First of a three-part holiday gift guide, with Vineland and Bridgeton treasures to follow next week and the week after, respectively.

There are many opportunities and venues to consider when you are planning your holiday shopping for the important people on your list. When you give a gift that has been created by talented artists and artisans, it will mean much more to the person receiving it. This article will bring you around to our specialty shops, galleries, eateries, pubs, and theater. We will also give you ideas and tips for spending some time and money at area non-profit venues and manufacturers.

Third Friday, the monthly art walk in downtown Millville’s Glasstown Arts District, kicks off the season on November 19 until 9 p.m. At the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, 22 N. High Street, the entire main gallery turns into a large holiday shop filled with unique objects for women and men. Items will range from wood carvings to glass art to ceramics. There will be handwovens and silk-printed items like scarves. Small paintings will be bountiful along with metal work and much more. Let your imaginations go wild and you will be very happy you started your shopping here.

Find your way to the popular Bogart’s Bookstore & Café to purchase new and used books of every genre. The shelves and walls will carry original art and fun hand crafts. Warm up with your favorite latte or hot chocolate made the old-fashioned way. Nearby is one of our newest retail shops—MGM Carpet & Flooring. Start thinking about some home upgrades when you stop in their beautiful showroom.

Don’t miss the chance to buy gift certificates to upcoming Broadway-style shows, concerts, comedy perfoemances, and holiday films at the Levoy Theatre. Why not get tickets for yourself and your best friends and make your gift a special evening out at the theater?

You’ll want to have a meal before or after the show at the Levoy. All the restaurants and pubs sell gift certificates for gift-giving. The new bakery and café, Everything Classie Sweet Soulful Café, will be glad to take your holiday order. Make sure to consider the Arts District’s first rum distillery, Mission Spirits, at 215 Buck Street. This is such a unique experience (open on Friday and Saturday) that a gift certificate here will likely be a one-of-a-kind gift from you.

Continue to consider the gift of art and stop by Rowan College South Jersey–Clay College. Art in the gallery and lovely gift shop is sure to wow you and the recipient. Make your way to LaBottega of Art Gallery, which represents the art of 25 southern New Jersey artists.

You’ll find it difficult to choose from the beautiful works here. Across the street is the Village on High, a shopping village with 10 little boutiques and the Wildflower Vegan Café. You’ll find small art pieces, hand-poured soaps and candles, crystals, jewelry, indigenous fair-trade art, and specialty cigars and tobacco accessories.

There are several other wonderful places for you to shop in Millville. WheatonArts & Cultural Center, 1501 Glasstown Road, is one of the best-known tourism venues in New Jersey. Their annual Holiday Studio Sale begins on November 26 and runs through December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Glass and ceramic art by a variety of artists will be reduced by 30 to 70 percent. The sale is held inside the event center. While you’re there visit the regular galleries and general store for even more great gift finds.

Millville Army Air Field Museum, 1 Leddon Street, Millville Airport, is a perfect place for memorabilia, toy planes, books, and more. If someone on your list is a history buff, you will definitely want to check out the shop inside the museum. The airfield is America’s first defense airfield to train P47 fighter pilots for World War II. To commemorate a loved one, bricks are sold for $100 and engraved with your veteran’s name and service, then added to the memorial patio.

You can buy t-shirts, sweats, and hats in all sizes. There is a wide selection of model planes that were in service in that era and later; the kids really like these. Check out the books and all of the exhibits.

While you’re at the airport, check out Glasstown Brewery next door to the museum and Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant. They sell gift certificates and can add to the enjoyment of a visit to the museum.

NJ Motorsports Park, adjacent to the airport at 8000 Dividing Creek Road, has gift certificates on sale for the 2022 racing season events, merchandise, and for dining in their beautiful Finish Line Pub.

* * *

Double value gift cards and Small Business Saturday

To make your shopping venture even better, we are selling Double Value Gift Cards again this year. This win-win event allows you to spend your budget for a variety of shops and we double the amount! Example: You spend $25 for El Guacamole Restaurant, and you walk out with a $50 gift card for yourself or as a gift. Sale starts on Small Business Saturday, November 27, at 10 a.m. until we sell out. The funding for this is made possible by the Holly City Development Corporation’s “Neighborhood Preservation Program.”

Small Business Saturday is an event made possible by American Express and National Main Street and geared to “Shop Small” and keep the money in the local economy and not the big box and online giants. No, you can’t buy everything downtown, but you will be able to give the best gifts ever! Mark November 27 on your calendar so as not to miss this great day.

* * *

Decorated Storefront Window Contest

Millville Recreation Department has announced that it will hold a NEW contest for business owners in Millville. It encourages all businesses for the holiday season to participate and share their festive spirit with the rest of Millville by decorating their storefront windows.

Any business that is in the City of Millville is eligible to participate. All you have to do is call the Recreation Department at 856-825-7000, ext. 7394 to sign up. Businesses will be judged on beauty, presentation, holiday spirit and personal opinion by an anonymous group of judges.

Registration deadline is November 22. Judging will be conducted Friday, November 26.

Winners of the contest will be announced the following week. If you require any further information, you can contact the Recreation Department.

“Don’t be afraid to enter, I guarantee you will have a fun time spreading holiday cheer,” stated Samantha Cruz, Parks and Recreation manager.