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A decorated Christmas tree with wrapped gifts underneath and a miniature train set encircling the tree's base.

Bea's Holiday Gift Guide

'Tis the season to discover Rhode Island's most extraordinary experiences in our holiday gift guide, thoughtfully curated by 12 remarkable local women in media, tourism, and the arts. From enchanting performances and artisanal tastings to charming neighborhood favorites, each recommendation captures what makes our Ocean State special. Perfect for a solo adventure, date night, or personal treat, these experiences showcase Rhode Island at its finest. Give the gift of local discovery and make this season memorable.

Wellness & Self Care

Three red spa chairs with white towels and small tables, arranged in a row; a small inset portrait of a smiling woman in the bottom-right.
The Beatrice

Le Foot Reflexology Spa One-Hour Foot Massage

Recommended by: Kelly Nevins, CEO, Women’s Fund of Rhode Island

Running a nonprofit takes heart - and a little restoration. A one-hour foot massage at Le Foot is Kelly’s go-to reset: grounding, restorative, and surprisingly luxurious. With the ability to accommodate multiple guests at once, it’s also a wonderful shared moment of pampering.

Bestie Tip: "Make this a gift for two and go with your bestie to treat your tootsies!"

GIFT A SESSION

Massage and Water Journey at The Bodhi Spa

Recommended by: Jacquelina Paiva, Ghost Pepper Creative

Whenever life feels overwhelming, a water journey at The Bodhi Spa is the reset button Jackie returns to again and again. It’s calming, grounding, and offers the rare chance to quiet the mind and reconnect with yourself.

Bestie Tip: “Go in the morning when it’s quieter and you have more space to unwind. Bring your Fully Rooted juice and take a few extra minutes to sit before heading out, easing back into the day stretches the benefits so much longer.”

BOOK NOW

Three red spa chairs with white towels and small tables, arranged in a row; a small inset portrait of a smiling woman in the bottom-right.

Le Foot Reflexology Spa One-Hour Foot Massage

Recommended by: Kelly Nevins, CEO, Women’s Fund of Rhode Island

Running a nonprofit takes heart - and a little restoration. A one-hour foot massage at Le Foot is Kelly’s go-to reset: grounding, restorative, and surprisingly luxurious. With the ability to accommodate multiple guests at once, it’s also a wonderful shared moment of pampering.

Bestie Tip: "Make this a gift for two and go with your bestie to treat your tootsies!"

GIFT A SESSION

The Beatrice

Massage and Water Journey at The Bodhi Spa

Recommended by: Jacquelina Paiva, Ghost Pepper Creative

Whenever life feels overwhelming, a water journey at The Bodhi Spa is the reset button Jackie returns to again and again. It’s calming, grounding, and offers the rare chance to quiet the mind and reconnect with yourself.

Bestie Tip: “Go in the morning when it’s quieter and you have more space to unwind. Bring your Fully Rooted juice and take a few extra minutes to sit before heading out, easing back into the day stretches the benefits so much longer.”

BOOK NOW

The Experience File

A disco-themed image features an ostrich head on a shiny disco ball, with bold curved text “EARLYBIRDS CLUB” and a small photo inset of a smiling person, all on a dark purple background.
A light-colored two-story house with a glass door, plants, shrubs, and stairs, set in a sunny garden.

Earlybirds Club - Monthly Dance Party

Recommended by: Cathleen Carr, Executive Director, newportFILM

Featured in The New York Times, Earlybirds Club is Cathleen’s favorite experience to gift, an early-evening dance party created for busy women and gender-expansive folks who want a night out but still need to be up early running the world. With ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s pop, hip-hop, R&B, new wave, and house blasting from 6–10pm, it’s pure joy, community, and catharsis wrapped into four unforgettable hours.

Bestie’s Tip: “Earlybirds Club always sells out, gift one and get one so you can go together before they’re gone.”

GET TICKETS

Gather RI – Founding Membership

Recommended by: Marisa Angell Brown, Executive Director, Providence Preservation Society

Opening soon inside a beautifully restored historic building on Broadway, Gather RI is a community space and social club for women. Its gracious living rooms, sunlit terrace, and curated library create a welcoming haven for connection, creativity, and conversation. A membership is the gift of belonging, a place to gather and grow.

Bestie’s Tip: “When gifting an experience, I love tucking in a small sweet, one of my favorites is a bit of caramel corn or trail mix from the Virginia & Spanish Peanut Company. A tiny treat adds warmth and makes any gift feel even more thoughtful."

MEMBERSHIP

Hit the jump: a person on a city street performing a jump in front of a theater with bright marquee lights, plus an inset photo of a woman in the corner.
A quiet beach with gentle waves, a lone person by the shoreline, and a small video thumbnail of a woman in the bottom-right corner. End with a period.

Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker

Recommended by: Jacklyne Tasca-Bulman, Founder, Miss Petite Pilates

A little luxury that never loses its magic. Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker is a Rhode Island holiday tradition, breathtaking, inspiring, and unforgettable. Sharing this performance with someone you love is the kind of moment that glows long after the curtain falls.

Bestie Tip: “I love beginning or ending the outing with dinner at Bellini Providence. Its elegant, festive ambiance turns the day into a full holiday tradition.”

TICKETS

A Day of Discovery at Watch Hill

Recommended by: Dr. Lauren Hedde, Co-Owner, Direct Doctors + The Gilded Birds

Watch Hill is New England nostalgia at its finest, where history, nature, and charm meet. Wander Napatree Point, stroll East Beach with a view of the Ocean House, ride the 1883 Carousel with your kids, and pop into the Sift Bake Shop for ginger molasses cookies. It’s the kind of day trip that becomes a cherished memory.

Bestie’s Tip: “Fly kites on the lighthouse lawn, stop into Sift for breakfast sandwiches, or visit in June for the Gracious Gardens walking tour.”

VISIT

A disco-themed image features an ostrich head on a shiny disco ball, with bold curved text “EARLYBIRDS CLUB” and a small photo inset of a smiling person, all on a dark purple background.

Earlybirds Club - Monthly Dance Party

Recommended by: Cathleen Carr, Executive Director, newportFILM

Featured in The New York Times, Earlybirds Club is Cathleen’s favorite experience to gift, an early-evening dance party created for busy women and gender-expansive folks who want a night out but still need to be up early running the world. With ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s pop, hip-hop, R&B, new wave, and house blasting from 6–10pm, it’s pure joy, community, and catharsis wrapped into four unforgettable hours.

Bestie’s Tip: “Earlybirds Club always sells out, gift one and get one so you can go together before they’re gone.”

GET TICKETS

A light-colored two-story house with a glass door, plants, shrubs, and stairs, set in a sunny garden.

Gather RI – Founding Membership

Recommended by: Marisa Angell Brown, Executive Director, Providence Preservation Society

Opening soon inside a beautifully restored historic building on Broadway, Gather RI is a community space and social club for women. Its gracious living rooms, sunlit terrace, and curated library create a welcoming haven for connection, creativity, and conversation. A membership is the gift of belonging, a place to gather and grow.

Bestie’s Tip: “When gifting an experience, I love tucking in a small sweet, one of my favorites is a bit of caramel corn or trail mix from the Virginia & Spanish Peanut Company. A tiny treat adds warmth and makes any gift feel even more thoughtful."

MEMBERSHIP

Hit the jump: a person on a city street performing a jump in front of a theater with bright marquee lights, plus an inset photo of a woman in the corner.

Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker

Recommended by: Jacklyne Tasca-Bulman, Founder, Miss Petite Pilates

A little luxury that never loses its magic. Ballet RI’s The Nutcracker is a Rhode Island holiday tradition, breathtaking, inspiring, and unforgettable. Sharing this performance with someone you love is the kind of moment that glows long after the curtain falls.

Bestie Tip: “I love beginning or ending the outing with dinner at Bellini Providence. Its elegant, festive ambiance turns the day into a full holiday tradition.”

TICKETS

A quiet beach with gentle waves, a lone person by the shoreline, and a small video thumbnail of a woman in the bottom-right corner. End with a period.

A Day of Discovery at Watch Hill

Recommended by: Dr. Lauren Hedde, Co-Owner, Direct Doctors + The Gilded Birds

Watch Hill is New England nostalgia at its finest, where history, nature, and charm meet. Wander Napatree Point, stroll East Beach with a view of the Ocean House, ride the 1883 Carousel with your kids, and pop into the Sift Bake Shop for ginger molasses cookies. It’s the kind of day trip that becomes a cherished memory.

Bestie’s Tip: “Fly kites on the lighthouse lawn, stop into Sift for breakfast sandwiches, or visit in June for the Gracious Gardens walking tour.”

VISIT

SIP, SAVOR & STYLE

A cheese gift box labeled “East Side Cheese Club” with assorted cheeses, chocolate bars, and a small photo of a woman overlayed.
Models walk the runway in stylish outfits: three full-length looks on the main floor and a close-up portrait of a smiling designer or attendee in the corner.

East Side Cheese – Monthly Cheese Club

Recommended by: Alison Mountford, Director of Marketing at Track 15

For the gourmand on your list, East Side Cheese’s Monthly Cheese Club is an edible delight. Woman-owned, beautifully merchandised, and curated with impeccable taste, each box delivers seasonal selections, thoughtful pairings, and that feeling of discovering something truly special. It’s a gift that sparks joy long after the holidays.

Bestie’s Tip: “I love adding a ‘gift topper’ - a tiny extra like an ornament, lip gloss, or cute charm attached to the wrapping. It turns even the simplest package into an experience.”

SUBSCRIBE

Long Silk Taffeta Skirt by T. Ayriyan

Recommended by: Patty J., Your Rhode Island Bestie & Blogger-in-Chief at PattyJ.com

A forever piece worth celebrating. This elegant silk taffeta skirt from Rhode Island designer Tatyana Ayriyan is beautifully made and endlessly chic. Her new Warwick boutique is a treasure trove of classic style and thoughtful craftsmanship, the perfect place to find a gift that feels both personal and timeless.

Bestie’s Tip: “I like to pair a fashion gift with a little self-care treat, a gift card for a mani/pedi, a facial, or a handwritten note to make them feel extra special.”

SHOP NOW

A cheese gift box labeled “East Side Cheese Club” with assorted cheeses, chocolate bars, and a small photo of a woman overlayed.

East Side Cheese – Monthly Cheese Club

Recommended by: Alison Mountford, Director of Marketing at Track 15

For the gourmand on your list, East Side Cheese’s Monthly Cheese Club is an edible delight. Woman-owned, beautifully merchandised, and curated with impeccable taste, each box delivers seasonal selections, thoughtful pairings, and that feeling of discovering something truly special. It’s a gift that sparks joy long after the holidays.

Bestie’s Tip: “I love adding a ‘gift topper’ - a tiny extra like an ornament, lip gloss, or cute charm attached to the wrapping. It turns even the simplest package into an experience.”

SUBSCRIBE

Models walk the runway in stylish outfits: three full-length looks on the main floor and a close-up portrait of a smiling designer or attendee in the corner.

Long Silk Taffeta Skirt by T. Ayriyan

Recommended by: Patty J., Your Rhode Island Bestie & Blogger-in-Chief at PattyJ.com

A forever piece worth celebrating. This elegant silk taffeta skirt from Rhode Island designer Tatyana Ayriyan is beautifully made and endlessly chic. Her new Warwick boutique is a treasure trove of classic style and thoughtful craftsmanship, the perfect place to find a gift that feels both personal and timeless.

Bestie’s Tip: “I like to pair a fashion gift with a little self-care treat, a gift card for a mani/pedi, a facial, or a handwritten note to make them feel extra special.”

SHOP NOW

Festive Finds & Cozy Home

A grand, ornate hall with golden arches and chandeliers, floral arches of red and pink flowers framing a white statue in the center; a small inset shows a smiling woman.
Wedding or event centerpiece with a “Natural Tables” magazine, orange roses, framed photos, and a small portrait overlay. Ends with a period.

Lights at Newport Mansions
Paired with Mister B.'s B.N.O Earrings

Recommended by: CeCe Bazar Aparo, Co-Founder, Mister B.

Newport’s mansions are stunning year-round, but during the holidays they become pure magic. This season’s workshops—like the Paper Flower class with Jennie Sadler—offer a thoughtful, hands-on experience. Paired with Mister B.’s floral B.N.O. earrings, it’s a gift that feels both beautifully crafted and delightfully memorable.

Bestie’s Tip: "Holiday tags from Rhode Island’s own Bobinette make every gift feel that much more special!"

GET TICKETS

A Curated Selection from Wendy Brown Home

Recommended by: Heidi Farmer, Real Estate Agent & Singer-Songwriter

As someone who helps people fall in love with their homes, I’m drawn to the little luxuries that make a space feel special. Wendy Brown Home brings together beautiful linens, cozy pajamas, fine bedding, and artful details that elevate everyday living. It’s a place where comfort meets elegance — the perfect source for a gift that feels warm, personal, and thoughtfully chosen.

Bestie’s Tip: Add a “playlist for your home.” Pair a gorgeous candle or throw with a QR code linking to a curated playlist—“Soft Mornings,” “Warm Evenings,” or “At-Home Bliss.”

VIEW SHOP

A grand, ornate hall with golden arches and chandeliers, floral arches of red and pink flowers framing a white statue in the center; a small inset shows a smiling woman.

Lights at Newport Mansions
Paired with Mister B.'s B.N.O Earrings

Recommended by: CeCe Bazar Aparo, Co-Founder, Mister B.

Newport’s mansions are stunning year-round, but during the holidays they become pure magic. This season’s workshops—like the Paper Flower class with Jennie Sadler—offer a thoughtful, hands-on experience. Paired with Mister B.’s floral B.N.O. earrings, it’s a gift that feels both beautifully crafted and delightfully memorable.

Bestie’s Tip: "Holiday tags from Rhode Island’s own Bobinette make every gift feel that much more special!"

GET TICKETS

Wedding or event centerpiece with a “Natural Tables” magazine, orange roses, framed photos, and a small portrait overlay. Ends with a period.

A Curated Selection from Wendy Brown Home

Recommended by: Heidi Farmer, Real Estate Agent & Singer-Songwriter

As someone who helps people fall in love with their homes, I’m drawn to the little luxuries that make a space feel special. Wendy Brown Home brings together beautiful linens, cozy pajamas, fine bedding, and artful details that elevate everyday living. It’s a place where comfort meets elegance — the perfect source for a gift that feels warm, personal, and thoughtfully chosen.

Bestie’s Tip: Add a “playlist for your home.” Pair a gorgeous candle or throw with a QR code linking to a curated playlist—“Soft Mornings,” “Warm Evenings,” or “At-Home Bliss.”

VIEW SHOP

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

The Beatrice

Ulta Beauty Gift Cards for Family Service Rhode Island Youth

Recommended by: Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO, Family Service of Rhode Island

Inspired by her late mother’s tradition of gifting something special at Christmas, Margaret now creates that joy for young women in Family Service Rhode Island Youth residential treatment homes. A $150 Ulta Beauty gift card lets girls ages 13–21 choose something that makes them feel beautiful, confident, and seen—a meaningful and empowering act of holiday kindness.

Bestie’s Tip: “A handwritten note makes a world of difference, remind them they deserve to feel special. It will bring you joy, too!”

GIVE

The Beatrice

Ulta Beauty Gift Cards for Family Service Rhode Island Youth

Recommended by: Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO, Family Service of Rhode Island

Inspired by her late mother’s tradition of gifting something special at Christmas, Margaret now creates that joy for young women in Family Service Rhode Island Youth residential treatment homes. A $150 Ulta Beauty gift card lets girls ages 13–21 choose something that makes them feel beautiful, confident, and seen—a meaningful and empowering act of holiday kindness.

Bestie’s Tip: “A handwritten note makes a world of difference, remind them they deserve to feel special. It will bring you joy, too!”

GIVE