A Totally Local Christmas Wishlist

Tis the season folks! It's my favorite time of year, and Christmas is in full swing here at "The Dollhouse." My tree and wreaths went up the day after Thanksgiving (pictures soon), I've been to see my friends perform in a production of A Christmas Carol, I had my third annual Christmas Card Writing party this morning (with over 20 people milling about my little apartment -WOWZA) and gifts and merrymaking are being created.

During the last few weeks, I was impressed to see the national advertising campaign, Small Business Saturday, generating buzz about supporting local businesses during the holiday season. Inspired by this idea, which I try to support year round anyways, I thought it would be fun to create a totally local Christmas Wishlist.

If Santa's workshop were based in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire, these are the presents that I would like to see show up under my Christmas tree!

STUFF

1. A Full-Subscription "Beer Card" for Throwback Brewery's Unafraid of the Dark Farmer's Stout and Porter Series, $75

Starting the first week in January, Throwback Brewery will begin releasing a unique batch of dark beer every two weeks, until the end of March. Each beer will feature an ingredient grown at a local farm, or, in one case, an ingredient made by a local organic business. There will be six stouts and porters in total, including the following combinations; Chocolate Ginger Stout, Chai Porter, Fennel Flower Stout and Hidatsa Squash Porter. The remaining two beers are still in the testing phase, but honestly WHO CARES?! They had me at chocolate ginger stout...

Throwback is taking a very interesting approach to rolling out these limited edition brews. They are selling “beer cards," which act as a subscription. A full subscription (68 ounces) costs $75 and half subscription (32 ounces) costs $40 (this does not include the price of the bottle). The benefit to getting a card is that the subscriber will have first access to the brews as they are released. Cards are sold at the brewery during growler hours, or over the phone at (603) 379-2317.

2. A book, or a gift certificate from River Run Bookstore

River Run Bookstore is one of the few remaining independent bookstores in the Seacoast - located in downtown Portsmouth, NH. They offer a fine selection of new books with an emphasis on fiction, history, poetry and mystery. They also have a great children's section, and hold over 100 events a year.

Unfortunately, River Run has befallen some hard times as of late. I, and many others, consider River Run to be a vital hub for community activity here in the Seacoast, and people have rallied to help save the store.

River Run offers FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the country via their e-bookstore. I have many books on my wish list both here and here.

3. Music, Media or a gift certificate from Bullmoose Music

Bullmoose is a fantastic local chain, and the go to place for music, movies and more. I am always on the hunt for new music, and I stopped subscribing to cable years ago, so I enjoy picking up movies and tv series on DVD


SERVICES

4. A Gift Certificate for Services at Acorn Organic Salon for up to $150

Acorn Organic Salon was developed based on a need for more healthy, natural hair choices. Located in Dover and Exeter, NH, Acorn was the first of its kind in the New Hampshire Seacoast. Owners Laura Mackay and Allison Degan have created a “green” salon that has extremely high standards of reducing toxicity, reusing materials, and recycling.

Lately, I've been dyeing my hair very different from my natural color, which I love, but upkeep is EXPENSIVE - and gurrrrrrrl, I am getting mad. crazy. ROOTS! The amount that I requested would cover a full color, a cut and a bomb tip for the deserving ladies that work at Acorn. The phone number for the Dover salon location is (603) 617-3830.


GOING OUT AND ABOUT: My budget is EXTREMELY tight lately, to the point where having a single latte or a cocktail could jeopardize my ability to pay rent. While I don't mind rocking a glass of water everywhere I go - I support the following establishments wholeheartedly, and would love to see their business thrive during the holidays and beyond.

5. A Gift Certificate (Any Amount) to Adelle's Coffeehouse

I love going out for coffee - but when my belt tightens it's the first thing on the budget chopping block. Adelle's, in my opinion is simply the coolest coffee house around. Adelle’s has coffee, espresso drinks, italian sodas, and tea, as well as seasonal favorites like lemonade and cider. They believe in keeping it local, and their coffee and tea comes from local businesses in the New Hampshire seacoast.

Even when I can't afford to splurge on a "fancy coffee," I try to support Adelle's as much as possible. I'll often buy a pound of Seacoast Coffee Company beans there for my every day java fix.

6. A Gift Certificate (Any Amount) to The Coat of Arms

Established in 1994, the Coat of Arms has built a reputation for offering some of the finest imported beers and ales available in the US. This is the pub that my friends and I most frequent gather, especially for the weekly trivia night. They serve the most delicious mulled cider in the winter time!

7. A Gift Certificate (Any Amount) to The Orchard Street Chop Shop

The Chop Shop is a top-notch steak-house, but I have never eaten in their main dining room. Instead, my friends and I regularly hang out at the more casual "Top of the Chop" lounge upstairs, where we play music and perform at the acoustic open mic nights.

8. A Gift Certificate (Any Amount) to The Red Door

When I want to splash out and get a really fancy cocktail, The Red Door is the place that I like to go. The last time I was there, I got a concoction called "The Dragon" which consisted of Bacardi dragonfruit and lime juice, garnished with cayenne. DELISH. The atmosphere has the intimate chill feel of someone's living room.

Now, I am of an age and disposition where I do not enjoy dancing at some of the more "meat market-ish" bars in town. The Red Door, has live music and DJs, several nights a week, and is an enjoyable place to go dancing, because the people that dance there really bust a move, instead of focusing on getting picked up. Much more my scene!

And that concludes my Totally Local Christmas Wishlist. I hope that you enjoyed reading about some of my favorite businesses in the Seacoast region. If you do not live here, I encourage you to look around your own community for businesses worthy of your support, and make your spending dollars count!