Wonderful Holiday Gifts to Give (and Get) 

The holiday gift-giving season is still a few weeks away, but there’s already a festive feel in the unique shops and picturesque streetscapes of the Berkshires.

While gatherings and celebrations may look a bit different this year, there are still plenty of delightful ways to share the joys of the holiday season. Unwrapping the perfect present is one of them, so we’ve been out looking for thoughtful gift ideas for everyone on your list—all from right here in the Berkshires.

Pictured: Gift shop at The Clark Art Institute.

With home being where we spend so much of our time these days, taking a few moments to appreciate our beautiful natural surroundings has been restorative for many of us. If you’re shopping for someone who enjoys creating beautiful outdoor living spaces or who simply loves filling their home with plants, Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center in Great Barrington has everything you need. Shop online or pick up your order curbside, but if you have the time, visit their delightful Christmas Room displays inside the store. Filled with seasonal decorations and twinkling trees, it’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit!  (Remember to wear your mask.) You can also check out Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Holiday Marketplace Online featuring the legendary Gallery of Wreaths – plan to shop on December 4 and 5. A gift of membership is perfect for plant lovers, too.

If you’re looking for gifts that bring friends and families together socially while maintaining a safe distance, we’ve got ideas for you! Berkshire Paint & Sip is a fun, interactive experience for a friends’ night, a birthday party, or even a wedding shower. Each guest joins the virtual party online from the comfort of their own home. All that’s needed is the DIY Paint Kit provided and the individual’s beverage of choice. All you need to do is purchase a gift card from Berkshire Paint & Sip’s website. How easy is that? 

You’ll find more in-person workshops and online programs at Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and Berkshire museums. And for the little ones on your list, a stop at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in nearby Amherst is a must. Alongside the gift shop’s extensive selection of illustrated children’s books are shelves stocked with imaginative toys, puzzles, games, and coloring books that might even appeal to a few grownups on your list. Find more creative and hands-on pressies at the gifts shops of The Clark Art Institute, Norman Rockwell, and MASS MoCA.

Is someone on your gift list deserving of a bit of pampering? A spa package from Body & Soul Day Spa in Great Barrington offers the luxurious gift of ‘me time’. Or, give someone a break from cooking by gifting home deliveries from Braiseworthy or a takeout meal (and cocktail) from their favorite Berkshire restaurant. 

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Now more than ever, Berkshire businesses, cultural venues, and restaurants need your support. Shop Berkshires in person or online this holiday for unique, memorable gifts! Stay safe and well this holiday season.