As holiday gifts go, you can’t do much better than books. They’re easy to wrap, cheap to mail, and for the most part, unperishable.
That said, they’re so easy to give that givers of books can come off looking cheap, not so much for the money they spent but for the lack of effort involved. But that’s a problem easily solved by adding a “plus one” to your gift — a complementary knickknack or two. (Think a decorative spatula attached to a cookbook.) Conversely, a book can add physical heft to an otherwise generous gift that looks unsubstantial by itself, such as a ticket to a game or a concert.
Here’s a guide to the best books for everyone on your list; we did the heavy lifting for you. Buy local if you can because Jeff Bezos is set for the year. (Note: These suggestions are all new releases, or new in paperback, although publishing information is for hardcover editions. Don’t give paperbacks if you can help it.)
For football enthusiasts:History Through the Headsets: Inside Notre Dame’s Playoff Run During the Craziest Season in College Football History by Reed Gregory and John Mahoney (Triumph, 256 pages) or It’s Better to Be Feared, The New England Patriots Dynasty and the Pursuit of Greatness by Seth Wickersham (Liveright, 528 pages). Plus one: game ticket or team-branded merch.
For baseball lovers:The Baseball 100 by Joe Posnanski (Avid Reader Press, 880 pages) Plus one: MLB Ballpark Traveler’s Map from the website and catalog Uncommon Goods.
For hockey freaks:Beauties: Hockey’s Greatest Untold Stories by James Duthie (HarperCollins, 320 pages). Plus one: warm gloves and a hat.
For horse lovers:The Last Diving Horse in America, Rescuing Gamal and Other Animals by Cynthia A. Branigan (Pantheon, 288 pages) and/or Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley (Knopf, 288 pages). Plus one: (for horse owners) bag of peppermint horse treats or (for non-horse owners) gift certificate for a riding lesson or trail ride.
For dog lovers:A Dog’s World, Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans by Jessica Pierce and Marc Bekoff (Princeton University Press, 240 pages). Plus one: nice leash.
For lovers of animals in general:On Animals, by Susan Orlean (Avid Reader Press, 256 pages) or National Geographic’s Photo Ark Wonders (National Geographic, 400 pages). Plus one: ticket to local zoo, or animal socks from the World Wildlife Fund.
For music lovers:The Beatles: Get Back, edited by John Harris (Callaway Arts & Entertainment, 240 pages) or Rock Concert, an Oral History as Told by the Artists, Backstage Insiders, and Fans Who Were There by Marc Myers (Grove Press, 400 pages). Plus one: gift subscription to Spotify or Apple music.
For lovers of comics: The DC Comics Encyclopedia by Matthew K. Manning and Jim Lee (DK, 384 pages). Plus one: vintage comic book or gift card to Newbury Comics.
For the Fox News enthusiast:All-American Christmas by Rachel Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy (Broadside Books, 272 pages). Plus one: American flag.
For the MSNBC fan:Rachel Maddow, a Biography by Lisa Rogak (Thomas Dunne Books, 288 pages). Plus one: MSNBC baseball cap from the network’s online store.
For lovers of literature:A Literary Holiday Cookbook, Festive Meals for the Snow Queen, Gandalf, Sherlock, Scrooge and Book Lovers Everywhere by Alison Walsh and Haley Stewart (Skyhorse, 272 pages). Plus one: gift certificate to a local bookstore or fingerless gloves from the website Storiarts.
For fans of The Sopranos:Woke Up This Morning, the Definitive Oral HIstory of The Sopranos by Michael Imperioli and Steve Schriripa (William Morrow, 528 pages). Plus one: bag of ziti or pasta machine.
For fans of The Office:Welcome to Dunder Mifflin, The Ultimate Oral History of The Office by Brian Baumgartner and Ben Silverman (Custom House, 464 pages). Plus one: Dunder Mifflin socks or shot glasses.
For car enthusiasts:A Man and His Car, Iconic Cars and Stories from the Men Who Love Them by Matt Hranek (Artisan, 240 pages). Plus one: gas card or box of Armor All cleaning wipes.
For birders:The Birds of America, a reissued work by the late John James Audubon, with an introduction by David Allen Sibley (Prestel, 448 pages). Plus one: bird-seed wreath.
For ski buffs:100 Slopes of a Lifetime, The World’s Ultimate Ski and Snowboard Destinations, by Gordy Megroz (National Geographic, 400 pages). Plus one: ski mittens or box of hand warming packets.
For runners:Running is a Kind of Dreaming: A Memoir by J.M. Thompson (HarperOne, 320 pages). Plus one: Yaxtrax Pros and a stick of BodyGlide.
For bicyclists:The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Getting Lean and Fueling the Machine (Bloomsbury Sport, 192 pages) Plus one: fingerless cycling gloves.
For TikTok addicts: Sympathy. Don’t enable.
For new parents:How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t ***holes by Melinda Wenner Moyer (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 352 pages) Plus one: bottle of vodka and earplugs.
For writers or writer-wannabees: The venerable guide to selling your work released a new edition in November: The Writer’s Market 100th Edition (Writer’s Digest Books, 912 pages). Plus one: a journal or monogrammed pen.
For artists and illustrators: The Writers and Artists Yearbook 2022 (Bloomsbury Yearbooks, 816 pages) Plus one: a box of fine pencils or a sketchpad.
For travel buffs:1,000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe by George Stone (National Geographic, 704 pages) Plus one: a luggage tag or airline gift card.
For foodies: Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer’s Guide by Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras (Workman Publishing, 448 pages) or The Great British Baking Show: A Bake for All Seasons (Mobius, 288 pages). Plus one: a restaurant gift certificate or gift card for a delivery app.
For everyone else: A generous gift certificate to your local bookseller (or local to the recipient). Plus one: a box of bookplates.
You’re welcome, and happy holidays.
Book Events
Author events
• SIMON BROOKS Author presents a storytelling event for ages 16 to adult. Sat., Dec. 11, 6:15 p.m. 185 Main St., Hopkinton. Reservations required. Call 406-4880.
• MEET THE AUTHOR EVENT The Belknap Mill Page Turners Book Club presents authors from Laconia, the Lakes Region and throughout New England, including Larry Frates, MJ Pettengill, Christopher Beyer, Cathy Waldron, Ian Raymond, Heidi Smith and Courtney Parsons, Janice Petrie, Rose-Marie Robichaud, Jane Rice and others. Authors’ books will be for sale. Sat., Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia. Visit belknapmill.org.
• AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING Featuring New Hampshire authors Dan Szcznesy, Jerry Lofaro, Simon Brooks, Byron Carr. 185 Main St., Hopkinton. Sun., Dec. 12, noon to 2 p.m. Call 406-4880.
Poetry
• NH POET LAUREATE ALEXANDRIA PEARY Poet presents a new collection of poetry, Battle of Silicon Valley at Dawn. Virtual event hosted by Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Tues., Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Via Zoom. Registration required. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562.
• CAROL WESTBURG AND SUE BURTON Virtual poetry reading hosted by Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. Thurs., Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Via Zoom. Registration required. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com or call 224-0562.
• DOWN CELLAR POETRY SALON Poetry event series presented by the Poetry Society of New Hampshire. Monthly. First Sunday. Visit poetrysocietynh.wordpress.com.
Book Clubs
• BOOKERY Online. Monthly. Third Thursday, 6 p.m. Bookstore based in Manchester. Visit bookerymht.com/online-book-club or call 836-6600.
• GIBSON’S BOOKSTORE Online, via Zoom. Monthly. First Monday, 5:30 p.m. Bookstore based in Concord. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com/gibsons-book-club-2020-2021 or call 224-0562.
• TO SHARE BREWING CO. 720 Union St., Manchester. Monthly. Second Thursday, 6 p.m. RSVP required. Visit tosharebrewing.com or call 836-6947.
• GOFFSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY 2 High St., Goffstown. Monthly. Third Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. Call 497-2102, email [email protected] or visit goffstownlibrary.com
• BELKNAP MILL Online. Monthly. Last Wednesday, 6 p.m. Based in Laconia. Email [email protected].
• NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY Online. Monthly. Second Friday, 3 p.m. Call 589-4611, email [email protected] or visit nashualibrary.org.
Language
• FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE CLASSES
Offered remotely by the Franco-American Centre. Six-week session with classes held Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $225. Visit facnh.com/education or call 623-1093.
Give the gift of local eats this holiday season — whether it’s a ready-to-eat meal, a cooking class certificate, or a specialty box of sweets, there’s something that’s sure to please every palate.
Make a meal out of it
A certificate or subscription to a local meal delivery service or caterer makes a great gift for those who just don’t have that time in their schedule to cook during the week. Here are a few weekly meal companies based in southern New Hampshire offering gift-giving opportunities.
• All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is a weekly meal delivery service offering fully prepared meals you can readily reheat and eat in minutes. Ordering is done online for a weekly Tuesday delivery to up to more than 50 New Hampshire and Massachusetts towns (minimum orders of $49 for free delivery), as well as at the kitchen from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All Real Meal also offers several unique gift giving options, from customizable gift cards to special monthly cooler bag deliveries for the holidays that can be purchased for a period of up to three, six or 12 months. Each bag is stuffed with eight portioned meals, two savory sides and two desserts, and deliveries will begin the first Tuesday of January.
• Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) offers individual to-go options, as well as family-style prepared meals that can feed up to six people, with at least a 24-hour advance ordering notice requested. Gift cards can be purchased through the website for redeemable amounts of up to $100.
• Ding Dong Deliver (dingdongdeliver.com) is a ghost kitchen powered by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, the parent company of T-Bones Great American Eatery, CJ’s Great West Grill and the Copper Door. The service offers ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meal packages delivered to Manchester and Bedford, as well as restaurant pickup at each location. Meal orders must be placed by noon on Wednesday for delivery on Thursday, Friday or Saturday of that week, and can be sent to a friend or family member as a gift.
• Local Baskit (10 Ferry St., Concord, 219-0882, localbaskit.com) offers online gift cards that are specially designed for gifting a meal to a friend or family member. Each card is redeemable for one prepared meal or a meal kit listed on the “Cook Tonight” section of the website — see shop.localbaskit.com/collections/cook-tonight. Selections vary each week but will always include both meat and vegetarian options for main courses and sides, sourced primarily from local farms and businesses. Local Baskit is also partnering once again with the Cherry Bomb Cookie Co. of Exeter, offering platters of hand-decorated cookies in the shapes of Christmas trees and poinsettias, as well as paint-your-own cookie kits.
• New Roots Meals (Manchester, newrootsmeals.com) is a plant-based meal prep and delivery company launched last year. Weekly deliveries are made within a 30-mile radius of Manchester, as well as on the Seacoast — the menu changes every other week but is always 100 percent plant-based, with both breakfast and lunch items available. Gift certificates can be purchased for meals, and New Roots is also offering a special “gift bundle” for the holidays, featuring two entrees, two breakfasts, smaller snacks, a simmer pot jar and a peppermint mocha coffee kit with oat milk, coconut whipped cream, peppermint and mocha syrups and crushed candy cane and cacao nibs. Gift bundles are $85 each and must be placed by 8 p.m. on Fridays to be delivered the following Monday.
For the chocoholics
From customizable boxes of treats to more unique items like flavored hot cocoa bombs and chocolate “charcuterie boards,” these gift ideas will make anyone with a sweet tooth happy.
• Candy Kingdom (235 Harvard St., Manchester, 641-8470, candykingdom.shop) has a wide variety of holiday-themed sweets and treats available now, like decorative chocolate Christmas trees, chocolate molded Santas, assorted fudges, and milk, white or dark chocolate solid Christmas tree pops decorated with rainbow nonpareils.
• Dancing Lion Chocolate (917 Elm St., Manchester, 625-4043, dancinglion.us) has gift-giving opportunities that include a “chocolate tasting experience” featuring samples of eight of its bars, and a drinking chocolate set complete with a ceramic drinking bowl and a wooden device used to froth the chocolate called a molinillo. You can also purchase six-month or one-year “cacao connoisseur’s club” subscriptions, featuring one new custom bar each month (local pickups only); and cacao tree gift sets, which come with bonbon sharing boxes and a one-year heirloom cacao tree adoption helping to improve the lives of cacao farmers.
• Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) offers all kinds of homemade holiday-themed sweets and treats available for purchase now online and in both retail stores. Selections include white peppermint bark, milk, dark and chocolate Santa Claus molds, peppermint or wintergreen candy canes, and hot cocoa bombs in flavors like candy cane and salted toffee.
• Loon Chocolate (Manchester, loonchocolate.com) is a small-batch producer of bean-to-bar chocolate. In addition to multiple types of handcrafted bars, the company offers hot cocoa mixes, four-packs of hot cocoa bombs, bagged organic cacao nibs that are great for yogurt or smoothies, and do-it-yourself chocolate-infused elixir kits for your favorite spirits.
• Nelson’s Candy and Music (65 Main St., Wilton, 654-5030, nelsonscandymusic.com) offers all kinds of holiday-themed sweets and goodies, like cocoa bombs, handmade candy canes, and sleigh-shaped gift baskets filled with fine chocolates and other treats.
• Sweet Boutique (21 Kilton Road, Bedford, 222-1521, visitsweetboutique.com) offers customizable boxes and baskets, in addition to novelty items like chocolate sleighs, holiday peppermint bark and foiled chocolate Santas. Co-owner Lynn MacKenna has also begun offering chocolate “charcuterie boards” in various sizes, featuring assorted chocolates, nuts, gummy candies, dipped fruits and more. Special ordering by Dec. 18 is recommended.
• Sweet Treats by Emilee (Milford, [email protected], and on Facebook and Instagram) is taking orders for handmade hot cocoa bombs for the holidays, available in more than a dozen flavors, from milk, dark and white to egg nog, gingerbread, milk chocolate peppermint, salted caramel and more. They’re available as single orders or in packs of four and make great stocking stuffers. Order by Dec. 20.
• Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) has several themed gift boxes and baskets available for purchase, like a Swiss fudge gift set, a maple-themed gift set with treats from Ben’s Sugar Shack, and an “ultimate snacker” gift set featuring chocolate bars, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and the shop’s own line of Evangeline’s caramel corn. Other seasonal offerings include white chocolate candy cane dipped pretzels, candy cane and orange-flavored Swiss fudges, milk, dark or chocolate molded Santa pops, and now flurry gummies.
Things are cooking
Certificates for cooking classes make great gifts not only for those who are adventurous eaters, but also for those who may want to learn a thing or two in the kitchen or get back into the activity altogether.
• The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Derry, 339-1664, culinary-playground.com) has a year-round schedule of cooking classes for kids and adults of all ages. Gift certificates can be purchased online and are redeemable to any of the available programs, which also include special adult and child team cooking classes and date night classes for couples.
• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898; 14 Route 111, Derry; labellewinery.com) has an ongoing schedule of cooking classes at both locations, often featuring wines paired with each item and recipe cards participants can take home with them.
• Tuscan Kitchen (67 Main St., Salem, 952-4875, tuscanbrands.com) offers the Scuola Culinaria program, featuring an ongoing schedule of cooking classes dabbling in different areas of artisan Italian cuisine. Each class is designed to appeal to all backgrounds and experience levels and can be booked online. Private culinary classes can be booked too.
Order your holiday dinners and desserts
While you’re finishing up that Christmas shopping, it’s not too late to think about what you’ll be serving at the table. Check out this list of local restaurants, bakeries and other businesses offering specialty eats from entrees and sides to pies, cakes and other desserts.
• The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for layered cookies and cream tarts, mini Bundt cakes, Yule logs, cheesecakes, pies, assorted holiday cookies and more. Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 24.
• Bearded Baking Co. (819 Union St., Manchester, 647-7150, beardedbaking.com) is taking orders for pies (apple crumb, Key lime, chocolate cream or coconut cream), cakes (holiday spice cake or vanilla lamington cake with raspberry filling and coating of chocolate ganache), cupcakes (red velvet, chocolate peppermint, lamington, chocolate, vanilla, eggnog and spice cake), vegan cupcakes (cookie butter or Snickerdoodle), cheesecakes (plain, blueberry, strawberry, cherry or raspberry), and cocoa bombs in packs of six (classic, peppermint or salted caramel). Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24.
• Benson’s Bakery & Cafe (203 Central St., Hudson, 718-8683, bensonsbakeryandcafe.com) is taking orders for cakes, pies, holiday cookies and cookie kits, miniature gingerbread houses, gingerbread house decorating kits, cocoa bombs, holiday drinks and more. Order by Dec. 20.
• Bite Me Kupcakez (4 Mound Court, Merrimack, 674-4459, bitemekupcakez.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for the holidays, including chocolate flourless torte, strawberry shortcake, chocolate whipped cream cake and six-inch cheesecakes available in several flavors, plus dairy-free options, like double-layer red velvet cake, cookies and cream cake, vanilla cake, chocolate cake and Boston cream pie. Other options include pies (with flavors like apple, triple berry and Samoa with toasted coconut, caramel and whipped cream); and assorted platters, like brunch platters with coffee cakes, muffins and doughnuts; Santa cookie platters; or dessert platters with cupcakes, brownies, cookies and whoopie pies. Orders must be in by Dec. 13, with pickup times to be arranged during the week of Christmas.
• The Black Forest Cafe & Bakery (212 Route 101, Amherst, 672-0500, theblackforestcafe.com) is taking orders for pies (apple, Dutch apple, apple cranberry, pecan, pumpkin, summer berry and chocolate cream); cakes (coconut, carrot, chocolate mousse, Black Forest gateaux or Frangelico mousse cake); and assorted holiday cookies, as well as savory items like baked pastas, cheese trays, scratch-made dips and spreads, and a la carte sides, like sausage focaccia stuffing, maple Dijon glazed carrots and parsnips, turkey-sage gravy, cranberry orange sauce, and cream of curried butternut squash soup. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24.
• Brothers Butcher (8 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, 809-4180; 142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 577-1130; brothers-butcher.com) is taking orders for specialty roasted meats like spiral ham, boneless prime rib and stuffed pork loin with traditional bread stuffing. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, and Friday, Dec. 24, until 1 p.m.
• Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe (436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-5929; 9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522; buckleysbakerycafe.com) is taking orders for specialty holiday cakes, including Yule logs, gingerbread spice cakes and dark chocolate peppermint cheesecakes, as well as 8-inch pies (Key lime, chocolate cream or apple), Parker House rolls, Dresden stollen rolls, and assorted breakfast, dessert pastry or cookie trays. Order by Dec. 19.
• The Cannoli Stop at The Candy Shop (239 Loudon Road, Concord, 224-9706, thecannolistop.com) is taking orders for all kinds of items for the holidays, from cannolis with dozens of available handmade fillings to cannoli cream pies, whoopie pies, macarons, tiramisu, mini eclairs and cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped Oreos, Italian cookies and assorted dessert platters. Order by Dec. 15. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m.
• Carter Hill Orchard (73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, 225-2625, carterhillapples.com) is taking orders for homemade pies in a variety of flavors, like apple, apple crumb, pumpkin, blueberry, strawberry rhubarb and pecan. Order by Dec. 12. Pickups will be available through Sunday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m., when the orchard closes for the season.
• Chez Vachon (136 Kelley St., Manchester, 625-9660, find them on Facebook) is taking orders for more than a dozen flavors of dessert pies and cakes, in addition to some savory items, for the holidays. Order by Dec. 21.
• The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; Lago, 1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253; Camp, 298 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3003; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; Italian Farmhouse, 337 Daniel Webster Hwy., Plymouth, 536-4536; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; Route 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for holiday feasts to go, featuring herb-roasted prime rib dinners with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, garlicky green beans, maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, horseradish cream, demi sauce, Parmesan-crusted dinner rolls, sweet bread and cheesecake with berry compote for dessert. Meals serving one or four people, as well as additional optional a la carte items like spinach-artichoke dip and crackers and peel-and-eat shrimp cocktails, are available. Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or on Friday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Concord Food Co-op (24 S. Main St., Concord, 225-6840, concordfoodcoop.coop) offers all kinds of items on its catering menu, from hors d’oeuvres and soups to half- or full-tray entrees, like house lasagna, grilled flank steak, grilled chicken breast, and tofu stir-fry, as well as assorted breakfast and dessert platters, from scones, croissants and muffins to cookies, bars and brownies. Orders should be placed as soon as possible.
• Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for Christmas dinners, featuring ham, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, green beans and dinner rolls. Two sizes are available (feeding two to four people or four to six people), with additional a la carte options, like sausage gravy and biscuits, cinnamon rolls, assorted muffins, and pies like pecan, gingerbread cream, eggnog and Nutella. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Crémeux French Patisserie (707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 320-4702, cremeuxfrenchpatisserie.com) is taking orders for several specialty French desserts and delicacies for the holidays, including cherry and pistachio or winter spice tea, caramel and clementine bûche (Yule log), as well as bûche tiramisu, and croquembouche, featuring multiple choux pastries filled with Tahitian vanilla bean crème pâtissière assembled into the shape of a Christmas tree. Order by Dec. 19 at noon. Pickups are on Friday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Crosby Bakery (51 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 882-1851, crosbybakerynh.com) is taking orders for dessert pies (apple, apple crumb, blueberry, banana cream, chocolate cream, pumpkin and pecan); as well as savory specialties like salmon pie and meat pie with hamburger and pork; assorted cakes, cookies, party platters and more. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m.
• The Crust & Crumb Baking Co. (126 N. Main St., Concord, 219-0763, thecrustandcrumb.com) is taking orders for a variety of scratch-made items for the holiday season, including dinner rolls (Shaker squash or butter), cinnamon buns (pecan sticky or vanilla glazed), and pies and cakes, like chocolate raspberry layer cake and maple bourbon pecan pie. Savory offerings include a local pork pie with sweet potato, rosemary and apple, and quiches in several flavors, like bacon and cheddar, spinach, marinated tomato and feta, and broccoli and pepper jack. Orders must be placed by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24, at a pre-arranged time (the bakery will be closing early at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24).
• Ding Dong Deliver (dingdongdeliver.com) is a ghost kitchen powered by Great New Hampshire Restaurants, the parent company of T-Bones Great American Eatery, CJ’s Great West Grill and the Copper Door. They’re taking orders for holiday roasts and freshly baked homemade cakes and pies in several flavors. Online ordering will be available from Wednesday, Dec. 15, through Friday, Dec. 17, at noon, for deliveries to Manchester and Bedford only on Wednesday, Dec. 22, as well as local pickups at each restaurant.
• Earl’s Steak Sandwiches (99 Oak St., Dover, 834-9659, find them on Facebook @earlssteaksandwiches) is taking orders for ready to heat and serve dinners for four, featuring your choice of either brined and smoked whole chicken with gravy or house cured and smoked holiday ham with a brown sugar glaze. Each dinner also comes with your choice of two signature sides (roasted garlic mashed potatoes, creamy white cheddar macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans with shallots and almonds, brown butter sage roasted carrots, or cornbread with honey butter). Order by Dec. 15.
Gingerbread house kit from Frederick’s Pastries. Courtesy photo.
• Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) is taking orders for all kinds of holiday-themed sweets, treats and goodies, like dark chocolate Christmas Yule log cakes filled with light chocolate orange mousse, gingerbread cupcakes made from scratch with molasses, cinnamon and sugar, and moist gold eggnog cakes laced with Myers’s dark rum. New offerings this year include gingerbread pyramid tree kits that come with 10 shaped gingerbread cookies, green and white buttercream frosting and candy to decorate. See pastry.net/category/christmas for a complete list of holiday items. Orders are strongly encouraged by Dec. 18. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 4 p.m.
• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (270 Granite St., Manchester, 232-3323; 707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 883-7333; 524 Nashua St., Milford, 673-3939; giorgios.com) is taking orders from its catering menu now ahead of the holiday season, featuring everything from appetizers, sandwiches and wraps to pasta trays, meats sold by the pound, a la carte sides and desserts. Visit giorgios.com/catering to view the full menu. Place your holiday catering order by Dec. 22.
• Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant (233 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) is taking orders for individual and family-sized meals to go, featuring your choice of whole roasted turkey, prime rib au jus or baked ham, all of which come with sides like whipped potatoes, butternut squash, green beans, dinner rolls and your choice of dessert pie. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For any last-minute needs, the eatery’s grab-and-go store will also be open that day, featuring a la carte items like sliced turkey by the pound, gravy, stuffing, butternut squash, soups, chili, rolls and more.
• Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee Shop (376 Central Ave., Dover, 742-6029, harveysbakery.com) is taking orders for Christmas cookies, pork and chicken pies, maple cakes and doughnuts, fruit cakes, and eight- or 10-inch pies in all kinds of flavors, from apple, pecan and pumpkin to chocolate cream, coconut cream, lemon meringue and more. Order by Dec. 17.
• Just Like Mom’s Pastries (353 Riverdale Road, Weare, 529-6667, justlikemomspastries.com) is taking orders for specialty holiday cakes, like raspberry mousse-filled Yule logs and cranberry orange white chocolate vanilla cakes, as well as pies (Kahlua black bottom, apple butterscotch pecan, chocolate pecan or savory pork), quiches (tomato, pepper and onion, spinach and feta, bacon, tomato and onion, or meat lover’s), assorted flavors of dinner rolls, cupcakes and cheesecakes, and holiday cookie, whoopie pie or finger pastry platters. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be through Friday, Dec. 24, at noon.
• Klemm’s Bakery (29 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 437-8810, klemmsbakery.com) is taking orders for all kinds of sweet treats for the holidays, from pies and cakes to mini pastries, cookies and more. Order by Dec. 20. Pickups will be available through Friday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m.
• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898; 14 Route 111, Derry; labellewinery.com) is taking orders for a variety of items for Christmas at both locations, including a la carte items, like artisan cheese boards, shrimp cocktail, spiced cranberry sauce, red wine gravy, brown sugar ham glaze, maple sweet potatoes, honey glazed carrots, and cinnamon maple bread pudding. Items can also be ordered as packages, serving either six to eight people or 12 to 14 people. LaBelle is also taking orders for cocktail kits in several flavors, with wine, natural ingredients and instructions (liquor is not provided and must be purchased separately). Order by Dec. 17. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 23, at your location of choice.
• Morrissey’s Porch & Pub (286 S. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-3662, morrisseysfrontporch.com) is taking orders for holiday meals to go, featuring your choice of an entree (slow-roasted Angus prime rib au jus, roast chateaubriand, seafood pie, roast leg of lamb, roast stuffed pork loin, honey Dijon baked ham, roast turkey, or surf and turf). All meals are served with your choice of vegetable (broccoli gratin, broccoli and carrots, green bean almondine, or roast butternut squash); a potato (colcannon potatoes, O’Brien potatoes, scalloped potato casserole, baked potatoes or mashed potatoes); and a dessert (tiramisu, cheesecake, white chocolate bread pudding, apple strudel, or fruit of the forest pie). Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) is taking orders for macaroni and cheese trays, available in any type of regular menu flavor in small, medium or large, as well as macaroni salads, assorted green salads and desserts. An advance ordering notice of at least 24 hours is encouraged. As of last month Mr. Mac’s is now also offering nationwide shipping of about a dozen of its take-and-bake options, according to a statement from founder Patrick Cain. Orders submitted on Thursdays and Fridays will be shipped the following Monday and should arrive at their destination in two to three business days. Each order is packed fresh with cool packs to keep it at a safe temperature.
• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) is taking orders for savory French-Canadian meat pies for the holidays, freshly made with pork, beef, potatoes, celery, garlic and seasonings. Order by Dec. 16. Pickups will be on Thursdays or Fridays, Dec. 23 and 24, or Dec. 30 and 31.
• Pinard Street Bakery at Charlie’s (1 Pinard St., Goffstown, 606-1835, find them on Facebook @pinardstreetbakery) is taking orders for savory pork pies or chocolate cream pies, as well as assorted home-baked cookies by the half-dozen or dozen. Cookie flavors include snickerdoodle, gingerbread, molasses, chocolate chip or sugar. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, or Thursday, Dec. 23, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Presto Craft Kitchen (168 Amory St., Manchester, 606-1252, prestocraftkitchen.com) is taking orders for several specialty holiday menu offerings, like lasagna, a roast beef tip dinner with mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh bread, a stuffed chicken dinner with stuffing and gravy, glazed carrots and fresh bread, and a bourbon-glazed ham dinner with country macaroni and cheese, garlic green beans and fresh bread (dinners feed six people). Other featured a la carte items include charcuterie boards available in several sizes, butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage cream sauce, and “elf on the shelf” holiday-themed cocoa bombs. Order by Dec. 18. Pickups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Thursday, Dec. 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
• The Red Arrow Diner (61 Lowell St., Manchester, 626-1118; 137 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 552-3091; 112 Loudon Road, Concord, 415-0444; 149 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 204-5088; redarrowdiner.com) is taking orders for homemade double-layer cakes and 10-inch pies, which must be placed at least 24 hours in advance. Pie flavors include banana cream, coconut cream, chocolate cream, brownie cream, cherry, blueberry, pecan and more. Cake flavors include carrot, chocolate peppermint, almond raspberry, pumpkin spice and more.
• Red Beard’s Kitchen (Manchester, [email protected], red-beards-kitchen.square.site) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for Christmas, including honey-roasted ham dinners featuring country mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, buttermilk biscuits with honey butter, pineapple raisin relish and sausage cornbread stuffing. Each of the sides can also be ordered a la carte (serving four to five people), in addition to gravy, macaroni and cheese, and loaded twice baked potatoes, as well as seasoned oven-ready prime rib (serves four to five people) and pork pies with gravy and bread and butter pickles. Pickups will be on Thursday, Dec. 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at Noodz (968 Elm St., Manchester).
• The Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (72 Manchester St., Concord, 224-4101, theredblazer.com) is taking pie orders for the holidays, available in several flavors from apple, pecan or pumpkin to chocolate cream, coconut cream and more. Order by Dec. 19.
• Roundabout Diner & Lounge (580 U.S. Highway 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, 431-1440, roundaboutdiner.com) is taking orders for family-sized Christmas dinners that feed five to six people, featuring slow-smoked prime rib or seasoned pork loin smoked with sugar-cured bacon. Both also come with red bliss mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. A la carte items include appetizers like shrimp cocktail, Italian meatballs and bacon-wrapped smoked chicken or scallops; and desserts, like double chocolate Black Forest cake. Pie orders and half-sheets of cornbread are available too. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com) is taking orders for Christmas dinners featuring smoked ham with sides like mashed potatoes, butternut squash, brown sugar carrots, green beans, macaroni and cheese and cornbread. Other a la carte items include bacon-wrapped turkey breast with jalapeno and sausage stuffing, smoked prime rib, a breakfast casserole and dessert pies. Order by Dec. 19. Pickups will be on Friday, Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sweet Caroline (28 Homestead Place, Alton, 875-0263, find them on Facebook @sweetcarolinenh) is taking orders for 10-inch pies in several flavors (apple, blueberry, pecan, chocolate cream, pumpkin, ricotta or lemon meringue), as well as traditional Yule log cakes, eggnog cheesecakes, and assorted mini pastry or cookie platters. Order by Dec. 18.
• Tammaro’s Cucina (469 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 377-7312, tammaroscucina.com) is taking orders for several homemade pasta trays, with options like cheese or meat lasagna, stuffed shells, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken broccoli penne alfredo and more. Half-sized trays (feeding six to eight people) and full-sized trays (feeding 12 to 16 people) are available, and each comes with a loaf of garlic bread. Order by Dec. 22, for pickup on Friday, Dec. 24, at the latest.
Featured photo: Cocoa bombs and gingerbread from Benson’s Bakery & Cafe in Hudson. Courtesy photo.
While the cold season and its wind chills, frost and snow will certainly not be slowing down the winter hiker in your family or that crazy friend who takes midnight hikes up Mt. Washington, you can make their lives easier and maybe safer by stuffing their ragg wool stockings with some hiker gear over the holiday.
From books and maps to help navigate the White Mountains, to tough and warm gear to take on a frigid overnighter, to starter gifts for the tiny hiker in your croo, what follows is a brief overview of some (mostly) locally sourced gift items the John Muir in your family will enjoy.
Books: Because the first step is not getting lost
• New Hampshire’s 52 With a View: A Hiker’s Guideby Ken MacGray ($23.95, kenmacgray.org) Longtime hiker and guidebook writer Ken MacGray recently published the quintessential guidebook to what’s becoming one of the state’s most popular hiking lists, the “52 with a view.” The list is a collection of hikes to mountains around the state under 4,000 feet that offer spectacular views somewhere along the way. Some of the hikes on the list are family-friendly, others very difficult. But all of them get thoroughly analyzed in this guidebook that includes directions, mileage and a bit of history on each mountain.
• The 4,000-Footers of New Hampshire’s White Mountains by Steven D. Smith and Mike Dickerman ($24.95, bondcliffbooks.com) Mike Dickerman, the owner of Bondcliff Books in Littleton and a well-known mountain writer and hiker, just released a unique and beautiful photographic history of the White Mountains that any hiker would love to unwrap under their tree. The book features 200 vintage photos, historical background about the mountains and tourist sites and even an elevation list of the high mountains in our state.
• NH Rocks That Rock: An Adventure Guide to 25 Famous Boulders of the Granite State by Uma and Dan Szczesny ($12, dan-szczesny.square.site) Looking for some shorter hikes kids of all ages will enjoy? Six-year-old Uma Szczesny and her dad (full disclosure: that’s me!) have written an adventure guide to more than two dozen famous boulders scattered across New Hampshire. The book includes directions to all of these interesting glacial erratics, along with photographs, their history and GPS coordinates.
Family hikes
• Hiking field journals / mountain passports What better way to involve the kids in your family’s hikes and adventures than through journals and logbooks? From White Mountain passport books where you can stamp your adventures to simple blank field guides, your littlest hiker can draw and color about their hike like a mini Jane Goodall. Go for a blank field guide with a brightly colored cover from Elan Publishing (elanpublish.com), or, if you want some prompts for drawing and writing, the Nature Journal and Sketchbook for Kids from River Breeze (riverbreeze.com). The handy pocket-size White Mountain 4000-Footers Passport from The Mountain Wanderer (mountainwanderer.com, $20) has a peel-off stamp for each peak.
• White Mountain Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Program($5, recreation.gov/tree-permits) Want to bring part of the White Mountains into your living room for the holidays? For a $5 permit, the state will let you cut down and bring home your own Christmas tree from the Whites. They only offer one per family and as you can imagine there are rules about where you can go and how you can cut them, but there’s nothing like a family hike to bring back a tree.
• Keen Greta Waterproof Boots, plus Snowline Kids’ Traction Spikes (Approximately $80 for boots, $40 for spikes, most local retailers, prices vary) If your little hiker is going to help you find a tree, they need to protect their feet. We like the Keen Greta boots for comfort and ease to slip on. Over the top of that, pick up a pair of XXS Micro-Spikes and your mini hiker will have warm feet and sturdy footing!
Heavy-duty winter gear
• Burgeon Outdoors Flume Base Layer ($89 to $100, burgeonoutdoor.com) Hardcore hikers know warmth and safety start with a solid base layer. Lincoln, N.H., outdoor company Bergeon Outdoors is offering a Tencel and Spandex base layer top that was named best hiking shirt by Field and Stream. The company specializes in sustainable outdoor wear inspired by and designed in the White Mountains.
• The Nemo Quasar 3D Sleeping Pad ($129 to $249, nemoequipment.com) If you’re overnighting on snowpack, you’re going to need a tough and warm pad. We’re recommending Dover outfitter NEMO’s Quasar #D Sleeping Pad. Low weight, easy inflation completes the package. Rest easy!
Miscellaneous hiking gifts you didn’t know you needed
• Artwork from Kat Maus Haus Illustration and Design (katmaushaus.com) Artist Kat Maus has been illustrating amazing and unique scenes and landscapes from around New England for posters, book covers, stickers and greeting cards for years. One of her specialties is White Mountain scenes, everything from Mount Washington to the Cog Railway to mountaintop fire towers. Pick up a pack of White Mountain postcards for your favorite hiker’s stocking.
• New Hampshire State Park ornaments (newhampshirestateparks.reserveamerica.com) The state has teamed up with artist Lyn Collins of White Mountain Smile Makers to create a series of Christmas tree ornaments that commemorate several state parks, including Mt. Washington, Bear Brook and Franconia Notch. You may want to grab one now, though, so it’s on the tree when you’re opening your presents.
Featured photo:Field guide, hiking journal and the White Mountains 4000 Footer Passport. Courtesy photo.
There are plenty of opportunities to shop locally for handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts this month. Some art galleries host special holiday exhibits focused on small and affordable works of art, with gift shopping in mind. Pop-up holiday arts markets and craft fairs have a little of everything, including photography, pottery, woodwork, textiles, jewelry, glass, metal, fine art, mixed media and more. New Hampshire also has a number of retail shops that sell items created by local artists and craftspeople.
“Buying handmade and local not only supports the local economy, and our neighbors’ livelihoods, but also presents an opportunity to gift unique, one-of-a-kind, heartfelt gifts that are so much more personal than things you may find in a bigger retail environment,” said Jessica Moores, owner of Manchester Craft Market.
Arts markets and craft fairs
• The annual holiday showcase at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen), “Sleighbell Studio,” is open now through Dec. 18, featuring a wide selection of fine art, jewelry, cards, books, honeys, soaps and more, all locally made and priced affordably for gift buying. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.
• “Small Works —Big Impact,” the annual holiday exhibit at Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford), is going on now through Dec. 31, in person at the gallery and virtually on the gallery’s website (creativeventuresfineart.com/product-category/small-works-show). The exhibit features non-juried small works of art in a variety of media and styles, created by area professional and nonprofessional artists, priced affordably for holiday gift buying. Visit creativeventuresfineart.com or call 672-2500.
• Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook) has its Holiday Art Show and Sale now through Dec. 23, featuring handmade gifts by more than 30 local artists, including paintings, pottery, mixed media, photography, fabric art and more. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org.
• The Craftworkers’ Guild’s Holiday Fair is open now through Dec. 23, with in-person shopping at the historic Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road, Bedford), open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an online shop. The fair will feature seasonal decor, photography, fine art and prints, cards, gourmet treats, woodworking, fiber and fabric, stained and fused glass, mixed media, jewelry and more by juried local artists and craftspeople. Visit craftworkersguild.org.
• The GreatHoliday Shopping Extravaganza is Friday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hampshire Hills Athletic Club (50 Emerson Road, Milford). More than 80 local crafters and artisans will sell jewelry, scarves, home decor, woodwork, pottery, metal art and more. Visit hampshirehills.com.
• The Holly Jolly Craft Fair takes place at DoubleTree Hotel (2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua) on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 80 exhibitors will sell jewelry, wreaths, metal art, pottery, children’s items, candles, scarves and more. Admission costs $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and is free for kids under age 16. Visit joycescraftshows.com.
• The New Hampshire Audubon hosts its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord). A number of local artists will show and sell their work, including jewelry, pottery, nature photography, greeting cards, quilted items and more. Visit nhaudubon.org.
• The Artisan Market at The Cider Mill Gallery (24 Francestown Road, New Boston) is going on now through Dec. 24, open Friday through Sunday, and, for last-minute gift shopping, Monday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day. Call 487-5522 or visit eileenbelanger.com.
Handmade gift shops
• Creative Vibes (2 Pauls Way, Amherst, 557-2457, creativevibesnh.com, open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Currier Museum of Art gift shop (150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org, open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
• The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries (nhcrafts.org)
• Concord (36 N. Main St., 228-8171, open Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Hooksett (530 W. River Road, 210-5181, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Nashua (98 Main St., 595-8233, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday)
• Meredith (279 Daniel Webster Hwy., 279-7920, open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.)
Locally Made
• Salem (99 Rockingham Blvd., Salem, 890-7141, locallyhandmadesalemnh.com, open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.)
• Merrimack (80 Premium Outlets Blvd., Merrimack, 377-7610, facebook.com/LHMerrimackNH, open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Manchester Craft Market (Mall of New Hampshire, 1500 S. Willow St., Manchester, manchestercraftmarket.com, open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.)
• Spriggs Shoppe (Twiggs Gallery, 254 King St., Boscawen, 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com, open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.)
• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. Closed Wednesday and Sunday.)
• Wild Little Art Shop (Wild Salamander Creative Arts Center, 30 Ash St., Hollis, 465-9453, wildsalamander.com, open Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m., Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closing at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23.)
Performance venues
For the theater-lover in your life, consider tickets to an upcoming show that you know they would like.
“Giving the gift of theater and allowing someone to have a night out and away from the daily grind of life is a great thing,” said Robert Dionne, artistic director for The Majestic Theatre, a theater company based in Manchester.
Or let the recipient choose a show themselves with a gift certificate for a local entertainment venue.
“Entertainment is a great gift because it’s providing an experience that is always unique, and it’s a flexible option that can satisfy the tastes of any recipient,” said Dan Darling, executive director of the Franklin Opera House.
• Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., and Bank of New Hampshire Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com)
• Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin, 934-1901, franklinoperahouse.org)
• The Music Hall (Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut St., and Loft, 131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 436-2400, themusichall.org)
Art classes/workshops
Give the gift of knowledge to an aspiring artist, actor or musician with a gift certificate for a local art studio, theater program or music school, which they can use for workshops or classes to improve their craft.
“Perhaps someone played an instrument many years ago and has been wanting to pick it up again,” said Dionne, who is also the administrator at Ted Herbert Music School in Manchester. “Our teachers [work with] all ages, abilities, and musical styles. Whether you are learning for fun or to further a music career, we are here to lead you in the direction you wish.”
• AR Workshop Manchester (875 Elm St., Manchester, 573-9662, arworkshop.com/manchester) Offers DIY workshops for creating custom wood signs, canvas pillows, centerpiece boxes, canvas tote bags and more.
• Currier Museum of Art, Art Center (180 Pearl St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org) Offers seasonal weekly classes, master classes and one-day workshops for kids and adults in all kinds of media.
• Kimball-Jenkins School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com) Offers weekly classes, master classes and one-day workshops for kids and adults in all kinds of media.
• The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Fine Craft Galleries (98 Main St., Nashua, 595-8233; 279 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-7920, nhcrafts.org) Offer weekly classes and one-day workshops for a variety of crafts.
• Muse Paintbar (42 Hanover St., Manchester, muse paintbar.com) Offers paint-and-sip workshops and step-by-step painting workshops for families.
• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) Offers classes and workshops for all ages and experience levels in pottery, clay, painting, stained glass and more.
• Time to Clay (228 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, timetoclay.com) Offers pottery workshops for all ages.
• The Voice of Clay (16 Meetinghouse Hill Road, Brookline, 672-2626, voiceofclay.com) Offers pottery classes for all ages and experience levels.
• You’re Fired (25 S. River Road, Bedford, 641-3473; 133 Loudon Road, No. 101, Concord, 226-3473; 264 N. Broadway, Salem, 894-5456; 204-5559; yourefirednh.com) Offers open studio times and materials for pottery and mosaic projects.
• The Canvas Roadshow (25 S. River Road, Bedford, 913-9217, thecanvasroadshow.com) Offers DIY workshops for creating custom wood signs, canvas paintings, sea glass art and more.
• Wild Salamander Creative Arts Center (30 Ash St., Hollis, 465-9453, wildsalamander.com) Offers a variety of art classes and workshops for all ages.
Music and performing arts classes/workshops
• Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org)
• The Majestic Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net)
• Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, mcmusicschool.org)
• Manchester Music Mill (329 Elm St., Manchester, 623-8022, manchestermusicmill.com)
• Nashua Community Music School (5 Pine St. Ext., Nashua, 881-7030, nashuacms.org)
• New Hampshire Theatre Project (West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington St., No. 3, Portsmouth, 431-6644, nhtheatreproject.org)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Covid-19 news
During the state’s weekly public health update on Nov. 30, Gov. Chris Sununu reported that New Hampshire saw a 43 percent increase in hospitalizations due to Covid-19 just in the last two weeks. A total of 433 active hospitalizations were reported on Dec. 6, a new all-time high.
State epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan also gave brief remarks during the press conference about the emergence of the Omicron variant, which was first reported to the World Health Organization from South Africa on Nov. 24. Although the strain has not yet been identified in New Hampshire as of Dec. 6, it has been detected in at least 15 U.S. states, according to the CDC, including in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. “Because of the number and the types of mutations that are seen with this new strain, it’s predicted that this new variant … will be more infectious and possibly evade a person’s immune defense system,” Chan said. “It highlights the importance for everybody who is eligible to be vaccinated and to continue to take precautions.”
About 10,000 Granite Staters are scheduled to receive their booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccine on Dec. 11, across more than 20 pop-up community sites statewide. As of Dec. 6, appointments are full at every site except for the Brown Elementary School in Berlin, but booster doses can still be scheduled at participating local pharmacies or doctor’s offices in the coming weeks. Go to vaccines.nh.gov to make an appointment and check availability.
NH HWCA
NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, which is open to all clinical and non-clinical health care workers, officially launched with an event on Dec. 4, promoting its mission to increase awareness and knowledge of the impact of climate on health among health care workers. According to a press release, the members of this grassroots nonprofit organization will get support and tools to “educate and activate colleagues, patients and family members, community members and policy makers in support of climate solutions to improve the health of all, particularly the most vulnerable among us.” The group’s first direct action was sending a letter — signed by 19 health care associations and almost 600 New Hampshire health care workers — to the state’s elected officials about the science behind the impact of climate on physical and mental health and stressing the need for urgent action.
Roadside parking
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is reminding hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other backcountry users that anyone who leaves a vehicle on the side of the road unattended may be risking having their vehicle towed. According to a press release, the DOT and contract plow drivers often work in low-visibility conditions, making it hard to see vehicles on the side of the road. This puts people in the vehicles at risk and delays snow removal operations due to needed repairs or replacement of the plow equipment. When a vehicle impacts snow removal, police will be called to check on it and determine what action is taken, which may include a ticket or the vehicle being towed, the release said.
Free ride
For the rest of December, all stops along Manchester Transit Authority’s Route 8 will be offered free of charge. According to a press release, this tradition began during the holiday season in 2018. The Route 8 service starts at 5:30 a.m., and the last return to downtown Manchester is 6:25 p.m. It offers 30-minute frequency, eight times a day on the hour from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the release. It makes 13 regular loop stops: the Downtown Manchester Doubletree Hotel, Michaels/Burlington Coat Factory Plaza on South Willow Street, Walmart on Gold Street, the Mall of New Hampshire, South Willow Street and downtown Manchester. MTA is encouraging people to use its app, RouteShout 2.0, to get bus arrival time and bus location in real time.
Michelle Xiggoros of Concord and Catherine McArthur of Pelham won $5,000 during the Dec. 2 Double Diamond Spectacular second-chance drawing at the Filotimo Casino & Restaurant in Manchester, according to a press release. The big prize — $1 million — went to Maine resident Beatrice Paisley, and the other two semifinalists each won $1,000. All players who claimed a $1,000 prize from the $20 Double Diamond Spectacular scratch ticket were eligible to enter the semifinalist drawing, the release said.
It seems Queen City residents really like their lights! On Dec. 6, the Manchester Transit Authority added four new times for its free holiday lights Trolley Tours — and as with the first announcement, those time slots were filled within hours. “We saw an overwhelming response,” Mayor Joyce Craig said in a press release. “I’m so grateful to everyone at MTA who worked to double the amount of tours families can take to see the holiday lights displays across Manchester.”
The United Way of Greater Nashua will be presenting gifts of gratitude to St. Joseph Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Health on Dec. 10, according to a press release. The gifts are tokens of appreciation for the work being done by community health care workers and will include gift cards, hand-written greeting cards and artwork designed by students from Nashua schools.
I find being one of my family’s elders a bit unsettling. Sure, I already embraced the gray hair. But until this year I always had someone more experienced with whom to discuss parenting, career, home ownership, the news, family history, my dreams. We didn’t necessarily think alike, but my parents and in-laws listened and shared their stories.
One thing my mother-in-law taught me was how to cook the family’s favorite Lebanese dishes. You might think she learned the recipes growing up, but her family was Portuguese, not Lebanese. Like me, she learned how to make “kibbeh” and “fatayer” after marrying into the tribe. “Kibbeh is meatloaf,” she said, “only nicer.” It’s made with ground lamb, bulgur, pine nuts and allspice. My husband and his brothers like to prove their heritage by eating their kibbeh “nayee” (raw) and telling the rest of us we’re wimps for preferring it “sineyee” (baked). Before baking, you drizzle olive oil over the loaf, draw criss-crossed lines on the surface, and poke a deep hole in the middle with your finger. When I asked why, my mother-in-law said, “Because my mother-in-law did.”
I cherish the morsels of culture that I got from my in-laws, as well as those from my own Scottish-English parents. During the pandemic, I contemplated learning to play a bagpipe, but that is a particularly inappropriate instrument to take up when family members are working at home. I content myself with humming the Skye Boat Song and being able to recognize MacDonald tartans at the Highland Games. What I really value, though, is the feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
You don’t have to be related to get the benefits of intergenerational relationships. For older people, they include a sense of purpose and self-esteem. For younger people, they can provide mentorship, opportunities for meaningful service, and increased perspective and empathy. Studies show both generations are happier and more hopeful. People are now exploring how to move from the separatist practices of the last 30 years — like 55+ housing developments — to intergenerational collaborations such as residences for “grandfamilies” and community reading programs. Sara Zeff Geber, Ph.D., writing in Forbes, discusses inventive organizations such as Generations United and Seniors4Seniors. In New Hampshire, AARP age-friendly communities are re-thinking everything from health to transportation, including zoning changes that could help with one of the most significant issues for young people and businesses: workforce housing.
As my family comes together for the holidays, I hope to keep both the old traditions and the sharing of new ideas alive. Baking fatayer — doughy, little, tri-cornered meat pies oozing a creamy yogurt sauce — ought to help.
