Thoughtful Gifts You Can Find Locally

For the Avid Reader

Bedlam Book Cafe

Valuing the lived experience, the crew at Bedlam Book Cafe has created a hub of social and intellectual energy, as well as a resource for writers, scholars, artists, poets and interested readers. And with a rotating menu of fresh organic juices & smoothies, you can grab a smoothie while you peruse the shelves for every genre interest on your list.

For the Foodie

Authentic European Markets

Ed Hyder's Mediterranean Marketplace, built from the talents of "The Olive King of Worcester," offers Mediterranean classics to add flavor to any giftee's world. As soon as you enter the shop, you'll be hit with the aromas of roasting garlic, freshly baked pita chips and coffee beans. Try a batch of their famous hummus or deli specialties to see why locals rave about this global hub for foodies.Kalamos Greek and Mediterranean Market is perfect if you want to shop Greek favorites, both premade items and gourmet ingredients. Plus, one of the best selections of olive oil we've seen in the region! Tutti Quanti is everything Italian. They're known for their pre-made holiday baskets, wine pairing events, and while you're visiting for gift shopping you won't want to leave without an Italian grinder from their deli!

Ed Hyder's Mediterranean Marketplace

408 Pleasant St.
(508) 755-0258

Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace is a specialty food store in Worcester, MA, offering fine wines, cheeses, homemade dips, marinated meats, spices, and so much…

Kalamos Greek and Mediterranean Market

118 A June streer
(502) 304-8828

ABOUT KALAMOS GREEK AND MEDITERRANEAN MARKET Kalamos Greek & Mediterranean Market opened in 2014 in Worcester and is family-owned and -operated. Nia Niforos, Luis…

Tutti Quanti

538 Main St.
(774) 241-0476

Tutti Quanti is an authentic Italian market, where you will find the highest quality imported Italian products, and personal service. We have amazing oils, vinegars…

Golden Grain Artisanal Bread

238 Sterling Rd
(978) 660-3433

Golden Grain is a small, independent bakery focused on handcrafted breads and baked goods made with high-quality ingredients. Every item is made from scratch using…

For the Women in Your Life

It's hard to deny investing in great clothing products for women will make them feel good every time they wear them. You're choosing quality and custom fit when you shop at The Bra Shop, so whether you're picking up a gift card, or buying specific items, you can't go wrong. The Haberdash has trendy everyday clothing and accessories, carefully curated with impeccable taste.

The Bra Shop

303 Main St.
(508) 762-9060

At The Bra Shop, we believe that bodies should be celebrated with properly fitting bras, lingerie, and items that make us feel fabulous. The boutique is located in the Downtown section of…

The Haberdash

138 Green St.

Build a Sweet Treats Basket

Choose selections from one store or shop around the local confectioners to make the ultimate local sweets basket for friends and family members this holiday season. Did you know Hebert Candies first brought white chocolate to the region? And Bri's Sweet Treats perfected the peanut butter cup. Keep in mind Arcade Snacks Co. & BORO Sugar Shack offer the biggest varieties, and all of them have great websites where you can preview of what they have before you shop in store.

Arcade Snack Company

205 Southbridge St.
(508) 832-6300

Retail outlet who freshly roasts nuts and blends our own snack and trail mixes right in our facility. We sell handmade chocolates, nuts, dried fruits, snacks…

BORO Sugar Shack

15 E Main St.
(774) 278-7504

The BORO Sugar Shack is a unique candy store in the heart of downtown Westborough, but it's not only the candy that makes us so sweet! The Sugar Shack is the…

Bri's Sweet Treats

160 Green St.
(774) 253-0472

Briana Azier, Owner of Bri's Sweet Treats boasts that "Bri's Sweet Treats is a business born and raised out of the ashes of the pandemic! I took a situation where…

Hebert Candies

574 Hartford Turnpike
(508) 845-0403

New England chocolatiers since 1917, based out of The Candy Mansion creating hand-crafted milk, white, and dark chocolates. We make everyday a sweet day!

Jewelry for Loved Ones

Impress this season with jewelry, whether custom made by iLAH Cibis Jewelry, or shop styles from Sach's Jewlers.

iLAH Cibis Jewelry

218 Franklin St.
(508) 205-9788

iLAH Cibis Jewelry is a Worcester based indie jewelry brand. All of the pieces are designed and manufactured at their Franklin Street facility which is home to iLAH's unique immersive shopping…

Sachs Jewelers

180 Boston Turnpike
(508) 792-2300

Family jeweler celebrating your happy ocassions for 4 generations! Purveyor of the idustry's most iconic bridal desigers. We specialize in custom design, in house jewelry repair, and appraisals…

For the Creative

Let their creative side sing with goods from America's oldest art store, C.C. Lowell—like fine art supplies, custom picture framing, decorative paper and stationery, as well as art classes for adults and kiddos. Or give the gift of fun creative experiences at Brush It Off Art & Pottery Studio, where you can do everything from painting pottery, get wild in the splatter room, or book time at the potter's wheel. At Worcester Center for Crafts there are not only classes, but also a fantastic store with high end items that make perfect gifts, from pottery to glasswear and woven items too.

Brush It Off Art & Pottery Studio

559 Main St.
(774) 241-3444

Centrally located in Sturbridge MA, Brush It Off is a 4,800 square foot art studio in an Old Mill at the waterfalls with 5 rooms of FUN! Splatter Paint Room, Pottery…

Worcester Center for Crafts

25 Sagamore Rd.
(508) 753-8183

The Worcester Center for Crafts is an experience, a place and a passion. Its Campus at 25 Sagamore Road are the places where you can experience the thrill of…

C.C. Lowell Art Supply and Custom Framing

455 Pleasant St
(508) 757-7713

Fine art supplies, custom picture framing, decorative paper and stationery, and art classes for children and adults! Framing and special made art kits Using…

LuLu's Jewelry and Gifts

68 Church St.

For an Earth Goddess

Empower your loved ones on their holistic health and wellness journey. Thyme Herbal Apothecary offers a selection of 200+ bulk loose organic and sustainably wildcrafted nutritive herbs and loose leaf teas and premium spices, as well as consciously chosen herbal supplements, detoxes, tinctures and tonics. Additionally, you can find non toxic, small batch crafted products made both in house and locally. The Burncoat Center for Arts & Wellness is a local refillery, with lots of locally made goods in store too. Find crystals, organic skincare and more at Painted Stone Emporium in Sturbridge, MA.

Thyme Herbal Apothecary

277 Shrewsbury St.
(508) 796-5040

We are here to empower you on your holistic health and wellness journey. Thyme is proud to offer a vast selection of over 200 bulk loose organic and sustainably…

Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness

78 Burncoat St.
(508) 373-2927

The Painted Stone Emporium

453 Main St.
(508) 347-9085

The Painted Stone Emporium is an eclectic gift and specialty shop located on Main St. in Sturbridge, MA. Here you will find an array of unique houseplants…

Fabulous Second-Hand Finds

For truly unique items, second hand can be a great place to shop. There are a few shops in Central Massachusetts that stand above the rest, from quality to the in-store experience, you'll want to priorize these shops:

District V House

356 Manchaug Road
(774) 314-0022

District V House is a home lifestyle retail store located in Sutton Massachusetts. It is a vendor based store with an eclectic mix of antique, vintage, old, new, handmade and artisan goods. It is…

Crompton Collective

138 Green St.
(508) 753-7303

Crompton Collective is a shop designed to celebrate local makers and our love of vintage things. Located at 138 Green Street • Worcester, MA Follow Crompton Collective on Facebook and Twitter!

For the Collector

If your giftee is a decor or chalkware champion, keep a close eye out for the Christmas collectibles at Vaillancourt Folk Art—one of the last remaining "Made in America" Christmas studios—located locally in Sutton, Mass. Or maybe their collection is of the vynil variety - which makes Joe's Albums the destination of choice.

Vaillancourt Folk Art

9 Main St.
(508) 476-3601

Founded in 1984, Vaillancourt Chalkware is recognized as the highest quality Christmas collectible in the market. In addition to the fine art quality chalkware that is made in Massachusetts, the…

Joe's Albums

317 Main St.
(508) 796-5352

Bringing Old School Back! Joe Demers, proud owner of Joe’s Albums, found himself reconnecting with vinyl records after a career shift back during the recession. It started back in 2010 with a few…

more ideas for the season

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Thoughtful Gifts You Can Find Locally

For the Avid Reader

Bedlam Book Cafe

For the Foodie

Authentic European Markets

For the Women in Your Life

Build a Sweet Treats Basket

Jewelry for Loved Ones

For the Creative

For an Earth Goddess

Fabulous Second-Hand Finds

For the Collector

more ideas for the season

Discover Central MA

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