Greetings!
It's that time of year again -- 'tis the season for overindulging, streaming so-bad-they're-good Netflix holiday movies and of course, the marlo monthly holiday gift guide! Chock full of creative gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list featuring a handful of our beloved clients, you'll see a familiar theme throughout the suggestions from many of my colleagues; this year, perhaps more than ever, there's a renewed appreciation for giving the gift of an experience over anything else.
Wishing you and yours a happy Cyber Monday, and an even happier holiday season!
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As any parent of young kids may know, an adult can only reasonably watch the same CoComelon (IYKYK) looped nursery rhyme nonsense on YouTube so many times before swearing off the internet forever. However, the light at the end of that terrorizing tunnel is that once they're old enough, you get to then introduce those same entertainment-eager kiddos to the wonder of a real, immersive movie theater experience -- and that joy is worth every minute, especially around the holidays when you just want some good old fashioned family fun.
Now that my wee ones are finally old enough to hold their own popcorn, this year I'm gifting my fam Showcase Subscribe, a game-changing customizable subscription plan that lets you see up to five movies a month. Signing up is as easy as picking the number of peeps you want on your plan, the number of flicks you'd like to see each month, and your preferred membership tier. Then just sit back with your favorite concessions in hand for some marvelous movie magic. If you're looking for a gift that will earn you silver screen-worthy hero status, as the kids say, this one is "easy peasy lemon squeezy." Now that's a rhyme I can get behind!
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This holiday season I'm taking my friends and fam on a foodie tour of Italy with some sweet and savory snacks courtesy of D.C.-based Puro Gusto Italian cafe. For a super easy -- and equally tasty -- gift basket, I'll grab my fill of Puro Gusto's own collection of chocolate bars, a few bags of San Carlo potato chips, and some delectable fennel seed tarallini. And, since I find myself in our nation's capital city much more often than I find myself in Italy's capital city, my holiday shopping will be finished molto presto!
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There's no place like home for the holidays -- especially when you're from New England. While certain aspects of winter in the Northeast can be grueling (I'm looking at you, Nor'easters!) our fair region also knows how to turn on the charm for the holiday season. Many of my friends and family have moved away, so this year I'll be gifting them Feels Like Home, a must-try spin-off from award-winning craft hard cider brand, Artifact Cider Project.
Featuring a variety of flavors from Classic to Blueberry to Double Rum, Feels Like Home has something to satisfy even the pickiest palate. And the best part? Feels Like Home ships nationwide so no fighting the hordes of bundled-up holiday shoppers or braving those slushy New England roads required. The best of home...without the worst!
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Food is my love language -- especially comfort food. So, when my family comes to visit for the holidays from Chicago and they ask for an authentic Boston experience, I'm sending them directly to the one and only Kelly's with the gift cards they'll find in their stockings this year. While sipping on a creamy frappe (it is NOT a milkshake, people!) we can hotly debate the merits of the classic Kelly's 3-way roast beef sandwich vs. Chicago's now nationally-renowned Italian beef sandwich (#yeschef #iykyk) and how to correctly order a lobstah roll. Just your typical holiday family discourse, Bahston-style!
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Fact: Everyone loves pizza, and everyone knows the best pies in the U.S. come out of New York City. Don't worry, we aren't suggesting plane ticket stocking stuffers (although...if you're feeling generous, we'll be sure to send you our addy...), but we are talking about giving the gift of Brooklyn-based Roberta's iconic wood-fired pizza to enjoy in the comfort of one's own home, wherever in the country that may be. Known for their culinary-genius level topping combos, Roberta's pies are the stuff of legend for good reason.
Those on your gift list will love the classic Roberta's Margherita or the veggie-forward Baby Sinclair, both available to ship nationwide via Goldbelly. It's hard enough becoming a pizza legend in a town like NYC, but to create a pizza that can be shipped, reheated, and eaten at home with the same taste as if you were sitting in the restaurant? Let's just say legend status officially surpassed!
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When it comes to the holidays, I like to forgo the parade of endless toys, socks, and random gifts and instead treat my family and friends to an experience they won't forget about by New Year's. This year my go-to is Zoolights at the Stone Zoo.
There's no way anyone -- young or old -- won't be dazzled by the thousands of twinkling lights across the zoo's 26 acres; I know my kids will be awed by a winter wonderland full of animals, lights, and more. If you visit before December 21, be sure to keep an eye out for Mrs. Claus...if you play your "nice" cards right she may just pass your wish list directly on to the big guy!
And while you're buying your tix online in advance, be sure to check out the amazing Zoodopt program for another meaningful gift idea. Your recipient gets a sweet plush stuffed animal, along with the knowledge that their "adoption" helps to feed and care for the animals, create educational programs, and support conservation efforts around the globe. Trust me when I say this is the perfect gift for any animal (real or stuffed!) lover in your life.
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If you're anything like me during the holidays, you're fa-la-la-la-lazy. You'd rather go back to the days when your grandparents would cook up a delicious feast and all you had to do was show up and eat. Now, you dread the thought of pausing the show you're binging (Tell Me Lies, anyone?) to even go to the grocery store, let alone cook a holiday meal. Because let's be real, this whole #adulting thing is hard.
Luckily, you can have Foodlove Market Catering to the rescue. The chef-curated marketplace and cafe from the Newport Restaurant Group has all the chef-prepared offerings to serve restaurant-quality meals at home or bring to the party -- without the hassle. Three words: Sign. Me. Up.
Foodlove Catering's a la carte menu (from sushi to cheese platters to pork tenderloin and so much more!) takes the stress out of home entertaining so you can sit back and relax. Talk about the ultimate gift to yourself AND to your guests. Yep, the art of delegating is the kind of adulting I can get behind!
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If there's anything I associate most with a festive holiday season, it's a damn good stiff drink (or...three). That said, from wrapping an endless amount of presents to cooking a holiday dinner for 24 (promise I'll help this year, mom!) it's not always easy to find the time to mix up a decent cocktail.
That is why this year I'm reaching for the latest bottled cocktail from Bully Boy Distillers: the Manhattan. Joining the ultimate ready-to-drink lineup from Boston's first craft distillery that also includes the Old Fashioned and Negroni, the Manhattan is an exceptional take on the classic whiskey drink. Featuring the distillery's signature American Straight Whiskey, Amaro, Angostura Bitters, and BroVo Pretty Vermouth, all expertly balanced for the perfect pre-made winter aperitif. And all that's required of me? Pour into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a cherry or orange peel. Voilà, holiday cocktails are served!
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Picture this: you're perched on a white Adirondack chair overlooking 40 acres of rocky coastline. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the lawn is pristine. A smiling server delivers a chilled glass of rosé and a menu of delectable seasonal and regional offerings. After a light lunch, you head to the spa where you enjoy a luxurious massage and facial that leave you feeling relaxed and pampered.
A Castle Hill Inn gift card will make this dream a reality, transporting your friends and family to Newport, Rhode Island for lunch on The Lawn and a visit to the spa, The Retreat at Castle Hill by Farmaesthetics. And hey, if you do your gifting right, maybe they'll even bring you along for the ride!
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After years of being married, I've learned that it's all about the experiences we share that make it all worthwhile. Taking time out from the day-to-day routine with the kids and spending some time one-on-one helps keep any relationship fun and interesting. That's why I love the idea of giving my husband a COJE gift card -- not only does it fit perfectly in a stocking, but it also gives us more than a few choices for a date night with completely different experiences. From Cuban-inspired dishes at Mariel to the coastal cuisine of Southwest France at Coquette; from creative Mexican at Lolita to Peruvian meets Chinese/Japanese fare at RUKA; or it could even be the end all be all of elegance -- THE city's modern supper club, Yvonne's. No matter which restaurant he chooses, it'll be a night we won't soon forget!
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While finishing up your holiday shopping list this year, consider this a PSA to not forsake the jolly one who travels far and wide bringing cheer on Christmas Eve. Got Milk? is so pre-Covid; this year, Papa Christmas deserves an upgrade as he travels around the globe doling out gifts, like a can of Narragansett's OG Lager. Light and refreshing, Santa can crush a few of these easy drinking sips and still be totally fine -- especially since he's got Rudolph and his bright red nose leading the way! And for all the 'Gansett fans in your life, make stocking stuffers and gifting easy with a quick visit to their online store. If that's not as easy as saying #HiNeighbor, we don't know what is!
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One of my favorite spots for holiday shopping -- and holiday cheer -- is Arsenal Yards. The decorations are always on point, and the neighborhood has fun events happening throughout the season with its "Winter Wond-AY-Land" experience. And the best part? It's so easy. With tons of shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and more, Arsenal Yards is truly a one-stop-shop for gifts for everyone on my list.
And if getting all of your shopping done in one fell swoop isn't enough, with activations and events happening throughout December, you can even buy your Christmas tree, take family photos with Santa, fuel up mid-shopping sesh, and squeeze in a gazillion other fun things this festive season. Now that's the kind of holiday efficiency I love... done and done!
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