Giving the Gift is an annual series that puts Westchester County Small Businesses and Shops on your radar. So far we’ve covered Original Art, and now Special Gifts. Next? For Love of the Printed Word: Westchester County independent bookstores!

As so knowingly chronicled in the classic A Christmas Story, kids know what they want. Not always realistic, but persistent and specific? Oh yes. There is “Ralphie” in every child, and every generation has its own version of the an official  Red Ryder BB rifle.

Adults are harder to shop for. Perhaps because being nicely surprised is part of the gift? Also, we have our own money, and will often just buy something we want or like. Fine for them, but troublesome if you’ve got a gift-giving occasion, but don’t know where to start.

Happily-Westchester County is gifted with independent shop owners who think, and buy creatively for their stores. Shops that (YEAR-ROUND)are  full of fun, unusual, and thoughtful gift ideas, to inspire, delight and be a glorious surprise for your special someone(s).

Knowing full well how important “local” is, many feature items made responsibly, and domestically: Jewelry and wearable art, home decor from practical to whimsical, stationary and other specialty paper products,even books by local authors. Many offer free and artful gift-wrap and host events of interest year round(so like them on FB!) Here are links to some of my favs.

Be warned: Once you get there, you will want to linger, explore, and enjoy. So have a big breakfast, and ENJOY!

The Dark Horse  Clients brought me here years ago, have kept coming back to this Scarsdale shop. Maybe it’s the real photos they place in the plethora of frames they feature??

Whimsies Incognito Located on Broadway in Tarrytown, just south of Main Street intersection; clever, green/sustainable/fair trade, local and well, whimsical are some of their specialties.

Glass Onion Originals  Always wondered about the name of this sweet shop in Pleasantville>hommage to The Beatles, or an invite to ‘look closer’-from the British nickname for monocle?

Sign of the Times  Decidely 60s and what used to be called ‘counter-culture’, it’s like visiting a good friend. My only Rockland mention, love this Nyack shop, there is just nothing else like it.

Wishes Boutique  Yorktown’s fun and funky store: for her, baby through teens, home and hostess

WISH Home Boutique No relation to their northern counterpart, but this Rye store is the go-to shop for the HGTV junkie in your life

Wondersous Things Comfortably ensconced in the heart of Briarcliff village, after ohsomany years in Croton, this, too, is a very apt name.

The Coop This gem of a retail store is tucked away a few doors down from the historic Paramount Theater in Peekskill.  Treasures made by local artists are mixed in with antiques in this jam-packed warm and welcoming shop

Rhinestones and Wrought One of Hastings newest shops is edgy and current, perfect for teens who need to be of-the-instant. Note to parents: “Dope” here means cool, not…well, you know.

Vintage Their card says it all: Passionate Finds for You & Your Home. Indeed. Bedford Hills, Route 117, north of the shopping district, closer to Bedford Town offices.

When you Shop Small in Westchester County on Small Business Saturday, you make a statement. 

 When you Shop Small in Westchester County year-round, you make a difference!!