Holiday Tips for the Mindful Merrymaker
The time for cozy home cooking, being with the people we love, and of course, giving, is officially here. As the next few weeks start to speed by, I’m inviting you to slow down with me. Let’s reimagine what a meaningful holiday can look like when we shop with intention instead of excess.
Conscious consumerism isn’t about depriving ourselves; it’s about choosing items with care and longevity at the forefront. Below are some local shops, pop ups featuring HVSFW designers, and simple ideas to help you navigate the holidays in a more thoughtful way — without buying new clothing, without shame, and without losing any of the magic.
Meet your makers
Left to right: Slow Process, Olga +Ella, MLE, and la vie après l’amour. All runway photos by Ilan Harel Photography.
There are plenty of opportunities across the Hudson Valley to support some of our very own 2025 Organic Runway designers this season. Stop by a pop-up or drop into their stores to pick up beautifully handcrafted pieces. Shopping small is a great way to bolster the local economy, meet independent artisans, and purchase items that carry a story.
Slow Process @ Basilica Hudson Farm & Flea: 110 South Front Street | Hudson
Fri., Nov. 28 – Sun., Nov. 30 // 10am to 5pm |
purchase tickets
Olga +Ella @ Kaight: 512 Main Street | Beacon
Sat., Nov 29 // 12pm to 5pm |
MLE @ new storefront: 325 Warren Street | Hudson
Thurs. // 11am to 5pm | Fri. & Sat. // 11am to 6pm | Sun. to Tues. // 11am to 5pm |
la vie après l’amour @ maison après storefront: 101 Abeel Street | Kingston
Tues. to Sat. // 10am to 5pm | Sun. // 9am to 2pm |
Thrifty gifties
Newburgh Vintage Emporium features 10,000 square feet of antique, vintage, and designer home shopping.
Thrifting is one of the easiest, most adventurous ways to shop sustainably. Our region offers plenty of secondhand stores where you can spend the day exploring and making purchases that support people and the planet.
Elite Repeat: 170 South Main Street | New City
Tues. & Fri. // 11am to 6pm | Wed. & Thurs. // 11am to 7pm | Sat. // 11am to 5pm | Sun. // 12pm to 4pm |
An upscale consignment boutique specializing in quality, name brand, and designer clothing and accessories for women.
Newburgh Vintage Emporium: 5006 US Route 9W | Newburgh
Wed. to Mon. // 10am to 6pm|
A huge, treasure-filled marketplace featuring retro clothing, furniture, vinyl, and home décor. Perfect for one-of-a-kind finds.
Vintage:Beacon: 478 Main Street | Beacon
Sun., Mon., Thurs. // 12pm to 5pm | Fri. & Sat. // 12pm to 6pm |
A curated consignment and vintage shop featuring elevated and timeless designer pieces.
Rewind Kingston: 612 Broadway | Kingston
Wed. to Fri. // 3pm to 7pm | Sat. & Sun. // 12pm to 5pm |
Curated thrift, vintage clothing, local art, and vinyl. Proceeds support local mental health nonprofits.
Thrift 2 Fight: 48 Broadway | Tivoli
Mon., Wed., Thurs. // 12pm to 6pm | Fri. // 12pm to 7pm | Sat. & Sun. // 11am to 7pm |
A donation-based thrift and vintage shop whose profits directly support community advocacy work.
Trilogy Consignment: 54 Main Street | Tarrytown
Mon. to Sat. // 11am to 6pm | Sun. // 12pm to 5pm
Modern, vintage, and artisan items of the highest quality.
High taste, low waste
The least joyful part of the holidays is the waste we create – the torn wrapping paper, disposable décor, single-use packaging, and more. Let’s rethink these habits with simple changes like saving the ribbons from last year’s gifts, repurposing pretty boxes or jars, and cutting back on the unnecessary throwaways.
This is not about perfection. This about an intentional touch that shows creativity and resourcefulness, and encapsulates the love and warmth of this season.
Here are some easy, low-waste gift ideas your loved ones can cherish for years to come:
Frames: Thrifted frames have charm and history. Print a photo of a special memory and tuck a handwritten note behind it.
Glassware: Unique glasses — coupes, mugs, vintage jars — are as fun as they are functional. Fill them with flaky salt, baking ingredients, cocoa mix, or simply gift them as-is and let the vessel be the gift.
Secondhand Sites: If your local shops come up short, explore Etsy Vintage, eBay’s secondhand selections, Depop, ThredUp, or Poshmark for pre-loved ‘fits and goodies.
Alternative Wrapping: Use scarves, fabric scraps, reusable tins, old maps, or newspaper tied with twine for a creative touch.
Knick-Knack Magic: Vintage ornaments, small vases, art pieces, books, recipe boxes, candleholders — thrift stores are filled with tiny tokens that can feel deeply personal. Group a few together for your multi-faceted family member or friend.
Wrapping up
The holidays will always carry a bit of chaos, but gifting can be one place where we slow down and choose differently. I hope this guide helps you enjoy the act of giving in a way that feels fuller.
Let’s make this season a little gentler on ourselves and the world around us, and bring a bit of wonder back into our lives.
