Issue 55: A Hudson Valley holiday gift guide
Keeping it local with Ivy Dane of Rebus
If our email inboxes are any indication, it’s gift guide season. In keeping with our community focus here at The Soft Spot, our guide includes picks from our favorite local businesses and makers. We live near so many talented folks and we’re lucky to get to feature them today. Shop small and local with us this season!
If you’ve walked up Warren Street in Hudson, you’ve noticed the film set-worthy displays at Rebus, a super charming children’s shop. Proprietor Ivy Dane has a terrific eye for bright patterns and cheery details, and she was kind enough to take a moment away from prepping for the Rebus Holiday Sale next weekend to share some of her favorites.
For expectant families
• Halcyon Nights’ Giddy Up baby blanket
• Plant-dyed sleep gown from The Simple Folk
• Nomandino Plano cowboy boots
• Pony from Maileg
For babies up to 24 months
• Molo Chantelle Dress
• Garter hat and Safe Harbor mittens (in-store only)
• Farm sweater and pants from Bobo Choses
For toddlers
• Red puzzle cardigan from Milk Teeth
• Carpenter pants (in-store only)
• Felted unicorn bag from BNB Crafts
• Macaron + Me fire truck pajamas
For kids age 5+
• Jr. RangerLand night sky hat
• Rainbow studs from Stratus
• Kane Kids striped backpack
• Tiny Cottons striped padded pants
And though we know children tend to take up most of the gifting attention, we’ve included locally made/authored/sold ideas for the rest of the family too:
For the reader who likes knowing everyone’s business
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Town & Country by Brian Schaeffer
The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers
Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman
For the reader & cook
Feast on Your Life by Tamar Adler
Cooking in Real Life by Lidey Heuck
Out There by Lee Kalpakis
The Cook’s Garden by Kevin West
Let’s Party by Dan Pelosi
For the local non-profit supporter 🫶
An outfit for the parent who’s going from the playground to dinner:
Saysky merino base layer from Neighbor Running (in-store only, say hi!)
A funnel neck pullover from Nikki Chasin (20% off with code MAMA20)
Utility jeans from Loup
Intentionally Blank ballet sneakers
Per Lei bucket bag from Made x Hudson with a Lost Pattern scarf tied around the handle
For staying warm during the next four months of winter:
The espresso martini from Hudson Valley Distillers
C. Cassis’s blackcurrant liqueur
Cozy holiday blends from Harney’s Tea
Hudson French Roast from Irving Farm Roasters
Any of the ciders from Left Bank
Hot yoga at Lava
For the parent who likes shiny, pretty things
Giant Baroque Pearl Cuff from Mary MacGill
The Mother Necklace from The Moonstoned
Salt & pepper diamond studs from Sara Golden
For the families with wiggly kids
At Play gift cards
Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo membership
A Sunday morning Skate Time session
For the parent who could be the local business spokesmodel
Mel the Bakery tote + treats
Letterbox Farm sweatshirt + CSA share
Meat Hook dad cap + gift card for holiday roast
Bread Alone retro tee + apricot pistachio granola
Hudson Valley Book Trail tote + any of the books above
For the parents who need some time away (but not too far away)
Six Bells in Rosendale
Porches Inn in North Adams, MA
Troutbeck in Amenia
Camptown in Leeds
Hotel Lilien in Tannersville (10% off with code LIZFRIENDS)
One For Us
Sharing what we’re enjoying for ourselves these days.
[Ashley] - I have that end of year itch to get all of my loose ends tied up and my life in order. That obviously will never, ever happen, but I have managed to make it to all of my healthcare providers this year. I finally saw a primary care physician for an annual exam and although I’d convinced myself my thyroid was going haywire, it isn’t. So, just here to remind us tired, overwhelmed parents that booking your healthcare appointments for the year can and should happen so that late-night Googling about your weird heart palpitations can cease!
[Genevieve] - I recently read “Moon Boots” by Na Mee, a truly stunning short essay that brought me to tears. It’s whimsical, it’s heartbreaking, it’s full of deep love. It’s about motherhood in another of its infinite divine forms.
[Maddie] - This is the only hand lotion that doesn’t make me want to peel off my skin Goldmember-style. My mother spoiled me with a bunch of small tubes when my oldest child was born, and now I have one in each bag, backpack, stroller basket, and car console.
One For Them
Sharing what’s making parenting small children more enjoyable these days.
[Ashley] - As I’m assembling my daughter’s winter wardrobe, I’m reminded that this Patagonia snowsuit is on its THIRD winter and going strong. I got the 2T and rolled up the cuffs when she was 18 months old and now I’m using the Grow Fit extension feature for her as a lanky 3-year-old. Her grandma also gifted her these waterproof mittens, and I’ve heard good things about their longevity too!
[Genevieve] - This is a hyper-specific tip for the parents of car nappers. Here’s where you can find the mute button on those loud gas station TV screens for when you need to fill your tank and your noise-sensitive kid is sleeping in the back seat. Now, if together we could aggregate a list of all the drive-thrus in the Hudson Valley, then we have basically solved fourth-trimester car napping. (Maddie - I’ll love the Chatham Dairy Queen forever for this exact reason!)
[Maddie] - As part of a kitchen cabinet clean out, my three-year-old found an old gingerbread house bundt pan, and after many days of him asking to make a “house cake”, we finally used it with a very simple, very apple-y recipe. He’s getting much more comfortable with pouring and stirring, and I think we’re ready to dive into our copy of King Arthur Baking’s cookbook for kids, Sweet & Salty.1 Coconut butter mochi and cheesy broccoli snacking bread, here we come!
Working Together
We’re joining up with our pal Katherine Moore from Unburdened Spaces and the team at The Spark of Hudson for a Holiday Toy Swap!
Join us Wednesday, December 10th from 6-8pm for a festive way to refresh your child’s toy collection sustainably.
Bring in toys or children’s books that are clean, gently used, and giftable, and browse to find new treasures to take home. Whether you’re looking to clear out the playroom, pick up a few holiday surprises, or simply connect with other families, we’ll have something for everyone.
We’ll also have free gift-wrapping supplies available so you can package up your finds on the spot and head home ready for the holidays.
In the Neighborhood
We live in the Mid-Hudson Valley and we’re keeping tabs on these (mostly family-friendly) events near us. If there’s another event you’d like us to share, please send it our way!
November & December Events
Saturday, November 22 - Enchanted Forest Bake Sale at Chicory Naturalist, Kingston
Saturday, November 22 - Kids’ Clothing Swap at Lift Cafe, Rosendale
Saturday, November 22 - Buffalo Fluffalo author event with Bess Kalb, Pine Plains *
Saturday, November 22 - Mr. Twisty’s Super Silly Magic Show at FASNY, Hudson
Saturday, November 22 - Holiday Market at Twin Star Orchards, New Paltz
Saturday, November 22 - Mini Market at Klocke Estate, Claverack
Saturday, November 22 - Sunday, November 23 - Farm & Friends Market, Stanfordville
Saturday, November 22 - Sunday, November 23 - Hudson Valley Hullabaloo, Kingston
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30 - Farm & Flea Holiday Market, Hudson
Friday, November 28 - Sunday, November 30 - Cannonball Factory Holiday Market, Hudson
Saturday, November 29 - Baking Workshop at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Saturday, November 29 - The Vintage Roundup Winter Market at Hudson Hall, Hudson
Saturday, November 29 - Holiday Market at Twin Star Orchards, New Paltz
Saturday, November 29 - Sunday, November 30 - Made Winter Makers Market, Kinderhook
Starting December 1 - Catskill Mountain Music Together winter classes, Woodstock
Thursday, December 4 - Documentary film screening with the Hudson Youth Department, Hudson
Friday, December 5 - Conversation with Tamar Adler at Oblong Books, Rhinebeck
Friday, December 5 - Sunday, December 7 - Cannonball Factory Holiday Market, Hudson
Saturday, December 6 - Winter Walk, Hudson
Saturday, December 6 - Winter Market at Three Waters Farm, Ghent
Saturday, December 6 - Holiday Toy Swap, Kingston
Saturday, December 6 - Sunday, December 7 - Troutbeck Holiday Bazaar, Amenia
Sunday, December 7 - Left Bank Cider’s 4th Annual Holiday Market, Catskill
Sunday, December 7 - Churchtown Dairy Holiday Market, Hudson
Tuesday, December 9 - Snowy Storytime at Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Wednesday, December 10 - 🎁Holiday Toy Swap🎁 with The Soft Spot at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Wednesday, December 10 - UHPP Abortion Aftercare Kit Assembly, Hudson ^
Thursday, December 11 - Queer Soup Night at Quinnie’s, Hudson
Thursday, December 11 - Film screening to benefit Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Hudson
Saturday, December 13 - Community Birthing Class at The Spark of Hudson, Hudson
Saturday, December 13 - Winter Glow, Germantown
Saturday, December 13 - Sunday, December 14 - Craft Feast at Stissing House, Pine Plains
Sunday, December 14 - A Very Hudson Holiday at (Creative Legion), Hudson ^
Sunday, December 14 - Big Towel Holiday Market, Germantown
Saturday, December 20 - The Longest Night dance party at Sweet Flower Farm, Copake ^
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Ongoing Events
Mondays - Wiggles and Words (for 0-6 months) at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Mondays - Songs & Stories at Ulster Public Library, Ulster
Mondays - Family Resource Center Playgroup, Valatie
Mondays - Tunes and Tales at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Mondays in November - Music and Movement, Kinderhook
4th Mondays - La Leche League meetings, Chatham
Tuesdays - Storytime with Robbie at Starr Library, Rhinebeck
Tuesdays - Family Resource Center Playgroup, Hudson
Wednesdays - Runs with Return Run Club, Hudson
Wednesdays - Catskills Nature Explorers, Arkville
Wednesdays - Kuumba Kids at Hudson Hall, Hudson
Wednesdays - Family Resource Center Playgroup, Valatie
Wednesdays - Dancing Connections and Baby Dance Club at Full Circle, Gardiner
2nd Wednesdays - La Leche League meetings, Hudson
Thursdays - Music & Movement Storytime at the Hudson Area Library, Hudson
Thursdays - Family Resource Center Playgroup, Hudson
Fridays - Tunes and Tales at the Red Hook Library, Red Hook
Saturdays - Hudson Farmers’ Market, Hudson
Sundays - Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market, Rhinebeck
Sundays - Tot Time at Skate Time, Accord
Sundays - Community Group Run at Neighbor Running, Hudson
^ = for adults
* = will likely sell out, so book soon
Kate Ray also had some helpful tips on getting kids involved in the kitchen in our interview a couple months ago.
Sharing with @Isabel Peña Alfaro
Local author here! 🎄Check out my children’s Christmas 📚 books.
https://amzn.to/3VTY7Y9