2025 Holiday Gift Guide From Those Who Make the Valley Shine

There’s a certain kind of magic that settles over the Hudson Valley this time of year—a hush of snow in the air, a flicker of candlelight in the window, a feeling that somehow, everything matters just a little more. Maybe it’s the landscape, or the way neighbors still hand-deliver jam jars tied with string, but here, giving is never just an errand. It’s an art.

At INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY, we believe the best gifts carry stories—of the hands that made them, the fields that grew them, the shopkeepers who wrapped them in tissue and smiled as they passed them across the counter. They’re gifts that hold a sense of place: creative, intentional, and deeply personal.

So this season, we turned to the tastemakers—the creatives, the farmers, the designers—the people who make the Hudson Valley what it is, and asked them to share what they’ll be giving—and hoping to receive—this holiday.

From small-batch syrups and hand-thrown ceramics to luminous candles, cookbooks, and one-of-a-kind treasures, each pick reflects the thoughtfulness that defines life upstate.  Because around here, stories travel as gifts — shaped by the people who make this place so special.

Happiest holiday shopping from all of us at INSIDE + OUT Upstate NY
Let’s get started…

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Sasha Rudes + Justin Feinberg
Road to Nowhere | Kingston NY | @roadtonowhere_clothing

Road to Nowhere embodies the quiet confidence of upstate living—elevated essentials designed for movement, meaning, and modern life. The brand’s understated aesthetic reflects their shared belief that clothing should feel as personal as it looks: timeless, tactile, and built to last.

This past March, Road to Nowhere opened the doors of its third shop—a light-filled storefront on Fair Street in Kingston that once housed River Mint Finery, the boutique that had carried their line for three years. The new space brings their vision full circle: a thoughtful blend of craftsmanship, community, and understated style.

Sasha and Justin’s gift favorites capture that same spirit. The Men’s Cameron Overshirt in Japanese double-cloth dobby offers distinctive texture and tailored ease, while the Women’s Mila Flannel Shirt—made from brushed Japanese cotton as soft as cashmere—is an instant classic. And for anyone, the Unisex Shipwrecks Sweatshirt delivers the perfect mix of comfort and character, pigment-dyed for a lived-in, well-loved finish.

Their Picks

Road to Nowhere Men’s Cameron Overshirt

Road to Nowhere Women’s Mila Flannel Shirt

Road to Nowhere  Unisex Shipwrecks Sweatshirt

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Jeanine Hays + Bryan Mason
AphroChic | Hudson Valley NY | @aphrochic

For Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason of AphroChic, giving is an act of culture and care—a way of celebrating heritage, artistry, and the stories that shape us. “We love gifts that feel soulful,” Jeanine says. “Pieces that celebrate identity and bring beauty into the everyday.”

For nearly two decades, AphroChic has illuminated the design traditions of the African Diaspora through interiors, media, and community-centered creative work.

This season, their gift picks echo that depth—tactile, artful, and intentional. The Alodia Sculptural Candle brings warmth and modern silhouette; the Sisters Gold Velvet Pillow adds lush comfort with cultural storytelling; and “The Boss” Framed Art Print by Natalie O. Decor offers a bold celebration of Black womanhood. For the table, they love the Ebony Pine Needle Serverware by Reflektion Design and the Silhouette Bone China Mugs, perfect for slow, meaningful rituals.

And their favorite local gift? A homemade apple pie from Jenkins–Lueken Orchards in New Paltz—”a life-altering experience,” Jeanine says, and a yearly gift to neighbors.

“We love gifts that feel soulful,” Jeanine says. “Pieces that celebrate identity and bring beauty into the everyday.”

Their Picks

Aphrochic Alodia Sculptural Candle

Aphrochic Sisters Gold Velvet Pillow

Aphrochic “The Boss” Framed Art Print

Aphrochic Ebony Pine Needle Serverware

Aphrochic Silhouette Bone China Mugs

Jenkins–Lueken Orchards Apple Pie

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Melissa Davis + Sherri Marton
Marton & Davis | Chatham NY | @martonanddavis

Local residents Melissa Davis and Sherri Marton founded Marton & Davis, a boutique home shop in Chatham offering modern heirlooms, gifts, and their Swedish sweets line. The shop feels like a love letter to everyday beauty: design-forward yet warm, elegant yet playful.

“I’m the resident sweets freak,“ Melissa laughs—and it shows. She dreamed up the Marton & Davis Holiday Sweets Box, a confectioner’s dream featuring brown-butter swirl caramels, peppermint bark, cherry cordials, toffee-chocolate macadamia nuts, an orange-cranberry chocolate bar, and a chocolate Santa.

Another favorite is Kinrove Perfume, a locally made fragrance created by a friend— “she made it for herself until I convinced her to produce it for the shop,“ Melissa says. “Now it’s our top seller.“ And for the finishing touch, she loves Calligraphed Gift Tags by Melissa Gamwell—”the most beautiful way to sign a present.”

Sherri gravitates toward gifts that nurture and delight. “I love the apothecary pieces in our shop,“ she says—from Tu et Al and The Quiet Botanist soaps to My Neighbor’s tallow balms—”but my forever favorite is Olverum Bath Oil,“ a luxurious blend of herbaceous essential oils that transforms a simple soak into a ritual.

She’s equally enamored with anything from Bordallo Pinheiro—”the Portuguese ceramics are so charming. The company has been in business for nearly 150 years and I particularly love the pitchers—ducks, squirrels, or little fox handles. They just brighten up a table or kitchen counter with a bit of joy.“ And for a whimsical flourish, she can never resist John Derian’s Playing Cards or decoupage designs—”a little goes a long way.“

NOTE: Ordering online launches early January, but if you DM @martonanddavis on Instagram, they’ll wrap and ship your gifts in time for the holidays — local love at its best.

Melissa Davis’ Picks (E-commerce store coming in 2026!)

Marton & Davis Holiday Sweet Boxes

Marton & Davis Kinrove Perfume

Calligraphed Gift Tags by Melissa Gamwell

Sherri Marton’s Picks

Olverum Bath Oil

Bordallo Pinheiro Ceramics

John Derian Playing Cards

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Kate Cummings
Freestyle Restyle | Kingston NY | @freestylerestyle

Designer Kate Cummings has a gift for making spaces — and presents — feel personal. “I love gifts that make people feel at home,” she says. “Candles, cookbooks, something beautiful but not too precious.” Her perennial favorite is the Wndrmade Palo Santo Candle, with its soft, woodsy scent that grounds any room. This season, she’s hoping to unwrap Something from Nothing by Alison Roman — a nod to her love of unfussy, flavorful cooking — along with a few new pieces from Blue Cashew, the Kingston shop known for elevating everyday cooking into an art. And as ever, she can’t resist a great coffee-table book, often discovered while browsing the curated shelves at Kingston Social.

“I love gifts that make people feel at home.”

Kate’s Picks

Palo Santo Candles by Wndrmade

Something from Nothing by Alison Roman

Cookbooks + Kitchenwares from Blue Cashew

Design books & Home goods from Kingston Social

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Jennifer Oz Le Roy
Oz Farm | Saugerties NY | @ozfarm

For Jennifer Oz Le Roy, founder of Oz Farm, great gifts tell a story—and sometimes, they come with a bit of sparkle and nostalgia. “I love gifts with history and a little bit of soul,“ she says. Her idea of holiday shopping bliss starts at Narnia—Woodstock’s cult-favorite vintage shop, where every piece feels like a find—and often leads to Sord Studios, where designer Sage creates one-of-a-kind statement pieces that are bold, sculptural, and unforgettable.

Jennifer also adores the glittering trove at Frank’s Vintage Jewelers in Saugerties, a haven for antique-jewelry lovers and treasure hunters alike. Her gifting mantra? “Find something that makes your heart skip—that’s when you know it’s meant to be.”

“I love gifts with history and a little bit of soul.” — Jennifer Oz

Jennifer’s  Picks

Vintage clothing from Narnia

One-of-a-kind designs from Sord Studios

Vintage jewelry from Frank’s Vintage Jewelers

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Ashley Ruprecht
Laurel & Ash Farm | Holmes NY | @laurelashfarm

At Laurel & Ash Farm, founders Ashley and Jeffrey believe the best gifts are the ones you can share over breakfast. “We love gifts that taste like home,” they say—and their creations deliver exactly that. This season’s Heirloom Grain Pancake Mix and Maple Syrup & Barrel-Aged Vinegar Duo bring a golden touch of the farm to every table, blending sweetness, craftsmanship, and care.

They also love celebrating their Hudson Valley neighbors—from EJ Chocolates, who craft maple and vinegar bonbons in collaboration with the farm, to the makers behind My Neighbor’s and The Ardent Homesteader, whose small-batch tallow skincare and salted caramel spreads capture the simple luxury of local living.

“We love gifts that taste like home.” — Ashley Ruprecht

Ashley’s Picks

Heirloom Grain Pancake Mix Gift Set by Laurel Ash Farm

Maple Syrup + Barrel-Aged Vinegar Gift Set by Laurel Ash Farm

“Chef’s Choice” 12-Piece Bonbon Box by EJ Chocolates

The Tallow Trio Gift Set by My Neighbor’s Tallow

Salted Caramel by The Ardent Homesteader “Cara-Sel”

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Lev Glazman
The Maker | Hudson NY | @themakerhotel

For Lev Glazman, scent is a daily pleasure—a small luxury that changes the mood of a moment. His go-to gift this year is Dream Eau de Parfum, a warming winter classic: vanilla bourbon, cinnamon butter, magnolia, white sandalwood—comfort wrapped in fragrance. The ribbed bottle, inspired by antique ink flasks, is a beauty on its own. Revel, a sparkling fruity floral with notes of pineapple, lychee, frangipani, and velvet musk, is perfect for getting-ready rituals and at-home soirées; Gardener, a verdant blend of citrus and herbs featuring mint, basil, and bergamot, shines in sunlit kitchens and morning routines; and Dream, a creamy, comforting gourmand with vanilla bourbon, cinnamon butter, and magnolia, pairs beautifully with candlelit baths and cozy winter nights.

This year, soaps are in the mix too—The Maker’s new bar collection, made with coconut and camellia seed oils for an extra-creamy, nourishing lather. You can gift three full-size bars or all six minis. Beautiful, sensory, and hotel-level chic.

And for the passionate and playful, Lev recommends a gift from The Maker Gymnasium—either a one-month membership or a personal training session. The Gymnasium is a wildly imaginative space built for movement, joy, and exploration, blending exercise traditions from the acrobat to the modern fitness enthusiast. As Lev puts it, “Fitness should be an act of amusement.“

Lev’s picks:

The Maker Revel Sparkling Fruity Floral

The Maker Gardener Verdant Citrus + Herbs

The Maker Dream Creamy, Comforting Gourmand

(Soap Trio Box or Guest Soap Set)

The Maker One-Month Gymnasium Membership or Personal Training Session

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Helena Pallazo + Anne Sanger + Samara Daly
Kingston Social + Pinkwater Gallery | Kingston NY | @kingstonsocialny +  @pinkwatergallery

In 2023, three friends with a shared love of design, art, and great coffee brought their creative vision to life at 237 Fair Street in Uptown Kingston. The result is Kingston Social—a gathering place where aesthetics meet community, and every object tells a story.

“We love to give the gift of art,” the team says. “And we love pieces that live with you—useful, beautiful, and meant to last.” This season, they’re celebrating that philosophy with a mix of timeless essentials: Falcon Enamelware in shades of Tarragon, Mustard, and Burgundy—vessels as functional as they are chic—and one-of-a-kind ceramics by Catskill artist Anne Gabriele, available at Pinkwater Gallery at Kingston Social. For the impossible-to-shop-for, a Kingston Social gift card lets recipients discover their own perfect piece.

Their picks

“We love to give the gift of art. And we love pieces that live with you—useful, beautiful, and meant to last.” — Kingston Social

Anne Gabriele Ceramic Vessels at Kingston Social

Falcon Enamelware Pots, Trays + Pitchers at Kingston Social

Kingston Social Gift Card

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Anton Kinloch
Lone Wolf | Kingston NY | @lonewolfkingston

For Anton Kinloch, the art of giving begins behind the bar. As a mixologist and founder of Lone Wolf Cocktail Co., and a finalist in the Bar Star Awards for New York Bartender Week, he believes the best gifts are the ones that bring people together — “something that invites connection,” he says.

His go-tos are equal parts spirited and soulful: Drink Lightly by Natasha David — a beautiful ode to low-ABV cocktails — and Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which he calls essential reading for anyone who loves the art of service. You’ll often find him at Rough Draft Bar & Books, his favorite Kingston bookstore, picking up copies for friends. When it comes to gifts you can raise a glass to, Anton reaches for  barware from Cocktail Kingdom, and local favorites like Hudson House Distillery’s Santa’s Stash Bourbon and Isolation Proof Gin — two bottles that, as he puts it, “taste like the season.”

“For me, the best gifts are the ones that bring people together — something that invites connection.” Anton Kinlock

Anton’s Picks

Drink Lightly by Natasha David

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

Barware from Cocktail Kingdom

Santa’s Stash Bourbon by Hudson House Distillery

Isolation Proof Gin

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Ron Sharkey
Maple Lawn 1843 | Stone Ridge NY | @maplelawn1843

For Ron Sharkey, beauty lies in simplicity—and often, in the quiet grace of a porcelain pitcher. “My favorite gift is an English Ironstone or French white porcelain pitcher,“ he says. “They’re timeless. Fill them with flowers, fir greens, breadsticks, even bonbons—anything that feels generous and from the heart.”

That same spirit defines Maple Lawn 1843, Ron’s treasure-filled shop in Stone Ridge. Housed in a historic building, it’s a destination for designers and collectors who love pieces with history and soul. Each find—from antique glassware to time-worn furniture—reflects Ron’s exceptional eye and belief that beauty should be both attainable and enduring.

“My favorite gift is an English Ironstone or French white porcelain pitcher,” — Ron Sharkey

Ron’s Picks

English Ironstone or French White Porcelain Pitcher

Fill with flowers, fir greens, or sweets for a personal touch

Curated home treasures from Maple Lawn 1843

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Catherine Carnevale
Eleven Six | Kingston NY | @eleven.six

For Catherine Carnevale, co-founder of Eleven Six, giving is an act of connection—an extension of warmth, craft, and care. “I love gifts that feel tactile and timeless,“ she says. “Pieces that were made slowly and meant to be cherished.”

Born from a love story—and a leap of faith—Eleven Six was inspired by a trip Catherine and her husband Nick took to Peru’s Sacred Valley, where the beauty of Andean craftsmanship sparked a new creative chapter. Now based in Kingston’s historic Fuller Building, their modern knitwear line carries that same sense of soul and artistry, each piece hand-knit by artisans in Peru and Bolivia using sustainable practices.

Her winter wish list blends comfort and elegance: the Luella Striped Cardi, Starla Cardi, and Lian Cardi in Ivory—all effortlessly chic, versatile pieces that embody quiet luxury. She loves pairing the shop’s signature cozy knits with a handcrafted  Lila Rice Aubergine Brass Earrings—sculptural and stunning—or, for a smaller gesture, gifting the Ali Sock Bundle, a chic and thoughtful nod to everyday luxury.

“I love gifts that feel tactile and timeless.” — Catherine Carnevale

Catherine’s Picks

 Eleven Six Starla Cardi

Eleven Six Lian Cardi in Ivory

Eleven Six Ali Sock Bundle

Lila Rice Aubergine Brass Earrings

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Adel Chefridi
Adel Chefridi Studio & Gallery | Rhinebeck NY | @adelchefridi

At once poetic and precise, Adel Chefridi’s jewelry has always been about more than beauty—it’s about connection, memory, and light. This holiday season, the Rhinebeck-based artisan celebrates that spirit with their limited-edition Drops of Happiness collection. Released once a year, each pendant is a true one-of-a-kind, set with sapphires, tourmalines, and colored diamonds—tiny talismans of joy crafted to be worn close to the heart. And we love the Shooting Star Band! 

And when it comes to giving locally, the team’s own pick is pure Hudson Valley soul: a class voucher from the Ulster Arts Center for Dance in Uptown Kingston—”a place that reminds us to move, connect, and stay bright, even when it’s dark by four.”

Adel’s Picks

Adel Chefridi One-of-a-Kind Pendants from the “Drops of Happiness“ Collection

Adel Chefridi Shooting Start Band  

Class Voucher from Ulster Arts Co. Center for Dance

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Katie deGuzman
K/LLER Collection | Kingston NY | @kller_collection

Katie deGuzman has a gift for creating jewelry that feels both fearless and deeply personal—modern talismans shaped by nature and handcrafted detail. This season, she’s drawn to pieces like the Alata Box Lock Charm Necklace, her sculptural spin on the carabiner silhouette featuring a capped freshwater pearl and sterling spike charms. Cast from branches of the Burning Bush, its hinged box-lock clasp is designed for play—you can add your own charms or amulets to make it entirely your own.

She also loves the Brass Silk Cocoon Locket, cast from an actual silkworm cocoon and crafted to hold a tiny treasure close.

For something beyond jewelry, Katie reaches for Morphologically’s Telluric Body & Textile Mist, a grounding blend of palo santo, aged patchouli, and sandalwood created by  aromatherapist Helena McGill—her “favorite smell in all the land.”

All gifts will be available at her K/LLER holiday pop-up at 85 Broadway in the Rondout from Thanksgiving weekend through December, as well as on the K/LLER website.

Katie’s Picks:

K/LLER Collection Alata Box Lock Charm Necklace

K/LLER Collection Brass Silk Cocoon Locket

Morphologically Telluric Body & Textile Mist

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Holiday Gifts Curated by James Scully
Jamestown Hudson | Hudson NY | @jamestown_hudson

For James Scully, co-founder of Jamestown Hudson, giving is an act of curation—an intuitive mix of pieces that feel lived-in, well-loved, and quietly luxurious. After years spent shaping the fashion world—James as a casting director and fashion-show producer, and his partner Tom Mendenhall as COO of TOM FORD and Brand President at Ralph Lauren—the two have created a shop that reflects their shared eye for beauty, craftsmanship, and ease. It’s a space shaped by experience yet grounded in joy, a place designed to feel instantly welcoming and wonderfully happy.

Their holiday picks embody that philosophy: the Extreme Cashmere Tokio Cardigan, a feather-soft cloud of comfort; the Bea Mombaers XL Tote, supple and sculptural, the kind of bag that gets better with every outing; and the Northworks Shell & Turquoise Necklace, a quiet touch of beach charm against winter layers. For the season’s coldest days, the Howlin’ Aran Cap and Scarf bring a hint of European chic—warm, textural, and effortlessly stylish.

James’ Picks

Extreme Cashmere Tokio Cardigan 

 Bea Mombaers XL Tote

Northworks Shell + Turquoise Necklace

Howlin’ Aran Cap and Scarf

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Juliette Hermant
Maison Bergogne | Narrowsburg NY | @maisonbergogne

At Maison Bergogne, giving is more than an exchange—it’s an atmosphere. Founder Juliette Hermant believes the best gifts carry a touch of mystery, sensuality, and soul. “Gifts should feel a little sexy,” she says—meaning thoughtful, tactile, beautifully made, and just unexpected enough to delight.

Her space embodies that spirit. Maison Bergogne is a sanctuary for creatives at large: an ever-evolving mix of curated antiques, salvaged lighting, contemporary art, and design services that blur the line between home and gallery. Every object feels like it has a past—and a pulse.

The commitment to nature and craft runs deep. On the rooftop, beehives thrive, supported by native pollinators planted across the property as part of Juliette’s permaculture way of life. The building itself is slowly transforming through a passive-energy system—a living model of how beauty and responsibility can coexist.

Juliette’s gifts are sensual in the most elegant sense: Raw Honey from the rooftop apiary, rich and golden with the flavor of wildflowers; Local Maple Syrup created with Andersen Maple Farm, a slow-pour sweetness perfect for winter mornings; and Hand-Rolled Beeswax Candles, warm, glowing, and undeniably evocative—the kind of gift that sets a mood.

“Gifts should feel a little sexy.”— Juliette Hermant

Juliette’s Picks

Maison Bergogne Rooftop Apiary Raw Honey

Maison Bergogne Local Maple Syrup with Andersen Maple Farm

Maison Bergogne Hand-Rolled Beeswax Candles

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Judy Fertel
Bridge House Vintage | Hudson NY | @bridgehousevintage

At Bridge House Vintage, proprietor Judy Fertel curates a world of sculptural lighting, vivid ceramics, and personality-packed treasures that feel as warm and conversational as she is. Her Hudson storefront has become a favorite for stylists, collectors, and anyone who loves pieces with soul and a sense of history.

This season, Judy’s vintage picks lean into color, craft, and joyful eccentricity — irresistible finds for collectors, maximalists, and anyone who loves the thrill of the unexpected. A few picks include “intricate, playful, full of spark, hand-painted Disco Balls by F. Dell; 80s Graphic Table Lamps — hand-painted with sculptural iron bases; a Royal Nippon Shell-Encrusted Pitcher — a true statement piece; and Vintage Faux Bois Pottery Vases — bold color, whimsical charm.”

Judy’s  Picks

Disco Balls by F. Dell

80s Graphic Table Lamps 

Royal Nippon Shell-Encrusted Pitcher 

Vintage Faux Bois Pottery Vases 

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Kelly Zaneto + Joshua Vogel
BCMT Gallery | Kingston NY | @bcmtco

At BCMT Gallery, partners Kelly Zaneto and Joshua Vogel create a world where art, craft, and nature meet in quiet harmony. Joshua is known for his sculptural precision, Kelly for her intuitive eye. Together, they design and curate pieces meant to be lived with, not just admired.

This season, their favorite gifts come straight from the studio: BCMT bronze and cast-iron candle holders, bookends, and doorstops. Hand-poured in small batches in Lancaster, PA, these pieces feel like functional sculptures — weighty, timeless, and beautifully made in the USA. “They add an element of sculpture but are also useful,“ Kelly says. “That balance has always mattered to us.”

Beyond the gallery, their holiday indulgences are warm and local — the unforgettable babka from Half Moon Rondout Café, and bottles from Hudson Chatham Winery (HCW), a perennial favorite for gifting.

Their Picks

BCMT Bronze + Cast-Iron Candle Holders

BCMT Cast-Iron Doorstops

BCMT Cast-Iron Bookends

Babka from Half Moon Rondout Café

Wines from Hudson Chatham Winery

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Emily + Claire Loughran
Tread Well |  Hurley NY | @and.treadwell

For sisters Emily and Claire Loughran, the duo behind & Tread Well, gifting is an invitation to slow down—to breathe deeply, to soften, to find a moment of calm in the middle of the season’s swirl. Their line of plant-based skincare and candles is built around that idea: simple, beautifully crafted rituals that nurture the body and quiet the mind.

Their favorites this year feel like tiny acts of restoration. The natural candles—Illumination, Nostalgia, and Alpine—each evoke a distinct mood: light-filled mornings, memory-warmed evenings, and crisp forest air. Their Face Serum, Body Oil, and Hand & Body Wash are blended with high-quality botanicals that turn everyday routines into moments of pure ease.

When they’re gifting locally, Emily and Claire gravitate toward Laurel & Ash maple syrup, “a pantry staple with soul,“ and the beautifully curated selection at Olga Joan in Kingston—a home shop known for elegant tabletop pieces, thoughtful kitchen goods, and sustainable treasures that make a house feel instantly more welcoming.

Their Picks

&Treadwell Illumination +  Nostalgia + Alpine natural candles

&Treadwell Face Serum

&Treadwell Body Oil

&Treadwell Hand + Body Wash

Laurel & Ash Maple Syrup

Gorgeous + sustainable home goods from Olga Joan

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Holiday Gifts Curated by John Traver
Samuel’s Sweet Shop | Rhinebeck NY | @samuelssweetshop

For the team behind Samuel’s Sweet Shop, giving is about sweetness in every sense of the word—nostalgia, community, and the pure joy of a treat shared. A Rhinebeck landmark beloved by locals and day-trippers alike, the shop is a haven of color, charm, and handmade indulgence where every ribbon-tied box carries a little bit of magic.

This season, their holiday offerings are pure delight. The Season’s Eatings Sampler brims with house-made favorites—chocolate-covered pretzels, buttery caramels, peppermint bark, and cookies—each one wrapped in festive cheer. For Hanukkah, the Eight Nights of Delight Sampler celebrates the festival of lights with blue-and-silver-wrapped sweets, chocolate gelt, a cheerful dreidel, and small-batch confections to enjoy night after night.

And because no visit to Samuel’s is complete without a touch of whimsy, their peppermint bark (homemade on-site) and chocolate-dipped marshmallows make perfect homemade gifts for the littles—small pleasures meant to be shared, sticky fingers and all.

John’s Picks

Samuel’s Sweet Shop Season’s Eatings Sampler

Samuel’s Sweet Shop  Eight Nights of Delight Sampler

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Holiday Gifts Curated by Bailey Leiter
Vinyl DJ | Saugerties NY | @bailllleyyyy

A Florida native turned East Village transplant, Bailey Leiter—better known as DJ Bailey—brings groove, glamour, and a collector’s eye to the Hudson Valley. When she’s not spinning vinyl at the region’s coolest parties, she’s curating 1960s and ’70s treasures for her vintage brand Hello Banana Vintage. Her gifting philosophy is simple: “Find something with personality—something that feels like its own little story.“

This season, she’s especially smitten with MLE in Hudson—”my friend’s store filled with beautiful, joyful accessories,“ she says—especially the sculptural pillow earrings and scrunchie earrings, which blend playful nostalgia with modern polish. For vintage lovers, Bailey recommends Capital Vintage in Kingston, “Kathleen’s accessories always make amazing gifts—thoughtful, wearable, and just fun.”

And of course, records. “They’re intimate, tactile, and full of soul—the perfect gift.“ Her must-haves? Elliott Smith’s Either/Or or XO; Joni Mitchell’s Blue (“a masterpiece you can wrap”); and something beautifully weird, like Boards of Canada’s Music Has the Right to Children or Geogaddi for the friend who loves a left-of-center soundtrack. You’ll find her crate-digging at Spike’s Record Rack in Catskill or Freakout Spot in Stone Ridge all season long.

“Find something with personality—something that feels like its own little story.” Bailey Leiter

Bailey’s Picks

MLE Pillow Earrings + Scrunchie Earrings by MLE

Accessories from Capital Vintage 

Records from Spike’s Record Rack + Freakout Spot 

Bailey’s Album Picks

Either/Or or XO by Elliott Smith

Blue by Joni Mitchell

Music Has the Right to Children or Geogaddi by Boards of Canada

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May the spirit of the valley — its makers, its magic, its sense of home—follow you into the brightest season yet. Wishing you a wonderful one from all of us at INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY.

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