A decidedly biased piece by Beth David, Editor
It’s time for one our favorite annual stories: Shopping with the Neighb News!
After the Thanksgiving Day feast is over and you’re looking for a way to work off some of it, it’s time to buy gifts for your precious loved ones, whether you want to or not!
No need to get all stressed out, the Neighb News is here to take some of the anxiety out of your Christmas and holiday shopping journey. You need only to look within these pages to find all you need for even the hardest-to-buy-for relative.
Here, you will learn how you can find gifts for everyone on your list, a few things for yourself, and spend some fun time exploring all that Neighb News advertisers have to offer.
First, you’ll want to call Cyclone Cleaning to get the house spruced up. The drop-off center is open, so you can swing by with your area carpets. While you’re there, grab a gift certificate for your parents’ place.
Don’t forget the outside. Decorate with flags and banners with all kinds of fun stuff on them. Take a peek at the selection of old favorites and original designs from Brewer Banner Designs. It’s the simplest way to dress up the outside to match the inside, and show your holiday spirit to the world. And don’t forget a banner or two for the indoors of that young’un who just got an apartment.
This Friday is the big shopping day, of course. So, you’ll want to start as early as possible. At just about the crack of dawn, you’ll want to start with a hearty breakfast and we’ve got a great spot for you.
Mac’s Soda Bar is our go-to place for breakfast anytime. And lunch, too (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).
They also cater, and you can get great holiday meals, so you have the special dinner without all the hassle.
And they have gift certificates, too. So, while you’re planning your own party, check a couple of people off your list.
Right about the time you’re done with breakfast, the banks will be opening. We’ve got just the hometown spot for you. Visit Alltrust Credit Union. They offer car loans and CDs. Now that’s a great gift!
Speaking of cars….
A&A Auto has a great selection of used cars to fit any budget. I’ll bet Alex will even put one of those big red bows on it, too, if you ask. Of course, they also do repairs, and have gift certificates. An oil change or A/C recharge is a great gift for the person who has everything.
Looking for that home-town New-Englandy village experience? Well, Fairhaven’s got it all here, as New England as it gets in the center of town. Park the car and walk around.
Nothing says Christmas better than a stroll among quaint shops for village-style shopping. Your best bet is Euro Phoenix where you’ll find gifts for every pocketbook, from dollar doodads to imported Norwegian sweaters. Take the kids with you. Their allowances will go far at this Fairhaven gem.
While you’re still in the vicinity, take a stroll by our magnificent town hall, Millicent Library, and Unitarian Church. These spectacular buildings were gifts from town benefactor Henry Huttleston Rogers. Hmm…what about a picture in front of one of them for your annual Christmas card?
In any case, be sure to have your camera with you to get some great shots of our architectural wonders.
Now you’ve worked up an appetite with all that walking and oohing and aahing over our town center, so mosey on over to Wah May’s Restaurant while you’re in the neighborhood. Have some tea to warm you up, and grab a couple of gift certificates to hand out on the big day.
Or head on over to Subway/Mama DeLuca’s for a fresh sandwich or a pizza. Did I mention gift certificates yet? Perfect spot for the young’uns and those on the go to grab a bite that’s healthy and fresh.
Now it’s time to take care of that young couple who just bought their first house — a real fixer-upper, and they need all the help they can get.
Maybe the old place just needs some TLC? Well, check out our classifieds. They are loaded with people who can help out with those little jobs, and cool stuff for sale — cheap.
For electrical work, you’ll want Eric from Eric Sylvia. He can do it all, big or small.
And now that they’ve got all upgraded electrical, they can plug in all their gadgets. New house, new electric, they definitely need new gadgets too, or at least an upgrade. But it’s such a hassle to update and reconnect and make sure the security software is up to date and all the other stuff that makes you just want to scream. Call Glenn at Fairhaven Computer Repair. He can fix what you’ve got, or fix you up with new stuff.
Maybe the old place should have an alarm, huh? Yeah, I thought so, now that you’ve got all those new, shiny gadgets. Call Wayne Electric. They do alarms, and that’s a cool gift!
You’ll want Robert Furtado to do those other projects, from cabinet making to the new bathroom.
Or give Fynal Touch a call. He does it all, too, including decks and fun outdoor spaces.
We have other choices for the exterior work and for that combo interior/exterior work that the old house is bound to need.
Check out Marc Gadbois, whether it’s time to replace the siding, roof, or fix what’s there. He does everything, no matter how big the job seems to be.
I’m willing to bet that big old monster has a big old monster of a heating system, too. If so, they’ll be using up a little more fuel than they like for a year or two until they can replace that antique. Send Luzo Fuel over to fill up the oil tank. Now that’s a gift!
That old yard will definitely need some clearing out.
Fairways can take care of those neglected spaces and trimming back those bushes that are wildly out of control in that yard. And they do snow removal, too. How about a winter’s worth of snow plowing? Oh yeah. That’s a good one.
Check out Fitzgerald Tree Service to see what they can do about clearing out some of those old trees. Of course that wood won’t be ready for burning just yet, and an old house like that is sure to have a wood stove or fireplace. So grab a cord of seasoned wood from them to make Christmas morning nice and toasty.
Before you burn it, though, call Jake Fleurent to make sure the chimney is in tip top shape, and while he’s there, have him work on that old stone wall, or have him waterproof the basement.
Now for the inside. Don’t forget, the Neighb News sells pictures of events we’ve covered, to decorate those new walls.
Or, if you want some original paintings, visit Moniz Gallery. Not only do they have fabulous artwork and prints, they can reframe an oldie that you like. Or maybe the kids have one they like, but want a more modern look to it.
Do they have a puppy? Will they be getting one now that they have their own place? Well, pooches need tending to, for sure. Call Harborside Hounds to get the newest four-legged family members all spruced up.
That should do it for stuff. What about protecting it all now? Call Vieira Insurance Agency for that. They specialize in insuring houses in seashore towns. Does it get any better than that?
Still don’t have something for the person who has everything?
Maybe you’re looking for an experience. Look no farther than the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. You’ll get info on all kinds of stuff and places to go.
Now, I know that no one wants to think of the bad stuff during the holidays, but then you watch some sappy old Christmas movie with the obligatory hospital scene. And then you realize no one has updated the will in forever. Time to call Surprenant & Beneski, which specializes in elder law. It’ll be a load off your mind and you’ll be happy you did it.
While we’re on the subject, you know you’re thinking of all those who have gone before us, and the last time you visited, you noticed the gravestones getting pretty yucky looking. Give John at J&L Cemetery Plot Maintenance a call. He’ll clean up the stone and plant something really nice for the holidays there, too.
Let’s see, electronic gadgets, food, what did we forget? Oh, right, houses and apartments. You know what happens: People come “home” for the holidays and they think, shoot…why did I ever leave? Call Howe Allen Real Estate and they’ll find the perfect house or apartment for your prodigal relatives. Jane Paul can also help you and yours find a spot to call home.
Maybe you’ve decided to buy that house next to the kids? (My Big Fat Greek Wedding anyone?) Well, both of them can help you make the purchase and make sure it goes smoothly.’
Maybe your wayward relatives want to move back but are getting up there in age and don’t want the hassle of home ownership. Take ’em on over to Fairhaven Village. It’s right on the bus route to shopping or heading out of town.
Or, quite possibly, they need a little help in their day-to-day lives. Check out Atria Senior Living. They have elegant accommodations for seniors who just need a little help to live independently.
Or, if they need more than that, take ’em for a tour of Alden Court while they’re in town. They have some fun activities that you can join in on. You don’t have to live there to enjoy some music.
Okay, now you’re done. Time to sit with a drink and some friendly faces.
The Bayside Lounge is the place to see someone you know, like the old jingle…where they know your name. You can eat, drink, maybe dance or sing, even, all while you brag about how you got almost all your shopping done at all local places. They have gift certificates, too. So don’t just feed yourself, check someone off your list.
Hmmm…I think that’s everybody.
Oh, wait, what about you yourself and your holiday visits. Whatever shall you take with you?
Fear not, dear reader, we have you covered.
For your alcohol visits, you can get anything you need at Stevie’s Wine & Spirits. They’ve got wine to die for! And they have people there who can help you pick the perfect one for that really hard-to-buy-for relative.
Have a few non-alcohol households you’re visiting? No problem. How about some farm fresh local products, including meats and dairy? Then look no farther than K’s Meats. They’ve got you covered with stuff you’ll be proud to add to anyone’s freezer or barbecue.
How about some nice affordable scoops of candy? No, really, just like the old penny candy stores, Fairhaven Pharmacy has candy for the kids, and I hear from a little birdie, they might have ice cream sodas one of these days. Yum.
If you still need stuff and you’re looking for unique offerings, be sure to check out the shops during the Old Time Holiday in Fairhaven’s Center on 12/9; and other vendor fairs that weekend, like the youth vendor fair on 12/10.
No, we didn’t forget about one of our favorite Yuletide traditions. What’s Christmas without a heartwarming and fun tale? Snuggle up with a good story about Christmas magic on a small island. If you have a Nook or Kindle, you can get my short story, Who Makes the Magic? with a shorter, bedtime version for younger children.
Just visit www.zorena.com for info on all my fiction and travel pieces.
There’s my fantasy novel, Zorena and the Medallion of Corandu, (no, I haven’t finished the sequel yet…I’m working on it!).
And then there’s the one on my trip to Lebanon available for Kindles and Nooks. If you don’t want to read my ramblings about my summer vacation, there are about 200 photos that make it worth the $2.99.
Be sure to keep an eye on my Amazon author page because I’ve been working on some other stories that I hope will be ready soon. And I’m working on turning a couple of those ebooks into hardcovers.
Yeah, I know, would’ve been perfect for Christmas, but, well, that seems rather ambitious. However, keep your eye on these pages. You never know, a little Christmas magic might just happen to make it all so.
Okay, so now you know: there’s no reason to shop outside the Neighb News family of advertisers. You’ll find everything you need, and you’ll be supporting local businesses at the same time.
Merry shopping to all and to all a good holiday season! •••
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Click here to download the 11/23/23 issue: 11-23-23 ShopFNN
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