Category Archives: Holiday Shopping Guide

The 2020 holiday season is already a year like no other, which is why Aviation Mall is announcing new hours and initiatives to make the season safe and memorable for everyone, mall officials said.
Earlier this year, retail marketing experts accurately predicted that retailers would encourage consumers to start holiday shopping earlier by extending exclusive deals throughout the season in lieu of the traditional high-trafficked Thanksgiving/Black Friday kickoff. Aviation Mall’s Marketing Director Teresa Hanley said many of Aviation Mall’s tenants are following the trend.

Andrea Harwood Palmer
The gift-giving season has arrived and area businesses are gearing up.
James Joseph, owner of Sharp Presents in Queensbury, has seen an increased interest in shipped and hand-delivered gifts during the pandemic.
“It can be as non-touch process as people want it to be. You don’t have to come into the shop to order something. I text my clients photos to validate, change or approve the design. I send email invoices. The product can be hand-delivered or shipped. It’s always how I’ve done a lot of business, and it has certainly increased this year,” said Joseph.
The company specializes in curated gift boxes and crates.
Jeff Strief, owner of Rude Betty in Glens Falls and Happy Jack in Bolton Landing, said about product trends, “We’re seeing that candy, candles, small consumables and clever household items are doing well. Small gifts are continuing to do well. They’re a cheap and cheerful way to improve someone’s mood or disposition.”

Charles R. Wood Park on West Brook Road in Lake George will be the site of the second annual Adirondack Christkindlmarkt event Dec. 6-8.
Last year, the inaugural event welcomed more than 5,000 people from as far away as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Montreal, included 30 artisans and vendors and horse-drawn carriage rides, according to organizers.
The name translates to Christmas Market in English. These markets originated in Germany centuries ago. Other countries and cities have adopted the tradition throughout the years, organizers said.

Hometown Holidays is a popular, family-friendly event in Glens Falls, celebrating the arrival of the Holiday season.
The event this year is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7.
The event is free for collaborative members and non-members.
The Glens Falls Collaborative asked local businesses to join in the fun of Hometown Holidays. Friday evening will be a community event with a tree lighting in City Park. It will also feature the arrival of Santa Claus, and carols by sung by members of the Glens Falls Community Theater.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Local caterers have advice for those entertaining during the holidays: Leave the cooking to them.

From last minute appetizers, to brunch, to full-scale, sit-down dinners, local restaurants and cafes are up to the challenge of ensuring a stress-free

Deliciously Different owner Robin Getchell-Smith said they love helping people cope with the holidays. During this time of year they are busy with dinner parties, including intimate dinners hosted at family homes.

“Our clients find it is such a more intimate way to celebrate rather than making dinner reservations. They can come early and stay late surrounded by their closest friends,” said Getchell-Smith.

They also do many larger cocktail-style events this time of year.  Getchell-Smith said showing off a decorated home for the holidays and hosting a cocktail party is all part of the holiday fun.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

As the holiday shopping season swings into full gear, shoppers will find the Glens Falls and Lake George areas as good destinations to get their tasks accomplished.

From outlets to downtown Main Street, shoppers will find charm that shopping malls may not match..

At the gift shop MinkyMink, 203 Glen St. in Glens Falls, owner Maura Forcier said they will hold both a Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sale.

“We have a Ladies Night event on Thursday, Dec. 6,” he added. “All the downtown shops will be offering discounts, and the restaurants have specials as well. 

“For gifts, I have these fun Zodiac necklaces from Satya. These 18K gold plated necklaces feature real stones and come with a description on the back of the packaging that describes the signs personality. So, they are really thoughtful and unique,” he said.

The store also has specialized gifts like beer caddies and wine bags