A rolling document of the sales, specials, deals, and one-of-a-kind delights available in Camden County’s downtown businesses this season.
By Matt Skoufalos
NJ Pen 2014 Holiday Gift Guide.
The holiday shopping season is about taking a moment to recognize those closest to us with a little something special, but it’s also the time at which most businesses make the sales that keep them afloat for the rest of the year.
That effect is certainly true nationally, but the impact is even more critical at a local level, where the people behind the counters often live in the communities in which they work.
Keeping dollars in the local economy has numerous benefits, but one of the greatest may be supporting the businesses that make our downtowns unique.
With that in mind, we’ve collected some of the best local gifts around, hand-selected by small business owners throughout our coverage area.
You’ll find deals and special products from brick-and-mortar stores and home-based businesses alike in here, with more to come in the days that follow.
Check back with our guide, which will be updated throughout the shopping season. If you’re a local business owner and you’d like to feature a deal in our guide, send your best product or deal, along with a photo, to info@njpen.com.
Dining
The Little Tuna supports holiday parties.
The Little Tuna
Looking to complete your holiday feast? Stop by The Little Tuna (141 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield) and pick up a jumbo shrimp party tray. Call 856-795-0888 to place your order.
The “Dante’s Inferno” at Marie’s Sandwich Bar.
Marie’s Sandwich Bar
Nick and Brandon Capaldi are cooking up their grandmother’s recipes at Marie’s Sandwich Bar (6 Kings Court, Haddonfield), but celebrating the seasonal shopping as well.
On Black Friday, come in from 8 to 11 a.m. for special catering pricing and free coffee. Then, on Small Business Saturday, get 10 percent off your order with an unwrapped donation for Toys for Tots. Call 856-375-2449 to order.
Buy Tortilla Press gift cards and get bonus bucks.
The Tortilla Press and The Tortilla Press Cantina
Celebrate “the new math” this holiday season at The Tortilla Press: starting on Black Friday, get a $10 Holiday Bonus coupon with every $25 gift certificate purchased. No limit!
Available at The Tortilla Press (703 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) and The Tortilla Press Cantina (7716 Maple Ave., Merchantville).
Goods
Sample hoop earrings from Aenigma.
Aenigma Jewelry & Accessories
Visit Aenigma (6 Powell Lane, Collingswood) on Black Friday and receive a free pair of gold or silver hoop earrings with your $50 purchase. One-day sale only.
All Fired Up offers special deals on Black Friday.
All Fired Up
If you’re looking for a personalized gift, paint-and-take pottery studio, All Fired Up (602 Haddon Ave., Collingswood), makes it easy and fun to create a lasting treasure.
The shop is open until 10 p.m. on Black Friday, and early-bird specials include coffee and breakfast treats from 7 to 11 a.m., plus 25 percent off any single item during those hours.
Also on Black Friday, take $5 off every $25 gift card purchased; to make it easier, staff will also accept your phone and e-mail orders for gift cards that day (865-833-1330 or pamandkim@paintatallfiredup.com). Check the store calendar for more specials throughout the month, including the 10th annual Painting with Santa Day.
ExtraordinaryED offers 10% off your order when you mention NJ Pen.
ExtraordinaryED
At ExtraordinaryED (710 Haddon Ave., Collingswood), the vast collection of award-winning puzzles, games, and brain teasers offers a gift for everyone. Through Christmas Eve, get 10 percent off your entire order when you mention the NJ Pen gift guide!
A collection of vintage dolls from Galerie Marie.
Galerie Marie
The unique gifts at Galerie Marie (709 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) are hand-selected by former Barnes Foundation CEO, Kimberly Camp.
This holiday brings a special opportunity for doll collectors: a global sampling of vintage dolls from Spain, Greece, the United States, the Philippines, Trinidad, Poland, the Soviet Union, and elsewhere. Mention NJ Pen and receive a 10 percent discount.
Buckets of unique items at Gorshin Trading Post.
Gorshin Trading Post & Supplies
Looking for a top-notch gift with a story to tell? Gorshin Trading Post (Kings Highway and Mechanic Street, Haddonfield) carries heritage brands, hand-crafted goods, and quality gear for your hands-on life.
Local spices, pickled items, gourmet snacks, and fragrances are among the one-of-a-kind inventory. Through December 23, fill up a Bonanza Holiday Gift Bucket with your favorite items from throughout the store, and it will be ready for pick-up within 48 hours.
Gift baskets from Hanna’s Gourmet in Haddonfield.
Hanna’s Gourmet
Since 1994, the Felber family has packaged spices, gift baskets, and gourmet foodstuffs for customers with demanding palates.
For the holidays, Hanna’s Gourmet (128 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield) is offering gift baskets ranging from modest ($25) to extravagant ($400), and comprising a variety of products. Call 856-888- 2572 to order.
One-of-a-kind lamps from Imagine Studios.
Imagine Studio
Haddon Heights-based artist Marina Westfield makes one-of-a-kind lamps from repurposed glass insulators and galvanized steel pipe parts.
These unique works of art are entirely custom-built and cost about $100 apiece. Local pickup or delivery available; cash, check, and credit cards accepted. E-mail westfield.marina@gmail.com to place an order.
The Vermont Christmas Tree from Polished Plate.
The Polished Plate
Celebrate the season with a Simon Pearce hand-blown Vermont evergreen tree sculpture, available at The Polished Plate (101 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield). Packed with tiny air bubbles that resemble snow, the eight-inch tree is $130. Ships free with no sales tax outside New Jersey, or pick up in store.
Sylvia Starlight.
Sylvia Starlight
Sylvia Starlight toys are unique, handmade items that inspire creativity, promote storytelling, and bring smiles to young hearts.
Made by Collingswood resident Ellen Rosenholtz with wood, cotton, 100% wool felt, and embellished with non-toxic paints. Available online or at Duck, Duck, Goose (702 Haddon Ave., Collingswood).
Services
The trainers at Haddonfield Fitness offer individual and group classes.
Haddonfield Fitness
The personal trainers at Haddonfield Fitness (320 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield) offer individualized training, teen athletic development, and group fitness classes. Throughout Black Friday weekend, new clients can get four personal training sessions for $90, and existing clients can purchase three sessions for $99.
Partnered training sessions are four for $100, and group fitness classes—including BodyPump, Cardio Sculpting, Corebar, Tabata, Yoga, and Cardio Kickboxing—are 10 for $90. For more information, call Lainey Gallagher at 609-605-1088.
The Little Portion of Lourdes Wellness Center offers a number of services.
The Little Portion of Lourdes Wellness Center
The annual gift card sale at the Little Portion of Lourdes Wellness Center (1049 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) is on! Get an extra $10 in bonus bucks for every $75 purchased on December 5 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and December 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Redeemable for massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, or nutrition services, these gifts offer a variety of comforts. Call 856-869-8190 for details.
Mageworks Recording Studios.
Mageworks
Got a musician on your gift list? Mageworks recording studios (560 Haddon Ave, Collingswood) serves all your recording, rehearsal, and performance needs. Reserve your recording session now and get a free hour of mixdown time for every hour booked. Double your time, but for a limited time only! Gift certificates available. Contact Jay Mage at 856-952-7296 or MageWorksPro@gmail.com.
Marsha Solton of Marsha Massage.
Marsha Massage
Unwind after your holiday shopping with a one-hour massage at Marsha Massage (704 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) for $75 (plus tax). Included in the deal are an aromatherapy treatment and foot scrub, normally $10 and $15, respectively. Call 856-246-8483 to reserve. Credit cards accepted.
Holiday e-card from Milestone Media.
Milestone Media
Save a tree this holiday and give the gift of season’s greetings with a holiday e-card from Milestone Media (Park Ave., Collingswood). Videographer Mike Tribulas can drop in movies, animation, and save you money and time on postage and trips to the busy post office. Great for individuals, families, and businesses looking to transcend the norm. Call 856-701-2008 for details.
Patrick Rodio Photography.
Patrick Rodio Photography
Until December 31, take $50 off the price of a one-hour shoot with photographer Patrick Rodio (Collingswood). Normally $175, reduced to $125. Great for family portraits!
Say It With Clay classes offer a unique opportunity for expression.
Say It With Clay
Say It With Clay (644 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) offers the gift of hands-on classes and workshops for those looking for a unique experience. The mission of this Collingswood nonprofit is to use the therapeutic power of clay to heal, relax, and empower, especially those with special needs. Gift certificates are available for multiple classes or a single workshop. Call 856-858-5994.
Spirit Light Studios.
Spirit Light Services
Looking for a unique and meaningful gift? Professional medium Tracy Farquhar offers compassionate guidance through intuitive readings at her studio (1001 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township), by phone, or Skype. A 60-minute session is now $75–$10 off regular price. E-mail Tracy at spiritlight@outlook.com.
A bundle of services await the body in need of pampering at TAR Salon.
TAR Salon and Spa
TAR Salon (574 Haddon Ave., Collingswood) is offering a special deal for those in need of holiday pampering.
Enjoy a 30-minute Swedish massage, 30-minute pumpkin facial, shampoo and blowout, and makeup application, all for just $45. That’s one-third of the regular $150 price. Call 609-870-4949 to reserve.
Sandra Fortuna’s Universal Dance Ballroom has a steep class discount this season.
Universal Ballroom Dance Center
Want to buy that special someone the gift that keeps them moving? At the Universal Ballroom Dance Center (41 E. Crescent Blvd., Collingswood) four weeks of social dance classes or salsa/club Latin dance lessons are available for just $50 apiece until December 10. The normal cost of these lessons are $160—a huge savngs. Call 856-869-0010 for more information.
ViVaCe Strings are available for your holiday party.
ViVaCe Strings
Looking for a complement to your holiday party? Collingswood-based ViVaCe Strings is available as a quartet, trio, or duo for in-home, corporate, or other events. Pricing ranges from $400 for a 90-minute duo performance and up. Contact 609-458-5436 or vivacestrings@comcast.net.
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