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The temperatures outside have shifted to romantic cuddle weather. Grab a cozy sweater, a cup of tea, and bask in the warmth of a fireplace in one of our log cabins. Before you get too comfortable, remember that the change in the weather also means that the winter holidays are right around the corner. Luckily there are many local shops and artisans in the Berlin area. You can find a gift for everyone on your list (and perhaps a few things for yourself as well) and still have plenty of time for an evening of snuggling. When you shop in Ohio’s Amish Country you know you are supporting the creative energies of a real person or family rather than a huge corporation. So many of the shops have been owned by the same families for generations. That energy and devotion is reflected in the quality of the gifts you will find. Here are a few places that we recommend for all of your gift shopping needs while on your next getaway to Donna’s Premier Lodging.
Amish Country Soap & Candle Co.
Amish Country Essentials has been in business since 2005 but the family ties go back much further than that. The process of making natural soap can be traced back for 200 years in this family. The current owner and his wife learned the process from his grandmother. Today they make handmade soap, lotion, organic shampoo, lip balms, deodorants, salves, moisturizers, and more. Think these types of stores only have gifts for women? Think again. There is a section for men including old fashioned shave soap.
Did someone say chocolate? This third-generation chocolate shop still uses grandma’s original recipe from 1960 for their caramel. You will find everything from classic turtles to orange truffles to peanut butter fudge. The inn loves this shop so much we use them for our romantic hand-dipped chocolate add-on. This is definitely the shop where you need to budget a little extra to pick up something for yourself. If you are traveling with a group of ten or more, you can take part in the process and dip your own buckeyes. Call in advance for the unique and tasty experience.
This is a two-for-one stop with a museum of delicate ivory carvings and a fine gift shop. The museum collection houses 80 miniature carvings of sailing ships from throughout history. All of them are created from legal antique ivory and ebony wood. David Warther carved his first ship at age six and has not stopped yet. The gift shop is known for its unusual and ever-changing assortment of products with an emphasis on home decor. Mixed among the Amish brooms, glassware, and pottery are quirky children’s toys, puzzles, and jewelry.
The 20,000 square foot retail store is located within the manufacturing facility. There are windows and viewing areas throughout the store that allow visitors to get a birds-eye view of the entire production process. P. Graham Dunn started as a family-owned business in 1976. In 2019 it transitioned to become an employee-owned business. This is a great spot to customize gifts; they have lasers in the store and can do custom engravings on the spot. Personalizable gifts include mugs, photo frames, ornaments, pizza cutters, key chains, cutting boards, and multi-tools. The shop also boasts collections of home decor, housewares, outdoor decor, and Christmas-themed gifts.
This women-led, veteran-owned, and second generation-owned shop specializes in hand-crafted and hand-painted pottery from Poland. Every item in the store is beautiful and also practical. Have you ever purchased a gorgeous serving bowl only to let it sit unused in a cupboard for fear of breaking it? The glaze used on this pottery makes it chip resistant and easy to clean. The kitchenware is also microwave, oven, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Honestly, you may choose to replace everything in your kitchen with pieces from this shop. You will find traditional patterns like “Peacock” as well as more intricate designs that have been signed by the artist. Holiday items from Christmas to Easter to Halloween are always on display regardless of the season.
As the saying goes… “often imitated, never duplicated.” Guggisberg is home of the original baby swiss cheese. The second-generation company has grown and now distributes throughout the United States. We suggest stopping in for yourself to sample one (or many) of their 60 types of cheese. Do not worry about keeping the cheese fresh yourself. Guggisberg can ship throughout the country. Everyone loves getting food as gifts and you can be confident that you are gifting quality because you have personally tried the product.