By Lynne Christen
From over 100 designer outlet retailers at
Silver Sands Factory Stores to one-of-a-kind galleries, finding perfect gifts for family and friends is easy along the
Beaches of South Walton. Come with me on a festive holiday shopping spree.
For original gifts by local artists, I enjoy meandering along Highway 30A making frequent reconnaissance stops at galleries like
Artists at Gulf Place,
Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery,
House of Art,
Blue Giraffe and the fun-and-funky
Zoo Gallery. A lunch break in
Seaside at
Bud & Alley’s recharges me and I’m back on track. While in Seaside,
Sundog Books is the place to go for books and music from bestsellers to hard-to-find titles and unique personal journals, calendars and greeting cards. I whittle away an hour or so browsing the packed shelves, sipping java and chatting with fellow book lovers. Foodies on my list look forward to regional cookbooks, like an
autographed copy of Sister Schubert’s inspirational new cookbook,
Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters. Then, it takes just a few minutes to fill delectable treat baskets with gourmet goodies and award-winning wines at
Modica Market. Continuing east on 30A, I still have enough time to round out my day at
Pish Posh Patchouli’s, a sensory apothecary boutique with heavenly scents for the whole family, including the cat.
I checked off most of my holiday shopping list, including a few “me” treats, and there are still plenty of shopping days left for another spree or two.