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Gifts for Cooks:
What We Want Right Now.
Our Foodie Shopping Queen, Diane Landskroener, visits her favorite
gift spot — Twigs & Teacups in Chestertown.
Twigs &
Teacups is a charming gift shop in the heart of historic Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. For visitors, it’s
a must-do. For locals, it’s been a favorite shopping spot for sixteen years. Twigs offers an eclectic array of gifts
“useful and useless” — everything from designer clothing to the decidedly ridiiculous, from rich Peruvian
alpaca sweaters to silly penis pasta. And it’s all delightful. This year, the shop is offering some tasty gifts for
your foodie friends.
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| McVities biscuits and tea, dear. |
Tea and cookies anyone? here’s
a definite flavor of merrie old England in the food selections here. The much sought after “McVitie’s Digestives”
cookies — er, biscuits — are hard to find in the US, but almost always in stock here. Chestertown, old Colonial
town that it is, must have lots of descendants from the earliest British settlers or a lot of Anglophiles, because these delicious
bites really sell like hotcakes. Well, like very popular digestives, anyway. Several varieties, priced
from $3.50 to $6.
I also found a marvelous little teapot, the “Brown Betty.”
The shape is perfect for brewing, the brown ceramic finish never shows a tea stain, and the Union Jack across its belly lets
all and sundry know where your allegiances lie. The 2-cup is $27.50. Paired with a bag of Chestertown Tea — a
delicious blend created by local artisans — this little beauty would make an unforgettable gift.
Pink salt! Himalania, his pure Himalayan crystal salt
is the highest grade of natural salt, mined and washed by hand with no environmental pollutants. Reportedly “containing
all of the 84 elements found in your body,” the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt cover everything from “promoting
a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells, helping to reduce the signs of aging, promoting sinus
health, regulating your sleep and even supporting your libido.” All for $14.50. It’s pretty, too. Of course, you
may want to take all this with a grain of … Sorry. I couldn’t resist.
Tea Towels. Who doesn’t need new tea towels? Twigs
co-owner April Marshall says, “I’ve often thought about changing the store’s name to ‘Twigs &
Tea Towels.’ That’s how many we sell.” Certainly falling into the category of “useful,” these
beautiful towels, priced around $3-$4 in a variety of fabrics and patterns, will be gratefully received.
Japanese Juicing. I fell in love with
a beautiful Japanese juicer. Maintaining the original juicer style, but interpreting it in jade green glass, this little work-horse
will not only reduce your fruits to tears, it’ll add a touch of far-Eastern class to your countertop. In two sizes,
the juicers go for $14.95 and $6.50.
Who moved my cheese? This adorable
cheese knife, with the blade in the shape of a mouse, is a guaranteed smile generator. For only $5.75, this useful little
gift won’t break the bank. You might even be able to spring for one of the beautiful bamboo cutting boards also available. All things sushi. It seems all things sushi are hot, hot, hot. These dipping bowls are my favorites among the sushi accoutrements. The
delicate size, along with a beguiling range of colors and styles, makes these little bowls perfect for dipping oils, sauces,
even for a tiny serving of olives or nuts. (I have to confess, I keep one on my night table to catch the errant, forgotten-to-remove
earrings.)
Or just come shop. There are dozens more things
you’ll fall in love with. Cookbooks, gadgets, condiments, artisan platters and cups….and a whole rest of the
store. Twigs is very busy through the holidays, because you really can get it all done here. Stocking stuffers, kids’
cool toys, bath balms, writing goods, cocktail supplies…we’re running out of space. Just visit.
“What I always find amazing,” said Eugenia Marshall, April’s sister and manager of
Twigs, “amid all the chaos — and it can get pretty insane here — is how people respond to the shop. One
hectic day, I was in the soaps section (Note: Every cook needs soap, too. And hand lotion!) when a gentleman asked me who
did the buying for the store. I told him that “two crazy ladies” were responsible. He marveled that there were
so many great things. “I like their sense of humor,” he said. And that is exactly what you’ll find at Twigs.
Gifts for everyone , chosen with care, a discerning eye and a great wit.
Twigs & Teacups has very little online presence (their ad can be seen at the address above). You have
to go into the store to purchase any of these items. But just being in Twigs is a pleasure not many little gift shops can
match. Twigs & Teacups
111 South Cross Street, Chestertown
Holiday Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs. & Sat:
10-5
Friday: 10-8
Sunday: 12-4
Phone: 410-778-1708
Fax: 410-778-1739
www.chestertown..com/twigsandteacups/
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