Think we can introduce this year’s gift guide without using the word “local” once? Let’s try.
With 25 days until Chrimbus, here are 25 independent shops that bring a geographically confined angle to holiday gifting. Their owners might rent apartments in your ‘hood; the artisans could be on your farm-share. So when you patron one of these nearby places, your cash isn’t going far—just down the street for a beer and back again. From airplants to Buckyballs, get out of line at Le Box Shoppe and into the open arms of your neighbor-ly businesses. Have a 12th month filled with spatially circumscribed goodwill!
Merry Festivus, one and all!
1. Buckyballs | $30
[Abodeon, 1731 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.497.0137. abodeon.com]
2. Fish wine opener/corkscrew | $15
[Boutique Fabulous, 1309 Cambridge St., Inman Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.0656. boutiquefabulous.com]
3. Package deal (Orchard skateboard deck, hoodie, T-shirt, beanie and DVD) | $99.99
[Orchard, 156 Harvard Ave., Allston. 617.782.7777. orchardshop.com]
4. Tea duckie infuser | $11.50
[Joie de Vivre, 1792 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.8188. joiedevivre.net]
5. Vintage tie wallet by Rogue Empire | $48
[Salmagundi, 765 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. 617.522.5047. salmagundiboston.blogspot.com]
6. Airplants | $3.50-$15 and Perch ceramics | $28-$36
[Greenward, 1764 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.395.1338. greenwardshop.com]
7. Pictorial Webster’s Dictionary | $35
[Black Ink, 101 Charles St., Boston. 617.723.3883. blackinkboston.com]
8. Figs and Ginger fawn earrings | $20
[Magpie, 416 Highland Ave., Davis Sq., Somerville. 617.623.3330. magpie-store.com]
9. Wigens plaid hat | $120
[Drinkwater's, 2067 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.547.2067. drinkwaterscambridge.com]
10. Ruched bubble jacket | $34-$36
[Pawsh, 31 Gloucester St., Back Bay, Boston. 617.391.0880. pawshboston.com]
11. New England-produced cooking oils | prices vary
[Sherman Market, 257 Washington St., Union Sq., Somerville. 617.666.0179. twitter.com/shermanmarket]
12. Vintage cameras & accessories | prices vary
[Artifaktori, 22a College Ave., Davis Square, Somerville. 617.776.3708. artifaktori.blogspot.com]
13. Cri de Coeur vegan boots | $370
[Sudo Shoes, 1771 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.354.1771. sudoshoes.com]
14. “Robot,” eco-friendly, wooden wall art by Spitfire Girl | $38
[Gifted, 2 Dartmouth St., Boston. 603.494.8391. giftedboston.com]
15. Nintendo belt buckle | $16.99
[Newbury Comics, 332 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston. 617.236.4930. newburycomics.com]
16. Ada Obi belts | $68-$78
[Crush Boutique, 131 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston. 617.720.0010. shopcrushboutique.com]
17. Timbuk2 Checkpoint wheeled luggage | $246.95
[Hilton's Tent City, 272 Friend St., North End, Boston. 617.227.9242. hiltonstentcity.com]
18. Shara Porter purse | $78
[Grand, 374 Somerville Ave., Union Sq., Somerville. 617.623.2429. grandthestore.com]
19. Bluebeards Original Beard Saver | $13.95 & $19.95
[Hootenanny, 36 JFK St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.6623]
20. Soaps by Arghand | $8
[Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Cambridge. 617.491.2220. portersquarebooks.com]
21. Leather wrap bracelet/choker by Marisa Ortiz | $78
[TisTik, 54 Church St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617.661.0900. shoptistik.com]
22. Subway & bus vintage roll-signs | prices vary
[Ward Maps, 1735 Mass. Ave., Porter Sq., Cambridge. 617.497.0737. wardmaps.com]
23. Espresso set by French bull | $46/set of 2
[Shake the Tree, 67 Salem St., North End, Boston. 617.742.0484. shakethetreeboston.com]
24. RSI wood-grain headphones | $695
[Audio Lab, 36 JFK St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617.864.1144. theaudiolab.com]
25. Exotic spices | prices vary
[South End Formaggio, 268 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston. 617.350.6996. southendformaggio.com]
