Harvard Square Christmas

Cambridge Christmas Shopping Guide

With Christmas right around the corner, everyone is scrambling to get all their Christmas shopping done. For those of us lucky enough to live in or close to the wonderful city of Cambridge, Christmas shopping can be a breeze. The numerous locally-owned boutiques make it easy to avoid the stress of shopping malls and big box stores by sticking to the wonderful local shops that are known for fantastically curated merchandise, impeccable customer service, and community pride. We have put together a list of some of our favorite spots for last minute Christmas shopping in Cambridge. There’s something for everyone on your list: the impossible to please, the foodie, the urban adventurer, the kids, and the kids-at-heart.

Christmas Shopping in Cambridge

Harvard Book Store – Harvard Square

FOR THE BOOKWORM:

Harvard Book StoreForgo Amazon.com this year and support one of the country’s best bookstores. A book lover’s heaven, Harvard Book Store is a local institution with an incredible variety of books and an extremely knowledgable staff that will help you out with great recommendations to find the perfect book for every lucky person on your Christmas list. If you feel daunted by all those books on the shelves, then plan ahead. Harvard Book Store has 100 recommended books (called the Holiday Hundred) in all areas of interest – fiction, poetry, criticism, history, children’s books, etc…- to help you know exactly what you need before you even walk through their doors. If 100 books to chose from is still too daunting, check out the New York Times Book Review’s ten best books of 2015. You can’t go wrong with any of these best books of the year.

Cambridge Artists Cooperative – Harvard Square

FOR THE LOVER OF THE HANDMADE:

CACThis artist owned and operated gallery has perfect one-of-a-kind gifts made by local artists for those hard-to-please people on your Christmas list. This intimate gallery showcases the artistry of local painters, potters, jewelers, knitters, and more. Pick up a unique handmade Christmas ornament, an exquisite scarf, or some locally made earrings.

NOMAD – Porter Square

FOR THE ARMCHAIR WORLD TRAVELER:

NomadLooking for a truly unique gift? Then head to Nomad, a wonderful neighborhood shop full of fabulous folk art, fashion, accessories, and home decor. The shop owners travel around the world and handpick wonderful and wild items to bring back to their devoted customers. Pick up some folk art from Oaxaca, Peru, South Africa, or Morocco. Or get some unique Indian earrings or a necklace from Tibet for that special someone on your Christmas list.

  • Location: 1741 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
  • Hours: Monday – Saturday 10AM -9PM/Sunday 11AM – 7 PM
  • Contact: 617.497.6677/nomadcambridge.com

Sofra Bakery and Cafe – West Cambridge

FOR THE FOODIE:

SofraOwned by internationally-renowned local chef Ana Sortun, this culinary gem, across the street from Mount Auburn Cemetery, is known for its delicious Middle Eastern-inspired sweets, snacks, and sandwiches. But it is also full of wonderful gifts for your favorite home chef. Pick up a mouth-watering selection of incredibly fresh spice blends, oils, hard-to-find preserves, and cookbooks. Or buy your favorite foodie a class at Sofra where Oleana‘s Executive Pastry Chef, Maura Kilpatrick, can teach them how to make the perfect cookie or learn how to cook and prep fish with Ana Sortun, the owner and Executive Chef at Oleana & Sofra, leading the way! While you’re shopping for others, don’t forget to pick up a few of their incredible baked treats. You won’t be disappointed.

  • Location: 1 Belmont Street, Cambridge, MA
  • Hours: Mon 8AM–5:30PM/Tues-Fri 8AM- 7 PM/Sat-Sun 8AM-6PM
  • Contact: 617.661.3161/sofrabakery.com/

Stellabella Toys – Inman Square

FOR THE KIDS:

StellabellaThis whimsical toy store, in the heart of Inman Square, has everything you need to make the little ones on your Christmas list have their best Christmas ever. Pick up a GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope for the budding scientist or a Deluxe Art Set for your Georgia O’Keefe-in-the-making. Not sure what to get your little elf? The staff at Stellabella will give you some helpful suggestions on age and interest-appropriate gifts.

The Games People Play – Harvard Square

FOR THE PUZZLE MASTER:

Games People PlayWith over 40 years experience in choosing and selling quality games and puzzles, this local institution is the go-to spot to pickup the perfect puzzle and grab the greatest games for your favorite game lover. They offer a wide selection of popular and hard-to-find boardgames, word games, party games, puzzles, classic games like chess and backgammon, and games for kids.

  • Location: 1100 Mass Ave, Cambridge
  • Hours: Mon – Sat 10AM – 6PM/Thurs 10AM – 8PM/Sun 12PM – 5PM
  • Contact: 617.492.0711/thegamespeopleplaycambridge.com

Cambridge is a fantastic city, full of wonderful boutiques, charming neighborhoods, and walkable streets that are lined with welcoming cafes, well-kept greenspaces, and beautiful architecture. While you’re out making everyone’s Christmas wishes come true, stop into our Cambridge office to talk to an experienced agent about how Robert Paul Properties can make this holiday your best Christmas ever by expertly assisting you in buying or selling your home. Visit our Harvard Square office at 19 Arrow Street, explore our exclusive Cambridge listings, and call us today at 617.876.1414.