The Current asked Madeleine DeNitto, who owns and operates Garrison Concierge and includes gift purchasing among her many services, to help compile a list of ideas for the holidays. She reported the most difficult part of the assignment was selecting only 20 items, but we held her to it.
For Theater Fans
Honor a loved one for years to come by donating $500 to the capital campaign of the Philipstown Depot Theatre to have his, her or their names inscribed in a brass plate on the armrest of one the theater’s newly installed seats. Or for $100 give a membership to the Downing Film Center, which includes passes to two movies and discounted admission to all others.
Philipstown Depot Theatre
10 Garrison’s Landing, Garrison
845-424-3900
Downing Film Center
19 Front St., Newburgh
845-561-3686
For a Fresh Start
You can revive any room with natural room sprays in non-aerosol pumps from Cold Spring Apothecary. For cozy comfort, give Bergamot & Tobacco or Cypress Fig ($25 each). For traditional, grab Lavender Room & Linen ($18).
Cold Spring Apothecary
75 Main St., Cold Spring
845-232-1272
For the Chronically Stressed
To share the gift of peace and serenity, give a Badger Yoga & Meditation Balm with hints of cedar wood and mandarin from Beacon Natural Market ($8), a Kikkerland Slim Bottle Water bottle from Utensil ($18) and classes from a studio such as Living Yoga, SkyBaby or beBhakti.
Beacon Natural Market
348 Main St., Beacon
845-838-1288
Utensil Kitchenware
480 Main St., Beacon
845-202-7181
beBhakti Yoga, Beacon
845-440-8855
Living Yoga, Cold Spring
845-809-5900
SkyBaby Studio, Cold Spring
845-265-4444
For Jam Fans
Blueberry and strawberry are her best-selling jams but Jennifer Mercurio of the Nelsonville-based Eleanor’s Best says ginger is her favorite and the (relatively mild) hot pepper and sweet onion have been surprise hits ($8 each). They can be found online or at any number of Highlands shops.
Eleanor’s Best
eleanorsbest.com
845-809-5621
For Good Boys and Girls
For years, Crayon Rocks ($8) have been a hit at Newburgh Art Supply. Their unique shapes help children develop dexterity.
Newburgh Art Supply
5 Grand St., Newburgh
845-561-5552
For Coffee Lovers
Get your dearest caffeine addict in the holiday spirit with the aromatic Jingle Bells Java from Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters ($10) or Eastern Shore Tea Company’s Gingerman Tea, with vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves ($6).
The Country Goose
115 Main St., Cold Spring
845-265-2122
For Toddlers
The Ding-Dong Doorbell, available at Echo, may be one of the best noisy toys for children to explore, as it simply sounds like a traditional doorbell. It can even be mounted to a wall for small tots to “announce” when they are entering or exiting any threshold and will only drive you mildly crazy ($11).
Echo
470 Main St., Beacon
845-440-0047
For the Angry Driver
Personal wind chimes from Nature’s Pantry can be attached to a rearview mirror to help control road rage or anywhere where constant movement brings on their faint sound. Choose from designs such as an owl, cat, dragonfly and angel ($9).
Nature’s Pantry
1545 Route 52, Fishkill
845-765-2023
For the Pet Owner
Spoil a dog or cat with a colorful heavy bowl made of recycled glass ($45 or $60).
Cold Spring Pet Supply
169 Main St., Cold Spring
845-265-3239
For the Aspiring Rock Star
So you know someone who missed a chance at stardom? For $450, buy him or her a stint at the adult rock band camp operated by Beacon Music Factory. Each 11-week session ends with a live performance at a local venue. Camps starting in January: The Doors, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde, Alabama Shakes and Sly and Family Stone.
Beacon Music Factory
333 Fishkill Ave., Beacon
845-765-0472
For the Christmas Tree Artisan
There’s nothing as lovely as handblown glass. These ornaments from Hudson Beach Glass catch rays of light that will keep you mesmerized throughout the holidays ($35).
Hudson Beach Glass
162 Main St., Beacon
845-440-0068
For a Change of Scenery
Jay Polefsky’s interactive artwork is sure to please. At his studio shop you can slide panel after panel on each design to find a size and subject to suit most any taste ($70 to $95).
Morphicism
444 Main St., Beacon
845-440-3092
For the Breakfast Club
Gift your closest egg-lover with a subscription to free-range, organic chicken, quail or duck eggs from Cat Rock Egg Farm in Garrison ($10 per delivery for a dozen chicken or quail eggs or $8 per half-dozen duck eggs to addresses in Philipstown).
Cat Rock Egg Farm
845-705-0259
For New Year’s Revelers
Add some sparkle to a friend’s new year with José Dhondt Blanc de Blancs Brut ($59) or Domaine André & Mireille Tissot Crémant du Jura Extra Brut sparkling wine ($25) from Artisan poured into lightweight glass flutes from Archipelago (2 for $20). Or send them to the Towne Crier Café on New Year’s Eve for dinner, a bottle of bubbly and performances by Chris O’Leary Band and Sari Schorr & Band ($125 each).
Artisan Wine Shop
180 Main St., Beacon
845-440-6923
Archipelago at Home
119 Main St., Cold Spring
845-265-3992
Towne Crier Café
379 Main St., Beacon
845-855-1300
For the History Buff
A set of marble coasters from The Gift Hut featuring a map of the Hudson River passing by Cold Spring will give your home a sense of place ($48).
The Gift Hut
86 Main St., Cold Spring
845-297-3786
Photos by Michael Turton except ornaments (Meghan Spiro) and Towne Crier (Mickey Deneher) and jams, artwork, band and eggs (provided).
