The reason I seek out nautical items for my home is that it reminds me of summer days by the water. I love the peacefulness and serenity of the seaside. That’s also why I think Nautical gifts are a great idea for those friends and family who are always dreaming of being by the water. Here are some ideas for those Nauti folks on your nice list.
The USS Constitution Museum Shop has gifts for those who love all things Nautical but also plenty for your history buff as well. This beautiful bracelet is crafted from copper removed from the hull of USS Constitution during restoration.
The USS Constitution Museum Store has apparel featuring USS Constitution‘s helm and anchor, Chelsea Clocks™, pens made from “Old Ironsides” wood, Constitution copper medallions, and more. Some items are available online but for a larger selection, visit the shop.
The Museum store is open during museum hours. It is located at Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22 in Charlestown.
Museum Hours
Spring – Summer
Open Daily | 9:00 – 6:00
Fall – Winter
Open Daily | 10:00 – 5:00
Go big or go home! This golden cod definitely sets the tone in a room. It is handmade by Master carver Paul Kukstis of Kukstis Woodcarving. The attention to detail and craftsmanship will awe anyone who walks by this wall ornament for years to come. In addition to making folk art, house number signs, signs and quarter-boards Paul Kukstis offers carving classes.
Kukstis’ studio and gallery is located in Scituate, which is a small seaside town located about 25 miles south of Boston on the way Cape Cod.
Belmont Books has you covered for just about any kind of book your loved ones like to read. For your bibliophile friends who are also water lovers. Look around and you will find the perfect gift. If you don’t know where to start, ask the staff they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Belmont Books is located at 79 Leonard Street in Belmont and is open 7 days a week.
At Grey Mist Studio & Shop in Huron Village, Cambridge, where they teach classes for making Nantucket baskets, there are gorgeous gifts for all ages. Grey Mist definitely has a nautical theme sprinkled throughout the shop. From housewares and clothing to jewelry and trinkets, Grey Mist has many unique and beautiful gifts. For the creative person who has everything, consider the gift of a basket making class. Grey Mist is located at 364 Huron Ave in Cambridge and is open Monday through Saturday.
These beautiful ceramic ornaments are a nice touch for the Christmas tree. If you don’t have a tree, you can hang them on a light switch, a hook, or the corner of a frame. They also make beautiful gift toppers that can later be used as ornaments. The ceramic ornaments are made by Lori Dawn Ceramics. Lori Dawn is originally from New York. She has lived in England where she studied drawing and jewelry making at Bath Artists Studios, and then moved to Montreal and continued her art studies in ceramics at the Centre des Arts Visual. She then set up her studio at home after moving back to Massachusetts.
Belles and Whistles in Belmont is another great spot to shop for nautical gifts. I especially love their Mariposa napkin holders and these cute baby gifts. Bells and Whistles is located at 68 Leonard Street in Belmont and is open 7 days a week.
If you lived in the Boston area, you used to have to go online or find them in a catalog, but recently Sea Bags have popped up in their very own brick and mortar shops on Newbury Street and at the The Shops at Chestnut Hill among others. These bags are made from recycled sails. They are nautical through and through and come in all sorts of designs. These bucket bags and the wine bottle bags are one of my favourite gifts for the holidays. We use the bucket bags for everything from bringing card games and toys in the car to holding ice and drinks at the beach.
Let’s hope that all your friends and family are nauti- and nice this holiday season.
Nautical prints in the top of the story are from Marthablox out of Grove Street Studio in Salem, MA
