Ho-Hum Holiday Shopping Gets the Heave-Ho
ASSEMBLE Northampton
Photo by Lynne Graves
It’s early November and nearly impossible to deny — THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE. Retailers have skipped Thanksgiving and gone straight to “Ho, Ho, Ho.” We’re already sick of pumpkin spice. And that lovely anxiety about getting the holiday shopping started has already started to creep in. What we’re here to tell you, is that your gift-buying dreams have come true. In Hampshire County, we’re stacked with the one-of-a-kind presents you love to give AND get. No more last minute gift cards! We have the holiday shopping situation you’re seeking.
Snow Farm Seconds Sale Fundraiser
Williamsburg, MA
November 15-17, 22-24, 29-30 & December 1: 10 am - 4 pm daily
Every year, 200 craftspeople from across the region send their work to the annual Snow Farm Seconds Sale. The seconds may include excess inventory, experimental pieces, discontinued lines, or slightly flawed items. But they’re the first to admit — there are also plenty of firsts! For three consecutive weekends in November, you can shop the sale, make your own glass ornament in the glassblowing studio, and tour the beautiful campus to learn more about their programs. Bonus: guests of Snow Farm can get a 15% discount at the Ellery — Northampton's newest hotel.
Cottage Street Open Studios
Easthampton, MA
December 7-8 & December 14: 10am - 5pm
One Cottage Street is the home of Cottage Street Studios, a collective of regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized and awarded artists and artisans. For over 30 years, the artists and artisans of One Cottage Street have opened their doors to the public with an annual Open Studio and Holiday Sale on the first weekend in December. This will be their 34th year, so don’t miss out on this special, behind-the-scenes look at the artisans at work.
Bag Day
Downtown Northampton, MA
November 23rd
For many downtown retailers, Bag Day is the single biggest sales day of the year. Get your bag from the Daily Hampshire Gazette or at Thornes Market, and then stock up with your 20% discount all day! Use this rare opportunity to buy all the local goods you’ve had your eye on all year and save on your holiday shopping. Win, win!
Makers Market at the Parlor Room
Northampton, MA
November 23rd: 10am - 5pm & November 24: 11am - 4pm
Makers Market is an invitational craft show featuring contemporary, one-of-a-kind goods and gifts. Buy local, handmade art and crafts from vendors filling both rooms at the Parlor Room. Find unique, affordable, high-quality jewelry, metal work, pottery, apparel, accessories, home decor, wood work, dolls, and more.
Lowbrow Craft Fair at First Churches
Northampton, MA
December 7th: 11am - 5pm
Join 25+ artists and crafters with a wide range of unique, quirky, fun, handmade goods for a craft fair unlike any other in the Valley. In previous years, this sale has included jewelry, cards, herbal tinctures, body care products, candles, home goods, books, prints, original art, pottery, pins, snarky holiday ornaments, and much more. Please note: the entrance is on the side of First Churches across from the Iron Horse!
39th Annual Northampton Winter Craft Fair
Northampton High School
December 7th: 9:30am - 4:30pm & December 8: 10am to 4pm
The Northampton Winter Craft Fair is among the best established in the region, with 88 exhibitors representing a wide variety of fine quality handmade crafts and over 2,500 people in attendance. This event is in support of CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Hampshire County, raising money for youth mentoring programs. Food is available for purchase throughout the weekend and it’s an all-weather event.
20% off Downtown Holiday Sales Day and Red Ticket Month
Downtown Amherst
December 7th: All day (20% off day) & December 21 (Red ticket event)
The Amherst BID and Chamber invite and encourage locals and visitors to shop and eat local this holiday season. For every $25 spent at a participating business in downtown Amherst, you’ll receive a red ticket. On December 21st, at random, 5 tickets will be chosen. The first four winners with matching numbers and tickets in hand will win $250, and the final 5th ticket will win $1,000! This event is a community builder as well as a reminder to keep it local over the Holiday Season!