Gifts of Havre de Grace (Fall 2002)

When traveling, most folks love to find unique gifts to take home to family and friends. The standard postcard is generally available and we have those in a dozen shops in town and every museum gift shop.

Museum gift shops, of course, have many items specific to our area that range from a Christmas ornament to a sweatshirt. They are always an ideal first stop with gift ideas that will certainly say 'Havre de Grace.' The merchants throughout the community also carry an assortment of gift ideas sure to meet everyone's "look what I got you from Havre de Grace" gift list.

Many of the restaurants plus Mystique, Joseph's, Monograms and More, Amanda's, and Bank of Memories carry an assortment of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other items with our city emblem, or a duck decoy or Concord Point Lighthouse. Blue Earth Leather offers a variety of leather items many that are handcrafted right in the shop. Teresa Yost Bennett, The Picture Show Frame Shop and Atelier de Teresa, has some wonderful bronze sculpture pieces, as well as her eclectic and whimsical collection of clay characters, and she carries a nice line of prints and art specific to our area.

Of course, decoys are in a number of shops including Vincenti Decoys. With a variety of prices and styles to fit everyone's pocket book and collector's shelf, you'll definitely want to keep your eyes open for the perfect carving from a shop, the carvers themselves, or the Decoy Museum. And the antique shops have even more for you to choose from.

Bomboy's Candies is another great 'send it home' Havre de Grace gift idea. In this case 'sending' is the key because it's so tempting not to eat it before you get it home. Goll's Bakery has an apple or cherry tart (I believe that's what they're called) that are to-die-for. Take home a dozen and you'll surely have folks who want to come with you the next time you visit.

Two ideas you might not have thought about are The Avenue Stained Glass Shop and the Chesapeake Country Candles. Both of these create a wide selection of their product, made right here in Havre de Grace. Add the books by authors from Havre de Grace, or about Havre de Grace, and you've added some very unique items to accommodate your gift list. With Courtyard Books and Washington Street Books, you can't go wrong for your book lover's gift.

Gift certificates are always at the top of a list. Restaurants, specialty shops, Lantern Queen, any of the museum gift shops or memberships, Starrk Moon Kayaks and Par Excellence are great places to pick up a gift certificate. Then add a bed and breakfast room or an overnight at the Super 8, and you've given a relaxing and fun gift. Museum passes are also a nice complement to any gift from Havre de Grace.

Stephens & Stephens Clocks offer a unique line of gifts for any person with time on their minds. Though not necessarily created here, few clock shops present you with the array of choices - antique to contemporary - available here. Check them out for yourself. Ornaments from Christmas Magic and other shops offer unique Havre de Grace collections. And Karen's Natural Market has an assortment of gift ideas from a variety of educational and fun kits for kids to aromatherapy.

These are only a few suggestions. There are many more limited only by your creativity. Come on now. Stroll the streets, peruse the shops, and find that perfect gift to take back home. One that says, "I brought it from Havre de Grace especially for you!"