It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be parties for hosting
Insta’s for posting
And houses alight with a glow. . .
Tis the season for holiday gatherings. Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner, an informal post-turkey day do, holiday tea party, tree trimming affair, cocktail bash or other occasion, bringing a thoughtful and personal gift for your host is always in style. And with nearly two dozen locally owned shops lining its downtown streets and surrounding area, Winchester has lots of gifting possibilities.
Here are ideas from a half dozen Winchester merchants:
Find handmade gifts for every budget, from ornaments to mugs to kitchenware, including the shop’s new Fireside Collection. Additionally, the shop partners with another local business, Creative Coffees Roastery, to create customized gift boxes for its seasonal Holiday Shop. (A favorite is the irresistible Mystery Mug Gift Set, which includes a mug with its own unique shape and glazing and the shop’s signature blend of coffee.)
A gift that a host will love for its versatility is Dirty South’s Dessert Stand ($60-$65), shown in Ocean Jade. Handmade from start to finish, it is a one-of-a-kind piece that is perfect for showcasing much more than cake – it can show off anything from fruit to charcuterie. Useful and beautiful, it is made with porcelain clay and measures approximately 5 inches high and 11 inches wide. The Dessert Stand is available exclusively at Dirty South Pottery’s Winchester shop.
Kentucky Proud member Creative Coffees offers an amazing selection of specialty coffees, everything from Kentucky Bourbon to English Toffee to French Vanilla, including several blends that seem destined for those post-holiday dinner pours: Pumpkin Spice, Snicker Doodle and Swiss Chocolate Almond. Prices range from $12-$60, depending on size and blend.
Creative Coffees purchases exclusively 100 percent Arabica Specialty Grade Coffee from Central and South American countries, grown in high altitudes by owners of small farms and cooperatives. It is freshly roasted and packaged coffee – never warehoused.
And the perfect pairing with a Creative Coffees Roastery blend? A fried apple pie from Beech Springs, a combination mini farmers market, general store and souvenir shop with a peach and apple orchard planted directly behind the market.Hosts will love being served this freshly cooked homemade delight. A single fried pie is $2.50, and the price drops to $2.25 per pie with an order of five or more. (Trust us, there will be no leftovers!) Beech Springs has other sweets as well, including jams, jellies, local honey and more.
Not too sweet, not too dry, Fling is a light white wine that is always just right. (If Goldilocks were of legal drinking age, this would be her pick.) The semi-sweet unoaked chardonnay is delicious, refreshing and appeals to a broad audience. Plus, it has a cheeky name and charming artwork on the label.
Pick up a bottle or three of Fling ($13.99) during a tasting at the winery’s Peach House. (Enter through the black barn with the bistro lights.) Hours are 12-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Home of the Winchester Art Guild, this shop is a showcase for the works of local artists living in and around Winchester. Among the paintings, pottery and handcrafted furniture are cheese boards ($40-$45), a classic host gift option made from Kentucky hardwoods like walnut, cherry, white oak and maple and finished beautifully with food-safe mineral oil.
Any host will appreciate the fine workmanship that goes into each cheese board as well as knowing it is made in Kentucky. Plus, cheeses look really tempting when arrayed with fruits and crackers on these boards – especially when the nibbles are presented in the shape of a turkey.
A little something-something for the centerpiece or sideboard is always appropriate for the host, and this local flower shop can create the perfect pop of color for any holiday gathering with its silk and fresh arrangements. Arrangements are priced from $29.99.
Need more ideas?
Click into www.VisitWinchesterKy.com to see a complete list of shops, boutiques and antique stores located in downtown Winchester and the surrounding county.