One of the things that makes Northampton, well, Northampton, is Essentials. I started shopping at…read moreEssentials almost twenty years ago, and it's been a staple of my quirky life ever since. It's changed hands twice in my awareness, and just keeps getting better and better with age. This is a design-focused, design-heavy shop, and there are things I can pretty much only get AT Essentials; for instance, they've got a cut-to-custom-length ribbon bar, and some of that ribbon is vintage, and my absolute favorite is the hand-dyed silk. Also, they've got the best collection of Tintin and other European character favorites (like Barbapapa and Babar) this side of the pond. Oh, and the staff is wonderful. Knowledgable, friendly, thoughtful, and creative. Over the years, the cast of characters has changed, but it's always top-shelf. One giant boon: they've helped me put together a gift in no time, saving my bacon on numerous occasions! On a typical day, you can find stationery of all kinds, the indier the better; dishware; rubber stamps; intriguing books (think Chronicle); bath goods; bags of all shapes, sizes, and purposes; clothes and scarves; eight million things for kids, from blankies to onesies to stuffed alligators; jewelry; small home goods; special pens; DIY kits; custom furniture; large sheets of beautiful artisan paper; and a ton of things I'm forgetting. And one other thing about Essentials I am not forgetting, but which I saved for last, because it's my favorite. Essentials has an in-house design and print studio. And they also work with a select group of indie designers and printers who create everything from business cards to party invites. Here is where Colette, the current owner, really freaking shines, in my opinion. There was one thing I wanted when it came time to get married. One. Thing. That one thing was letterpress wedding invitations from Essentials. Colette took us from beautiful nebulous idea to flawlessly-executed product without ever breaking a sweat. I don't know if you've ever worked with people who are about to get married, but we are not always the most poised, cool-headed, or unflappable of people; Colette sat us down in the big comfy chairs and made sketches and phone calls, and really made our family feel like we were the only people in the entire world. Go see what I'm talking about - our invitation is probably still hanging in its golden-framed, green-paper-backed glory. Nearly four thousand miles away now, and I'm still bouncing in my chair as I look forward to my next trip to Essentials, whenever it may be.

I like this store and their merchandise. The prices are high, as the merchandise is of a high…read morequality. However their store policies are not up par with many upscale stores. We received a lovely gift of several girls garments, however we have a male child. The store manager, who did not have the courage to call us, rather made a sales associate do their work, informed us without a receipt we can not get a store credit. So wonderful Essentials, you made some money from this sale, but you lost a lot more revenue from this here shopper.

We've been to Books and Company 1 million times and we were sad to see that they were closing their…read moredoors in January, but are thrilled to see them moving to a new location instead! Great use bookstore with lots of small artists and items. Great spot for gifting.

This bookshop unfortunately closed for good earlier this year. Was a warm, cozy used bookstore with…read morecoffee until they closed. RIP

Great gifting options here! Kids books, activity and craft kits, kitchenware options, warm weather…read moreclothing you name it they've got it all. The service was great, Beverly the store manager helped me sort through a problem that came up and I will definitely visit again!

Beautiful store and very interesting and unique itemS all over the store. You could really spend…read morehours and hours just looking around at items, objects, stationery products, cards, stuffies, toys, candies, and sooo many other thiNgs. Prepare yourself for sensory overload of colors, creations, patterns and more!!!! If you need to purchase any kind of gift for anyone you will most liikely be able to locate something for someone here. The staff is super accommodating and friendly. If you are looking for a particular item just ask and they will present you with options and locations. My first viSit was amazing!! Worth the hour and a half drive from Western Massachusetts to get here. We shall return again in the future.

The framer was very helpful; and made several great suggestions. The job was finished on time and…read morewas beautiful!

There is a hand and brush cleaner that I use called: Marvelous Marianne's Savvy Hand and Brush…read moreCleaner. I can't say enough good things about it. Even if your brushes are dried out this stuff brings them back and it also easily removes paint etc. from your hands. And it's bio. I've tried to order it from Catskill AS but they won't order it saying that their supplier doesn't carry it. I CAN order it from Rhinebeck Art Supply in New Paltz and I do but Catskill is closer and I'd gladly get it from there when I purchase other items. I used to live in NYC and shopped at New York Central Art Supply and it was a pleasure and a great place. For an art supply store not to be able to order certain items is inexcusable. If you need it and it exists they should be able to order it. Bad business practice. If you are reading this try the stuff it's amazing. New Paltz will have it in the store in a couple of weeks. I'm trying to order it directly from the company. I don't think she does that because she honors businesses.

Like Nicolette, I feel virtuous when I send a card. But I feel extra-virtuous when I send a card to…read moremy grandmother! My friends and siblings actually could not care less about cards. And London Limited does not really have an adequate selection of cards suitable for grandmothers. Actually, to be entirely honest, their selection of cards is kind of "limited." It's a cute place, and gift-buyers will probably find something, but it isn't a place I find particularly useful, I guess. The house cat *was* an amazing animal, but I use the past tense because I think there was recently a touching photo tribute suggesting that the cat is no more.

I try to be a good friend, sister, daughter, girlfriend and send cards as often as possible. This…read morespot is my muse. It is an adorable store filled with one of kind EVERYTHING. Cards, candles, gourmet chocolate, magnets, jewelry et al... The charm of this place only elevates when you meet the house cat who more often then not is sleeping it the ever-changing window display. (I have been informed that this wonderful cat may no longer be with us...) I think the credit card limit is 10$ and above so if you head in for a small purchase have some cash handy.

I first fell in love with Pilothouse Paper over the summer when I went to visit Reed Street Bottle…read moreShop across the street and saw they were a new business in downtown Coxsackie. They have a wide array of charming products that are curated by Susan, the owner, and her incredible eye for design. Yes, they have paper and pens and things like that, but they also have an amazing number and variety of locally made items and gifts. I get so many compliments on my Coxsackie tote that I purchased at Pilothouse. The splatter paint designed serving spoons from Pilothouse are a lovely addition to my kitchen. I love using the fancy colored pens and check box notepad I bought there at work every day. What really stole my heart was when I placed an order online for Christmas gifts. Susan was so helpful, so speedy, and I am beyond impressed. I was basically sending her screencaps of their (adorable) Instagram page and she was able to decipher wheat I want. The items all arrived in pristine condition, each one wrapped with care, and I am over the moon. I really can't thank Susan enough. I can't wait to visit over the summer (if not sooner)! If you are in Coxsackie, make sure to visit Pilothouse and Reed Street Bottle Shop because they are both gems!

I am so happy to have found A Flood of Paper in Wilton center! The shop is fun, bright and…read moreinviting, and the owner Ashley Flood is very helpful and willing to provide any assistance or creative ideas. She found the perfect wedding invitation for my daughter's upcoming Cape Cod wedding, and she made the ordering process easy and painless. The thing I liked best was the small town, personalized service that Ashley provides. Check out this wonderful shop for all your invitation and stationary needs!

From the owner: Personalized and Custom Invitations and Stationery. Wedding Invitations, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs,…read moreHoliday Cards, Party Invitations, Stationery, Business Cards and More!

Nichole was such a pleasure to work with at Coral Pheasant! The design process was seamless and she…read morehelped to keep my wedding invitations within budget by thinking of creative ways to incorporate colors and themes for the stationary. They turned out better than I expected and the longer I look at them, the more I fall in love with them. The quality of the letter press was awesome and even though we were working together across the country (I am in San Diego and she is in Norwalk) they came over in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Coral Pheasant for your wedding invitations! Everyone has been complimenting them and they are a sure way to set the theme for your wedding guests.

If you are looking for something personal, original, high quality and downright classy, THIS is…read moreyour choice for all things paper! The designer really takes in your vision and executes in such a way that the final product is even better than imagined! She took the time to listen and absorb all the details necessary to create a final product that was perfectly representative of the theme of the day. She guided us honestly and professionally through tough choices during the creative process and was so timely at responding to any questions or concerns. Receiving that first proof really made the whole celebration very 'real' and gave so much excitement about all that was to come! Grateful I chose Coral Pheasant to invite the most important people in our lives to one of the most important days of our lives!

Great little shop for gifts. Really affordable and just the most personable and lovable staff…read morearound. They sell great skin products made locally, trays , scarves, garden decor, plant hangers, candles and diffusers among a wide variety of decorative accessories. The owner has a great eye for bringing new things in and anything you buy is placed in a white shopping bag with tissues and ribbon, so you can take it out of the store ready to gift. Be sure to visit this great shop the next time you're in town.