With the pumpkin-spice season in full swing, we all know the holidays aren't far behind, which means shopping for gifts!
Whether you're looking to get ahead on your holiday shopping or need fresh ideas - bookish, musical or for that quirky homebody you love - we've got you covered with the 4Squares Gift Buying Guide.
For someone who's trying to be a little greener (or a little cleaner) the home and body products at Trove are a deluxe delight! Or maybe you want to brighten up someone's day every month of the year? Local floral artist Anne Traer at Garden & Roads has a monthly bouquet subscription that brings natural beauty right to your doorstep, all year long - plus she has elegant holiday arrangements for fall and winter. For the coffee snob in your life (or anyone who is feeling sluggish) bags of the super-charged java from Mystic Coffee Roasters are still available by special order, or locally at Colleen's of Medford Square and the new West Medford coffee shop, Lola's.
Still stumped? Try 4Good Vibes, 392 Main Street, Medford, MA
If you're looking for a signature gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list, 4Good Vibes is the gift shop for you. Shelves are chock-full of handmade products from hundreds of artisans, ranging from pottery, housewares, and painted and etched-glass artwork to a whole line of fun Medford-themed pillows, signs, decorative bottles, and coffee mugs.
Short on time? No problem. Attend one of 4Good Vibes virtual shopping events, held every Wednesday night, live on their Facebook page, and the team will ship it to you! Or, if you like to browse in person, keep an eye out for their local craft fairs, held throughout the fall and winter.
Davis Squared, 409 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA
Whether shopping for the holidays or not, a trip to Davis Square isn't complete without stopping into this hip and funky gift shop that celebrates all things Boston-related. The 4Squares favorites include MBTA "T" coasters, the Boston "T" Puzzle, and the extensive mug collection. Davis Squared also offers a wide array of cookbooks from locally famous foodies, including Pastry Love by Joanne Chang, founder of Flour Bakery, and Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Cookbook. Are you feeling spicy? Grab a package of Hot Dates or some Guajillo Chili Chocolate from Somerville's own Taza Chocolate as a reward for getting some of that shopping done!
Arlington Centered, 487 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA
The sister store of Somerville's Davis Squared, Arlington Centered is more than just a(another) great play on words; it's packed to the brim with gifts, foods, and housewares celebrating all that is Arlington. Specializing in gift boxes, the Arlington Centered team curates signature boxes filled with chocolates, jams, species, honey, and hot sauces from in and around the Arlington area -- the perfect gift for someone who may be abroad and a bit homesick for all the tastes and smells of home.
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