The Twelve Gifts of Bucks County

You don’t have to go far from home to get something extra special for that special someone this holiday season.

By: Amy Brummer, Matt Smith and Megan Sullivan
   The mall and Amazon.com are OK, but there’s something a little more festive and a lot more personal about buying local for the holiday season. Here are a dozen suggestions for unique items you can find in Bucks County, Pa:
Allegheny Art Company It’s what all the kids are asking for — Edgar Allan Poe action figures ($10)! If it’s kooky and creative gifts that you seek this holiday season, stop into Allegheny Art (22 S. State St., Newtown, 215-579-1060) to find an array of creative gifts, or ones that spur creativity. From the exquisite prints in the Insecta Curiosa 2006 Calendar ($12.99) to a Mendhi henna kit ($11.95), as well as the eternally popular Moleskine notebooks ($11-$16), there are items for artists of all ages. Kits for painting birdhouses, lamps and picture frames ($15-$20) appeal to younger children, and adults will have a hard time passing by the wide selection of ribbons, papers and bags that put the finishing touches on those perfect gifts. — Amy Brummer
Artisans of Bucks County Now in its third year, Artisans of Bucks County, a juried fine arts and crafts show, is back at George School (Route 413, Newtown, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) with 45 participants working in a variety of media. Chosen for attention to quality as well as unusual designs, the group includes Sandy Chierici’s fused and blasted glass designs, Anne Dilker’s slab-built stoneware, abstract acrylics on Masonite by painter Kristine Keating, raku pottery by Fran Leyenberger, jewelry by Alan Urchin and woodturnings by Bill Underwood. — A.B.
Awareness Designs For a gift that gives back, Yardley resident Andrea Cohen offers cause-related jewelry through her company Awareness Designs. Ms. Cohen first designed a bracelet about a year ago as a different way to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. Each of the 15 colored beads on the bracelet, which she named Beading the Odds, represents a kind of cancer. After the success of this bracelet, Ms. Cohen received requests for jewelry reflecting other causes as well, and now offers jewelry representing 17 types of cancer and more than 30 other causes to symbolize hope. Prices range from $9-$65 and a portion of the price of each awareness bracelet sold supports related charities. To place an order, visit www.awarenessdesigns.com. — Megan P. Sullivan
The Body Therapies Center At the close of a frantic holiday season, with two more months of winter still ahead, a luxurious, relaxing massage makes a delightful gift and is a great way to start off the new year. The Body Therapies Center (915 Langhorne-Yardley Road, Langhorne, 215-752-7666, www.body-therapies.com) offers a tranquil setting and a diverse array of services to ease away the stress and tension of shopping, cooking, traveling and visiting. Using all-natural massage products, heated tables and relaxing music, the certified therapists can work out the kinks through reflexology, Reiki, Thai stretches or Swedish bodywork. Rates range from $35 to $80 for 40 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes. — A.B.
Bucks County Coffee Coffee is the ideal gift for those hard-to-buy-for people on your holiday shopping list, whether that’s the relative who has it all, the co-worker who could use a little perking up, or that hard-working editor of your local arts and entertainment publication. One suggestion is Bucks County Coffee’s Pumpkin Spice coffee ($8.25-$10.35/lb), which the Langhorne-based company classifies as "a medium-bodied coffee with the fragrance of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin spices." To pick up a bag or a holiday gift package, visit one of Bucks County Coffee’s six area locations (Chalfont, three in Langhorne, New Hope, Yardley) or head to its Holiday Factory Store (2250 W. Cabot Blvd., Langhorne, through Dec. 23). Also check out the Build-A-Box function at www.buckscountycoffee.com, which makes for a much better gift than a fruitcake or tin of popcorn. — Matt Smith
Bucks County getaway packages Nothing beats a relaxing romantic getaway. The Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau offers a variety of packages for two at local hotels and bed and breakfasts, making a special holiday gift. Places include The Indian Rock Inn and 1836 Bridgeton House on the Delaware, both in Upper Black Eddy, the Hampton Inn Philadelphia Northeast in Bensalem, and Darrah House Bed and Breakfast in Warminster. Indulge in champagne, chocolates, good food and maybe even a massage during these romantic respites. Take advantage of special offers and coupons before they expire to meet that budget. Visit www.experiencebuckscounty.com for information on additional discounts in Bucks County. — M.P.S.
Crossing Vineyards Having a few good bottles of wine on hand is a must for the holiday season. Whether it is a last-minute gift or a little something for your host, the wines at Crossing Vineyards (1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, 215-493-6500, www.crossingvineyards.com) have the special distinction of being locally produced as well as award-winning and delicious. For the second year in a row, the vineyard is offering a fruity Le Nouveau ($13), which pairs beautifully with holiday favorites such as roast turkey and pork, and their newly released Cabernet-Merlot cuvee ($21). With its essence of berry layered with chocolate and espresso, the latter is a luscious complement to an elegant filet mignon. But the perfect gift for any occasion is unquestionably the Blanc de Blanc ($20), also new this year, which will lift up any occasion with its herbal nose, crisp finish and effervescent sparkle. — A.B.
Jean Pierre’s Cooking School One of 250 chefs in the world who hold the title of Maitre Cuisinaire de France, Chef Jean Pierre Tardy holds classes in his Newtown cooking school (117 S. Sycamore St., 215-968-7580, www.chef-jean-pierre.com) Mon.-Wed. for groups of up to 25 people. Geared toward the amateur or home cook, Chef Tardy’s classes cover everything from soup and salad to entrées and desserts, with information about the ingredients he uses, methods of preparation and how to pair wine with food. Classes are priced at $50 per person and each session ends with the added bonus of dining on his delectable dishes after he creates each course. Groups of 10 or more can book a private class with a menu tailored to their specific interests. This is a great gift for a curious gourmand or a creative option for a unique and intimate holiday party. — A.B.
Peace Valley Lavender Farm A fragrant, blue-violet flower, lavender has long been a favorite of herbalists and healers, romantics and even cooks. Whether it’s used to soothe muscle aches, beat the blues or add flavor to a dinner entrée, the large array of lavender products at Peace Valley Lavender Farm (802 New Galena Road, Doylestown, 215-249-8462, www.peacevalleylavender.com) can provide the perfect gift for any taste. The boutique offers lavender floral arrangements, wreaths and sachets, as well as body washes, shampoos, soaps and creams. Popular items include lavender shea butter ($8.50), lavender and flaxseed eye pillows ($15), and pure lavender essential oils ($8). Pre-made gift baskets and packages and gift certificates also are available. — M.P.S.
Premiere Performing Arts & Artists The community theater troupe headed by Morrisville couple Ken and Kathy Junkins has come up with a clever fundraiser — a 2006 wall calendar. The calendar displays eye-catching, glossy images from Premiere’s past three seasons of productions, including such shows as The Last Five Years, Cinderella and West Side Story. The calendar is available for $19.99 on the group’s Web site, www.premiere-arts.org. A portion of the money raised will benefit Premiere, which continues its 2005-2006 season in February with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). — M.S.
Rice’s Market A 30-acre year-round outdoor market, Rice’s (6326 Greenhill Road, New Hope, 215-297-5993, www.ricesmarket.com) has everything from wallets and watches to Amish meats and baked goods. In 1860, founder A.L. Rice settled in Solebury Township on the farm, which is now the site of the popular Tuesday and Saturday market. At first, the property was home to an informal auction where Mr. Rice sold his livestock and products from his neighbors’ farms. As it grew in popularity, the auction became a regular Tuesday event with farmers coming from throughout the Northeast. A market with more than 200 vendors was added to the event in 1950 and now as many as 700 vendors converge on the site. A Saturday market was added in 1995 to meet the demands of shoppers. — M.P.S.
Sprouts and Wildberry’s Few people think of dishwashing liquid when it comes to gift giving, but the selection at Sprouts and Wildberry’s (15 S. Main St., Yardley, 215-493-6076) can easily change that mindset. With product lines in intoxicating fragrances such as Caldrea’s Pineapple Nutmeg or White Tea ($39.99 for a sink set — hand soap/dish soap/moisturizer), it is easy to put a dollop of cheer into the dreadful chore of dishwashing. The store also has a line of Daives Gate body products for any health-conscious giftees on your list. Products include whole-wheat body lotion ($18), sesame seed bath foam ($20.99), flax seed soap ($8.99) and cardamom foot butter ($21). For any swarthy pirate types on your list, a Burt’s Bees shaving set that includes rum-scented exfoliating soap ($4.99), moisturizing cream ($6.99) and cologne ($21.99) is offered. — A.B.