My beautiful wife Kate and I are going to feature one or two local places to buy holiday gifts each day highlighting the fact that there’s no need to buy your presents online or trudge up to the mall.
There’s excellent places to shop right here in Gloucester.
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Presented by Discover Gloucester and The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Winter Lights on Cape Ann is back for a third year! The 2022 Winter Lights on Cape Ann is a collaboration between Discover Gloucester and the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. This year’s displays of festive lights are expanding to businesses across Greater Cape Ann, including participating businesses in Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. Businesses are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their storefronts with holiday lights and creative window displays. The 3rd Annual Winter Lights on CapeAnn kicks off on Small Business Saturday, November 26 and runs through New Years Day.
2021 Winter Lights at The Emerson Inn in Rockport
“We are excited to be partnering with Discover Gloucester to expand the program to the entirety of Greater Cape Ann. At no cost to participating businesses, this is a terrific way to promote all small businesses and the region as we encourage shopping locally, and celebrate our holiday season with festive lighting,” says Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce CEO Ken Riehl.
Also new to Winter Lights on Cape Ann this year is a decorating contest. More than half of the 100+ participating businesses have opted into a contest to show off their festive decorations, and brighten up downtown districts in Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. Visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy these twinkling displays while they #ShopSmall for the holiday season.
2021 Winter Lights at Cape Ann Marina
“Winter Lights was an idea born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a creative way to celebrate the holidays during a time when some businesses were closed, and it wasn’t safe for communities to gather. Now that our businesses are open and our downtowns are bouncing back, celebrate the season and shop for the holidays at the sweet boutiques and carefully curated shops of Greater Cape Ann while they’re decked in lights and festive decor,” remarks Discover Gloucester Executive Director Tess McColgan.
Shoppers and passersby will see QR code flyers in the windows of businesses participating in the decorating contest. Scan the QR code with your phone to vote for your favorite storefronts, and be entered in a drawing to win a $50 Greater Cape Ann Gift Check, which can be used at over 250 businesses across the five communities.
This year, you have the option to walk around and explore while you shop, or enjoy the full 100+ light displays with a DIY driving tour. Grab a hot cocoa or warm apple cider and marvel at the magnificent Winter Lights on Cape Ann. Find an interactive Google Map of lighted locations, festive business happenings, and contest participants at: www.discovergloucester.com/winter-lights-cape-ann 2022 Winter Lights on Cape Ann is Co-Sponsored by Discover Gloucester and the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. Winter Lights is intended to be an inclusive celebration of all end-of-year holidays and the winter season across Greater Cape Ann, highlighting our region’s wonderful local businesses
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I recommend Chanthy’s for any tailoring or alteration services. She’s altered formal wear, dresses, suits and so many, many pants for family members over the years. She’s great with seniors and kids and accommodations, even my silly request to repair one son’s torn t-shirt. (There was a hole in the back which I can’t find after her handiwork.) She also salvaged a backpack/cuddly many moons ago with creative reinforcement. Sometimes when I’ve dropped off or picked up I can catch a glimpse of her fashion sewing designs.
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Present is a collective of local artist and craftspeople from Gloucester and Rockport. We pop up in a new spot every November and keep making new things until Christmas Eve. Wool and wire, felt and fiber, pottery, printing pictures and more!
We will be open until Christmas Eve. Stop in and say hello!
 (The garage shop was just too hot, too cold, too windy.) Featured will be all new work including holiday gifts, earrings, bracelets, pins, barrettes, birds, butterflies, angels, and cards. Please come by – I would love to see you.  Saturday, Nov. 26, from 11:00-3:00 at 3 Harrison Ave, Gloucester.
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An unusual (perhaps tropical) bird was sighted recently on Magnolia Avenue! A spot of color amongst the dead leaves was delightful. If you go that way to take a look, stop by the Magnolia Library for the Holiday Fair 9:30 – 2 today! Food and crafts offered by some of your favorite vendors!
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Good Morning Gloucester 