Once the calendar flips to December, too many of us flip out over what to buy for whom, how to keep the real meaning of Christmas in focus, how to make the season special in some unique way. Well, my friends, Mystic Seaport has the answer to all those dilemmas.
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First of all, let’s tackle the gift question. The Museum’s Maritime Gallery has a wonderful sale of discounted Maritime Miniatures by Maritime Masters going on through December 23 (5% discount for members and a 10% discount for Gallery patrons). A painting would be a beautiful and unique surprise for someone special on your list.
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Right next door, the Museum Store is a one-stop shopping reservoir of gifts for all ages, both upstairs and downstairs. Check out the new “ornament of the year,” a small light-weight version of a deck prism, common on ships of old. It would be a perfect addition to your own tree or as a unique hostess gift. The heavier paper weight in either the prism style or new rectangular design is a cool gift for men or women. Redundant as it may be, ‘unique’ is really the best description of all Museum Store merchandise.
Want a gift that keeps on giving year ‘round? Then Mystic Seaport membership is the way to go. With unlimited free Museum admission for a year plus numerous members-only perks, opportunities and advantages, this is a great gift anyone would love to find in their Christmas stocking. Different levels of membership include individual, dual, family or grandparent, and all are tax-deductible.
Perhaps you aren’t looking for a tangible gift, but rather a holiday experience to share with your family and friends. Here are a few ideas that will guarantee you wonderful memories for years to come:
- Lantern Light Tours – A New England holiday tradition that captures the essence of the holiday spirit in a dramatic, 19th-century way. Tickets available at www.mysticseaport.org/tickets.
- Christmas by the Sea – Discover what a 19th-century Christmas was truly like.
- Community Carol Sing - Sunday, 3 p.m. December 19: Free admission to Mystic Seaport with a canned good donation for charity. Join the Mystic Seaport carolers and brass quartet in songs of the season. Great fun and camaraderie!
- Prepare to be awestruck by the splendor of the winter skies in a special, free Treworgy Planetarium show, “The Star of Bethlehem.”
So there you have it. Mystic Seaport has solved all your holiday dilemmas. Relax. Enjoy. And most of all, happy holidays!
Blog posted by Trudi Busey.

