Please Note: This article was meant to be published in a local magazine. Unfortunately, that magazine didn’t get to see the light of day. However, I refuse to just discard this article. Below is a shorter version:

Gift shopping, thicker scarves, and tinsels; the holiday season is here! It’s the season of sending our loved ones a reminder that we appreciate them and admire their presence in our lives (hopefully, this reminder isn’t the only one every year). Red Bank has the perfect gifts for the people in your life. Special, incomparable, and sublime hidden treasures await you at your local Red Bank shops.

Red Bank Chocolate Shoppe (RBCS)

17 White Street Red Bank, NJ

If you have a friend or loved one who has a sweet tooth, give Red Bank’s Chocolate Shoppe (RBCS) a try.  Celebrating 21 years of serving the community and beyond with delicious sweets, RBCS creates fresh sweets daily, so no worries about snagging a stale batch! Amy Dunfee, the owner, has adored making chocolates and interacting with customers since she was in high school. She has a wide variety of homemade chocolates, candies, and plush toys available for great gift ideas.

Towers are the most popular during the holidays, with a mix of 2.5 truffles, pretzels, and nonpareils. It’s one thing to have one box of chocolates, but three tiers of chocolatey goodness? Your loved one will definitely have their sweet tooth satisfied. Honestly, I’m still thinking about those towers as I type this.

The hot cocoa bombs are another popular item. This distinct treat will have your loved ones amused as they watch the chocolate melt into warm milk. Both halves of the chocolate ball are filled with hot cocoa mix. Of course, there is an exclusively popular version for adults: Boozy bombs. Similar to hot cocoa bombs, except these are soaked in Baileys! Of course, I asked Dunfee if they had the Boozy bombs available to purchase at that moment. None were made yet. I’d pre-order or call in advance if I were you. I’m sure quite a few people would love chocolate, Irish whiskey and creamy goodness.

Witch Baby Soaps (WBS)

17 Monmouth Street Red Bank, NJ

Witch Baby Soaps started in Chelsea Selby’s kitchen in October 2013, with her baby in tow and an empty bank account. Selby, who has a New Jersey cosmetology license and a bachelor's degree in Alternative Medicine, chose to combine her love of beauty and herbology. Selby now has two locations, thanks to her drive and genuine mission to help people bring their mind, body, and soul to skincare. The Red Bank location recently opened this past June, and the shop is very welcoming! Crystals, body butters, face masks, bath bombs, soap, sacred herbs, and more; Witch Baby Soaps is a great place for witchy, unusual, and cruelty-free products!

Witch Baby Soaps (WBS) is my kind of shop, with labradorite around my neck and a flowery scented body butter on my skin. My eyes went straight to the body butters. What makes WBS body butters stand out from the rest are the crystals. Each body butter contains a crystal that has been placed within the body butter. “A crystal is inserted on top of the butter and pressed down to infuse the body butter with the metaphysical properties of the crystal,” Chelsea informed me.

Cafeomancy- Smoky Quartz

Infused with a Smoky Quartz to clear negative energy, Cafeomancy is inspired by the name itself: the art of reading coffee grounds. “There’s so much magic in it. Coffee energy is great for manifesting...” Shelby provided me with some fantastic tips on how to use coffee in magical ways. Cafeomancy is one of the most popular butters because we all need coffee in the morning just as much as air. It has a sweet vanilla scent. The vanilla will definitely create a distinct scent infused with your natural aroma, but it will not be overpowering.

Love- Rose Quartz

Love body butter is self-love in a bottle, infused with Rose Quartz for unconditional love and emotional health. It is a Venusian blend of freshly bloomed roses and sweet juicy pink lady apples that is fruity, floral, and far from overpowering.

Psychic- Amethyst

Calming lavender! Blended with Amethyst for peace and clarity; Psychic was my favorite scent of all body butters. The relaxing blend of black amber, warm bourbon vanilla, and lavender whipped into purple soothing goodness makes a wonderful gift for loved ones who need a butter that feels serene. I’m a sucker for lavender scents so this was my favorite body butter out of the three.

Red Bank Artisan Collective (RBAC)

43 Broad St Red Bank, NJ

Walking into Red Bank Artisan Collective is a creative’s dream when searching for gifts. Toys, journals, distinctive candles, clothes, and much more! The eclectic store’s owner is a solid supporter of indie artists. After attending many art shows and meeting various MET artists, Deborah Eisenstein curated a pop-up art show in 2017 for 8 weeks. In 2018, she opened up the Red Bank Artisan Collective. “I was looking for something different. I wanted to help my community, become a business owner, and be my own boss,” Eisenstein told me. When asked about her personal artistic hand, Eisenstein smiled and shook her head, “I appreciate the artists and their artwork.” A true appreciator by creating a space for artists to sell their creative work and unique gifts.

Vintage Crossroads

When I saw Vintage Crossroads repurposed glass, my eyes lit up. There were quite a few people on my holiday list who would love these candles. Vintage teacups have been repurposed as beautifully scented candles. Scents such as Cucumber Mint, Baja Cactus, and Love Spell are created with soy wax, essential oils, and ethically sourced botanicals. When the candle is done, you can use the beautiful teacup however you’d like!

Tony Rubino

Tony Rubino, creator of the Internationally Syndicated Comic Strip "Daddy's Home," has a few sketchbooks/journals for the family writer or a home for your friend's sketches. Frida Kahlo, the fearless and unforgettable artist, graces the cover of the sketchbooks. I mean, come on…it’s Frida Kahlo!  

Support Your Local Business

Your local Red Bank shops have the perfect holiday gifts, with a variety of items to choose from to gift your loved ones (and yourself). Visit the aforementioned shops for this year's holiday season for something unique, creative, and unforgettable!