“Never show up to someone’s house empty-handed,” my mom ingrained into my brain as a young girl. “When someone is throwing a party or hosting you, it’s polite to bring them a gift to show your appreciation.”

For years, this teaching has stuck with me. When my family goes to a relatives for a get together we’ll often bring a bottle of wine or fresh flowers from a local florist as a hosting gift. At Thanksgiving, I brought my grandmother a festive candle called “Give Thanks.” When I visit my boyfriend’s family in New York for the holidays, I intend on bringing them a bottle of red wine (their favorite) from Echo Hill Orchards of Monson.

The holidays are considered a season of “giving,” and it doesn’t take much to show someone that you appreciate them. In Western Massachusetts, we have a lot of fantastic small shops that locals can swing by and pick something up on their way to a holiday party.

There’s something about purchasing an item from a local shop that makes a gift even more personal than shopping online. It brings “a taste of home” to the people you’re offering the gift to.     The following is a listing of a few local storefronts of various mediums where you may find the perfect hosting gift – or gift in general – to bring to your next get–together.

Boutique’s/Eclectic Shops

Looking to find a unique, kitschy gift that can be personalized to your friend or family member’s taste? Look no further than the following gift shops and markets.

The Cottage – Holyoke

The Cottage offers countless unique gifts for numerous occasions. They offer jewelry, baby gifts, wedding gifts, home decor, memorial and inspirational gifts, pet-related items, Irish goodies and more. They also have a section of their store dedicated to Holyoke-themed items.

The Cottage is located at 1615 Northampton St. in Holyoke, and can be reached by phone at 533-4438.

The Scented Garden Gift Shoppe – Wilbraham

The Scented Garden Gift Shop has recently been turned over to a new owner, however everything you’ve always loved about the store is still intact. Gifts for all ages and types can be found at The Scented Garden. Children’s books and toys, jewelry, custom cutting boards, homemade soaps, garden accessories, scarves, cozy hats, cards and more can be found in the store. An additional feature that The Scented Garden offers that many stores have ceased is free gift wrapping.

The Scented Garden Gift Shoppe is located at 2341 Boston Rd. in Wilbraham. For more information, the store can be reached at 599-1717.

Yellow Bear Market – Southwick

Yellow Bear Market features multiple vendors, new, vintage, antique and collectible items. The store offers tag sale items, holiday decor, electronics, furniture, household items and tools. In addition, Yellow Bear Market offers clothing, hats, ice skates and more.

Yellow Bear Market is located at 642 College Hwy. in Southwick. The store can be reached at 998-3391.

Rosewood Home & Gifts – Westfield

Rosewood Home & Gifts is a retail store located in the heart of Westfield that offers home decor and gift items for many occasions. They offer clothing, jewelry, perfume, chalk paint, town-related decor such as signs for the town you live in, jams, children’s toys and more.

Rosewood Home & Gifts is located at 34 Elm St. in Westfield. The store can be reached at 642–5365.

Huntington Country Store – Huntington

The Huntington Country Store is host to country goods, gourmet chocolates and candy, stocking stuffers, jewelry, baskets, ornaments, cards, crystals, toys, windchimes and more. The store offers unique goods perfectly suited for hosting gifts, including pewter figurines, collectibles, kitchen gadgets and pottery. In addition, the store sells soaps, baked goods, candles, gourmet coffee and more. The business has been family–run for over 20 years.

The Huntington Country Store is located at 70 Worthington Rd. in Huntington. For more information, call the store at 667–3232.

Edible Gifts

Have a friend with a sweet tooth? Satisfy their cravings by stopping by one of these delicious storefronts for a sugary treat. Or – perhaps your friend or family member is more of a savory type; we have that too.

Chmura’s Bakery – Springfield

While Chmura’s is known for their delectable donuts in my family, the bakery also sells numerous varieties of breads, jams, olive oil, honey, pastries including bismarks, eclairs, turnovers, pretzels, rum squares, danishes, muffins, cookies and more.

Chmura’s is located at 14 Pulaski St. in Indian Orchard. They can be reached by phone at 543-2521.

The Breadbasket Bakery and Deli – Russell

While The Breadbasket Bakery and Deli offers breads, the storefront also features gifts as well. The Breadbasket Bakery and Deli sells popcorn salts and seasonings, numerous cheeses, assorted cakes, whoopie pies and more goodies.

While the storefront does not have an online presence, they can be visited at 815 Blandford Rd. in Russell, and reached by phone at 862-0044.

Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe – East Longmeadow

Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe is host to a slew of fine chocolates. She sells caramels, chocolate-dipped items, gifts sets and boxes, nonpareils, platters, popcorn, toffee, and truffles. She also offers pizzas and pies, as well as other specialty items.

If you have a friend or perhaps a relative who may have moved away from the area but loves Maureen’s goodies, you’re in luck. Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe sends gifts nationally within 24 hours. Orders can be placed online at maureenssweetshoppe.com, or if you’d like to stop in the shop in person, the shop is located at 6 Center Sq. in East Longmeadow. Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe can be reached at 222-2642.

Ferrindino Maple – Hampden

Ferrindino Maple, a family business in Hampden, offers pure, gluten-free and non-gmo maple syrup that the family makes themselves. The syrup is 100 percent pure maple, and contains no additives or preservatives. Not only does Ferrindino sell maple syrup, but they also offer maple spread and maple candy.

While the business has a small stand at 284 Glendale Rd. in Hampden which displays their products for purchase, Ferrindino’s products are also sold at numerous locations around Western Mass including Rice's Fruit Farm in Wilbraham, Village Food Mart in Hampden, and the following Big Y stores: Springfield, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Chicopee, South Hadley Westfield, and Amherst, among others. To find a location near you that sells Ferrindino’s products, go to their website on the “Our Products” tab, type in your zip code, and the closest locations will pop up. To make it even easier for the consumer, Ferrindino also sells their products online at http://ferrindino.com/shop/. The sugarhouse can be reached at 519-7101.

Great Harvest Bread Co. Bakery & Cafe – Longmeadow

Great Harvest Bread Co. Bakery & Cafe, located in the Longmeadow Shops, mills premium whole wheat on site and then blends it with various ingredients every morning to create fresh breads and goodies. Not only do they offer various breads, including honey whole wheat, dakota, and cinnamon chip, but also cookies, cinnamon rolls, savannah bars and scones. The storefront also sells gift baskets which can be ordered by calling 754-3460 and picked up in store or delivered in Longmeadow for a $5 service fee.

Great Harvest Bread Co. Bakery & Cafe is located at 714 Bliss Rd. in Longmeadow. The store can be reached at 754-3460.

Florists

Know someone who loves fresh flowers? Head on over to one of these local shops and surprise them with an arrangement.

Golden Blossom Flowers & Gifts – Chicopee

Golden Blossom Flowers & Gifts offers a wide variety of arrangements for various occasions, including just because flowers, anniversary flowers, holiday flowers, birthday flowers, all the way down to back-to-school flowers. Their website, goldenblossomflowers.com, features countless holiday arrangements that can be purchased online and sent to your loved one.

Golden Blossom Flowers & Gifts can be visited at 205 Grattan St. in Chicopee, and can be reached at 534-6500 or their tollfree number 800-769-8956.

Carey’s Flowers and Gifts – South Hadley

Carey’s Flowers and Gifts is family owned and operated, offering countless floral arrangements and gifts. As most florists do, Carey’s websites list a series of arrangements specific for various occasions, including arrangements tailored to different holidays such as Hanukkah and Christmas. Flowers can be purchased online at careysflowers.com.

If you’d like to drop into Carey’s in person, the storefront is located at 300 Newton St. in South Hadley. To call, they can be reached at 536-0444 or their toll free number, 800-936-7546.

Flowers by Webster – Westfield

Flowers by Webster features a series of unique and stunning arrangements, including rustic holiday wreaths, jolly candy cane bouquet, and bouquets that feature Thomas Kinkade’s festive fire station. If you don’t want to purchase an arrangement that is holiday-themed, there are arrangements available sans-mistletoe. Flowers can be purchased online at flowersbywebster.com.

To visit Flowers by Webster in person, go to 52 Court St. Ste. 1 in Westfield. To reach them by phone, call 562-4474.
    
Wilbraham Flowers – Wilbraham

A longtime favorite of my family’s is Wilbraham Flowers, which has been family-owned and operated for years. The shop features flower arrangements for any occasion, along with a gift shop space toward the front of the store with numerous items. To purchase a flower arrangement online, head to wilbrahamflowersflorist.com.

Wilbraham Flowers is located at 2133 Boston Rd., and can be reached by phone at 596-0102.