Hamptons Holiday Shopping

Holiday light display at Marders in Bridgehampton

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays, ‘cause no matter how far away you roam, when you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home!”

The popular Christmas song best-known to be recorded by Perry Como touches on something that has been lost today during the holiday shopping season. In a world of online ordering and free shipping, we miss the experience only a local shop can offer. Stepping out of the cold into a holiday wonderland, receiving a warm greeting from happy owners and their staff, ready to help you find the perfect gift for that special someone. Shopping in the Hamptons is its own experience, and this holiday season, we urge you to support local businesses that remind us why we love the East End.

The oldest family-owned department store in the United States, Hildreth’s, knows a thing or two about making the holidays special. Proud to be very customer service oriented, they offer a unique collection of gifts, complimentary gift wrapping on full price items, and diversity for family, friends, hosts, and more.

“We sell a lot of throws, which make great hostess gifts,” shares Judy Rewinski. “They’re perfect for the couch or end of the bed, and come in different fabrics and textures. They’ve always been a really strong item for us. There’s also a lot of diversity in terms of price range. We have beautiful acrylic throws as well as top-of-the-line fabrics like cashmere and mohair.”

Rewinski suggests purchasing a throw in a neutral color if you’re unsure of the color scheme in the recipient’s home. Molton Brown bath products are another ideal luxury hostess gift. Cashmere toppers are a popular item year-round as the ponchos are great for chilly summer days and throughout the winter as well. These are available in 30 to 40 different colors and styles. Coastal ornaments are also a locally popular gift.

A fun, unique gift Rewinski shares that also does a lot of good are Swell and Corkcicle bottles. “We sell a lot of these insulated water bottles,” she says. “The companies keep coming out with new designs and are forever changing. We (as a society) are trying to be more efficient with our resources and not buying plastic bottles. They’re great for refilling at coffee shops, too.”

Hamptons and luxury go hand-in-hand, and there are several shops that answer the call for gifts worthy of your favorite recipient. Inspired by the signature style of founder Aerin Lauder, global luxury lifestyle brand AERIN has locations in Southampton and East Hampton. A curated collection of beauty, fashion accessories, and home décor products that are both classic and modern make finding a truly unique gift easy this holiday season. From extravagantly designed games to European crafted vases, elegant grooming tools to decadent fragrances, and everything in between, AERIN offers great gifts for both a hostess and (extra) loved ones.

Sylvester and Co. is another must-visit shop during the holiday season. Home décor, kitchen accessories, clothing, personal care, pantry goods, and so much more can be found in this Sag Harbor shop. For the coffee lover in your life, help them stock their own coffee bar with different pots and kettles, punny mugs, and of course, an assortment of coffee beans. They have options for tea lovers, too.

Loaves and Fishes Cookshop in Bridgehampton stocks the goods that are both beautiful and functional to make cooking and entertaining all the more fun. Many hand selected items come from local and international celebrated manufacturers, artisans, and designers. Whether shopping for a gift or picking something up to add to your own holiday entertaining décor, there is a varied collection of items that speak to those with a love for good food.

While cooler temperatures tend to keep us out of the garden in the winter, we’re always yearning for some connection to nature. If you’re looking to somehow add a little greenery – and not just Christmas trees – to your holiday décor, Marders in Bridgehampton certainly has the goods. Their garden shop features beautiful and extraordinary objects that spark the imagination, and the staff is always ready to help you find the right plant for your home.

“The perfect plant for any holiday table and always a great hostess gift is a silk arrangement,” says Marders floral designer Jane Maramara. “They don’t compete with scents wafting from your kitchen and are great for allergy and asthma sufferers. Also, you can invest in the base and vary certain elements by the season or to match a theme. Our white orchid arrangements are particularly popular since the real ones can be difficult to manage and often stop blooming for long periods.”

Of course, we can’t forget the little ones when shopping in the Hamptons this holiday season. Baby Shock in Westhampton has a plethora of toys, games, and clothes for both babies and kids. Kids can’t help but smile opening the season’s hottest toys for Christmas and Hanukah. Find vintage style toys and gifts like mini tin racing cars and airplanes, along with clothing for all ages, at Egg by Susan Lazar in Southampton. For modern clothing that features a combination of contemporary and classic, minimal and unisex styles, Ethel + Row in Sag Harbor offers quality clothing for boys and girls.

Last, but certainly not least, give a gift this holiday season that keeps on giving. There are many local charities that need your support, and you can even make a donation on behalf of a friend or family member. Whether it is to help families in need, the environment, fight cancer, or whatever is personal to you, giving back always feels good. The national day for giving is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving! #GivingTuesday is November 27 this year.

You’ve made your list, checked it twice, and now you’re ready to start crossing things off. We love shopping in the Hamptons, even more so for the holidays. Show your support by shopping locally while finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Happy Holidays!