2020 Dorchester Gift Guide

Pictured above, Bay Country Shop, which is celebrating 50 years in 2020! 

Looking for a distinctly Dorchester gift, an artisan-created one-of-a-kind piece, or something to tempt the taste buds? You’ll find wonderful gift options right here. Most shops are offering in-person shopping and/or curbside, delivery, or online shopping options. Many also offer free gift wrapping, so be sure to ask! It’s a great year to shop local. Your support means a lot to our local small businesses during the pandemic. We’ve put together some ideas to consider from our independently owned, bricks-and-mortar shops.

Also, don’t miss the festive fun and displays listed in our 2020 Dorchester Holiday Guide!

One-of-a-Kind Gifts

Discover beautiful and functional items made by local artists and artisans – from jewelry to ceramics to paintings – throughout Dorchester Center of Arts (pictured here), Main Street Gallery, Downtown Frame of Mine, Malina Custom Leather, Michelle Follett’s Textile Teachings, and Maiden Maryland.

Jewelry

You’ll find fair-trade and artisan jewelry at Sunnyside Shop; fine silver and gold jewelry, some of which celebrate local traditions of crabbing and hunting, at Thomas’s Fine Jewelry (pictured here); locally created jewelry at Main Street Gallery and Dorchester Center for the Arts and Maiden Maryland; and trendy jewelry at Butterfly Boutique, DoCoVino Wine Bar & Boutique, and Free Spirit Threads.

In the Christmas Spirit

For all things Christmas, browse ornaments, décor, candles, dishes, towels, live poinsettias, wreaths (including the birdseed wreath pictured here from Mowbray’s), and more at E.S. Hubbert & Son, Especially For You, Mowbray’s Garden Center, Butterfly Boutique, Market at Church Creek, and the gift shop at Simmons Center Market. Bay Country Shop also has a great array of holiday-themed masks.

Sweet Treats

It’s hard to go wrong with a freshly baked delight! Try Mandala Pies (pictured here) for sweet and savory pies, Bay Country Bakery or Black Water Bakery for all kinds of breads and baked goods, T’s Divine Sweets for cakes, pies, and cookies; Honey Bee Trading Post for a range of honey-based and other candies; and the new Market at Church Creek for Christmas chocolates and treats.

Maryland and Chesapeake Pride

For those who love all things Maryland and Chesapeake Bay, you’ll find state flag items from sunglasses to dog leashes at Maiden Maryland (pictured here), Chesapeake Bay wooden maps and therapeutic pillows with a Maryland pattern at Butterfly Boutique, and oyster shell ornaments adorned with a map of the Chesapeake Bay and lots of other crab and nautical items at Bay Country Shop.

For the Guys

Who says men are hard to shop for? Check out leather belts, wallets, and more at Malina Custom Leather (pictured here); beer, fishing, and hunting-related gifts at Butterfly Boutique; soap, cologne, hunting attire at E.S. Hubbert & Son; unique handmade guitars, costumes, and props at Levy Metal Enterprises; clothing and outdoor wear at Bay Country Shop; used hunting supplies and tools at Peninsula Pawn; and collectible comic books, trading cards, and action figures at Kraven’s Comic Books & Collectibles.

Home Sweet Home

Since we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home, help brighten the surroundings with charming décor at Blue Awning; upcycled items from furniture to decorative buoys at Furniture Flipping Females; fine antiques at Bay Country Antiques (pictured here); gently used items at Artwell’s; and small decorative and functional items, from serving trays/bowls to oyster plates, at Butterfly Boutique and Bay Country Shop.

For the Wee Ones

You’ll find adorable new baby items and fun things for young children, from clothing to stuffed animals, at Caterpillar Kids Boutique (pictured here) and Craig’s Drug Store. Or pick up a gift card at Cabin Fever Play Centre, which also offers kids’ clothing in their shop. Plus bargain-priced, gently used toys at Robin Hood Shop.

Oldies But Goodies

For those who love the antique, vintage, or primitive look, you’ll see a wide range of reasonably priced smalls at Brookview Hope Treasures, fine antiques at Bay Country Antiques, re-purposed and upcycled furniture and décor at Furniture Flipping Females (pictured here), and a wide selection of antiques at Antique Alley, Dark Horse Antiques, and Heart of Dorchester Antiques. From the Shed has primitive and farmhouse decor.

For the Fashionista

Women’s apparel and accessories – from casual leggings and tops to fun scarves and gloves – abound at Bay Country Shop, DocoVino Wine Bar & Boutique (pictured here), 4 the Fam Studio, Free Spirit Threads, R Styles Boutique, Sunnyside Shop, and Tullz Treasure Chest. On a budget? Try Robin Hood Shop for bargains on gently used clothing.

Local Flavors

Perfect for hosts, neighbors, and more, gifts of food and drink are an easy option whether you’re bringing them in person or leaving them at the door. Consider charcuterie boards to go from DoCoVino Wine Bar & Boutique; gourmet snacks at Vintage 414; already prepared foods at Emily’s Produce; oysters from Hoopers Island Oyster Co., Kool Ice, Fat Duck Oysters, or Choptank Oyster Company (ask if they have already shucked); or crabmeat from J. M. Clayton Co. or Kool Ice. Or pick up a gift card from one of our local restaurants. See our DoCo Eats Guide, Pandemic Edition for a quick and easy listing of eateries. You can also order custom gift baskets from Simmons Center Market, Layton’s Chance Winery, Mowbray’s Garden Center, and DoCoVino Wine Bar & Boutique.

I Love Cambridge and Dorchester County!

Keep it local with the Dorchester-County-Opoly game, in limited supply at Maiden Maryland; Dorchester t-shirts, hats, and more at the Dorchester Visitor Center; Cambridge t-shirts and Choptank River Lighthouse glassware and tumblers at Bay Country Shop (pictured here); t-shirts at Sunnyside, and home décor items at Craig’s Drug Store.

Cheers!

Pick up some adult beverages and make merry! Choose from curated wines, craft beer, and hard cider at Vintage 414; try a gift card for cocktails at Blue Ruin; find wine packages at DoCoVino Wine Bar & Boutique; or go for wines, wine slushies, gift baskets, and more at Layton’s Chance Winery (pictured here). Plus liven up your parties with edgy cocktail napkins from River Lane.

Family Tributes

Have old (or new) family photos? Get them framed and give them as a meaningful gifts. You’ll find great custom framing at Downtown Frame of Mine, Goose Country Art & Frame, and Hubbard’s Custom Blinds & Framing. Downtown Frame also offers photo restoration services on old photos. Or give a gift card to River Lane photo and event studio for a family photo session.

For the Athlete or Weekend Warrior

Find great gifts for the cyclist or triathlete at Butterfly Boutique. Or consider a gift card to On the Rivet for a bicycle or kayak; to River Marsh Golf Pro Shop (pictured here) for merchandise or the Players Pass good for six rounds of golf; or to Blackwater Adventures or Over Board Paddle & Fitness for warm-weather outdoor fun.

Get the Creative Juices Flowing

Help someone get deeper into their creative side with Iron Orchard Design transfers and more at the Blue Awning (pictured here); supplies for textile artists at Michelle Follett’s Textile Teachings; or a gift card to Dorchester Center for the Arts, where they can beef up their artistic learning with a class or workshop. Or consider helping them frame their latest work of art with a gift card to Downtown Frame of Mine, Goose Country Art &  Frame, or Hubbard’s Custom Blinds & Framing.

Self Care and Pampering

We all need a little extra attention these days. Inspire your friends or family to wellness with a gift card to Fairwinds Wellness (pictured here), Anahata Yoga, Heirloom Athletics, or Over Board Paddle & Fitness. Or go the pampering route with a gift card to Sago Salon  & Spa or Europa Spa.