Tag Archive for: gift guide

Galentine’s Day: 5 Ways to Spoil Your Girlfriends This Month

You’re probably already aware of an immense pressure around the second week of February each year: Valentine’s Day. A stigma surrounds this holiday saying that we have to be in love, have the perfect relationship and shower our lovers with gifts. But why should extravagant love only be shared in romantic relationships, why can’t we spoil our platonic relationships as well? These are just as valuable relationships full of love. Continue reading for ideas on how to spoil your girlfriends this Valentine’s Day, they deserve it!

Food

There’s no better way to a person’s heart than through their stomach. Some say this only works for men, but we beg to differ. Whether it’s knowing your bestie’s favorite meal and cooking for her or taking her out to a hot new restaurant in town, share the gift of food this Galentine’s Day. Get dressed up, light some candles and have fun with it. Candle lit dinners are not strictly for romance, set the vibe right and indulge, it will bring you closer together and create the space for deeper conversations. See where The Bryony girls are keeping warm and well-fed on the North Shore this winter.

Crystals

Find a crystal that protects your friend based on her birth month or treat her to a reiki and crystal healing session at Bryony & Birch Different stones have different properties for protection and abundance that resonate with each zodiac sign in different ways. This way you can always be there in spirit, even when you physically aren’t. Not to mention… crystals and gems are beautiful decor to have in your home, so it’s a win-win.

Pamper Them

What better way to relax than knowing someone is gifting you the opportunity? There can never be enough self-care and a gift card for a manicure and pedicure appointment is a great place to start. If you have the budget to splurge a little more, a spa day including a massage or facial will really show your appreciation for their well-being. In our most recent holiday gift guide we cover all of our favorite ways to pamper our friends with gifts from local North Shore small businesses.

Cocktail Night

What’s more exciting than a cocktail night with the girls? Everyone comes prepared for the evening with a signature cocktail. You each take turns prepping your drink and presenting the cocktails with a grand entrance. Get creative with the themes of the drinks that are unique to your friendships. This is fun too because you can spread them out through the evening and everyone gets to be the star for an hour or so. February cabin fever setting in? Get out of the house to enjoy food and drinks at these Bryony & Birch favorites on the North Shore.

Flowers & Plants

Gardens and flowers raise the vibration of anyone’s home. If your girlfriend is already a green thumb, give her a new flower to plant and bring her joy. Getting in touch with our feminine energy is also getting in touch with our ability to nourish. If your friend is a little more glamorous or doesn’t enjoy gardening, a beautiful bouquet can also do the trick.

Ultimately you know your friends better than anyone else, so whatever feels sentimental to you and your crew will be special. There are so many ways to cherish love other than romance, so take a moment to celebrate all of the relationships in your life this Valentine’s Day.

 

10 Holiday Gift Ideas from Local North Shore Makers

Even though they come around every year, the holidays always manage to sneak up on us.

Determined not to find ourselves at Target at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve, we’re spending the first half of December hitting up our go-to local makers for holiday gifts!

As a collective of small business owners ourselves, we know firsthand just how much it means when someone shops local. In Amesbury, we are incredibly lucky to have wildly talented jewelers, artists, thrifters, designers and boutique owners. (To name a few.)

It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for your partner, parents or puppy, we’ve found gift ideas for everyone!

Scroll down to learn more.

10 Holiday Gift Ideas from Local North Shore Makers

1.) Macrame Gifts

When it comes to unique macrame gifts, you’re going to want to know about Tayla David Macrame. All made locally in Amesbury, Tayla’s collection features earrings, pot holders, coasters, rugs, keychains and even yoga mat carriers.

Honestly, this woman is TALENTED. Shop now via the Tayla David Macrame Etsy Shop

2.) Jewelry Gifts

‘Simple, elegant, just the right amount of unusual.’ We’re here to say that Amy Vander Els nailed her tagline because that is exactly what her collection of handmade jewelry is.

While she won our hearts with her jewelry, we are also all kinds of obsessed with her typewriter prints. Shop now via the Amy Vader Els Website

3.) Vintage Clothing Gifts

The Greely Girls are three generations of fashion lovers and 100% the women you want to go to for vintage clothing and accessories in the North Shore. With head to toe outfits for under $40 (as well as the types of finds you’ll want to display behind glass), they have looks for every vibe.

Shop now via: Poshmark

4.) Vintage Jewelry Gifts

Vintage jewelry and accessories Indie Dawn just got even cooler thanks to the fierce and fabulous photographer, Dawn Kingston. A true citizen of the world, Dawn can often be found popping up shop around Amesbury!

Keep an eye on the Bryony & Birch IG feed for the next Indie Dawn stall!

5.) Tie-Dye Gifts

Tie-Dye is always a good idea and CARAVAN by HUM+BEE is the proof in the pudding. From hoodies to dresses to pants, they have pieces for all of your whimsical, edgy, laidback and/or #iwokeuplikethis friends.

On top of tie-dye goodness, they also have fabulous accessories, a selection of vintage clothing and home decor. Shop CARAVAN by HUM+BEE via the HUM+BEE website.

6.) Sustainable Gifts

We all have that friend or family member that can’t go anywhere without their coffee! Ripplfect is the gift you’re looking for! While it’s a sustainable alternative to single-use coffee cups, users also get discounts on coffee at participating cafes!

Shop Ripplfect via theripplfect.com

7.) Surfboard Shower Gifts

Are you trying to think of an out-of-the-box gift idea for a beach lover? Our friend, Connor, from Mulholland Surfboard Showers has the answer! Perfect for a beach house or someone who just wants to feel closer to the sea with their outdoor shower, his converted surfboards are just the right amount of quirky and cool.

Shop now via mulhollanddesigns.com

8.) Pet Gifts

‘Pawsibly’ the most ‘pawfect’ place to show for your pup or cat, Paws Amesbury has all the best local goodies you could wish for. They have food, supplements, treats, toys, clothing and more!

Shop now via Paws Pet Boutique

9.) Tea & Tincture Gifts

Self-care gifts are always a good idea, which is why 917 Heart is on our list! From herbal smudge sticks to teas and tinctures, all of their products come beautifully packaged and will make any receiver feel extra loved.

Shop now via 917 Heart Etsy Shop

10.) Amesbury Hamper Gifts

If you want to give a special someone a taste of Amesbury, you need to head to The Hedgehog General Store. Featuring everything from food to t-shirts, you can create the ultimate local holiday gift hamper in seconds!

Shop now via The Hedgehog General Store Website

Looking for a Made in the USA handbag to gift this holiday season?

If the answer is yes and it’s for you, we’re not judging at all. We were ALSO looking for a made in the USA handbag for ourselves, which is why we want to share our love for Vaalbara! With everything from clutches to backpacks, there’s a good chance you’re going to leave with more than one thing.

On top of all being handmade in the USA, a portion of every sale goes to the non-profit SurfRider Foundation, dedicated to keeping our beaches and oceans clean.

Shop now via: Vaalbara

Love What You Saw? Pop into Bryony & Birch to browse our boutique of local makers!

Located at 48 Main Street in Amesbury, MA, Bryony & Birch happens to stock quite a bit of the above! Feel free to get in touch via our contact page to learn more.

You can also browse and shop via our Instagram page.

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