Herewith, one person's guide to what's available in Hudson stores.

The “consumable” part of my shopping scheme is easy. Everyone needs to eat, and there are plenty of comestibles in Hudson shops, with nary a fruitcake in sight. Olde Hudson (434 Warren) has expanded its offerings far beyond the cheeses it is known for. Shoppers will want to spend some time here, browsing between the ginger lemon balsamic drizzle and the fig and olive tapenade, and nibbling on cheese samples. Gift baskets, filled with items of your choosing, are available.

Across the street at 437 Warren, Otto has a tasty confection called Turkish delight, available in several flavors, on sale for $6. Other things will tempt you too, such as the fig and cherry preserves, to say nothing of the gorgeous, jewel-like glass bowls and plates, the scarves and pillow covers.

Verdigris Art & Tea (13 S. 3rd Street) is not just a place to refresh and refuel, it is also filled with lots of gift ideas. There are plenty of tea accoutrements to choose from, and of course there is the star of the show, the tea itself, packaged in attractive tins. Brewed tea is available for tasting. I opted for a cup of the Starry Night—“Organic Assam with natural soothing white tea and star-shaped vanilla bits.” Delicious. For the art part, consider B. Docktor’s stunning nature photos in the gallery.

Who wouldn’t welcome a bottle of fine wine from Michael Albin and Marianne Courville’s Hudson Wine Merchants (341 Warren)? For the accident-prone on your list, consider the purse-sized See No Vino, a red wine stain remover ideal as a stocking stuffer ($6).

The most tempting shop in the consumable category is Vasilow’s at 741 Columbia Street.  I love its cheery, welcoming façade, the confectioners Jim and Kate, and especially their chocolate covered cranberries.

The Hudson Rotary Club is having its holiday citrus sale. So find a Rotarian, or call Greg Fingar at 828-4500, and order a box of Florida oranges or grapefruit. Makes a great, and healthful, gift.

In the consumable category, I place those shops that offer pampering, such as massage, facials, hair care, and more. Gift certificates are available from Bodhi (323 Warren), Spalon (314 Warren), Casa Urbana (525 Warren), D. Taylor Hair Studio (234 Warren), Mane Street (532 Warren), Lisa Marie (540 Warren), or FACE Stockholm (401 Warren) for makeup makeovers.

Certificates for yoga, pilates, or art classes would also be welcomed by your giftees, I am sure.  And gift certificates to Hudson restaurants are always welcome. 

Talk about recyclables, the many antique stores on Warren Street are full of them! Items both large and small are available. So many shops are full of quirky treasures that you will be surprised and delighted over and over again. I advise you to walk the street and take a look.  Here are a few examples. 

Carousel Antiques (611 Warren) is nostalgia central—loaded with things that will remind you of your grandmother’s attic. Need an ocarina? You’ll find several in different sizes at Fern (610½ Warren), Gail Peachin’s jam-packed emporium. One of my personal favorites is Henry (348 Warren), with offerings that reflect proprietor Nancy Shaver’s unique perspective. Others, like Warren Street Antiques (322 Warren), Mark’s Antiques/Larry’s Back Room (612 Warren), and Gypsies (624 Warren), are all worth a look.

It’s hard to miss John Doe Books and Records, the outdoor flea market in the 300 block.  Proprietor Dan Seward has opened a second, equally irreverent shop at 339 Warren Street called Jean Deux. Here you will find the late local artist Edward Avedisian’s paint trays displayed in the window with other odds and ends. You will also find local artist Earl Swanigan’s unique paintings (priced from $30-$75). Swanigan, the great recycler, uses any and all available surfaces and materials.  

Along the way, you will find copies of Howard Saunders’ small book called UrMonumental: New Museum Opens on Warren Street, featuring the John Doe flea market. 

If you are missing some of your favorite antique dealers, you may find them at Able Sun’s Hudson Supermarket (310 Warren) where fourteen dealers now reside, some of them refugees from Alain Pioton’s Hudson Valley Antiques Center. Dan Turk, of Knotty Woodpecker fame, has some of his witty offerings here, and Jeffrey Aronoff’s lush chenille scarves are on display at 10 percent off.  Olenka Bachinsky’s beautiful plants and arrangements are available at the front of the store, while a small welcoming café is tucked in at the back.  

Also in the recycling department: A new store, Ros Ollivierra’s Omnia Nouveaux (238 Warren), joins the ranks of used and vintage clothing stores, although you’d never know it. Ros mixes high quality vintage with new pieces, at varying price points. Lisa Durfee’s Five & Diamond (corner of 5th and Columbia) carries men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing mostly from the ‘30s to the ‘70s. Lots of great stuff here, including a man’s polyester shirt in a backgammon board print in red, white, and black. Very colorful…and useful, I would think. A neighborhood favorite, The Second Show thrift shop (519 Warren), has plenty of re-gifting ideas. The Show, which functions almost as Hudson’s department store, relies on random donations of used goods, so it is worth almost a daily trip to see what’s new. 

If you are looking for books, try the local bookstore-n-more, Spotty Dog (440 Warren). The selections are nicely organized, and if you can’t find what you want, Kelley can order it for you in time for the holidays—if you hurry. (Call her at 671-6006.) This is a good place to find books by local authors such as Peter Stott’s Looking for Work or Byrne Fone’s Historic Hudson: An Architectural Portrait. Also find kids’ toys and art supplies. 

Hudson City Books (553 Warren) specializes in rare and used (recycled) books. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll find in this welcoming, comfortable place. Be sure to take a look.

The Hudson Opera House (327 Warren) has a variety of books by authors who have given readings at the Opera House and CDs from musicians who have performed there, plus a 2.5 oz Vasilow’s chocolate bar (milk or dark) sporting the HOH logo ($3.00). Gift memberships or season tickets to TSL, Stageworks, Walking the dog, Hudson Opera House, or any other presenting or performing arts group are also available. And many Hudson galleries are offering small, affordable works for sale. Give them a try and see some wonderful art along the way. 

Part of the delight in shopping in Hudson, aside from the savings on gasoline and time, is the opportunity to meet and talk with the shop owners, a group of inspired entrepreneurs who have made Hudson a destination for many. One of the hardest working is Melinda Slover at the reliable and wonderful Lili and Loo, which has extended its hours for the holidays--Friday and Saturday—11 a.m. to 8 p.m. L and L is chock full of home furnishings, tableware, and furniture.  The huge stock includes lots of decorative natural items such as marine fossils, and intriguing cones from around the world. Here you will find Carole Clark’s Woodland Collection of vases, made from recycled natural materials, such as foraged barks, fungi, mosses, and berries.  Lili and Loo has always sold attractively priced costume jewelry. Among my favorites are the steel bracelets and necklaces priced at $10. L and L also sells great women’s scarves that will turn any-old-thing into an outfit. 

The reliable Steiner’s (301 Warren) is the place for sportswear, Crocs for kids, bikes, mittens and hats, Swiss army knives, etc., etc.  

Marx Home (344 Warren) can fill your needs for amusing stocking stuffers (a bottle opener in the shape of a colorful parrot, perhaps?) or a serious present for a serious cook.  At the moment, All-Clad cookware is 30 percent off. 

Everything is beautiful at Rural Residence (316 Warren), from the hand-forged tailor scissors to the carefully chosen tableware, linens, and toiletries. You’ll also find a nice selection of books on architecture, design, decorating, and gardening. 

Hedstrom and Judd (401 Warren) has those wonderful imported bird mugs from England, unframed botanical prints, and glass flower arrangers and vases. 

MIX still carries my favorite clip-on pigeon lamp in many colors ($125), a giant insect wind-up toy at $12, and the ultimate hot water bottle, covered in printed rabbit fur for $195. If this is too pricey for such a utilitarian object, try the child’s size covered with a red knit sweater for only $12. There is so much to see at MIX, including great pillows, tableware, and wall coverings, that you may just throw up your hands and seek advice in a copy of Elsie DeWolfe’s The House in Good Taste (1913) for $26.

Don’t forget Hudson Home (356 Warren) for gorgeous tree ornaments, Casa Urbana (525 Warren) for beautiful soaps and toiletries, de Marchin (620 Warren) and White Rice (531 Warren) for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, and many other things that will catch your fancy.

Proprietor Cora Hales at Kosa (502 Warren) offers Fair Trade women’s and children’s clothing, or items made in this country from independent designers. Skincare products are all natural and all made locally. You will find really great hats, gloves, and scarves, some, such as e-ko-logics hats and sweaters or Cora’s fingerless elbow gloves, are made from recycled cashmere. Alas, the fabulous felt booties in the shape of fanciful animals only come in children’s sizes.

Musica, the newly relocated store at 17 N. 4th Street, sells all things musical, including a fine line of musical noisemakers and rhythm instruments, many designed with children in mind. You will find kazoos, rain sticks, thunder tubes, jaw harps, jingle bells, and a washboard necktie, among others. Musica also stocks a full array of musical instruments from cellos and other stringed instruments, to a harmonium and a bulbul from India. Music lessons are available. 

Dogs need presents too. Therefore, say welcome to Dogs of Hudson, the new dog training center at 355 Warren. This is from their newsletter: “What does your dog do all day? If he’s not gainfully employed sniffing bombs or hunting wild boar, he might need your help to keep him from going stir crazy….Studies show that animals prefer food they have to work for, over food they can get for free. Instead of putting his dinner down in a bowl which he’ll inhale in 3.2 seconds, or leaving it out all day for him to pick at, put his daily ration into a variety of food toys and activities that require he work to extract it. . . .”  Dogs then offers a 10 percent discount on the Featured Product of the Week—the Holey Roller. “Fill up this dimpled orange orb with your dog’s daily ration and let him have at it.  He’ll roll it along the floor while vacuuming up the steady but thin stream of kibble it dispenses. Picks up hair dust bunnies too!”  $14. Offer expires January 6.  Call Erica Vance at 822-8242 for open hours. 

After all this bountiful, but, we hope, thoughtful gift-giving, we urge you to go one step further and share the bounty with your neighbors. Consider a donation to the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, the Hudson Area Library, or your favorite charity in your giftee’s name. Hard times are here and the offer of snow shoveling or a trip to the supermarket for those without stamina or a car may help to ease the way. 

Happy Holidays to one and all…and to all a good night.