Shopping Locally Brings the Holiday Spirit

There is nothing nicer to me around the holidays than strolling down a small town's Main Street, shopping for gifts and listening to the sounds of the season.

Saturday afternoon I did some of my Christmas shopping in Manasquan. It's such a quaint little town, especially around the holidays.

Between the real Christmas trees lining the street and the other decorations, it was so pretty. And then I heard the trumpets playing and had to stop and enjoy.

One of the business owners hired "Ceremonial Brass", a really talented group of guys, to play some of our holiday favorites, and it totally set the mood.

Going to the mall is great, and we all love Red Bank and Asbury Park for dining and shopping. But sometimes it's the smaller beach towns that are challenged with business owners trying to stay open all winter and still make a living. So support local businesses and see what fabulous and original gifts you can find for your friends and family at some of the incredible boutiques and shoppes!

I also love the little towns of Point Pleasant Beach and Spring Lake for those little Norman Rockwell visions of shopping for Xmas. What are your favorite shops for gifts?