Yes, Virginia, there is still holiday gift shopping this year

SALISBURY — Despite the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still possible to do some Christmas shopping in Salisbury.

A reporter made a socially distant shopping foray on Saturday morning, Dec. 5.

At Honeychurch Home, the star attraction was a cast cement hedgehog ($29). Owner Carolyn Piccirelli said the hedgehog has proved extremely popular.

Those responding to the combination of COVID-19 and winter with soup will need bread, and the bread might as well be warm. For $49, Honeychurch has baskets that hold a decorative terra cotta insert. The idea is to put the insert in the oven for five minutes at 350 degrees to get it nice and warm. The insert then goes back in the basket and the bread goes on top, where it stays warm.

Honeychurch Home is at 10 Academy St. Look for it online at www.honeychurchhome.com or call 860-596-4381 for information. Hours are 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

At Passports, Christopher Baetz, mindful of the weather, was enthusiastic about faux-fur collars at $55.

Next to the collars was a basket of ordinary white handkerchiefs, $28 for seven hankies. These are mostly for blowing, not showing, although they can certainly be ironed and shaped into the classic “TV fold” (think television new anchorman circa 1965).

There are attractive, informal strands of freshwater pearls on suede cords in different colors for $95.

On the higher end, Passports has fur-trimmed capes ($275), which allow the wearer to stay warm and be stylish simultaneously.

Passports is at 14 Main St. Go to their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/passportsantiques) or call 860-435-8855 to get the store hours Thursday through Saturday (Mondays through Wednesdays are by appointment).

There is a “pop-up shop” from Sweethaven Farm located next to Salisbury Pharmacy, inside where there used to be a coffee shop. Noreen Driscoll and company can provide table arrangements, fresh flowers, and, outside in a tent, wreaths. The shop is open through Sunday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. Orders are encouraged, for pick-up or free delivery, within the local area. Go to www.sweethavenfarmct.com for more info, or call 860-309-7132.

A Swiss-designed cast cement hedgehog is at Honeychurch Home. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Passports has fur and faux-fur apparel. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

A Swiss-designed cast cement hedgehog is at Honeychurch Home. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Amenia proposes new standards for Planning Board and ZBA members
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA Revisions to the town regulations outlining the separate roles and structures of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will be considered at public hearings on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Town Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

Amendments to the local code seek to clarify the structure of both boards, along with the appointment of alternates, training, attendance and the process for removing members. Residents are invited to comment on the proposed regulations during the public hearings or to provide written comments in advance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - December 4, 2025

Help Wanted

CARE GIVER NEEDED: Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.

SNOW PLOWER NEEDED: Sharon Mountain. 407-620-7777.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - December 4, 2025

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs
‘Les Flashs d’Anne’: friendship, fire and photographs

Anne Day is a photographer who lives in Salisbury. In November 2025, a small book titled “Les Flashs d’Anne: Friendship Among the Ashes with Hervé Guibert,” written by Day and edited by Jordan Weitzman, was published by Magic Hour Press.

The book features photographs salvaged from the fire that destroyed her home in 2013. A chronicle of loss, this collection of stories and charred images quietly reveals the story of her close friendship with Hervé Guibert (1955-1991), the French journalist, writer and photographer, and the adventures they shared on assignments for French daily newspaper Le Monde. The book’s title refers to an epoymous article Guibert wrote about Day.

Keep ReadingShow less