Last-minute (and local) options there to be found

FALLS VILLAGE — In such a small town, even by Northwest Corner standards, holiday shopping in Falls Village might seem a challenge.But with a little digging, a surprisingly wide variety of gifts can be found.Many of the town’s businesses offer services of one sort or another. The gift certificate is a way to keep the shopping super local. Gift certificates are available at the Crossroads Deli, the Falls Village Inn, Toymaker’s Cafe, Jacob’s Garage (for an oil change) and the Falls Village Package Store.P.D. Walsh’s Country Store has all sorts of antiques, vintage items, curios and what-nots. It also serves as sort of clearinghouse for the products of Northwest Corner craftspeople and artisans. Even a cursory tour of the store this past weekend came up with the following:An antique straw hat for a man with a fairly small head, $5. A wooden canoe seat for $40, or a wicker one for $95.A small occasional table, with a cow on a checkerboard, $40.Antique fishing tackle, including some perfectly serviceable fly reels.A fleece wine bag ($15), although to a teetotaller the purpose is obscure.An unusual Portuguese coffee set ($50). Mulling spices from Gourmet Spice Rack of Brattleboro, Vt.Prints from local artists. Iron doorknockers. Notecards, ditto. Handmade scarves, hats, handbags, sweaters for small children. Funky soaps and candles. Pillows and quilts.Dipping sauces. Potholders. Jams. Aprons, which you’ll need after buying all this other stuff. Most of these items are produced in the area, and much of it is priced well under $50.For the high roller, a handcrafted 24-inch table loom carries the sticker price of $750.This shopper walked away with a cutting board (made in Millerton) that is the perfect shape for a kitchen area that has resisted all cutting boards for 40-odd years; a jar of sour piccalilli, a melange of green tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, cabbage, vinegar, salt and whatever they put in things to pickle them, all organic and made in Winsted.Storeowner Trish Walsh said she has a customer whose husband eats the piccalilli straight from the jar.The country store will be open Friday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an open house Sunday night, and Monday, Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.There is a mail slot in one of the doors to the store all set up for special delivery of letters from children to Santa Claus at the North Pole. Don’t delay, as Santa tends to get very, very busy this time of year.Another option, with a decidedly Falls Village flavor, are Eric Veden’s series of videos on Falls Village. The sixth and latest episode features Kent Allyn and his maple syrup operation; the American chestnut orchard on Undermountain Road; and the Senior Center.Veden started making the videos about 12 years ago, and handles all the video chores himself. Some of the subjects covered include vanished traditions, such as the Firemen’s Carnival and parade. Episode one has a history of the town, with Gabriel Seymour doing the narration.The videos are available at P.D. Walsh’s Country Store and at the D.M. Hunt Library, where you can either buy them ($10 apiece) or borrow first.