The Giftsmith at Brookline Booksmith
What do you get the person who has everything? The answer: Something from this Brookline standout, which offers an eclectic array of present-worthy goods without an ounce of the stuffiness or predictability that plagues some of the other gift shops around. The large selection — which, thanks to a shop expansion, has grown exponentially over the past couple of years — no doubt includes something for everyone on your list: Clark + Hopkins artisanal pepper sauces, floral tea towels from Rifle Paper Co., and organic flower-growing kits from the Urban Agriculture Co. are just the tip of the gift-giving iceberg. 279 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446, brooklinebooksmith.com/browse-gifts.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Think there’s no such thing as shoe heaven? Think again. Year after year, Saks elevates Boston’s style mavens to the Divine with an apostle of top designers. Manolo Blahnik stilettos, Christian Louboutin platforms, Prada kitten heels, Gucci mules, Valentino slingbacks, Roger Vivier loafers...the list goes on and on. Aside from the classics, Saks also makes sure to stock emerging designers — don’t miss the magical styles of Mach & Mach — as well as everyday kicks from the likes of Adidas. Bonus points for the veteran staff (one of the few left in the city), which excels at customer service, overnighting any out-of-stock styles to your doorstep. Amen to that. 800 Boylston St., in Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199, saksfifthavenue.com.
M. Flynn
Photo by Avanti Studios There are some days when you just want to layer a mushroom pendant with a horseshoe charm necklace. M. Flynn has your back...er, neck. Sisters Megan and Moria Flynn stock their South End boutique with oodles of funky accessories that add stylish zest to any outfit, any day of the week (black-cherry Hotlips rings and pink-opal third-eye pendants, anyone?). Be on the lookout for M. Flynn’s cool collab with local lifestyle maven Erin Gates, which includes chunky black-onyx earrings and pretty yellow- gold lockets. 40 Waltham St., Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Zegna
Boston gents, take note: You’re no longer restricted to showing off your personality through socks and ties. After relocating to the Newbury Boston hotel last November, this luxury brand has even more space to display its sharp ready-to-wear suiting in wildly diverse patterns and fabrics, includ- ing cashmere blends and high-performance wool fibers. (And that’s not even counting the enormous array of custom options.) Make it a one-stop shopping experience and pick up polo shirts, joggers, and maybe even an Italian-made leather backpack while you’re there. 1 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, zegna.com.
Lose It!
The crust off your kids’ sandwiches, a handful of chocolate chips after dinner: When you’re trying to reach a healthy weight, it can be hard to keep track of all of the bites that make up a day. That’s why 40 million users have downloaded this Boston-born calorie- and exercise-tracking app since it debuted in 2008. But the service isn’t just about shedding (or maintaining) pounds; with virtual support groups and a focus on nutrition, it’s about lifestyle changes that set the stage for lasting wellness. Count us in. loseit.com.
Perfect 10 Unisex Salon
The name says it all: Catering to all hair types and textures, this small but mighty team of stylists score the highest marks for their gorgeous weaves, silk presses, locs, and braids. And that’s not the only way in which they’re giving Bostonians a boost: The salon was recently the only small business in Massachusetts to be awarded a HartBeat of Main Street grant from Main Street America, thanks in part to owner (and mother of four) Kanessa Alexander’s efforts to give back to the community. Now that’s what we call beautiful. 1896 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132, perfect10hairsalon.com.
Marvelous Barber Lounge
Photo by Djecy Ramos Ready to make a statement? Trust your next ’do to Lex Andre Daluz and his team of artist-slash-barbers, who have taken Boston’s barbering world by storm since expanding here from Brockton two years ago. While they’re deft with standard cuts for all hair textures, the showstoppers are their custom designs, for which they shave complex geometric patterns and draw lifelike portraits on the backs of clients’ heads — all with just a set of clippers and a straight razor, and maybe a pop of attention-grabbing hair dye. They also operate the single most impressive hair-related Instagram account we’ve seen … ever? Multiple locations, marvelouscuts.com.
Notch Brewing
From the Euro-style lagers crowned in creamy foam to the pints of English bitter and New England IPAs, everything in Notch Brewing’s beer lineup lands under 4.5 percent ABV — making them perfect for enjoying with friends all day (while maintaining your wits, of course). Where you clink those drinks is up to you: Notch’s waterfront taproom in Salem is a quick ferry ride away, and now it’s brought the low-octane party to Boston, with a beer-garden-equipped outpost at the Charles River Speedway. Multiple Locations, notchbrewing.com.
Bar Volpe
At the southern Italian follow-up to her acclaimed Fox & the Knife, chef Karen Akunowicz is giving Bostonians exactly what they crave: pasta, pasta, and more pasta, in just about every shape and form. Of particular note is the jet-black casarecce al nero: Topped with lobster, it’s bright, spicy, and destined to be as recognizable as the Top Chef alum with her own pink crown. Akunowicz is also doubling down on fresh pasta and sauces to go, in case you can’t wait until your next reservation to dig in. 170 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127, barvolpe.com.
Cicada Coffee Bar
At a time when sleek, international coffee chains seem to be touching down on every corner, Cicada is a throwback to indie coffee houses of the pre-Starbucks invasion, complete with dog-eared paperbacks for caffeinated perusing. Come for the cozy ambiance and backyard patio; stay for Vietnamese specialty coffees prepped with sweetened condensed milk (and maybe some foamed Maine sea salt). Stay later for an unexpectedly awesome dinner service — try the sushi-grade baked salmon with black rice, shallots, and cashew pesto — plus around-the-world wines, beer, and sake. 106 Prospect St., Cambridge, MA 02139, cicada-coffee-bar.square.site.
The Nantucket Hotel
Very few hotels these days leave us with a deep feeling of appreciation — that bittersweet sadness we experience upon checking out that we don’t actually live there. Maybe it’s the complimentary antique fire-truck rides for the kids, or the plush robes offered in each room for the adults, or the two heated pools and the spa. Or maybe it’s all of those things combined that make this place feel so special — not to mention the overwhelmingly helpful, attentive staffers who seem like family by the time you sadly make your exit down the grand front stairway to head home. 77 Easton St., Nantucket, MA 02554, thenantuckethotel.com.
Boston JerkFest
The annual gathering celebrating Boston’s Caribbean food scene is on the move, taking over bigger digs at the Harvard Athletic Complex and adding a hot-sauce fest to this month’s event. Visitors can vibe to live reggae music and browse craft vendors while chowing down on a vast array of expertly spiced foods and sipping libations from the Rum & Brew Tasting. And speaking of rum, you can raise a glass to the talented mixologists competing to craft Boston’s best Caribbean Rum Cocktail. Ready to take on a recipe of your own? Don’t miss the chef demos. 65 N Harvard St., Allston, MA 02134, bostonjerkfest.com.
Joanne Chang's MasterClass
Ever marveled at the luscious, confectionary perfection that is the Flour sticky bun, and wished you could replicate it? Thanks to a series of online lessons from Boston pastry queen Joanne Chang — who’s currently sharing her James Beard Award-worthy techniques in a 30-day Bake Like a Pro course on MasterClass — now you can at least try. Even if you can’t get it just right, at least you’ll get to hang out virtually with one of this city’s friendliest celebrity chefs, and get your apron dirty in the process. masterclass.com.
Gus & Ruby
Rodeo & Co. Photography Why flip through book upon book of invitations when you can have something that’s completely, uniquely you? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you commission Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield, of Gus & Ruby, to create custom paper goods for your party. The New Hampshire&ndashbased duo, who launched a long-awaited brick-and-mortar on Beacon Hill last October, demonstrate a particular flair for the unexpected. Exhibit A: their recent Bridgerton-inspired invitation suite, which paired Victorian silhouettes with modern script and gold foil. 99 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, gusandruby.com.
Thom Solo
When would you ever wear a ruched periwinkle thigh-high boot? When would you not, Thom Solo would respond. His Elton John-meets-Michelangelo designs have graced the feet of Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, and Britney Spears, among others, and even got a showcase in the MFA’s “Gender Bending Fashion” exhibit in 2019. This year Solo poured his pandemic-lockdown energy into the Nostalgia collection, an explosively creative line of caged heels, loafer-style Mary Janes, and, yes, ruched thigh-highs. thomsolo.com.