The “Ho-Ho-Ho” Holiday Low-Down
The “Ho-Ho-Ho” Holiday Low-Down
Plan your trip to Ellicottville … NOW is a great time to visit!
Wine & Chocolate: The Perfect Pair
Seriously, after everything 2020 has thrown at us, who doesn’t need chocolate, wine, or both? To take care of that for you, the Winery of Ellicottville expertly paired four of Watson’s Chocolates with four of their wines. Tasting room guru Carrie Busekist said the Gruner Veltliner is paired with a maple crème, the Semi-Sweet Riesling with butter crunch, the Snow Fox with salted caramel, and their Village Red with dark chocolate espresso. The chocolate pairing is always available, and although there are capacity restrictions, you can typically walk right in. They also offer wine tag “duos,” which consists of two chocolates that are packaged and hung off the neck of a wine bottle. What a “sweet” gift - for yourself or someone else! Swing by the store to check out a ton of other cool giftable merch or consider an eGift Card at wineryofellicottville.com.
Last Minute Christmas Shopping
So much to do, so little time! But guess what? You don’t need to leave the village to finish up your holiday hit-list. Here are a few easy local picks to help you get the job done!
Daff Dry Goods: Better make a pit stop at Daff for your EVL Christmas ornament before they’re gone. These unique, handheld, pillow-style ornaments are available in both buffalo plaid and camo color schemes; perfect for the Christmas tree or to add to your year-round EVL-inspired home décor. You’d be surprised at the selection of other gifts you’ll find here, too!
Ava Grace Fashions: New this year is “Mom Gift Central.” Send your kids in with an adult, along with your size preference, and the staff at Ava Grace will help your kids find that perfect something! Get as dressy as you want with a sweater or scarf for an afternoon or evening out, or stay laid-back with a pair of joggers paired with their peach v-neck “homebody” t-shirt. Totally 2020, and totally comfy!
The Purple Doorknob: It’s hard to walk out of the Purple Doorknob without having a solid five-minute laugh-out-loud; the adult novelty socks grab your attention as soon as you walk in! But really, if you need a witty gift or stocking stuffer, you can’t go wrong here. In lieu of doing matching family holiday pajamas this year, how about giving matching holiday socks a try? You’ll find everything from festive quotes on crew socks to strings of lights on knee socks, and holiday socks for the littlest ones in your family, too!
Pamper Yourself … And A Friend
Exclusive to the Ellicottville Salt Cave, relax and rejuvenate by booking yourself and a friend a Holiday Spice foot scrub or a Warm Salt Stone foot massage. You can also kick your holiday cooking up a notch by using the Ellicottville Salt Cave’s Himalayan Salt; it makes a perfect gift for your foodie friends, too. You can purchase all their products, services, and gift cards at their online store by visiting shop.ellicottvillesaltcave.com. Spa treatments, spa day packages, manicures, pedicures, and gift cards can also be scheduled and purchased at The Ellicottville Oasis Spa at the Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley, and at Anew Beginning Massage & Spa on Monroe Street.
Holiday Valley Demo Day
This annual public event hosted by Holiday Valley offers FREE ski and snowboard demos from each of Ellicottville’s specialty ski and snowboard shops, including Mud Sweat ‘n Gears, The City Garage, Dekdebrun’s Apex Store, and The Boardroom. This is a great way to “try before you buy,” as well as get the best service from Ellicottville’s most knowledgeable ski and snowboard technicians. Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19th from 9:00am-3:00pm, all you need to do is show up slopeside at the Holiday Valley Lodge. A credit card is required for deposit, and a parent signature is needed if under 18. Also, telemark ski demos will be available from The City Garage; bring your own tele-boots! For more info, check out the events tab on Holiday Valley’s Facebook page.
Date Night at the Fox
For one of the best deals in town when you’re looking for a night away from the holiday hustle and bustle, Date Night at the Silver Fox has you covered. Every Thursday, two can dine for $46 when ordering off the Date Night menu. Begin with a large house salad to share along with two glasses of wine from a select list. Then, choose one appetizer, entrée, and dessert to share. Bar opens at 4:30pm, and dinner service starts at 5:00pm. You can also order take-out by calling 716-699-4672. For a peek at their Date Night menu, search Silver Fox Steakhouse on Facebook. Yum!
Make Your Day Trip an Overnight Stay
We’ve all been overwhelmed enough this year, so why try to cram everything “Ellicottville” into one day? With so many options for a quick overnight, there’s no need!
Holiday Valley Rental Management: If you’re here skiing or snowboarding, Holiday Valley offers several unique packages and promotions at the Inn at Holiday Valley and the Tamarack Club. If you’re trying to make your immediate family’s holiday extra special this year, check out their Christmas Week lodge & lift promotions. Their real estate department can also help you book one of their slopeside condos or townhouses. For assistance booking a package, call 1-800-323-0020.
ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals: Their name says it all! The expert staff at ERA knows the vacation rental market and will be sure to take the hassle right out of booking your next overnight. Stay right inside the village or head a few miles out for some peace and seclusion. Book on their website at ellicottville.com, talk to a rentals team member at 716-699-4800, or walk right into their office at 12 Washington Street while you’re downtown.
Saison’s Inn: Formerly known as the Ilex Inn and under new ownership, Saison’s Inn is open for business. Known locally as “Your home away from home,” Saison’s offers six rooms plus a private cottage, and is a short eight-minute walk from the local village shops. Each room includes use of their seasonal inground heated swimming pool, year-round hot tub, and fire pit! Give them a “like” on Facebook, visit their website at saisonsinn.com, or call 716-699-9004 to book your stay.