Olives & Grace
In a year when sending love meant more than ever, Sofi Madison’s “Local Maker Gift Box” provided a much-needed dose of TLC, in the form of delectable shortbread cookies from Lark Fine Foods, peanut butter patties from Seacoast Sweets, and a Well Told rocks glass engraved with a city map. The best part? Purchasing one for your favorite cousin or college bud is a gift to the community, too, as every small-batch, handcrafted item inside is produced right here in the Bay State. 623 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118, olivesandgrace.com.
Landry's Bicycles
Courtesy photo As interest in biking soars to new heights, Landry’s has met the moment with unmatched care and attention to newbies, while also catering to a wave of repairs — be they from road warriors putting in extra mileage or stir-crazy locals digging old rigs out of the basement. Upgrading your ride? Help the bike-hungry masses by trading in the old one at the Landry’s Comm. Ave. outpost, where the team can patch it up, get it back on the floor, and keep the cycling surge rolling along. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, landrys.com.
Kelly's Underground Dog Grooming
Chances are your pup doesn’t love getting a wash, cut, and blow-dry as much as you love when they do. Thankfully, a visit to this South End favorite is something you can both look forward to: In addition to being a talented groomer, Kelly’s doesn’t crate dogs while they wait, so they can enjoy a little playtime with pals before they get clipped. 248 W Newton St., Boston, MA 02116, .
Eye & Eye Optics
If you want an expert eye — or two — to help you pick the perfect specs, look no further than the father-and-son duo behind this optical shop. The deeply knowledgeable, eminently affable (and fashionable) pair know that all the coolest frames are sunglasses, and will happily make your regular glasses out of any pair you find in their well-stocked cases. 2271 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124, eyeandeyeoptics.com.
Ten Percent Happier
Courtesy Photo If the thought of contorting your body into yoga sleep pose or sitting still for extended periods of time seems anything but relaxing, do yourself a favor and download Ten Percent Happier, the Boston-based spinoff of journalist Dan Harris’s self-help book. Dubbed a “meditation app for fidgety skeptics,” the program helps newbies and Zen masters alike regularly practice mindfulness with 500-plus guided sessions. And with plenty of shorter clips, it ensures you can get in the right headspace just about anywhere (really). tenpercent.com.
Laurel Wellness
Chakras out of whack? Crick in your back? Can’t seem to focus? Laura Corrigan is on the case. Offering appointments on Mondays at Ardan Medspa + Salon in Wellesley and the rest of the week from her home office in Newton, the well-trained healer is adept in a range of wellness modalities, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reiki, and energy work. Whatever cocktail of services she cooks up, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed — and wondering why you didn’t start seeing her sooner. laurelwellness.com.
Julie Michaud, Prettyology
The perfect brows finish your face — so it’s a good thing this beauty expert, who’s worked with celebs and top models, knows how to transform even the wildest ones into full and natural arches with the flick of a tweezer. She also has an arsenal of special effects on hand to help the brow-challenged achieve their fullest potential, including customized tints and a keratin infusion for extra va-va voom. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, prettyology.com.
Gina Hernandez, G2O Spa + Salon
Skin, meet savior. This industry vet’s rendition of G2O’s “Age Defying Facial” — which includes a double-deep exfoliation, lymphatic drainage, and acupressure, followed by a highly potent biocellulose face mask — is so popular, in-the-know clients often book weeks and weeks in advance. That’s because Hernandez’s gentle hands put pressure in all the right places, reducing puffiness and helping your skin look its glowiest. 33 Exeter St., Boston, MA 02116, g2ospasalon.com.
Encore Boston Harbor
Roger Davies Even if you’re not a gambler, odds are good you’ll have a memorable night at Massachusetts’ very own Vegas-style resort. How could you not, with a 19,000-square-foot mega-spa, nearly a dozen dining options, and a bumping nightclub from the Grand team right at your fingertips? And we haven’t even mentioned the luxe rooms and suites with voice-activated controls (keep the curtains closed until checkout time, please!). One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.
Bloom Couture Floral Studio
Flowers, at their essence, are really just plain fun. And no one has more fun with flowers than Suphoj Chancheaw, who infuses each of his arrangements with a sense of effervescence and a clear appreciation for sculpture. Whether you opt for next-day delivery on a custom or pre-designed arrangement or join a floral workshop led by the master himself, you’ll find it’s easy to transplant Chancheaw’s passion for blooms into your own life. 769 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02118, bloomcouturestudio.com.
The Boston Shaker
Those hoping to impress long-awaited houseguests with perfectly stirred martinis or mai-tai-filled ceramic tiki mugs need only visit this cozy boutique. With inventory ranging from highball glasses and stainless steel bar spoons to absinthe fountains and jugs shaped like shark heads, the shop’s whimsical wares are perfect for getting the party started — no matter your tastes or how many people you’re hosting. 69 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144, thebostonshaker.com.
Myrth Ceramics
Gabby Riggieri Understatement might be the central theme of Myrth Ceramics’ handcrafted dishes, bowls, and tumblers, which always come out looking timeless. The studio’s delightfully monochromatic offerings are available in a variety of rotating glazes, all designed in-house and each available only for a limited run. Don’t miss the deep-ochre “Chestnut” or the seafoam-green “Agave” — a prime choice for the new mug you’ll never want to put down. 9 Olive Sq., Somerville, MA 02143, myrth.us.
Casa Design Group
Casa Design Group’s pared-down, modernist furnishings make outdoor gatherings tempting even on the cloudiest days. Of note: cozy, cocoon-like high-back lounge chairs from Roda, creamy Tuuci umbrellas fit for Miami Beach, sculptural Extremis picnic tables, and a new collaboration with audio innovators Bang & Olufsen that ensures your patio parties will sound as good as they look. 460 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, casadesigngroup.com.
Tawakal Halal Café
Pat Piasecki This national-caliber Somali kitchen makes and bottles its own luxuriously supple-textured mango-habanero hot sauce, which adds just the right zhoosh of incendiary complexity to coconut-milk grits with slow-cooked chickpeas; unctuous braised goat (hilib ari) bursting with turmeric and cardamom; and, honestly, any leftover taking up space in your fridge right now. 389 Maverick St., East Boston, MA 02128, tawakalfoods.co.
Sportello
Brian Samuels During the pandemic, Barbara Lynch’s lunch-counter-style trattoria, ever her empire’s undersung outlier, finally stepped into the spotlight as a curbside hub for scoring pan-imperial delights, including fresh pasta made in-house; cheeseburgers and craft-cocktail kits by Drink downstairs; and No. 9 Park’s magical Bolognese sauce by the pint, quart, or trough 348 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210, sportelloboston.com.