If you’ve waited until the last minute to shop for holiday gifts, fear not, we have a guide for you! This roundup includes a huge variety of options for you to give. You’ll find options for anyone, at any budget, all while supporting local businesses in Central Massachusetts.
Foodie Finds
We can all relate to the familiar phrase, that "the way to someone's heart is through their belly.” So with that in mind, here are the best ways to achieve that:
gourmet food
Ed Hyder's is a treasure trove of Mediterranean delights. Make your own gift basket with their extensive selection of olives, cheeses, spices, and wines. Tutti Quanti offers a taste of Italy with high-quality pasta, sauces, and cheeses. They also offer curated Italian wines and gift baskets made for you. Kalamos Greek & Mediterranean Market brings the flavors of Greece to life with imported olive oils, honey and snacks you won’t find anywhere else. All these markets offer a wealth of options for creating thoughtful and delicious gifts.
sweets
Bri’s Sweet Treats creates hand-crafted, award-winning, artisan chocolates and treats, such as the trendy Dubai Bar, giant peanut butter cups and breakable treats in fun shapes such as hearts and video game controllers. Hebert Candies has a variety of holiday gifts, including towers, baskets, and tins, and has been a go-to in Central MA since 1917. Mix and match modern and classic candies from Boro Sugar Shack, plus shop their selection of gourmet candies from across the country.
gift cards to local restaurants
Treat your loved ones to a delicious meal at a favorite spot. Central Massachusetts offers a diverse, locally-owned culinary scene with a range of cuisines to satisfy any palate. From local seafood, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, American, Thai, to Spanish tapas and Korean favorites. Discover all the best dining options in our directory here.
Experiences
Last year a popular travel booking website survey showed 92% of Americans prefer gifted experiences over physical gifts. Take that into consideration and explore the event calendars of these destinations, perfect for memorable experience gifts in Central Massachusetts. And if you’re shopping for kids, dive deep with this recently published guide to the best of kid experiences you can gift.
tickets to a show
ride through a winter wonderland at Cornerstone Ranch
One unique experience you can gift this winter is a horseback ride or a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton, MA. It's a beautiful experience, in a beautiful place. Bring your own outerwear to keep warm, and you'll also be treated to smores and a toasty fire during your visit. Plus, we're excited to provide you with an exclusive offer, just for Discover Central Massachusetts readers and email list subscribers:
- Use discount code DCM24G for 50% off the per person ticket price for the Winter group Horse-Drawn Sleigh or Wagon Ride. The code is good for up to 6 guests per party.
- Use discount code DCM24P towards 1/3-off Winter private Horse-Drawn Sleigh or Wagon Ride for 2 guests.
Please note, service fees apply to all bookings, and this offer is valid December 2024 through available 2025 winter group and private bookings. Not valid on prior bookings.
Read more about Cornerstone Ranch on our website, or visit their website to book your exoerience now!
gift of relaxation
Many local spas offer relaxing massages, facials, or other pampering services. We’ve curated a few other interesting ideas for a relaxing experience, from a peaceful hotel stay with an indoor pool, to a gift card for a rehydrating treatments that can come with the benefits of immunity boost to a hangover recovery. We also know plenty of people who would appreciate a self-care experience with a physical therapist!
artful ideas
Worcester Center for Crafts
There are still Winter Class openings at Worcester Center for Crafts, so you could gift a memorable experience this holiday season. Class start dates vary in January and February of the new year, and prices vary too. Gift the 8-weeks of Introduction to Screenprinting ($320), or a one-day Stained Glass Ocean Scene Suncatchers workshop ($96). If you gift New to Clay, New to You ($250), the recipient may gift one of their first pots back to you!
Brush it Off Art & Pottery Studio: Splatter Room experience
This paint-your-own pottery studio has a special room to get extra messy. Book your friends or family time in the splatter room for an electric combo of neon paints, black lights and lots of fun! You will have 1.5 hours to prep, gear up and splatter your work of art. They’ll supply the rain ponchos, goggles, shoe covering and 11″ x 14″ canvas. It’s $35/person, and you can upgrade for a bigger canvas or a black tote bag when you register on their website.
For the fine art enthusiast, consider winter classes offered at Worcester Art Museum, which range from Art History, taught virtually ($30) to Life Drawing ($315). Most classes are multi-week and start in mid-January. Other inspiring classes include Printmaking for a Day ($85), Experimental Embroidery ($200), Intro to Sculpture ($260), and Beginning Mosaics ($310) – among many others. See the full class list and register on their website.
More Local-Centric Gift Ideas
You truly cannot go wrong shopping these local businesses. There are options at every price point, from luxury, locally made jewelry at iLAH Cibis Jewelry, to heritage-quality holiday décor from Vaillancourt Folk Art, and the perfect products for your clean-living friends from Thyme Herbal Apothecary. Get your loved ones gorgeous, Irish wool gloves from Erin’s Gifts, shop silk robes at O Shop, and contemporary everyday clothes from Lake Road Living. The following are highlights, and our full Shopping directory is here.
made in central ma
Central MA boasts so many fabulous attractions that have gift shops. The following destination are home to carefully curated stores that come highly recommended as one stop shops for finding a variety of high quality gifts, at a variety of prices, for all the people on your list:
attraction gift shops
Lastly, but certainly not least, shop for your sports fans in Central MA. We recommend gifts from Wachusett Mountain for your passionate mountain sports enthusiasts, get the kids a tubing session at Ski Ward, and don’t forget, shop tickets and merch from the teams based in the region too!
sports in central ma
happy holidays
We hope this list helped you cross off the rest of the shopping to-do’s on your list! We wish you a happy holiday season, and appreciate you giving the gift of Central MA goods and experiences!
