Planning calm and festive holidays in Laconia

The Christmas and Hanukah holidays, as festive and merry as they are, can be stressful. In addition to our frenetic schedules now for a few weeks, shopping, baking and cooking, entertaining, arranging travel plans and decorating is added to the daily to-do list. An ideal way to manage everything is to spend a quiet day in Laconia.

Begin by visiting Yoga from the Heart on Canal Street and spend an hour practicing yoga. Yoga is something one learns over time – actually over years and years – so even if you have never been “on the mat” it’s not too late to learn how restorative practicing yoga can be.

After an hour of quiet movement, walk over to Wayfarer Coffee Roasters on Main Street.  Order a coffee, find a soft comfortable chair and begin to outline your holiday plans.  Create a gift list that’s manageable.  Plan menus for entertaining and holiday dinners.  Organize your thoughts around driving time, budgets and how you can maximize your time and not end up in an exhaustive state just after Christmas. 

If you don’t have gift ideas for the special people on your list there are three jewelry stores downtown.  Kramer & Hall, Sawyers and All My Life Jeweler.  A short walk will take you to these shops where friendly neighbors will suggest ideas.  Everyone loves a small square box with a colorful ribbon bow. (I found one under the tree last year!)

Perhaps you don’t have time to bake cookies and festive holiday cakes and pies.  The Laconia Village Bakery has delicious quiche, chili and soups that can be the centerpiece for a holiday buffet.  You can pre-order and pick up ready to serve. 

For meats and fish, just next door to the Wayfarer is Local Provisions, where the meats and fish are locally sourced.  The butcher will help you with decisions about how much to order and the best cooking method.  

From Provisions you might drive over to Sunflower Natural, just next to Vista.  There you will find natural spices and herbs, organic vegetables as well as local milk, yogurt and cheeses, eggs and locally-baked bread.  Sunflower Natural is also a place where you can find enchanting gifts, crystals, a variety of skin care creams, cards and things that are unique and will appeal to the creative people on your gift list.

There is music on Main Street, shops with gifts, crafts and antiques. The one item that is a must for everyone living in New Hampshire is the perfect pair of winter boots. Melnick’s has comfortable shoes and boots for everyone – stylish, warm and waterproof.  You might not know someone’s size, but certainly they would appreciate a gift certificate. Just saying! We all love our Christian Louboutin five-inch heels, but not when the snow is ten inches deep.

 With your plans in place, you will have much more time to enjoy the season, attend concerts, visit with friends and perhaps finish that one craft project you started during the summer.

As you drive home, you can stop by Prescott’s Florist and buy a bouquet of flowers.  You deserve it.   Then make a pledge to join The Downtown Gym and Wellness Center in 2019 and exercise as much as you can.  It's one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.  The gift of health and wellness. 

The Downtown Gym and Wellness Center

171 Fair St

Telephone: (603) 581-9392

 Prescott’s Florist 

23 Veterans Square

Telephone:  (603) 524-7945

Local Provisions

Main Street

Laconia Village Bakery

660 Main St

(603) 527-1414

Sunflower Natural Foods

390 South Main Street

Telephone:  (603) 524-6334

Wayfarer Coffee Roasters

626 Main St

Telephone: (603) 527-8313

Yoga from the Heart

Canal Street

(603) 393-9266

All My Life Jeweler

639 Main St.

Telephone: (603) 528-8541

Sawyers Jewelry Inc

520 Main St 

Telephone: (603) 527-1000

Kramer & Hall Goldsmiths

13 Veterans Square

Telephone: (603) 524-6779

Elizabeth Howard is an author and journalist.  Her books include:  Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back, a book she edited (Easton Studio Press, 2015), A Day with Bonefish Joe (David R. Godine, 2015), Queen Anne’s Lace and Wild Blackberry Pie, (Thornwillow Press, 2011). She lives in New York City and has a home in Laconia.  You can send her a note at:  Elizabeth@laconiadailysun.com  and follow her on Instagram at:

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