Thanksgiving is only a week away, which means the winter holidays are just around the corner! This year, I wanted to be sure my gifts reflected the Adirondack spirit, and so I went looking for some exclusive shops that would help me get my shopping done with unique gifts and a flavor of this part of New York. Thankfully, I didn’t have to go far to get started – the Wilmington area has a few one-of-a-kind shops that will definitely help get your holiday shopping off to a great start!  

Stocking stuffers and other small gifts are the specialty of Candy Man Home-Made Chocolate! Choose from an assortment of fun items including little bears wearing lake placid t-shirts, tasty peppermint bark, and for the picky chocolate eater in your life - you can make a customized assorted box of homemade treats. Plus, they will ship your purchases anywhere you like, so you won’t have to worry about lugging around all your terrific finds. Be sure you get to the store before Christmas and enter the contest to win a three-foot Santa! Drawing is on December 23.  

The North Pole Resort General Store is a great place to start when looking for a unique gift for the beer lovers in your life. With more than 250 different types of craft beer available, you can create a personalized 6-pack that will please everyone on your list! Just being in the store is an experience, with a whole wall dedicated to the display of beer. They also have all the basics you need for your camping trip, plus you can get t-shirts and sweatshirts and little gag gifts for anyone you are looking to treat this season. 

For that person who has everything, the gift of health and wellness is always a great choice. Riverstone Wellness offers gift certificates for massages, acupuncture, health counseling, energy work, sound and vibration therapy, yoga, mental health counseling and facials. One of their five practitioners will surely help you give the gift that will be appreciated long after the holidays are over. And if you’re not from the area, it gives your gift recipient a reason to come spend some time in this beautiful region of the Adirondack Park!

For the historian on your list, Images of America Wilmington and the Whiteface Region is the item for you. Learn about the history of the Whiteface Region and see some back-in-the-day pictures. You can find them around the Wilmington area.

Working off those chocolates you sampled!

If you’re anything like me, shopping is exhausting. Once you’ve crossed some gifts off the list, make sure you leave time for hiking! Bring the family, and enjoy some of the trails and views the Whiteface region has to offer. There’s something for every level of hiker, so you’re sure to find your new favorite. Here are a couple of mine:

The Flume Trail– with more than eight miles of trails, it definitely has variety. You can hike, bike, or run through the amazing terrain.

Cobble Lookout– this 2.6 mile round trip is pretty much a flat, easy trail that brings you to a rocky ledge that gives you a beautiful view of the Adirondacks. It is also a great family-fun snowshoe trail if there is snow when you take your next visit! 

Make sure you check out all the different places to shop in the area, before heading back to relax in your cozy room at one of our comfortable places to stay!