Embrace the holiday giving season with this guide that’s got something for everyone, including local finds. | Graphic by 6AM City
Season’s greetings, Boston. Holiday shopping time is upon us — look no further than these 90+ gift ideas, including unique local treasures and the season’s hottest items.
Ceneda large cooler bag | $24.99 | This insulated, leak-proof tote is perfect for family road trips, beach trips, and everything in between.
Car backseat organizers | $34.99 | Speaking of road trips, these backseat car organizers are every parent’s best friend + come complete with a tablet holder.
Gifts for young people
Local pick:Museum of Science membership | $100+ | Spend the year making discoveries and exploring everything MoS has to offer.
Women’s cropped quarter zip | $52.99 | A bestseller in women’s fashion sweatshirts, this cropped sweatshirt comes in multiple colors and includes a thumb hole.
Spikeball set | $67.99 | A popular yard game they’ll want to play immediately after unwrapping.
Blank Slate game | $24.99 | Get the whole family laughing together during holiday gatherings with this highly-rated word association party game.
Rotating puzzle board + poppy puzzle | $89.99 + $29.95 | Puzzle-lovers will appreciate this rotating puzzle board complete with drawers for sorting pieces — pair it with a colorful, cheery poppy puzzle.
Sherpa-lined flannel shirt jacket | $76.95+ | Choose your favorite plaid pattern + snag them a warm jacket great for hiking, trekking, and camping all season long.
CraneOutdoors: King Tide Hike | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Castle Hill on the Crane Estate | $24 | Explore nature while learning about extreme high tides and their impacts on the coast, including erosion.
GET LIT Thanksgiving Cook-Off & Comedy Roast | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florian Hall | $75 | This fundraiser for the Get Lit Book Band Literacy Program will include a holiday vendors market, a Thanksgiving cook-off, a kids cupcake contest, and a dinner and comedy roast.
Sunday, Nov. 17
Boston Jewish Film Festival | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Boston Museum of Fine Arts | $15 | The festival continues with screenings of “Delegation” directed by Asaf Saban and “Children of Peace” directed by Maayan Schwartz.
Tree Farm Pop-Up | 12-5 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery | Cost of purchase | Shop for your perfect Christmas tree while enjoying live music and local vendors.
Boston Symphony Chamber Players | 3 p.m. | Symphony Hall Boston | $29+ | The talents of conductor Samy Rachid, pianist Randall Hodgkinson, and sopranos Corrine Byrne + Sophie Michaux take the spotlight.
Sip & Stitch: Creative Weaving at Break Rock Brewing Co. | 6-9 p.m. | Break Rock Brewing, Quincy | $80 | Local artist Nina Cherie leads this workshop for anyone looking to learn the basics of loom weaving; your ticket includes all materials.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Keke Palmer | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | First Parish Church, Cambridge | $40 | The Emmy Award-winning entertainer brings her nationwide “Master of Me” book tour to Beantown.
Friday, Nov. 22
Welcome to Pawnee: Jim O’Heir | 6:30 p.m. | WBUR CitySpace | $20 | The actor who played Jerry (Jerry, who?) on “Parks and Recreation” shares his stories from the set and his brand-new book, “Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation.”
B. Simone | 7:30 p.m. | Somerville Theatre, Somerville | $36+ | The actress and comedian performs her “Still Standing Tour.”
As dry conditions continue, officials declared “major drought” across most of Massachusetts, with the Boston area in “critical drought” as it faces increased wildfire risks. Gov. Maura Healy called for Bay Staters to conserve water, “because we need it to fight fires” and to avoid any outdoor burning. (The Daily Free Press + WCVB)
Trending
Tinseltown, meet Beantown. Producers are hosting an open casting call through the end of this month for extras with “distinctive faces” for “The Drama,” a new movie starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson currently filming in Boston. Applicants must be 18+ and live locally; the gig pays $216 per 8-hour workday. (Boston.com)
Opening
D16 Lounge & Bar — a former police station-turned-cocktail lounge — will open Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Back Bay. Find it at 955 Boylston St. (use the side entrance), between the fire station + Dillon’s. It was designed by Assembly Design Studio, so we expect the space to be lit.
Coming Soon
This is not a mirage — the Museum of Illusions will debut its Boston location at 200 State St. on Saturday, Nov. 23. In addition to its signature science-meets-illusion exhibits, the museum will feature exhibits with a local twist, like the “Reversed Room” honoring Boston’s basketball culture. Snag tickets.
Cause
Local nonprofit Community Serving is trying to raise $1 million through Pie in the Sky, its annual bake sale fundraiser that helps provide nutritious meals to those living with HIV/AIDS. To help, order a $35 pie by Friday, Nov. 23 and pick it up on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Arts
Mass Cultural Council’s Gaming Mitigation Fund grant program is accepting applications through Jan. 9, 2025. The two-year grants are open to Massachusetts nonprofit + municipal performing arts centers, and help cover the cost of touring shows or artist fees. Learn more at an information session on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Ranked
Harvest — a restaurant tucked away in the back building at Harvard Square in Cambridge — was named the most charming restaurant in Massachusetts. Food website Lovefood touted the restaurant’s accomplished chefs, menus that focus on local farmers + purveyors, and its pretty dining room and patio. Harvest is open daily. (MassLive)
Eat
Hey foodies — we’re here to let you in on a little secret. The Fenway Foodies Club has the inside scoop on all things dining in The Fenway neighborhood. Think: Top experiences, delicious deals, off-menu items, and more. Join for free.*
History
Looking for a unique experience this holiday season? Step back in time during the Boston Tea Party’s 251st Anniversary Commemoration, presented by Revolutionary Spaces. On Monday, Dec. 16, experience a live reenactment of the meeting that sparked the Boston Tea Party at the Old South Meeting House. Reserve tickets.*
Pets
Furniture gets scratched, shoes get chewed, toys go missing. These are regular occurrences in life with pets. But a $10,000 emergency surgery? That’s a whole other ball game. Fetch Pet Insurance could help you offset some of these nightmare scenarios by providing comprehensive coverage and up to 90% reimbursement.*
Finance
High interest rates are a major concern, and paying down debt is a top priority for many Americans. If we told you there was a trending card that now has 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026, would you believe us? You should.*
Featured Deal
Final call for the fifth night’s stay free at The Seagate Resort in Delray Beach, FL (plus two free poolside cocktails, and guest-only access to Mr. Seas, its new oceanfront restaurant and lounge). Experience the reimagined property and trade winter chill for sunshine with code WINTER by Friday, Nov. 15.*
Shop
Unwrap the season’s best audience exposure with us. Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is the perfect place for your product to be seen by 68,676+ potential shoppers looking for gifts. Secure your spot just in time for the season’s festivities.
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Travel
Your guide to an unforgettable Lowcountry holiday
Presented by Experience Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant offers luxury resorts that have been featured in Condé Nast Traveler as top places to stay. | Photo provided by Experience Mount Pleasant
If being near the ocean is your idea of a holiday paradise, consider planning a visit to Mount Pleasant, SC (just a three-hour flight from Boston).
Nestled along the Charleston Harbor, this cozy town lights up for the season and offers the perfect blend of Southern cuisine, waterfront views, and festive fun. Need some planning inspo? Here are a few highlights:
Holiday Market & Craft Show | Saturday, Dec. 14 | Shop locally-grown produce, seasonal treats, and original works of art by local artisans.
Created for the Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans public art program, this bright blue mural shows a North Atlantic right whale below a globe. The artist Shepard Fairey also designed the “HOPE” poster for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Head to Kendall Square to see fish, birds, water, and even the MBTA along Main Street. The artist drew inspiration from the diversity of the Charles River area in hopes of connecting Greater Boston to the watershed.
Bonus: Plan a visit to Cambridge’s “Graffiti Alley,” an 80-ft walkway on Massachusetts Avenue with abundant street art.
The local dairy company HP Hood commissioned this Charlestown mural to celebrate the company’s 175th anniversary. The focal point is two women embracing and welcoming viewers to the neighborhood.
The Buy
The Buy
Fun goop for your car. This bestselling bright blue car cleaning gel gets into hard-to-reach places and sticks to dust, crumbs, and dirt.
Ready to glide into the festive season? The Rink at MarketStreet in Lynnfield will kick off its 11th season of ice skating today with its grand opening party, 12-3 p.m., featuring a DJ, hot cocoa bar, live ice carvings, and fun games. Snag your tickets.
The rink will be open through Feb. 23, 2025, so you have plenty of time to make the trek north to hit the ice.
