Shop Local This Holiday Season

By Kathy Knotts

At least a quarter of all Americans do their holiday shopping between the end of October and Thanksgiving. Have you tackled your list yet? Are you waiting on something stuck in the global supply chain backup? Don’t stress, CBM Bay Weekly is here with ideas for gifts that are extra special—because they come from local shops and creators. Many of the items featured here are one-of-a-kind, created by artists or lovingly curated by your neighbors in the community. A few are personal services offered by professionals living and working here on the Bay. Some of them will remind your recipient of the special place we call home—Chesapeake Country. Shopping local is easier than ever and makes the holidays brighter for all of us.

Galway Bay Irish Eggnog

A treat born in a local Annapolis Irish pub and distilled in Ireland for authenticity, a bottle of Irish Eggnog makes a delicious gift for the holidays. Perfectly smooth Irish whiskey, genuine Irish cream, a hint of vanilla notes. This unique recipe tastes great straight-up or in one of the Irish Restaurant Company’s signature cocktail recipes. $23.99/bottle; $137/half-case; Ask about the Irish Eggnog Ice Cream. Gift cards available, too. In restaurants or online: galwaybaymd.com/gift-certificates/galway-bay-eggnog

Galway Bay Irish Whiskey Bar, Annapolis, 410-263-8333.

Brian Boru Irish Pub, Severna Park, 410-975-2678.

Killarney House Irish Pub, Davidsonville, 410-798-8700.

Pirates Cove Restaurant, Galesville, 410-867-2300.

My Date with an Oyster by M.L. Faunce
The late author M.L. Faunce, a Capitol Hill staffer and a former Bay Weekly writer, crafted snapshots in time of many endangered Chesapeake Bay icons—treasured oysters, crabs, skipjacks and carousels—along with earth journals and reflections for each month of the year. Order through New Bay Books, $15: newbaybooks.com/shop

Chesapeake DolphinWatch Photo Book

Most locals know about Dr. Helen Bailey and her team at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. They are the ones tracking dolphins that visit the Bay and created the mobile app Chesapeake DolphinWatch to gather photos and sightings from boaters encountering these creatures. Now Bailey’s team has compiled some of their best photos into a book, just in time to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the app. Choose your format and binding, $16.99-$26.99 at prestophoto.com/dolphinwatch

Oyster plates from Vintage Deale
Oyster plates—in many shapes and sizes—are always popular because of our location on the Chesapeake Bay. The two pictured were made in Limoges, France, but A Vintage Deale stocks a variety of them. Prices overall range from $50 to hundreds of dollars.  A Vintage Deale, 655 Deale Rd., Deale, Facebook @AVintageDeale

The Gift of Safe Boating from Annapolis School of Seamanship 

Give the gift of safe boating with a gift certificate to a class at the Annapolis School of Seamanship.  Professional captains teach courses on operating diesel engines, electrical systems, navigation, safety, weather and more. Classes are held in the school’s Eastport location. Annapolis School of Seamanship,410 Severn Ave., Annapolis, 410-263-8848, annapolisschoolofseamanship.com

A gift of good reading from Chesapeake Bay Magazine
Give the gift of the Bay lifestyle all year long with a subscription to Chesapeake Bay Magazine. The popular magazine is celebrating 50 years of bringing the Bay—and all its bounty—to readers. From dining hotspots to the latest in boating, CBM is your guide to living the Chesapeake lifestyle. Holiday Special: Buy a subscription at regular price ($25.95*) and get each additional holiday gift subscription for just $22. Offer valid through 12/21/21. Stay “in the know:” The free BAY BULLETIN email subscription gets you a weekly roundup of the biggest news and exciting happenings around the Bay. Sign up at: chesapeakebaymagazine.com/category/bay-bulletin/

Call 410-263-2662 to subscribe to magazine; offer not valid online.Chesapeake Bay Media, Annapolis, 410-263-2662, chesapeakebaymagazine.com 

* Taxes may apply

Nautical chart pillow from Calvert Marine Museum
Take home a touch of the Bay with this 18-inch square nautical chart pillow of the Solomons Island area.  Made from 100 percent pre-shrunk polyester with a zipper for easy washability, it will remind you of the Bay every time you see it. $46.99 at Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd., Solomons: calvertmarinemuseum.com

Antique buffet cabinet from Second Wind Consignments

Stop by Second Wind Consignments to see this all-oak antique French buffet cabinet in person. From the early 1900s, it measures 87x21x43.5 inches; the inside has shelving and drawers. The mirror on top is 48-inches and the front cabinet locks. Second Wind Consignments, 661 Deale Rd., Deale, call for pricing: 410-867-0489.

Warm drinks from Capital Teas

Give the gift of well-being with a holiday tea set from Capital Teas. This all-in-one starter kit is a great gift for the tea lovers in your life. It includes an infuser mug, self-contained ceramic brewing and drinking cup with micro-mesh stainless steel infuser basket that’s compact and easy to use; a perfect cup spoon, a teaspoon that measures just the right amount of leaves for one cup of tea; four opaque 2-ounce tins keep your tea leaves fresh for up to two years; and loose tea in four flavors—O’ Christmas Tea, Figgy Pudding, Peppermint Bark, and Gingerbread Rooibos; $84.95: capitalteas.com

Jewelry from My Fancy Finds

My Fancy Finds has lots of options when it comes to accessories—earrings, necklaces, bracelets, purses and more. Sourced from all over, they offer handmade items from artisans when they can and also offer on-trend fashion pieces. Ask about their new collection from a popular Texas artist. Prices vary. My Fancy Finds, 5950 Deale Churchton Rd, Suite B, Deale, myfancyfinds.com

Makeup sessions from True Colors Beauty Co.

Purchase a gift card for a single session from True Colors Beauty Co. and makeup artist Davey Cook will give you a wedding day or special occasion look, including makeup and lashes, that will wow everyone. Or get a two-hour makeup lesson to learn how to do it yourself. Single session $100, makeup lesson (2-hrs) $150, (travel not included), 443-262-6880, Facebook @True Colors Beauty Co., Instagram @Daveylee_MUA, truecolorsbeautyco.com

A smoother work-from-home experience from D. Miller Associates

Your computer has probably had a rough year, so it may be time to think about an upgrade. D. Miller Associates has been providing the best in hardware, software, services and support for more than three decades. Check out their range of computers starting at $599. Call 301-261-5989 or stop by the store at 5720C Deale Churchton Rd., Deale.

Maria pendant necklace from Medart Gallery

The newly launched AnnaBella collection includes this sterling silver pendant with a floral motif framing a center gemstone. Called Maria, it is handcrafted in Bali and designed by jeweler Heather Maertens. An oxidized finish highlights the intricate details of this statement piece and is available in a variety of genuine gemstones. $320, Medart Gallery, 10735 Town Center Blvd., Suite 1, Dunkirk, 410-257-6616, medartgalleries.com

Scenes from the Chesapeake from McBride Gallery 

Chesapeake Country is lucky to have talented artists on its shores and you can own some of their astounding artwork. Find them at McBride Gallery which hosts its annual Small Gems show in December featuring paintings and quality giclee prints from 16 artists, including Christmas cards by Carol Dyer (price for artwork varies from $150 to $850). Pictured is Spring Dance, a painting by Paula Waterman ($550), McBride Gallery, 215 Main Street, Annapolis, 410-267-7077, mcbridegallery.com

Lifelong fitness from Maryland Strength and Fitness

Having a helping hand is important when working out. Give the gift of a professional training session from Maryland Strength and Fitness. The Holiday Personal Training special includes three training sessions and one In-Body composition assessment for $150, that’s 25 percent off the total value of $205. Book online or call: 301-787-4277. Maryland Strength and Training, 10735 Town Center Blvd., Suite 3, Dunkirk: marylandstrength.com

Living décor from Homestead Gardens

Featuring all the colors of the season, these small potted plants are from Hendriks Greenhouses and sold by Homestead Gardens. Plants make great gifts and are an easy way to brighten up a space—a nice touch when we are huddled together indoors when it’s cold outside. $34.99, Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville & Severna Park, homesteadgardens.com

A chance at preserving a lighthouse

The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse is the last surviving screwpile lighthouse in its original location and still being used as a navigational beacon. Built in 1875, this iconic lighthouse has been restored by the Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society to museum standards. It is solely dependent upon volunteers and donations. The company 72 Smitty Creations (Facebook @72Smitty) has created a large wooden crab with the lighthouse painted on it to help raise money to benefit restoration work, with all of the proceeds from a raffle to win the crab being donated to the preservation fund. Enter to win the crab (a $500 value) and two 2022 tour tickets to see the lighthouse. Raffle ends Dec. 1 or when 250 tickets have been sold. $20 each: thomaspointshoallighthouse.org/sample-whats-new