Kitchen Arts
A good sharp knife makes the difference between sawing through cooking chores and slicing through them. Don't get sucked into the manufacturer's preselected set of top quality knives. Kitchen Arts discounts all the top brands (up to 30 percent off three or more knives). Best prices around for Wusthof, the BMW of cutlery. Knowledgeable salespeople help you assemble your at-home arsenal. 161 Newbury St., Boston, MA .
Bob Smith Sporting Goods
Just because it's not the biggest doesn't mean it's not the best. Anyone who shells out $1,000 for skis, boots, poles, and the attendant paraphernalia might want to come back for adjustments or advice—and at Bob Smith you can. The helpful salespeople won't give you the hard sell, but will listen attentively when you describe your skiing needs and what type of skier you are. 9 Spring Lane, Boston, MA .
The Globe Corner Bookstore
Although the Globe Corner Bookstore no longer shares space with the home of Anne Hutchinson at Downtown Crossing, the remaining Cambridge and Boston stores will ably meet your escapist needs. Their comprehensive selection of travel books and mas can aid the adventurous on an exploration of everything from the Freedom Trail to the White Mountains to rural Mongolia. They also offer a decent selection of antique maps if there's a cartophile on your gift list. 28 Church St., Cambridge, MA .
The Barn
The Barn's motto is It's Hard to Find a Better Buy in Shoes. We'd add that it's hard to find The Barn, hidden as it is behind a Citgo station off Washington Street. But when you do, you've found the Holy Grail: high-quality children's shoes, from little Keds to soccer cleats, experienced fitters, and discount prices. Also, lots of sports gear—bike helmets, lacrosse sticks, and backpacks. Adults will appreciate the grownups' selection of athletic shoes as well. 25 Kempton Place, Newton, MA .
The Frame Gallery
Who better to create a home for your beloved artwork than the team that’s framed masterpieces for the MFA and the Gardner Museum? For almost four decades, the Frame Gallery has been putting paintings, photographs, and even sports memorabilia in everything from shadow boxes to custom gold-leafed masterpieces that are works of art in their own right. Plus, they can give that antique Victorian frame passed down through your family for generations a little TLC, too. 357 Boylston St., Brookline, MA 02445, theframegalleryboston.com.
Injeanius
Navigating the designer-jeans maze has never been more fun or flattering, thanks to Alison Barnard O’Brien’s denim bar and style lounge, which moved into its permanent Seaport home a year ago. From Agolde to Moussy to AG, you’ll find all of the premium jean brands here — plus luxe cashmere, chic tops, accessories, and more, all handpicked for optimal sustainability and style. 70 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, MA 02210, injeanius.com.
Fig.a
Shops, like people, are most interesting when they have a strong point of view — and that’s definitely the case at this pretty Hingham boutique dedicated to all things lifestyle. From workout gear to outerwear to home goods, everything here is imbued with a chic, minimalist aesthetic. Owner Aja Amontea also makes it a point to source brands dedicated to sustainability, meaning shopping here will not only make you look and feel good, it’ll also help you do good. 102 North St., Hingham, MA 02043, fig-a.com.
SunBug Solar
You’re in good hands with these solar specialists, widely considered the go-tos by homeowners in the biz. Their estimates and proposals are free; they handle all permitting; and they’re quick, with most installations completed in three months. Of course, their service skills shine, too: When we called for help, they immediately pulled up a radar image of our home and chatted patiently about an unwieldy tree and the pros and cons of a new roof. sunbugsolar.com.
Franklin Cafe
In a town that goes to bed early, it's nice to know there's still a place where insomniacs can get a decent bite to eat. The Franklin Café, with its candlelit tables and always-packed bar, is that place, serving up a gourmet menu until 1:30 a.m. every day—even in the late hours of a deserted Sunday night. And this is not your ordinary bar food: Chef Steve Ryan serves up sophisticated fare such as garlic grilled calamari with pesto and an unbeatable spicy black pepper—seared tuna. Steak lovers can get their fix here, too—one taste of the bone-in beef tenderloin with garlicky spinach and even the most die-hard night owl will sleep well. 278 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA franklincafe.com.
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest
With narrow roads and speeding tourists (no, not you), riding a bike on the Vineyard isn’t quite as relaxing as you might envision. But the State Forest boasts a network of well-maintained hiking and mountain-biking trails that will not only get you off the road, but away from people altogether. If you want to tack on some sightseeing along the way, swing by Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown, then swoop through town and along the Beach Road path into Oak Bluffs. If you get tired, you can always catch the bus home. Edgartown, MA 02539, mass.gov/locations/manuel-f-correllus-state-forest.
Linens on the Hill
When’s the last time you upgraded your linen closet? If you can’t remember, it might be time to pay a visit to this high-end textile haven. Owner Lynne Wolverton’s stacks of locally made Matouk bedding, elegant Sferra tablecloths, and soft Yves Delorme bath towels (a godsend for rough, over-washed hands) make staying cozy at home as easy as wash, dry, and repeat. 52 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, linensonthehill.com.
The BMC Vaccine Dance
After a year spent working shifts at COVID patients’ bedsides, you could forgive healthcare workers for being in no mood to dance. But when vaccines finally arrived at Boston Medical Center in December, staffers there were ready to bust a move, performing a choreographed dance to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” as a cell phone captured the moment on video. Ultimately reaching millions of viewers online, it was a scene of jubilation that allowed many of us to feel hopeful about the future.
Tawakal Halal Cafe
From-scratch sambusa wrappers stuffed and fried to a hot, flaky crisp, followed by tangled piles of spaghetti sauced with a velvety stew of fragrantly spiced braised goat: Such soul-warming Somali comfort food certainly takes the edge off these anxiety-ridden times. Bonus points for bottles of signature hot sauce available for enlivening humdrum home cooking with East African herbs. 389 Maverick St., Boston, MA 02128, tawakalfoods.co.
The Smoke Shop
Kendall Square has never seen anything like the Smoke Shop. The brainchild of world-championship pit master Andy Husbands, this is a stylish take on a timeless barbecue joint, but with a whiskey program that would make Jack Daniel blush. In other words, if you’re looking for the smokiest, juiciest brisket around, and want to wash it down with a flight of whiskey, welcome home. Multiple locations. One Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA 02139, thesmokeshopbbq.com.
Schumacher
With past clients including Edith Wharton and collaborators ranging from Saul Steinberg to Frank Lloyd Wright, Schumacher’s reach travels far beyond simple home design. Whether you’re searching for a sleek geometric pattern or classic herringbone to cover your walls, you can shop easy knowing you’re alongside the arbiters of taste. Boston Design Center, One Design Center Place, Ste. 529, Boston, MA 02210, fschumacher.com.