Shop local for the holidays

Here are our editors’ picks for holiday gift shopping that supports Waltham businesses and organizations. Did we miss one of your favorites? Please share them in the comments!

Make art

Fiamma Glass Studio, 86 Maple St. This studio provides a safe and fun environment for students to explore the magical world of glass art. It offers group and private classes, classes for teens, group events and more. Classes range from two to four hours ($99 to $190) for making a variety of figurines, ornaments and functional pieces.

MetalWerx, 50 Guignan St. Metalwerx is a nonprofit jewelry and metalsmithing school and studio for all makers. Courses for beginners to professionals, a supportive environment for instructors, and a love of learning new metal skills are the core of the Metalwerx community. 

Tail in the Mud Pottery Studio, 30 Guignan St. This studio is a welcoming, supportive space for creative people to explore ceramics. Tail in the Mud was founded with a simple goal: to give people the opportunity to play, learn, and create with clay. It offers a trial one-month membership, regular memberships of three ($300) and six ($600) months, as well as classes in a variety of techniques. Read our story.

Get fit

CrossFit TILT, 40 Jones Road. State-of-the-art facilities with high-quality, experienced coaches. Standard memberships start at $185 per month. Free trials available on Thursdays for new members.

Firecycle Studio, 290 Moody St. An intimate boutique fitness studio that specializes in rhythm-based classes, including cycling, strength training and reformer pilates. An intro class is $20. A 10-class pack is $230. Six-month unlimited classes start at $169 per month.

Gold Fencing Club, 145 Newton St. Learn to wield a foil, épée or sabre with élan and ésprit at this club founded by a silver medalist in this oldest of Olympic sports (in the modern era). The club offers group lessons for novices, and advanced athletes and adults as well as private lessons and open fencing sessions. Read our story.

Nolan Bros. Boxing and Fitness, 22 Sun St. A “one stop shop for boxing and fitness.” Classes serve everyone from novices to professionals. The first class is free. Drop-in classes are $15. Unlimited monthly classes are $120. Nolan Bros. also offers free boxing classes to middle and high school students. Read our story.

Waverly Oaks Athletic Club, 425 Waverley Oaks Road. A full-service fitness and wellness club with trainers, group classes, pool programs, wellness and nutrition programs and kids club. Plans range from $95 to 140 per month on a month-to-month basis. They are currently offering a $0 activation fee.

Find a unique gift

Buy & Consign Waltham, 1250 Main St. Enjoy the thrill of thrifting at this second-hand, home-goods consignment shop. The business brings in items from around 25 estates a week and recycles anything that isn’t sold. Read our story.

Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, 154 Moody St. The gift shop offers mugs, stickers, T-shirts, books (some signed by the author), “They As One Revolted” t-shirts and more. Gift memberships are also available. Opening hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Downstairs at Felton Antiques at 100 Felton Ave. holds 6,000 square feet worth of antiques offered by more than 40 dealers. Offerings include furniture from various eras; fine American craft pottery; antique, estate and costume jewelry; vintage lab equipment and medical collectibles; art, Depression and carnival glass, and early-American pattern glass; antique European porcelain and china from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries; etchings, woodblock prints, original oil paintings, watercolors, photographs and lithographs; and collectibles of every description including Waltham Watches. 

Farmer’s India Market Waltham, 315 Moody St. This large market carries a stunning selection of food from India and around the world: fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, spices, bulk grains and legumes, chutneys and simmer sauces. Downstairs, you’ll find an incredible array of imported snacks, spiced nuts, chocolates, candies and other treats to delight the intrepid gourmet.

Global Thrift, 322 Moody St. is a favorite local thrift store for clothing and small household items. You never know if some stranger’s trash is your next treasure. As one resident boasts: “We once picked up a Russell Wright covered casserole there for $2.” The thrill is in the hunt.

Gourmet Pottery at 365 Moody St. is a craft gallery bursting with an abundance of creative and appealing handcrafted ceramics, textiles, toys, jewelry, clothing and more. The ideal stop if you’re looking for a special tree ornament.

Mirachi Life, 299 Moody St. A dizzying collection of Asian snack foods and beauty products. The adorable plushy characters would be an instant hit with the young (and young at heart). Read our story.

Monique Rancourt Jewelry Studio, 289 Moody St. Metalsmith Monique Rancourt describes her design aesthetic as bold and edgy “with a dash of rock n’ roll,” she said. “Everything is hand fabricated. It’s all hammers and fire.” Open by appointment, the studio is also hosting open houses before the holidays: Friday, Dec. 19, 4–7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 20, 12–5 p.m.

More than Words at 56 Felton St. sells pre-owned and new books and gifts. The organization is a social enterprise empowering youth in the foster care system, court-involved, experiencing homelessness or out of school to take charge of their lives by helping lead a business. e Read our story.

Rose Art Museum, 415 South St. Museum admission is free but experiences with friends and loved ones are priceless. How about giving the gift of a visit to the museum followed by lunch at a favorite spot in town? The museum also publishes beautiful exhibition catalogs from many of its notable shows.

Ramble Market, 39 Green St. Described by House Beautiful as a “warehouse of wow,” this 10,000-square-foot shop is filled with an ever-changing curated selection of vintage furnishings, art, hand knotted rugs and beautiful accessories for your home.

Silver Whisk Bake Shop & Chocolatier, 248 Moody St. Beautiful chocolates in unique and exotic flavors. Chocolate bars from $15. Gift boxes from $20. The cakes are works of art, for that extra special holiday party. Read our story.

The Outer Limits, 437 Moody St. buys and sells vintage comic books and toys. In business since 1983, the owner says “we are considered one of the best comic book stores in New England…ah heck, the whole USA. We carry a massive selection of gold and silver age comics, along with modern comics, huge amounts of trade paperbacks and graphic novels, toys, collectibles, lunch boxes, tarot cards, Star Wars, Star Trek, TCGs, tons of vintage pop culture stuff (James Bond, Marilyn Monroe, etc.).”