Unique Holiday Shopping in Southern New Hampshire

By real estate agent Steve Russo.

It’s very convenient to shop for the holidays at many of the malls that cover the state or to order from catalogs or online. But if you are looking for a unique shopping experience, consider some of the specialty shops that are located in several of the small towns throughout the southern tier of New Hampshire. They carry items not often found in “big box” or mall stores, often artisan-made and selected by local experts who can share their enthusiasm for the beautiful and/or useful objects arrayed before you. Here is a sampling of some of interesting and unique shops in Southern New Hampshire:

BEDFORD FIELDS GARDEN CENTER & HOME DECOR definitely puts the emphasis on “home decor” this time of year. This Bedford institution is transformed with several artificial holiday trees, including their celebrated upside-down balsam fir, which are covered from top to bottom with traditional and contemporary ornaments for sale. The store also offers a wide variety of distinctive home accent items and a selection of tasteful gifts, including even gift ideas for pets. Of course the shop also stocks interesting plants for the holiday season, and is well-known for its wreaths and garlands in a wide variety of styles. (http://bedfordfields.com/index.html)

C’EST CHEESE in North Hampton is a great resource for imported and domestic cheeses. They carry all the popular favorites as well as artisan cheeses from some of the world’s most renowned cheese makers. In addition to dairy products, C’est Cheese also features fine wines and imported cheese accompaniments, such as olives, mustards, meats, breads, and marinated vegetables. They encourage in-store tastings, and are also happy to put together a gift basket to suit your needs and tastes. (http://www.c-estcheese.com/)

THE COZY TEA CART in Brookline carries dozens of traditional and not-so-traditional tea blends personally selected by proprietor Danielle Beaudette, who travels to tea fields in China, India, and elsewhere to find the best leaves for her offerings. In addition to teas and tisanes, her shop also affords the shopper the opportunity to choose from a great selection of tea paraphernalia, including tea cups, pots, brewers, spoons, souvenirs, edibles, and accompaniments. (http://www.thecozyteacart.com/)

The artisans at FRYE’S MEASURE MILL in Wilton craft colonial and Shaker trays, boxes, metalware, and glass pieces the same way they were originally crafted hundreds of years ago. Visitors are invited to tour the water mill where some of the production processes haven’t changed in over 150 years. The Mill is a great place to view the best in handcrafted woodenware, glassware, and tinware from not only New England, but throughout the country. (http://www.fryesmeasuremill.com/welcome.html)

The family-owned HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD in Wilton has the largest selection of holiday plants and wreaths around. Poinsettias range from one-inch mini-plants to huge conversation pieces in every color imaginable. A large selection of other seasonal plants is also available, such as cyclamens and amaryllises, as well as wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. If you would like to make your own festive holiday decorations, they carry greens, pinecones, ribbons, small ornaments, etc. Looking for a distinctive plant? Their greenhouses contain the largest selection of orchids and cacti in the state. (http://www.housebythesideoftheroad.com/)

The LEAGUE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CRAFTSMEN GALLERY in Nashua features the best by living New Hampshire artists and artisans. A wide selection of giftables in pottery, stained glass, textiles, jewelry, prints, and wood are available in this interesting shop, as are holiday ornaments and cards. The store changes its stock regularly, so one should stop by frequently to see the unique goods that are constantly arriving on its shelves. (http://www.nhcrafts.org/retail_galleries/retail.html)

TWELVE PINE in Peterborough has a large selection of gourmet condiments and comestibles to spice up your holiday table. In addition to locally made brands such as Stonewall Kitchen, they have many boutique specialties not found in other shops, such as lemon olive oil from Tuscany, chipotle rubs from New Mexico, artichoke ambrosia from California, and fresh-pressed ciders from Farnum Hill Farm in New Hampshire. (http://www.twelvepine.com/restaurant-gourmet-market.html)

WILDERNESS CREATIONS in Dublin is the place to go for rustic furnishings for your home or cabin. They feature handmade pieces crafted by New England and other American woodworkers, everything from spoons and cups to chairs, tables, beds, and desks. Can’t find exactly what you want in their showroom? They will be happy to arrange with an artisan a special creation just for you. (http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/)

YOUR KITCHEN STORE in Keene has the most extensive collection of kitchenware in northern New England. This locally owned store is the place to go if you are looking for anything for your kitchen, or for that perfect gift for that gourmet cook on your holiday shopping list. They carry eight major lines of cutlery, seven major lines of cookware, and hundreds of kitchen gadgets and electrical work savers that will amaze you. If it’s been invented for the kitchen, you will find it here. (http://yourkitchenstore.com/about-us.html)