Shop with a Passion this Holiday in VirginiaTen Tips for Enjoyable, Stress-free Gift Buying GetawaysEdited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
If the mad rush of the holiday gift-buying season has you singing Blue Christmas, never fear. Virginia, the state that’s for lovers, shopping lovers especially, has ten tips to help people add some passion to their holiday shopping with enjoyable, stress-free gift buying getaways. Tip #1: Shop a Different Century
Tip # 2: Ditch the Car
Save some gas money and parking hassles and ditch the car. Virginia is full of great places to walk from shop to shop for unique gifts. Check out Carytown, Richmond’s “mile of style”. The shops on Cary Street sell vintage clothing, works of art, antiques, boutique bags and accessories. Other great places to put it in park and stroll from shop to shop include Old Town Alexandria, which offers free on-street parking for visitors, historic downtown Roanoke, and quaint Middleburg in Northern Virginia. Tip #3: Wine to Warm the Spirits
Tip #4: Food for Thought
Tip #5: Shop Main Street
Tip #6: Add Culture to Your Cart
Tip # 7: Package of Memories
Tip #8: Buy an Original
Tip #9: Pamper Yourself and Loved Ones
Tip # 10: Give the Gift of Love This Season
HELPFUL WEBSITESGREAT GUIDEBOOKSTHE THIRTEEN COLONIES REVOLUTIONARY MOTHERS BEST VIRGINIA MUSICAn evening at the Painted Lady played by contemporary
pianist Keith Nesbit. $18.95 BEST VIRGINIA COOKBOOKSThe Best of Virginia Farms} Celebrate Virginia! Cookbooks from the Junior League of Richmond, Virginia BEST VIRGINIA CHILDREN’S BOOKSThe Adventures of Rowena and the Jam and Jelly Factory BEST HOTEL FOR SOUTHERN HOSPITALITYThe Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, is loaded with
Southern charm and hospitality. Could you have survived? Visit the website, www.Jamestown1607.org to learn more and play the interactive experience, "Stories of a Nation." Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who loves shopping in Virginia. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.coffeeatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com |
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Virginia is an American history icon with destinations and
exhibits stretching back 400 years. Take a trip to Virginia’s historical sites
and shop for holiday gifts from a different century. From Jamestown to Colonial Williamsburg to the Museum of Frontier
Culture in Staunton, the extensive gift shops at Virginia’s historical sites
offer four centuries of the ultimate gift ideas for history buffs everywhere.
The
Pusey Museum Shop, located just inside the bright and spacious entrance to the
Virginia Historical Society, features over 900 square feet of gifts and
merchandise related to four centuries of Virginia history. Items of interest
include over 400 Virginia history books for adults and children; book ends;
educational toys and figurines; stationary; Virginia wine; antique prints and
maps; estate jewelry; flags; and a series of ornaments and magnets related to
VHS collections. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00
p.m.–5:00 p.m. For more information, please call toll-free (866) 459-3669, or
visit
The
Capitol Shop: A Virginia Historical Society Store, located inside the new
underground extension in the state Capitol in Richmond, features nearly 800
square feet of merchandise celebrating all things Virginia. Items of interest
include an impressive selection of Virginia history books, including cookbooks;
mugs, bowls, and glasses featuring the state seal; political neck ties; assorted
holiday ornaments; historical prints; presidential china; postcards; and
educational children’s toys. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
(except holidays). For more information, please call (804) 698-7661.
Take an enjoyable shopping trip through some of Virginia’s
most scenic areas with a visit to Virginia’s wineries. The state has more than
130 wineries that are perfect places to shop for wine lovers. Many Virginia
wineries and vineyards hold open houses and special events during December.
After tasting some of Virginia’s award-winning wines, purchase a bottle or two
and engraved glasses for an ideal wine gift package. Don’t forget to pick up
extra bottles to bring to all those holiday parties. Check out
Shopping for someone who loves food? If so, visit the
Virginia destinations known around the world for specialized food items. Along
Smithfield’s charming Main Street, visit the antique and home décor shops before
purchasing an authentic Smithfield Ham. In nearby Suffolk along Route 58,
purchase authentic Virginia peanuts direct from the source.
Or head to
Virginia’s Eastern Shore to pick up snack mixes, She Crab soup and Sting Ray
Bloody Mary mix from the Blue Bay Crab Company in Melfa. For a complete list of
Virginia food gift ideas visit
Virginia is home to Main Street America and these gorgeous
small towns across the state hold some of the best shopping spots around. Visit
Virginia’s Main Street communities such as Staunton, Culpeper, Lexington,
Warrenton and South Boston for quality, unique gifts at locally-owned shops. Virginia’s Main Street communities will make visitors feel right at
home and offer historic hotels and B&Bs for enjoyable holiday shopping
getaways. For a complete list of Virginia’s designated Main Street communities
go to
Virginia’s museums cater to interests ranging from the
Civil War to gardening to bluegrass music. Gifts from Virginia’s museum gift
shops show a touch of class and personalization. For the mountain music lover,
stop in the
Virginia’s travel destinations offer packages and special
deals that make for incredible holiday gifts and memories to last a lifetime.
Virginia travel packages combine lodging, dining, activities and extra perks
that offer excellent value and entertainment.
Visit Virginia’s artisan havens to purchase a one-of-a-kind
keepsake that will be cherished for years. Virginia’s artisans offer their
crafts at centers and shows throughout the year and especially during the
holiday season. Find fine art, pottery, baskets, sculpture and more at places
such as the
What better way to erase stress and find decadent gifts
than with a visit to one of Virginia’s world-class
Virginia is for Lovers is one of the oldest and well-loved
tourism slogans in the world. Put this famous brand under the tree this year
for travel lovers on the list in the form of a t-shirt, wine glasses, coffee cup
or even a dog leash. Take a virtual trip to the Virginia is for Lovers
merchandise shop at