Category Archives: Holiday Guide

Holiday Gifts Of A More Personal Nature Can Be Found In Many Small Ballston Spa Shops

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Downtown Ballston Spa is decorated to welcome shoppers for the holidays. There are many shops in the downtown area where people can find out-of-the-ordinary gift options.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Rachel Phillips

It’s that time of year again. Amidst all the joy and happiness that comes with the holiday season, it’s also a hectic time for many people. Finding the perfect gift for everyone can be stressful.

Big chain stores offer a seemingly endless selection of pre-packaged gift sets and generic knickknacks. For those seeking a more personal touch, however, these gifts may fall short.

Fortunately, Saratoga County is home to an array of local businesses selling items that make for a personalized gift-giving experience. Ballston Spa is home to many of those kinds of shops.

Those shopping for antique lovers have a few options in the area.

In Ballston Spa, 91 Milton Ave., is the Two If By Sea Gallery, owned and operated by Gregory Tkal. The gallery is a showroom of antique lighting fixtures, as well as vintage art, prints, ornaments and stained-glass panels. The light fixtures, which include chandeliers, table lamps and more, have each been fully restored, rewired and cleaned, and are “ready to be used for another 100 years,” said Tkal. “The pieces I carry are very unique. Each light fixture is an older piece, and you just can’t get the quality of workmanship in a modern fixture.”

Tkal’s wares are also displayed on an online gallery, at twoifbyseagallery.com, and on his Etsy shop by the same name.

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SPAC Offers Customized Ticket Packages For 2018 Varied Calendar Of Concerts, Events

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In time for the holiday season, Saratoga Performing Arts Center is offering customizable gifts for music lovers through Dec. 31.

The 2017 holiday collection includes the ultimate classical season pass, which features a lawn seat for all performances of the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra and the opportunity to upgrade to the best available amphitheater seat for $5 for any performance, up to five times ($165 through Dec. 31); gift certificates that can be redeemed for tickets to any SPAC performance, Live Nation show or the Saratoga Wine & Food Festival; the flex ticket option for the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival ($56 through Dec. 31); and holiday gift subscriptions to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center at SPAC and Opera Saratoga.

“The ultimate classical season pass is the best kept ‘SPAC insider’ secret. What’s well known about these lawn passes is that they offer the opportunity to experience SPAC’s world-class programming for the entire classical season at an average ticket price of just $7 per performance, less than a movie ticket,” said Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of SPAC.

‘What’s not well known, and a terrific bonus is that classical season pass holders can also upgrade their ticket to best available seats five times per season, for just $5. It is our version of ‘rush’ ticketing and often results in fabulous amphitheater seats. And the pass holder can still attend all other concerts on the lawn.”

Sobol said, “Whether you sit on the lawn to enjoy a picnic with the exhilarating sounds of the Philadelphia Orchestra, or use the upgrades to witness the unparalleled beauty of New York City Ballet in premium amphitheater seats, the classical season pass is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to experience our rich and diverse classical programming.”

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