Christmas Shopping in Peterborough, NH
Twelve Pine in Depot Square, NH. This building used to be the train depot back in the day, hence the name. https://www.shoppeterboroughnh.com.
'Tis the season and all that. Even though we are hitting the road for the holidays this year, there is still a list and I like to keep it local when I can. And I enjoy downtown Peterborough, Depot Square and surrounding shops. So I'm gonna go support the local economy today. Yay me!
My first stop is Steele's Stationers for Christmas cards and stocking stuffers. It's a great old fashioned stationer's shop, established in 1860, with paper products, pens, office and computer supplies, magazines, greeting cards, cigars, wrapping paper and bows, etc. etc. Always fun to browse, plus the owners, Bill and Liz Littles have owned and worked this place forever. Well, not since 1860, but for a long time. It is a true family-run business. Love it here. They know my name. I do a good job here.
My next stop is Miranda's on Main. Women's clothing of the finest kind! Looking for something for mom, but nothing hits me. Too fancy, she does not get out much any more. I see many things for me, though, and make a mental note. Another great local shop!
Miranda's on Main in Peterborough, courtesy of their web site.
Next, I head to Bowerbird and Friends, a lovely antiques/homeware shop in Depot Square. This place is just eye candy!! There is furniture, glassware, rugs, candles, soaps, silver, crystal, plants, jewelry. I could go on. I had dropped off a terrarium the other week and proprietor Kathy Forrest had replanted it for me. She had also shown (2) Waterford crystal glasses on her FaceBook feed the other day and I felt like I wanted them. I found two similar ones and bought them. If anyone is counting, I've purchased (2) lovely gifts for myself and stocking stuffers for others. I know. Look for Bowerbird and Friends on FaceBook.
Ann's Christmas gift to herself. I purchased the two larger Waterford crystal goblets in the back. Because you need two. One is just sad and lonely.
So where next? I am supposed to be shopping for Mom. I head to "Underneath It All", a lovely lingerie shop which does bra fitting, nightwear, loungewear and casual wear. I love it here! I promise myself not to buy anything for me this time. Not gonna be easy.
I look, and I look, and finally find a silky pair of pink polka-dot pajamas that I think she would enjoy. I wonder if she needs pajamas. I wonder if she has 97 sets of pajamas. I buy these pajamas anyway and hope she makes them her new favorite pair. This store is amazing, I always see things I love here, and the service is top-notch. Check them out on FaceBook. The photos do not do it justice.
OK, next is Twelve Pine. One of my favorite shops in Depot Square. They have prepared food for take-out, a coffee bar, lovely baked good, gelato (seasonally), fantastic homemade soups, fresh flowers, and tons of jams, syrups and yummy jarred things, pastas, a cheese and salumi counter, olive oils and vinegars, wine, beer and fine housewares. I can't even list it all. All laid out in a compelling fashion. Their scones are to die for. Again, I buy stocking stuffers but refrained from self-purchasing. And generally I am not a big shopper! But today I am, the season calls for it. I am providing a link, but the web site is not great. The store is.
Press on, Ann, press on! Alice Blue is a lovely store with women's clothing and accessories directly across the street from Depot Square. Check out their FaceBook page. Their clothes are funky and fun. I walk in and am immediately hit with the smell of pine. "What is this lovely smell?" I say? I find out it is a scent diffuser. I have always wanted one. I purchase it - for me - since we have no tree in our house this year and I miss that pine smell. I buy nothing for anyone else. Because it is time for lunch.
Thymes Frasier Fir Scent Diffuser, found at http://www.thymes.com.
It is almost 2:30pm and our first choice for lunch is now closed, so I head to the Waterhouse, a solid stand-by, and right in Depot Square. My husband joins me. It is decked out for the holidays and is looking festive! I put down my bags and take a breath. It is exhausting pretending to shop for other people.
Christmas decor overlooking the river at the Waterhouse Restaurant, Peterborough, NH.
Bob and I look at the menu. Today we decide on a "Fig and Pig" flatbread pizza, which consists of prosciutto, fresh figs, goat cheese and rosemary. I get the harvest salad to go with. Greens, cranberries, nuts, cheese with a lovely dressing. I think there is sherry vinegar in there, but not sure. Great combo. It is delicious.
There are a few other stores I went to, including Grove and Main Antiques, Nest for baby and children's items (there are a few showers coming up), plus I window-shopped and walked through the park along the river. You can spend a day here in Peterborough and be delighted by the choices for food and shopping you are presented with. Do it soon, no better time than the holidays. https://www.shoppeterboroughnh.com.
Looks like I'll be doing some shopping in Montana this year. Hopefully for others. Enjoy the season everybody!