Your Giving Guide to Salem

The heat is on. There are eight shopping days until Christmas, and even fewer if you are shopping for Solstice or Hanukkah gifts. Yesterday I found three great gifts for three "people who have everything" right here in Salem. No mall traffic. No searching for parking in the outer realm of the mall lots. And the gifts I found are unique and rather awesome.

I'd tell you what I got, but at least one of the recipients read this blog. Ask me in January.

Here's some inspiration for you and your perennial gift hunt. Where's your favorite spot to shop in Salem?

For the historian
National Park Service Regional Visitor Center Book Store
Salem Witch Museum (especially if your historian is interested in the 17th century history of Salem or modern witchcraft)

For the Romantic - Getaway with a package!
The Hawthorne Hotel
The Salem Waterfront Hotel
The Salem Inn

For the Explorer
Discover Salem Passport - explore the House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, and the Salem Witch Museum.

For the Gift that Gives All Year
The House of the Seven Gables membership
Peabody Essex Museum membership

For the Sweet Tooth
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Coffee Time Bake Shop
Ben & Jerry's
Maria's Sweet Somethings

For the Foodie
Asahi
Cilantro
Finz
Nathaniel's in the Hawthorne Hotel
Sixty2 on Wharf

For the home
Landry & Arcari Oriental Rugs
roost urban country design

For her
J. Mode
Rouge Cosmetics
Sophia's

For the family
Crunchy Granola Baby
Reds Sandwich Shop
Caffe Graziani

For the dog and the cat
Penelope's Pet Boutique

For Health
Artemisia Botanicals
Body & Soul Massage & Wellness Center
Living Well
Salem Cycle

For the Boss, the Host, the Secret Santa
Salem Wine Imports
Pamplemousse

For the Teacher
Cornerstone Books
Pyramid Books

For the Witch in Everyone
Awakening Guild
Crow Haven Corner
Hex: Old World Witchery
Nu Aeon

For the Collector
Glass & Etc. antiques in Museum Place Mall
Witch City Consignment

For the Future - A reading at...
The Broom Closet
Angelica's of the Angels

For Stuffing Stockings and more
Salemdipity on Pickering Wharf
Trolley Depot
Witch Tee's

For Wrapping it all Up
Coon's Card & Gift Shop, 226 Essex Street

And, for relaxing after you've crossed everyone off your list:
Capt.'s
Gulu-Gulu Cafe
The Lobster Shanty
Rockafellas
Victoria Station

For more information on shopping, dining, and exploring in Salem, Massachusetts, visit Salem.org.

Visit and Vote! Salem's Downtown Window Contest is Underway...

Downtown Salem has never looked so festive and bright!

More than 30 Downtown Businesses and Organizations are participating in the Downtown Salem Holiday Window Contest this year, and you are the judge! So come downtown, pick your favorites and vote at any participating business. Your vote will enter you into a raffle to win a holiday stocking.

Winners will be announced December 12 at noon at

Derby Square.
Participating Business Include:

• For Kids Only (224 Essex St.)
• Laura Lanes Skin Care (242 Essex St.)
• Sacred Gear (118 Washington St.)
• Crunchy Granola Baby (72 Washington St.)
• Salem Wine Imports (32 Church St.)
• Penelope’s (99 Washington St.)
• Coon’s (226 Essex St.)
• Caffé Graziani (133 Washington St.)
• Treasures Over Time (139 Washington St.)
• J. Mode (17 Front St.)
• Fiddlehead (24 Front St.)
• Trolley Depot (191 Essex St.)
• Angelica of Angels (7 Central St.)
• Signatures (181 Essex St.)
• Peabody Essex Museum Shop (East India Square)
• Angels Landing (131a Essex St.)
• Fool’s Mansion (127 Essex St.)
• Rouge Cosmetics (322 Derby St.)
• Chulamama (320 Derby St.)
• Boys and Girls Club (13 Hawthorne Blvd.)

In Museum Place Mall:

• Bewitched In Salem
• Bruce Rossmeyer Harley Davidson
• Christy’s Dry Cleaners
• Daily Bagel Cafe
• Hair Design by Linda
• Rose Medallion
• Turtle Alley
• Witch Tees

On Pickering Wharf:

• Cat N The Fiddle Uniques
• Living With Pets
• The Picklepot
• Quintessentials
• Salemdipity

This program is presented by Salem Main Streets.