gifts.

10 Essex St.
Andover, Mass.
(978) 273-9717
AcornHomeAndDesign.com

Holiday Gift Ideas – Part 2

November 26, 2021 by Digital Manager

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

Lisa Scala Jewelry

Designs to Lift Your Soul – Lisa Scala is a gifted designer and metalsmith whose unique handmade artisan jewelry has delighted customers for over 30 years. Come visit during our Goddess Event on December 16th – exclusively for Goddess Box Subscribers. Goddess Box Subscription includes four Goddess Evenings of self-care/pampering, gemstone instruction and fun activities to bring in the season – subscribe at LisaScala.com.
Also we’ll have sales, raffle baskets and giveaways during downtown’s “Holiday on Main St.” December 4th from 11a – 5p.

28 West Main St.
Georgetown, Mass.
(978) 352-8614
LisaScala.com

Spa Nijoli & 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 almost 20 years of excellent service and an impeccable staff of over 55 professionals. Purchase a holiday gift card from Merrimack Valley’s “Best Day Spa.”

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

Holiday Gift Ideas – Part 1

November 15, 2021 by Digital Manager

Silver and Gold at Quiet Pleasures Jewelry

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 St.
Andover, Mass.
(978) 474-0390
QuietPleasuresJewelry.com

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.

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

Merrimack Valley CSA Spotlight

May 13, 2021 by Kristin Cole

Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is a way for you and your family to support Merrimack Valley farmers and food producers, while boosting the amount of local, fresh and healthful ingredients in your meals.

Want to find one near you? Check out this list of the region’s best. Know of one we may have missed? Let us know at editor@mvmag.net.

Once you’ve signed up, make sure you check out MVM’s Merrimack Valley CSA column, which includes expert advice on how to prepare and cook your local ingredients. You can find it online or in the latest print edition of Merrimack Valley Magazine.

Bear Hill Farm

Bear Hill Farm in Tyngsborough has a CSA season that runs from June until the middle of October. The share is sized for a family of four, and you can sign up and learn more at their website.

Chris’ Farm Stand

Choose between a small or large share at Chris’ Farm Stand in Haverhill. Pick up in Tuesdays in Haverhill from 2-7 p.m. Their website includes an extensive list of the expected 2021 harvest, as well as sign-up details.

Cider Hill Farm

Cider Hill Farm are excited to announce that their 2021 registration is now open. Pick up is every Wednesday from June 16 through October 13, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. with an after-hour pick-up option. Learn more about this Amesbury-based CSA here.

Farmer Dave’s

Farmer Dave’s, based in Dracut but available at pick-up locations throughout the region, is committed to keeping their community strong and healthy and their food sustainable and local. Each week, they offer a newsletter containing CSA site information, vegetable education, storage tips, recipe and video links as well as information about what is happening on the farm. Registration for the 2021 season is now open. Click here to register, or for more information.

Heron Pond Farm

Heron Pond Farm, which offers a year-round CSA program, will be kicking off the summer CSA program on June 7, but you can register now. Members can choose from a full or partial portion, and between two different groups of crops. New Hampshire pick-up locations include South Hampton, Dover and Portsmouth, or you can grab your CSA offerings in North Andover if you’re south of the border.

High Road Farm

High Road Farm is a soon-to-be-certified organic farm focused on growing nutrient-dense vegetables through pasture grazing livestock, crop rotations and amending soil with locally sourced natural materials. They work with fishermen, crab trappers, hay farmers, landscapers and horse stables to transform Newbury’s organic waste materials into well-balanced compost for their fields.

Their summer CSA share will run for 10 weeks starting in mid-June and running through mid-August. Learn more here.

Horne Family Farms

Horne Family Farms is a family-owned farm using all organic practices based in Londonderry, N.H. Their CSA program offers a “one size fits all” vegetable share that is home delivered. Throughout the season, they will work with you to make sure you receive the right mount and kinds of vegetables for your family. Click here to learn more about their CSA program.

Merrimac CSA

The Merrimac CSA is open for the 2021 season and packages can be purchased on their website here. Options range from a half share to a full share, and available crops include beets, cabbage, carrots, eggplant, cucumbers, onions, peppers, radishes, rutabaga, kohlrabi, lettuce, broccoli, kale and more. Visit here for more details.

Old Stone Farm

Old Stone Farm is located in West Newbury, Mass., and offers a weekly farm share program. The program includes a box packed with a variety of produce harvested on the farm during that week. Visit here for more information on seasonal crops and to purchase a farm share.

Pleasant Valley Gardens

The Pleasant Valley Gardens in Methuen have been operating for over 100 years. Their CSA program offers weekly harvests from mid June through October, with packages ranging from full shares to half shares and small shares. Click here to find the printable application for a CSA membership.