‘Tis the season for holiday shopping! Are you on the hunt for thoughtful and unique gifts? The Capital Region is full of innovative small business owners and talented makers creating items that everyone on your shopping list will love.
It’s more important now than even before to support local, so continue scrolling for holiday gift ideas that Baker PR has given its stamp of approval…
Chow Bella: for the “ulti-mutt” dog lover in your life
Chow Bella is Saratoga’s first, and only, indoor dog park! Located at 50 West Ave., this canine social club is every dog lover’s one–stop–shop; with 3,000 square-feet of fenced in fun, all the pups on Santa’s nice list can sleigh/play the day away. Also, because not all treats come in the form of a dog biscuit, their full-service grooming salon is waiting to pamper your favorite pooch with some TLC, while multiple self-wash stations will keep your pup looking their best after a session on the turf.
Know a dog that barks up the wrong tree? Purchase some training sessions with the pros at Chow Bella and the nice list will be in reach for a good boy near you.
The fun doesn’t stop there: a 2,200 square-foot retail space offers an incredible shopping experience with premium dog food, treats, toys, beds and even coats for these snowy Upstate New York winters.
There really is something for every dog lover at Chow Bella, so a gift card or membership is perfect for someone with a furry sidekick.
Coral and Blue Paper Co.: for someone with the write stuff
Coral & Blue Paper Co., named for the colors of the classic lines found on the paper students use in school when learning how to write, is children’s stationery that’s not only beautiful, but meets the needs of elementary-aged kids.
Teaching kids to express gratitude is important — especially in our digital age. After recognizing kid-friendly stationery was needed, founder Ashley Campbell, a mom of two in Saratoga Springs, has made it her mission to encourage gratitude, thoughtfulness, creativity and to bring back the Thank You note with stationery designed to make note-writing both simple and joyful to do.
These cards help kids promote creativity, express emotions and introduce the art of writing thank you notes to young and tender hearts. The cards range in topics from birthdays to Veterans Day to holiday cards, and since National Thank You Note Day falls on Dec. 26 this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to encourage tiny hands with big hearts to adopt this practice.
Haute Messes in Dresses: for someone who’s clothes minded
Haute Messes in Dresses consists of two best friends turned stylists working to unleash the inner fashionistas of the 518. This duo loves to help their clients develop their own personal style and see them glow from the inside out once they harness it. Not only will they shop for their clients but educate them on proper fit and how to choose the most flattering pieces for their shape and lifestyle.
They will “Shop Your Closet” (that’s a service!) where they will browse your closet and magically style outfits with pieces that have been hanging there all along or take it a step further with personal shopping services or a crash course on how to use every fashionista’s secret weapon: The Rent the Runway app and website.
If that’s not enough, they’re making chic happen with an online shop that’s open 24/7 and home to an assortment of customizable graphic apparel and this year’s popular tie dye trends that they dye by hand, perfect for a sweet gingerbread on your shopping list!
Palette: for those who think and work outside the box
Is there a boss in your life who’s ready to level-up? Someone who could use a change of scenery or a break from the work at home grind? How about an entrepreneur who’s looking for some organic networking, or maybe just a workaholic with a caffeine addiction? Well, Palette Café and Community is the place for them.
With locations in Saratoga Springs and Schenectady, Palette isn’t your typical café. Instagrammable nooks and corners, plush velvet furniture, built-in support system, plenty of girl power and unlimited coffee and wine await the boss babe in your life. They can pop in for the day or stay longer with an annual membership; whatever they do, they can do it here, so why not change the way work happens for someone in your life with a membership to Palette.
With regular programming, there’s always something on the calendar for a social or socially distant opportunity to get together with other members and really dive into what this community is all about.
Proudly serving up Kru coffee, a popular Saratoga-based roaster, Palette is also a haven for coffee lovers. With a full-service café at both locations serving up all your favorite types of beverages with a side of holiday cheer, it’s a matcha made in heaven for the caffeine-fiend in your life.
Mohawk Honda: for someone with a lot of drive…
Let’s be real: we all know someone who could use a car detailing, or how about an E-Z pass now that New York is running on cashless tolls? Even if you’re not shopping for a new car, Mohawk Honda and Mohawk Chevrolet have everything a driver needs to fuel their ride.
Keep your precious cargo safe with a set of snow tires and they’ll have snow problem navigating the winter roads this season, and if you really want to spoil the motorist in your life, give them the gift that keeps on giving: a remote car starter! These Upstate New York winters can be chilly after all…
The Mohawk Honda team always has something up their sleeve, so be sure to keep up with them on social media for giveaways and shenanigans long after Santa slays.
Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness: massage, relax, rinse, repeat
When in doubt, Zen it out. 2020 has been stressful for everyone, and who couldn’t use a little self-care? A gift from Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness is the perfect dose of R + R.
Complexions has two Capital Region locations and a service or surprise for everyone: handmade candles that smell like pure bliss, gift baskets full of holiday surprises, spa packages, massage sessions, and products from their retail section.
Did you know Spa Memberships are available? That’s right: encourage someone close to you to drop in, recharge, and let off some steam more often. Check out their full range of memberships and gently nudge the stress ball in your life to loosen up with regular visits to the steam room or massage table.
Give the gift of health and wellness this holiday season; gift cards can be used towards any treatment, service, or product and are usually offered as special holiday deals, so if shopping gets messy, just turn it into a mud mask.