As we consider what to include in each year’s holiday gift guide, decisions about what to feature become increasingly difficult with so many unique shops and experiences to choose from across the North Fork. And while we show our gratitude to others through gifting, it’s important to remember that beyond what’s featured here, there’s a world of wonder outside that costs nothing to enjoy. Consider writing a coupon for beach glass hunting at McCabe’s Beach, sharing seeds from your garden or offering a voucher for babysitting your neighbor’s kids.
HOLIDAY CANDLE SET, $42
North Fork Moto makes more than just excellent coffee. All North Fork Moto’s candles are hand-poured on the North Fork and feature scents from essential oils while leaving out the harmful ingredients used in larger-batch candle making. The three scents in this special mini set are sure to make any space cheerful. North Fork Moto (residing at Lumber and Salt) 5570 Sound Ave., Jamesport; northforkmoto.com
WHITE CHAI TEA, $13.50/1 OZ. BAG
This white chai is blended in New Mexico and packaged specifically for The Weathered Barn. The tea company is woman-owned and uses organic and fair-trade teas. Enjoy this delicate tea in a latte or simply steep in hot water. The Weathered Barn, 41 Front St., Greenport, 631-477-6811; theweatheredbarngreenport.com
HANDWOVEN COWLS, $148-$178
Photos cannot convey the softness of these cowls. Handwoven on the North Fork by textile designer Stephanie Pinerio, they are the perfect combination of coziness and high fashion, and come in both standard and long lengths. Shed Textile Co. (residing at North Fork Apothecary), 37070 Main Road, Cutchogue, 917-517-5653; shedtextile.com
MONSTERA DELICIOSA PLANT, $48
New to Wading River, Willow + Bloom’s selection of plants and plant accessories will brighten someone’s day for months and years to come. This monstera deliciosa is potted with organic soil in a ceramic planter. Willow + Bloom, 2 Sound Ave., Wading River, 631-902-2575
PINK SAPPHIRE NECKLACE, $145
Lido owner/designer Heidi Kelso has relationships with artisans all over the world and this necklace, made in Jaipur for her shop, is a perfect example of her attention to detail. The artisan uses specialty threading and hand-selects the stones so that no two pieces are alike. Lido, 132 Main St., Greenport, 631-477-2350; lidoworld.com
DRIED WREATHS, $45
Patty’s Berries and Bunches has some of the most beautiful fresh flowers on the North Fork and just in time for the winter, their dried flower wreaths can be enjoyed year-round. Patty’s Berries and Bunches, 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 631-655-7996; pattysberriesandbunches.org
HEART EYE PILLOW, $35
The Eye Love Pillow by Love Mert is made from hand-marbled organic cotton fabric with a raw silk back. It can be microwaved for warmth or placed in the freezer to chill a migraine. Handmade in California. Arni Paperie, 54127 Main Road, Southold, 631-566-1037; arnipaperie.com
“THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND,” $30
Living near the water means you’ve probably used some of these phrases without even realizing it. “Three Sheets to the Wind,” educates readers on the origins of some phrases we use daily without knowing their nautical heritage. Orient Country Store, 950 Village Lane, Orient, 631-323-2580; orientcountrystore.com
VINTAGE ICE BUCKET WITH TONGS AND TRAY, $48
This one-of-a-kind bucket, made of pink translucent glass with a yellow metal handle and tongs, is well suited to use at your holiday gathering or as an accent piece atop the round pink tray on a well-curated shelf. In the Attic Too (residing at Nicolette’s for the Home), 53245 Main Road, Southold, 631-745-3848; intheattictoonofo.com
FLOUR SACK TOWELS, $14 EACH
A Book Place has a fun assortment of towels from designer Avery’s Place. They’ve even created custom towels just for the shop with fun phrases and book-related designs. Each towel purchase benefits a charity. Some causes Avery’s Place has supported in the past are the Florida Disaster Fund and Disaster Relief for Ukraine. A Book Place, 489 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-405-7902
CAVIAR GIFT BOX, STARTING AT $100
Is there a more spectacular gift than caviar? This gift set from the Village Cheese Shoppe comes in a variety of sizes and all include creme fraiche and blinis. Village Cheese Shoppe, 105 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-8556; villagecheeseshoppe.com
HADLEY AND BENNET APRON, $85
Hadley and Bennet’s 100% cotton aprons have a cult following and it’s easy to see why. They’re well-made, come in a variety of unique patterns and colors and stay put while you’re wearing them. touchGOODS, 53740 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-8455; touchgoods.com
SPARKLING WINE, $55
Just released this year, Palmer Vineyards’ Brut Reserve is perfect for the holiday season. It’s made in the traditional Methode Champenoise and features a blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. Palmer Vineyards, 5120 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-722-9463; palmervineyards.com
DECEMBER POTTED FLOWER,
Nathaniel Savage’s shop changes its decor with each season and during the holidays it’s a favorite spot to browse and get into the holiday spirit. Consider gifting this or gift one to yourself. White Flower, 53850 Main Road, Southold, 631-438-2318
ODE TO THE NORTH FORK BONBON COLLECTION, $49
New for this season, the Ode to the North Fork Wine Trail collection from Atelier Disset features bonbons that combine wines from nine different wineries to create the unique, delicious flavor profiles chef Ursula XVII is known for. Atelier Disset, 28080 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-8387; dissetchocolatonline.com
VINTAGE LOCKETS, STARTING AT $85
Local designer Bianca Elena Munguia-Howie’s brand, All Hours, breathes new life into vintage pieces. The gold-filled locket pictured here is from the early 1900s and the chain is 14kt gold filled with baroque baby pearls. Consider a custom piece for an extra-thoughtful gift. All Hours (residing at White Flower Farmhouse) 53995 Main Road, Southold; Instagram @AllHours
RECYCLED WOOL BLANKET, $127
Enjoy a cozy, multi-colored blanket that’s also good for the planet. These best-selling wool blankets are woven from 70% recycled wool and 30% mixed recycled fibers. They’re sized to wrap yourself in warmth at 57” x 75”. Fez & Ivy, 53800 Main Road, Southold, 631-407-5660; fezandivy.com
“MEDIUM MENTOR” BOOK, $20
Local author and psychic medium Maryann DiMarco released her second book, “Medium Mentor,” last year and it features a foreword by the world-renowned author Gabrielle Bernstein. Within, DiMarco guides the reader through powerful techniques to awaken and incorporate divine guidance into their lives. Luna Grace Boutique, 302 North Country Rd., Wading River, 631-886-1081
CHILDREN’S STORY BOOK & EAST END ACTIVITY BOOK, $23.99 & $11.99
Support local authors while keeping children engaged outside of technology. Local author Peggy Dickerson celebrates the magical creatures of the night while Dawn Watson’s activity book challenges kids to exercise their brains. Burton’s Books, 43 Front St., Greenport, 631-477-1161; burtonsbooks.com
WOODEN PET RABBIT SET, $16
This adorable wooden play set features one of the animals we see a lot here in our gardens: bunnies! The set features a rabbit and guinea pig with a hutch, water bottle, carrot and turnip and the company is committed to replanting 100% of the trees they use. White Flower Farmhouse, 53995 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-2353; whiteflowerfarmhouse.net
NORTH FORK ONESIE, $25
Treat your favorite little ones this holiday season with a crabby onesie that celebrates the North Fork. Onesies come in a variety of colors, sizes and designs. Revel North Fork, 10 Front St., Greenport, 631-616-9128; revelnorthfork.com
MEN’S PLAID SHIRT, $158; T-SHIRT $80
North Fork Apothecary proprietor Stephanie Sack has a keen eye for fashion and this slim-fit button-up by Hiroshi Kato is no exception. It’s 100% cotton, made in the USA and sure to become a wardrobe staple given all the different color options. Its weight is light enough to wear year-round or it can be paired with the eponymous perfect T-shirt by James Perse. North Fork Apothecary, 37070 Main Road, Cutchogue; northforkapothecary.com
STERLING SILVER NECKLACE, $64
Common Ground offers a wide selection of pieces, some high-end and some more approachable. They incorporate natural stones and crystals where possible. This necklace features a beaded sterling silver chain accented by a circular aquamarine, a stone known for direction, bravery and calm during transition. Common Ground, 123 Main St., Suite C, Greenport; commongroundjewelry.com
BUTCHER PAPER DISPENSER, $54.9
The wall-mounted paper dispenser from Nicolette’s For The Home can be used as a decoration or for practical purposes as a dispenser for butcher paper or even as a giant notepad. Nicolette’s for the Home, 53245 Main Road, Southold, 631-407-5417; nicolettesforthehome.com
ZIP-UP HOODIE, $75
This super soft zip-up hoodie is made from an organic cotton/poly blend and, in true Minnow fashion, the polyester used is made from recycled plastic bottles. Minnow at the Galley Ho, 650 1st St., New Suffolk, 631-734-8474; minnowrestaurant.com
Gifts that foster memories
One of the best things you can give is the gift of a memory. A day well-spent on the North Fork is good for the soul and the following suggested experiences are wonderful for gifting outright or partaking in together.
A SWEET TREAT, VARIES
When cookies are this good, they’re giftable. Treat your loved ones to a gift card from the Treatery so they can enjoy something sweet this winter. The Treatery, 1564 Main Road, Jamesport, 631-779-2883; thetreateryli.com
PRIVATE CHEF DINNER
Chef Lauren Lombardi makes food that you want to both eat and admire. Her eye for food styling is second to none. Instead of a typical restaurant gift card, give someone the gift of a specially prepared private dinner at their home. Lombardi’s Love Lane Market, 170 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-9500; lombardislovelanemarket.com
STAYCATION, PRICING VARIES BY DATE
Sometimes getting outside your comfort zone is all you need to reframe your mind. Vine & Sand, a new B&B on Main Road in Southold, is the perfect escape to surprise your partner with. Enjoy its beach cruisers or take a dip in the pool in the warmer months — all without the hassle of a long drive. Vine & Sand, 47100 Route 25, Southold, 631-620-9253; vineandsand.com
COCKTAIL CLASS, PRICING VARIES
If you have a cocktail lover in your life, bring their favorite cocktail bar experience home by booking a private class or party with celebrated mixologist Joe Coleman from Doublespeak Cocktails. Prepare to fully nerd out and enjoy both classic cocktails and modern takes on both spirited and spirit-free drinks. Doublespeak Cocktails, 631-793-7305; doublespeakcocktails.com
AQUARIUM FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, STARTS AT $180 FOR A FAMILY: PARENTS AND TWO KIDS
Treat your kids to family time at the Long Island Aquarium. There, you’ll enjoy a sea lion show and walk through the cavernous shark tanks. Open year-round. Long Island Aquarium, 431 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-0466; longislandaquarium.com
WINE CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Ship a piece of the North Fork to your favorite out-of-towner each quarter with a membership to a local winery. Price varies widely among wineries but all include world-class wines and good fun.
LUXURIOUS FACIAL AT NEYTIV
NeyTiv’s hydrafacial is a luxurious experience that anyone would be happy to receive as a gift. This facial is relaxing, rejuvenating and the ultimate self-care gift for someone special. NeyTiv Natural Spa Boutique, 23820 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-377-8226; neytivspa.com
TICKETS TO THE SHOW
The Suffolk is an art deco theater presenting live musical acts, concerts and recently released big-box movies right in downtown Riverhead. Consider a gift card for tickets to the theater as a gift for your theater-loving friend. The Suffolk, 118 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-4343; suffolktheater.com
TREASURE HUNTING MAP, $5
Imaginative play comes to life with Greenie Supply & Tackle Maps. A fun experience for children and adults alike who enjoy exploring the North Fork and decoding riddles. Purchase maps from the vending machine located at The Old Port of Egypt Fishing Station. Port of Egypt Marina, 62300 NY-25, Southold; greeniesupply.com
TIME AT THE ART BAR
A gift card to VEME Studios in Greenport is an ideal gift for those who love to create. Folks can belly up to the drop-in art bar, where they’ll choose the medium they’d like to work in. Watercolor, clay, painting, drawing and more can be enjoyed for up to two hours. VEME Studios, 214 Front St., Greenport; vemestudios.com
WILD FUN WITH AN AXE OR PAINT
Whether they choose axe throwing or paint smashing, the recipient of this gift card is sure to have some wild fun at Axe & Smash in Mattituck. Axe & Smash, 10095 Main Road, Mattituck, 631-292-0020; axesmashli.com
