What’s always mattered most about our life in Delaware is the broad range of opportunities we have to enjoy nature, entertainment and culture, and the simple pleasures of good friends and neighbors. That’s why my last two posts about the winter holidays have focused on parades, performances, gorgeously decorated homes and other wonderful experiences.
Today I’m spotlighting that other element of Chanukah and Christmas that we like to say “doesn’t matter quite as much” even though it can be especially sweet: giving and receiving gifts!
I probably wouldn’t be writing about this after a long day of shopping, which can be exhausting and stressful if you haven’t found what you’re looking for. But I’m actually quite inspired to do so after thumbing through this year’s Holiday Gift Guide https://anyflip.com/rufn/zpte from the Cape Gazette. Whether you live near the beaches or elsewhere throughout the state, there are fascinating ideas that you might not have considered, including:
Hand-crafted, Quirky and Fun Gifts
There’s a wonderful store near our home in downtown Lewes called The Brush Factory on Kings https://www.thebrushfactoryonkings.com/. I love it for all of the antiques and art and hand-made crafts and for the overall vibe that’s so different from what you’ll find in name-brand stores. The Cape Gazette’s guide, beginning on page 64, could be taking a que from the place by spotlighting presents for:
Homebodies – including candles, art, lamps and other decorative items.
Self-Care Aficionados – who love things like massages and scented soaps and oils.
Foodies – who crave gourmet candies from places like Kilwins and who appreciate gift cards to Above the Dunes, Woody’s, Big Fish restaurants, Touch of Italy and the Backyard Beer Club.
The “Luxe” Lovers – who appreciate custom jewelry and fine wines
Experiences You Can Share with Others
Page 9 in the guide refers to a great year-round resource for making your life more interesting – https://delawarescene.com/. It lists all kinds of fun and enlightening ways to celebrate the winter holidays. Keep reading and you’ll see information about lots of other gift-worth events, including:
The Rehoboth Concert Band – which is doing a holiday peace concert on Saturday, December 17th at Cape Henlopen High School. Details are on page 64.
A Chanukah Guide – beginning on page 74, that offers lots of lovely details about traditions, foods and gifts.
For a COMPREHENSIVE list of holiday happenings, go to page 126 to see so many amazing ways throughout Sussex County to celebrate the season.
The Inside Scoop on Festive Holiday Foods and Beverages
Pages 16 through 22 offer recipes and insights on classic holiday beverages that you might have never tried, including hot buttered rum and wassail, and descriptions of foods from various parts of the world that are associated with the holiday season. And don’t miss the list of run ways to incorporate citrus into your holiday recipes beginning on page 40, and interesting information about holiday-themed spices beginning on page 36.