The Holidays have arrived!
I’m so thankful to live in New England during this time of year. The gentle snowfall and glistening shorelines usher in the tranquility that I (and many others in the area) love about this season.
While the scenery might be as peaceful and relaxing as ever, your holiday shopping might not be…that’s why I’ve compiled this Holiday Gift Guide! It features a few local Newburyport businesses (and a few product recommendations from the owners themselves). Especially given the difficult circumstances with COVID-19 this year, it’s more important than ever to support the local businesses we love.
If you’re new to the area, that’s even better! Shopping in Newburyport, MA is always fun and downtown Newburyport is a Northshore staple. Grab your snow boots, and check out these locally-sourced products! There’s something for everybody on your list!
Soak: The Newburyport Soap Bar
I headed out to Soak first to speak to the owner about some of her favorite products. These are her recommendations!
Handmade Soaps
“There’s so many things that I like here! It’s so hard to pick just a few! I will say, I love my glycerin soap. I think it’s a great soap; it’s really clean, it’s hypoallergenic, it’s fun for kids, it’s a good soap, it lasts a long time, and we carry all kinds of different scents. There’s a Christmas collection as well, so this is definitely one of my top recommendations on this side!”
Grapefruit Surface Cleaner from Barr Co.
“The other thing I sell in this store that’s my favorite is this surface cleaner…it’s amazing! It works so good, and it doesn’t have a lot of harsh chemicals in it; it’s got a great scent. It cleans so much better than a lot of the stuff from the store. This stuff works amazing.”
Hooded Sweatshirt from Barefoot Dreams
“This is from a company called Barefoot Dreams, they make a whole bunch of things…cozy tops, hats, mittens, sweaters, everything like that! This year, they came out with this hooded sweatshirt. I love this thing! It’s so warm, and you can kinda dress it up with leggings, you can wear it with jeans, it comes in a couple different colors…it’s really, really soft! It’s my favorite thing that they made this season.
My visit there had me wanting to pick up a few things for myself!
Shopping in downtown Newburyport, MA is always a treat. The next stop was the Salt Cellar. I spoke with the very friendly woman behind the counter, and she shared the benefits of her favorite product with me.
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar Hand Cream
“I’d definitely have to recommend this hand cream! It’s made in Israel, and it really moisturizes the hands. Especially with all the hand sanitizer use and cold this year, this hand cream is a really good product to have!”
Not to mention, it’s hypoallergenic and made with dead sea minerals. The perfect gift for all the spa lovers in your life!
This next shop is my personal recommendation to help boost the holiday spirit this year…Newburyport’s year-round holiday and candle store, Partridge in a Bear Tree!
Partridge in a Bear Tree
Image via the Partridge in a Bear Tree Facebook Page
Ornaments and Candles sourced by Partridge in a Bear Tree
If you love to decorate for the holidays, this is the shop for you! They have a vast and unique assortment of ornaments, signs, garlands, and more! This shop is such a special place. Simply set foot inside to understand why…you’ll be greeted by hundreds of twinkling lights and glittering ornaments! They meticulously curate their unique set of products to create an immersive in-store experience…and you might find a few signs from local artists!
And, as always, you can pop into the many Newburyport galleries while you’re out shopping! Artwork is such a special gift, and Newburyport certainly has a plethora of local artists to choose from. What do you enjoy about shopping in Newburyport, MA? I’ve love to hear!
I’m wishing you a safe and happy holiday season with your loved ones. Remember to support your favorite small businesses this year!