Get out of your chair and get shopping. Christmas comes but once a year and it’s here in 10 days. Skip the gift certificates to Amazon and support your local Arcade Booksellers. Patrick Corcoran can get you any book just as fast and he’s a pleasure to boot.
Stop by Royal Jewels and learn something about a girl’s best friend, in this case laboratory-grown diamonds. While you are there, slip on a few of the 14-karat diamond stretchable bangles from Luvente. They stack up well. In fact, stop by the Purchase Street store on Saturday from 12-5 and meet the designers. You’ll receive a gift with every purchase.
At Palmer & Purchase, we found something for everyone on our list, starting with an elegant, glittering winter white top from Saint Art (<pour moi>, in the words of Miss Piggy), to a blue and cool corduroy cap with a universal monogram, “Ciao” (every family member will ask to borrow it), to the greatest stocking stuffer of all — socks, colorful casual and dressy styles.
Finch & Co. stocks an array of treasures, from vintage barware to a photo series of vintage toy skiers by Hooey Mountain. She’s that rare artist who skis with toys and then photographs them on the slopes. Their best-selling candle of the season is Big Sky. Their red and green lacquer placemats are flying out the door. Last-minute shoppers will appreciate their “wrapped for Christmas” table display.
Shopping at Sammy + Nat is an old-fashioned delight. It’s a throwback, with charming pajama sets, toys like a make-your-own puppet theater, checked shirts and corduroys for boys, and smocked dresses for girls. Makes you hope for one more grandchild to outfit.
At Love Bella, we fell for a suede sheath dress and the oversized scarf thrown over it. Their winter caps, scarves, and mittens will come to your aid in the gray and cold days ahead.
The Roberto Coin tennis necklace at Woodrow Jewelers may not improve your true love’s overhead, but it will be sure to make her sparkle on and off the court.
And don’t overlook your ever-patient, always ready-to-play pup. At All Paws, Claudia Baker stocks a wide array of adorable toys from Fluff & Tuff, Auburn leathercrafters dog collars, carriers for your fellow travelers, and treats. Buy The Dog’s Best Friend Game and let your pup party with you for a change!
No Christmas shopping spree is complete without a visit to Rye Beach Pharmacy, where we discovered that Paul Rheingold’s “The Streets of Rye: How They Got Their Names” is flying off the shelves. We bought a copy before asking the elves at the counter for some gift guidance. They recommended Holiday Bingo and a Learn to Crochet kit for beginners, and their selection of let-it-snow globes.
