—Winston Churchill
With the holidays only weeks away and plenty of shopping left to do, fight the urge to raid the mall. Instead, check out these local businesses for thoughtful gifts that will stand out among the myriad of mass-produced trinkets and doodads. Give outdoor equipment, jewelry, organic food, and more. We’ve already done the legwork to help you find one-of-a-kind and limited-supply gifts. Every item purchased supports a Hudson Valley small business, sustainable farm, or cultural institution. Supporting small businesses is supporting your community. A study conducted by Civic Economics shows that for every $100 spent locally, $68 in additional local activity is generated. Compare this to the $43 of local impact created when $100 is spent at a national chain store. Just take a look in your neighborhood and find holiday treasures around every corner.
The Writing Is on the Wall
Anne O’Neil, owner of Inspired, sees her business as first and foremost a bookstore, but her patrons see much more—and it’s easy to see why. The shop’s mission is to create a gathering place and provide the tools and encouragement to foster growth, change, and healing. There are fair-trade products, work from local artisans, and, of course, books. Inspirational banners have become popular. These powerful wall hangings make excellent gifts for college students living away from home. They are constant reminders to live, love, and trust life—positive messages from Gandhi, Goethe, and Niebuhr that leave stressed students inspired.
Inspired, 41 North Front Street, Kingston; (845) 331-0644; www.inspiredinkingston.com.
Holiday Spirit
Run don’t walk to your local spirits shop to get Tuthilltown’s Hudson Baby Bourbon for the whiskey lover in your life. The latest batch of the locally distilled bourbon was reserved and is only available at select shops and restaurants. It’s well worth the hunt—this single-grain whisky is made of 100percent New York corn, no additives or artificial coloring. The Tuthilltown distillers give extra tender, love, and care to this baby that is bottled, labeled, wax-sealed, and numbered by hand.
Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, 14 Gristmill Lane, Gardiner; (845) 255-1527; www.tuthilltown.com.
Let the Sun Shine
In March 2007, Soaring Eagle Native American Trading Company opened on Tinker Street in Woodstock selling authentic Native American crafts, artifacts, jewelry, and leather goods from artists representing tribes across the country. Soaring Eagle is committed to the preservation of all Native American tribes and nations and to the support of their artists and craftspeople. Some of the artists who sell through Soaring Eagle are established and exhibit work in museums while others rely on the sales of their crafts to make humble livings. When shopping at Soaring Eagle, look for one-of-a-kind items like the silver Zuni stone-inlaid bracelet with sunface symbol. Stick around after your purchase and learn about the different native groups from the passionate staff. Soaring Eagle is a craft shop and cultural center encouraging understanding of the original Americans.
Soaring Eagle Native American Trading Post, 62B Tinker Street, Woodstock; (845) 679-6004; www.soaringeaglestore.com.
Feast on This
Lagusta’s Luscious, a woman-owned-and-operated, socially responsible, vegetarian home meal delivery service, takes vegetarian cuisine from humdrum to adventurous and then delivers it straight to your home or office by hybrid car. Ninety percent of Lagusta’s clients are not vegetarian, so consider purchasing meals for anyone who doesn’t have the time, skill, or interest to cook but loves a flavorful, ethnically varied menu. All meals are organic when possible, use locally grown ingredients, and never contain animal products, chemicals, preservatives, dyes, or white sugar. Plans run from $90 to $125 per week and include four to eight packaged meals with reheating instructions. Please keep in mind, there will be no deliveries from December 18 until January 22, but certificates will be sent to notify recipients of their gift.
Lagusta’s Luscious; (845) 255-8VEG; www.lagustasluscious.com.
Take Your Pick
Liberty View Farm’s certified naturally grown apples are some of the best tasting in the area—scout’s honor. Highland Girl Scouts judged Liberty’s Cortland apples tops at a local taste contest. Liberty View’s Cortlands average one pound without the assistance of hormones and chemicals. Lease a tree for someone this holiday season and support a farm that donated 60 trees full of apples to feed Ulster County’s hungry and pays employees a living wage of $11 per hour. A tree costs $50 to lease for a full year and yields 60 to 120 pounds, averaging 50 cents per apple. It’s more than just apples; when you give a Liberty View Farms gift you are supporting sustainable agriculture and the preservation of open space in the region. Liberty View holds events all year beginning with April’s Apple Blossom Festival and art shows. Weekly e-mail updates let leasers know the condition of the tree and when to start picking. Consider leasing chickens and beehives, too.
Liberty View Farms, 340 Crescent Avenue, Highland; (845) 883-7004; www.libertyviewfarm.biz.
Scope It Out
Lydia Castiglia has the enviable task as the Emerson Country Store manager and buyer to select items the world over to fill the multigallery upscale shopper’s paradise. The series of shops weave through the restored 19th-century barn and wrap around the refurbished grain silo. But what do you do with a 65-foot-tall grain silo? Covert it into the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope. Visitors stop by to enjoy one of three 10-minute shows celebrating Americana—that’ll remind you of a Pink Floyd light show with a Jimi Hendrix soundtrack—nature, and the holidays. After the rush subsides, head into the gallery and discover the hundreds of unique and handcrafted kaleidoscopes. These aren’t just toys and they aren’t just cardboard tubes—the Country Store commissions over 40 artists to create these works of art. While a small toy keychain scope runs $2.75, the elaborate high-end pieces go up to $3,500. Give a kaleidoscope a loved one can take everywhere. Priced between $90 and $200, functioning bejeweled sterling silver scope pendents hang from chains. Look inside, turn, and watch gemstones tumble into spectacular patterns. The Country Store is more than optical illusions. Find everything from furniture, clothing, books, wine accessories, jewelry, modest lingerie, and kitchenwares including the complete Mario Batali and Culinary Institute of America cooking lines. The Country Store carries brands like Simon Pierce, handblown glass from Vermont, or Tay, locally blended teas you are unlikely to find elsewhere. In a rush? Choose a gift from this holiday season’s Golden E Collection. Elegantly prewrapped for pick-up-and-go ease, these items found throughout the store provide a cross-section of Emerson’s most popular products. Cashmere-soft scarves priced $16 to $24, luxe velvet shoes that can be worn as house slippers or comfortable evening shoes priced $50 to $85, and the Dr. Hauschka all-natural skin care line packed into no-brainer starter kits are just a few items in the collection.
Emerson’s Country Store, 5340 Route 28, Mt. Tremper; (845) 688-5800; www.emersonresort.com.
New Kids on the Block
One of the Hudson Valley’s newest shops, Wiltsie Bridge shows promise, comparing itself to the Sundance General Store in Utah. The shop aims at high quality, low pretension, and supports independent artists, while steering clear of the boutique label—this store is housed in a restored barn with cathedral ceiling. For a stunning gift, try Wiltsie’s metal tree-bark bracelet. It’s rustic and nature-inspired, revealing the cracks and flaking of birch, but it has a fresh, clean, modern look. This wide cuff is sterling silver and priced at $189. Matching rings of varying widths help you mix and match a set that’s all your own.
Wiltsie Bridge, 755 Route 199, Ancram; (845) 758-4001; www.wiltsiebridge.com.
A Stitch in Time
With the popularity of the Stitch ’n Bitch books and Vogue Knitting magazine, knitting is not just for grandmothers anymore. Tinker Street is home to Woodstock Wool Company, a yarn shop and knitter’s oasis. Not only do they color their own kettle-dyed and hand-painted yarns that are named for local streets and landmarks, Woodstock Wool also provides a place for patrons to knit socially. Is there a needle-wielding knitter in your life? Pick from one of the Wool Company’s fun, affordable kits. If you knit, head over and pick up the Pima Cotton Baby Cardigan ($34) to personalize a gift for a precious infant on your holiday shopping list. This beginner/intermediate-level project includes a pattern, kettle-dyed yarn in one of 10 colors, and five buttons. The pattern comes in three sizes ranging from 0 to 12 months. While you are there, join the book group or the charity knit group, which donates all projects to the local battered-women’s shelter.
Woodstock Wool Company, 105 Tinker Street, Woodstock; (845) 679-0400; www.woodstockwoolcompany.com.
Make a Splash
Most local residents are proud to live in the Hudson Valley because of the friendly towns that dot the majestic hills rolling up from both sides of the river, but we often take that namesake estuary for granted. Help someone discover the intricate system of tributaries and waterways in the Hudson River watershed. Wrapping-paper concerns aside, a 15-foot kayak is a present that can be enjoyed for years. When deciding on a versatile kayak that can handle currents and wakes on open water or glide around a tranquil wetland, choose a long, skinny sea kayak. The shorter, wider recreational vessels are only useful in enclosed waters and calm conditions. Fit, expectation, and price range are helpful markers in picking the kayak you give, so go see the knowledgeable staff at Kenco. Since 1982, Kenco has provided working people and outdoor enthusiasts with apparel, footwear, outdoor equipment, and accessories. This retailer is attracting more eco-minded customers, as it carries earth-friendly brands that use organic materials and take measures to reduce environmental impact.
Kenco, 1000 Hurley Mountain Road, Kingston; (845) 340-0552; www.atkenco.com.
Can It
The Phantom Gardener is a full-service garden center with three greenhouses, a shop, and a complete garden bookshop. It carries a large selection of organic products, fair-trade gifts, and gardening accessories. For the serious gardener, consider Haw’s watering cans, a classic British brand. This can was created in 1885 for easy use, and its design hasn’t changed much in a hundred years. At the time, all watering was done by hand, so this first Haw’s prototype was balanced for minimal strain to the gardener whether the can was full or near-empty. The Phantom Gardener carries Haw’s watering cans in a variety of fun colors and a classic copper. Looking to learn more about gardening? Attend the December 8 Holiday Open House, where you can speak to experts and get a firsthand look at all the amazing products.
The Phantom Gardener, 6837 Route 9, Rhinebeck; (845) 876-8606; www.thephantomgardener.com.
For the past seven years Bop to Tottom’s philosophy to provide great gifts at reasonable prices—continues to keep the joy in giving. The uptown Kingston boutique carries up-to-the-minute ladies’ fashion accessories, novelty gifts, children’s toys, and a variety of funky lamps and light fixtures. Indian inspired sari draped hanging lights, a variety of Chinese paper lanterns, and abstract standing lamps that double as art make charming accents to any room. Warm someone’s winter when you give one of these whimsical lamps for the holidays.
Bop to Tottom, 299 Wall Street, Kingston; (845) 338-8100.
This article appears in December 2007.
