Kudos to Curate for braving the pandemic and bringing a new gift shop to Cushing Square at a…read morechallenging time! It's conveniently located in the heart of the Square near Savino's, Ovenbird, and the Spirited Gourmet, my other favorite neighbor businesses. Curate is a bright little shop with a variety of classy and fun gifts, stationary, and home items that change with the seasons. I usually pop in to buy a card and a chat with the owner. I've found gifts for hosts, housewarmings, and occasions in between. I especially like their candle selection, many of which are soy based. They carry amazing scents from a small business in Rhode Island, with candles and lotions that smell exactly like the seashore. After a cousin fell in love with one of them, I bought a bagful at the end of the season clearance to treat relatives to a scent party. They also carry British Christmas crackers when in season (like now!). These are so hard to find! The crackers (beautiful wrapped cylinders that pop open when pulled to reveal little gifts) delighted my family when I brought them to our holiday gatherings last year. (Note that crackers contain a tiny amount of gunpowder and technically can't go on a flight, something I had tried before...!) Curate's products tend towards the classy side with mid to higher prices to match. Sometimes I just go to poke around and see what's new. They have some baby gifts and customized items for Belmont and Watertown, but if you want a wider selection, I would go elsewhere. The owner has also kindly offered to order things that I couldn't find directly in the shop, but I haven't tried that option yet.

I found a very thoughtful selection of gifts and items I wanted for myself at Curate. The…read moreshopkeeper was personable and friendly but not intrusive. I look forward to seeing what other treasures are offered from this shop.

This is an amazing store featuring jewelry, gifts for entertaining and specialty foods for most…read moreevery occasion. The owner Mary and her staff are always friendly and the environment very welcoming. A bonus is the upbeat nostalgic music that plays inside and outside. My go-to store for hostess and baby gifts. A local gem!

I call Westcott Mercantile my happy place. It's were I go when I need a special gift for someone…read moreeven if that someone is me. They have a wonderful selection of creative and thoughtful items. The owner is lovely and the sales help seem like friends. They always have great suggestions when you don't know what to buy for someone. The music adds to the atmosphere. I always find myself enjoying interacting with other customers. Like I said it's my happy place. If I could rate my experience 10 plus stars I would! Maria Murphy

I've shopped here many times. Awesome place for gifts. Today I treated myself, and purchased…read morehedgehog measuring cups. So adorable! Actually using for an appetizer station. So many quality items, not overly expensive. Incredible sale area, merchandise from bright and colorful to muted and relaxing. Service is excellent thank you to the owner and coworker. I always enjoyed my time there.

this is the perfect shop to get cute things! I am so happy that I discovered this store on one of…read moremy walks - it is such good quality items with a good price point as well. this is my new go-to place for seasonal decor to make my home cute. I can't wait to give all my friends little gifts from here. The owner is so nice and helpful and makes the experience even better than it already is. probably my new favorite place to shop for home items :) I recommend following their instagram to stay in touch with the new items they get

Gifts at Peppermint Place is absolutely adorable and supports a great cause!!…read more I stopped in on a whim trying to waste time before an appointment. They had really cool glass pieces hanging in the store front and I was looking for a gift for my super artsy bridesmaid. They sell local art, jewelery, crafts, knick-knacks and furniture - some even made by residents of Beaverbrook (a non-profit program for adults with disabilities). In fact, the store itself is a training module for its residents with developmental disabilities,helping them transition into the workplace with some confidence and skills. Everything is unique and I would highly recommended bringing your business there. Why not get some totally awesome art and do something good while you're at it?!

They have a lot of different things and at good prices. Last year I went in right before Christmas…read moreto do a little gift shopping and I managed to find some cute things to give as presents and a little something for myself. If you like stores like 10000 villages, you should check this place out.

Homespun is a cozy shop located downstairs in the Waldorf School of Lexington's main building. The…read morebroad selection of toys, educational supplies, home goods, books, and gifts is thoughtfully curated and of the highest quality. I can always find something unique and lovely when shopping at Homespun. This is one of the best local sources for finely crafted items, sturdy wooden toys, all natural body care/aromatherapy products, play silks, and other Waldorf-inspired goods. The staff are warm, helpful, and friendly, and the children's book section is especially delightful. Homespun is well worth a stop for all manner of fun, interesting and beautiful treasures!

Homespun is my favorite store . Great selection of toys, books and crafts. The service is fantastic…read moreas well.

I should have known this was a woman-owned business! I received a lovely Mother's Day bouquet from…read moreyou folks. In addition to the terrific arrangement was a very special poem printed on the back of the address card. Poet Nikita Gill's words about flower-hearted people struck a perfect chord in my world-weary heart. Thank you for that added touch. I think our family has found our new "local" florist! Gwen Lindquist Brookline

Found this local florist from across the country and glad that I did. Sent a sympathy bouquet that…read morehit the spot within my budget. Love shopping local not local!!

Edible Arrangements in Waltham is one of the finest small businesses in Waltham. The owner and…read morestaff are always nice, and they really take pride in their creative work! Flowers, fruits and chocolate are always fresh....literally melts in your mouth. As a former Shari's Berries customer, we're so happy to be supporting this local gem!

Awful customer service. Arranged for a delivery yesterday. Received confirmation of the order via…read moreemail and then received confirmation of delivery via email. Checked with the recipient today and they received nothing. Made all of the residents of the household check all of the entrances to the house, then called this Waltham EA site. After checking with the driver, the manager told me that in fact he knew he had not delivered it to the right location - yesterday! Did nothing about it. And when he came in today, the manager wasn't there and so they did not interact until I forced her to call him. Only to learn it hadn't been delivered. They are delivering it today. I hung up and then realized that they should refund me some portion of this $62 order. I called back and they told me they would only refund me the delivery charge. I had it delivered yesterday because yesterday was the special occasion. I was told it had been delivered. Only after I did a ton of fact-finding, and called, did I discover that in fact they had made a mistake. It seems to me that more than the delivery charge which is the minimum requirement of a delivery business, should have been refunded. The manager did not seem to care. And I can see by the other reviews that that is a consistent practice. If you have a choice, don't use this site of edible arrangements. Very very unhappy with the attitude. A $60 arrangement to be delivered yesterday for a special occasion that occurred yesterday. The driver knew he hadn't delivered it, didn't leave a note or bother to call the manager when he saw that he was not overlapping with her in the store -- and just let the whole thing drift until the customer called. Great work everyone! Zero stars but of course they don't let you post unless you put one star.