Shop 'til You Drop: ’Tis the Season for Holiday Hamptons Treats
‘Tis the season for giving! The East End is chock-full of lovely, unique boutiques to make for an enjoyable shopping experience. We are also home to a bevy of locally made treats that make for delightful gifts.
To start, there’s Blossom Meadow 100% Pure Beeswax Candles. These candles are gifts from nature, embodying a simple and healthy way of life. Since beeswax candles burn significantly longer than typical candles, are soot-free and are naturally aromatic with a subtle scent of honey, they add ambiance to any dinner table and don’t compete with the wonderful aromas from your food. Cluster the glass flower pot candles (a 20 hour burn time and Blossom Meadow’s newest design) or Blossom Meadow beeswax votives (a 15-hour burn time) on a tray or line them up on a tabletop for a brilliant display. Available on etsy.com.
Amagansett Sea Salt makes the perfect foodie holiday gift, enhancing the flavor of everything it touches. Made entirely by hand in small batches in Amagansett, this pure finishing salt has quickly become a favorite of New York’s top chefs and restaurants, including Tom Colicchio, Daniel Humm and Andrew Carmellini. For a truly special flavor experience, try the Merlot blend, made with local vineyard wine, or the Madagascar vanilla salt—a knock out on holiday cookies! Call 631-731-3052 or visit amagansettseasalt.com.
Don’t forget the Southampton Historical Museum Gift Shop. Specialty items include vintage holiday cards and gift wrap, handmade organic catnip kitty toys, wool scarves from Faribault Woolen Mill Company, handmade baby hats, sweaters, children’s wooden toys, decoupage historic-Long Island map paperweights, beautiful ornaments and lots more. The Museum & Gift Shop is open from Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., at 17 Meetinghouse Lane, Southampton. Call 631-283-2494 or visit southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.
The Shop at Guild Hall is a great place to find art books, cookbooks, posters as well as artisan jewelry, scarfs, and other unique gifts! One stop shop to make the Holiday shopping easier, plus while you’re there you can check out the exhibition and stay for one of their many theater, music and art events. Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street, East Hampton. Call 631-324-0806 or visit guildhall.org.
Another great shop for gifts is Aerin. The intimate boutique is stocked with gift items—including festive home objects from agate coasters to gold-dipped vases and candy bowls that make for special gifts to give, while shagreen trays and coasters are the perfect décor for any holiday party. As for holiday dressing, there are beautiful accessories that will add a glow to your face. Check out the Aerin gift guides on aerin.com and stop in at 83 Main Street in Southampton.
Don’t forget your local craft fairs! The Springs Church Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, December 13, from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Springs Community Presbyterian Church is located at 5 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton. Call 631-324-4791 for more info.
So slim-sation by Multiples sent me a pair of their very slimming pants. They work and, perhaps more importantly, they stay up all day! Very comfortable and attractive. You’d think that my lower half always looks this good! slimsation.com
East End regular Bethenny Frankel released Skinnygirl Cocktails: 100 Fun & Flirty Guilt-Free Recipes in October. You might want to check out these delicious, low-calorie cocktails and recipes in time for the holidays. Peppermint martinis, anyone?
New Kid on the Block:
Now you can travel all over New York State in a Jitney! Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launch of the I LOVE NEW YORK Bus, a new year-round operation offering transportation from New York City to destinations across the state, operated by our very own Southampton-based Hampton Jitney. Pick-up and drop-off location for the bus will be at the corner of 44th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. For more info and to register for a tour, visit governor.ny.gov or hamptonjitney.com.