Last Minute Gift Guide

10:17AM / Friday, December 15, 2017Print Story | Email Story

If you've been procrastinating your holiday shopping, don't worry — there are plenty of thoughtful gifts still available that you can pick up locally. We have a number of gifts that will appeal to a wide range of recipients. The bonus? You'll be supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses here in the Berkshires!

A great place to find that last minute and unique toy:

Persnickety Toys

"Pick the Perfect Holiday Gift at Persnickety Toys in Downtown North Adams....Unique Toys, Games, Puzzles, Science and Craft Kits, Award-Winning Plush, Musical Makers, Dolls, Dress-Up Costumes, Developmental Toys for Baby and More. Come see for yourself, Extended Holiday Hours and Gift Wrapping is Always Free"

Business Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10-6 p.m., Thursday – Saturday 10-7 p.m., Sunday 11-4 p.m.
Telephone: 413-662-2990
Facebook: www.facebook.com/persnickety.toys
Location: 13 Eagle St., North Adams, MA

For those who like to get out to a great meal with family and friends:

Mario's Restaurant

Give a gift that is sure to please.

Mario’s Gift Certificates are the ultimate stocking stuffer.

Gift Certificates can be purchased up to 6pm on Christmas eve.

From the seasonally flavored menus of Italian inspired regional cuisine to the decadent homemade popovers & desserts there is no doubt as to why Mario's has stood the test of time: a dedication to excellence that is a family tradition.

Address: 458 US-20, New Lebanon, NY
Telephone: (518) 794-9495
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Marios-Restaurant-117919804938502/

For those who like to get out to a great meal with family and friends:

Greylock Bowl and Golf / Mingo's Sports Bar and Grill

Gift certificates available for use to Bowl, Golf in the Simulators and to eat in Mingo's Sports Bar and Grill. Additional value given for each gift certificate bought. Open until 5pm on Christmas Eve.

Mingo’s Sports Bar and Grill is the place to go for Great Food and Great Entertainment! We have a large selection of appetizers, burgers, soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. That along with 17 TV’s, 14 Beers on tap and over 25 Craft beers makes Mingo’s the one and only place to go! Come and experience the winning atmosphere at Mingo’s today!

Telephone: (413) 663-3761
Website: www.greylockbowlandgolf.com
Location: 41 Roberts Drive, North Adams, MA

For the person who needs a nice relaxing massage:

Tsubo Massage and Integrative Wellness

Give the Ultimate Gift! What Tsubo offers:

Deep Tissue Massage
Athletic Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Acupuncture
Craniosacral
Energy work

They can mail or deliver your Gift Certificate locally!

Francine Field, Owner/LMT

Tsubo Massage and Integrative Wellness

Business Hours: M-F 9-7 p.m. Weekends 9-3 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 458-0321
Website: www.tsubomassage.com
Location: 136 Water St, Williamstown, MA

Gala Restaurant & Bar

Gift Cards From Gala Restaurant & Bar make Great gifts.

New England Countryside Elegance and Charm

Dine Al fresco on the terrace or inside on comfy couches placed perfectly by the stone fireplace. The award-winning Gala Restaurant and Bar is the essence of New England countryside elegance and charm throughout the year. Drawing ingredients and inspiration from the local farms of Berkshire Grown, the menu features fresh, seasonal comfort food specialties infused with creative flavor by Executive Chef William Sheridan.

Hours:
Breakfast M-F 7:00-10:30
Sat. 7:00-11:00
Sun. 7:00-12:30
Dinner Sun-Th 5-9pm
Fri-Sat 5-10
Phone: 413-458-9611
Website: http://galarestaurant.com/
Address: 222 Adams Rd, Williamstown, MA

For that locally made product:

Eagle St. Artisans

Nestled in the middle of Eagle Street between Adams Community Bank and Desperados, Eagle Street Artisans offers a variety of ever changing locally made products. Whether your looking to stuff the stocking or for a larger gift, we offer a variety that wont break the bank! Cant decide what to buy? Purchase a Gift Card and let them choose!

Business Hours:
Monday  10am-6pm
Tuesday 10am-6pm
Wednesday 12:30pm-6pm
Thursday  10am-7pm
Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
Outside these hours by Appointment
Telephone: (413)  662-2333
Website: www.facebook.com/eaglestreetartisans
Location: 27 Eagle Street, North Adams, MA

For those who like to get out to a great meal with family and friends:

Luau Hale Restaurant in Lenox, MA

Gift Certificates from the Luau Hale Restaurant make Great Gifts. Available in any denominations.

Luau Hale Restaurant in Lenox, MA has been serving Asian Polynesian food longer than any other establishment in the Berkshires. We are not only convenient for business lunches, but also a short drive from some of the most popular attractions in the Berkshires. Tanglewood, Arrowhead, Shakespeare and Co., and the Mount are all within a few miles.

Dine in our beautiful Hawaiian-themed restaurant. Enjoy your meals underneath our palm trees. You are in good hands when you choose our restaurant. Our family owned and operated restaurant has been open for over 40 years.

We welcome reservations for your friends and family. Give us a call today to reserve your table and experience our quality dishes!

Telephone: (413) 443-4745
Website: www.luauHale.net
Location: 569 Pittsfield Rd, Lenox, MA

DannyOArt.com

Looking for a unique gift for your sports fan! 12 x 12 Danny O lithographs! They fit great in an album frame and brighten up any space they are put in! Red Sox Fenway Park (shown in photo) and Yankee Stadium available.

Come shop at http://www.dannyoart.com/shop/ for note cards and posters of local spots and Boston. MoCA, Jack’s Hot Dogs, Tanglewood, and many Boston scenes.

We are also having a $10 sale of 12 x 12 prints of many local spots not found on the website if you would like to come down to Boxcar Media. All posters, note cards and lithographs are in stock as well. We will be here from 9:00 – 3:30 M-F from now through Dec 21^st.

Business Hours: website 24/7
Telephone: (413) 663-3384
Website: http://www.dannyoart.com/shop/
Location: 102 Main St, North Adams, Boxcar Media building

For a variety of accessories, apparel and jewelry:

Castle & Main

Castle & Main offers a variety of accessories and apparel. We have jewelry from Milliana which is made here in the States. The store features unique apparel from designers like Joan Vass and Cristina Gavioli; and brands such as Symphony, Nic+Zoe, and Belford. There are lots of items that are perfect for gift giving, with prices for every budget.

Business Hours: C&M is open every day from 11 - 5pm
Telephone: (413) 528-8080
Website: www.facebook.com/CastleMain322/
Location: 322 Main St., Great Barrington, MA

Capeless Students Raise $5,619 for Charity

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
11:13AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students at Capeless Elementary School celebrated the season of giving by giving back to organizations that they feel inspired them.

On Monday night, 28 fourth-grade students showed off the projects they did to raise funds for an organization of their choice. They had been given $5 each to start a small business by teachers Jeanna Newton and Lidia White.

Newton created the initiative a dozen years ago after her son did one while in fifth grade at Craneville Elementary School, with teacher Teresa Bills.

"And since it was so powerful to me, I asked her if I could steal the idea, and she said yes. And so the following year, I began, and I've been able to do it every year, except for those two years (during the pandemic)," she said. "And it started off as just sort of a feel-good project, but it has quickly tied into so many of the morals and values that we teach at school anyhow, especially our Portrait of a Graduate program."

Students used the venture capital to sell cookies, run raffles, make jewelry, and more. They chose to donate to charities and organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Berkshire Humane Society and Toys for Tots.

"Teaching them that because they have so much and they're so blessed, recognizing that not everybody in the community has as much, maybe not even in the world," said Newton. "Some of our organizations were close to home. Others were bigger hospitals, and most of our organizations had to do with helping the sick or the elderly, soldiers, people in need."

Once they have finished and presented their projects, the students write an essay on what they did and how it makes them feel.

"So the essay was about the project, what they decided to do, how they raised more money," Newton said. "And now that the project is over, this week, we're writing about how they feel about themselves and we've heard everything from I feel good about myself to this has changed me."

Sandra Kisselbrock raised $470 for St. Jude's by selling homemade cookies.

"It made me feel amazing and happy to help children during the holiday season," she said.

Gavin Burke chose to donate to the Soldier On Food Pantry. He shoveled snow to earn money to buy the food.

"Because they helped. They used to fight for our country and used to help protect us from other countries invading our land and stuff," he said.

Desiree Brignoni-Lay chose to donate to Toys for Tots and bought toys with the $123 she raised.

Luke Tekin raised $225 for the Berkshire Humane Society by selling raffle tickets for a basket of instant hot chocolate and homemade ricotta cookies because he wanted to help the animals.

"Because animals over, like I'm pretty sure, over 1,000 animals are abandoned each year, he said. "So I really want that to go down and people to adopt them."

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