For the antique lover on your list, or to drop a hint for a gift for yourself, try looking at www.collect.com for interesting books and on-line newsletters about antiques. You can also subscribe there for The Antique Trader, a neat, low-key, and interesting antiques magazine that you’ll look forward to receiving in the mail.

Serious antiquers should be receiving one or both of the most important publications in the trade, the Mane Antique Digest or Antique and the Arts Weekly. The Digest comes monthly at $43 a year (1-800-752-8521). A subscription also includes access to their on-line database of prices.

The Antique and the Arts Weekly, also called the Newtown Bee, is published in Connecticut, and will keep you up to date on current auction prices for $79 a year (203-426-3141).

By the way, the Maine Antique Digest said that my book “would make a great gift,” and who am I to argue? Another great gift, just out this past October, is Sister Parish Designs by Susan Bartlett Crater and Libby Cameron.

Sister Parish began her decorating career during the Great Depression is the 1930s and practically invented what we call “shabby chic” today, with its white painted furniture accented with colorful fabric.

She went on to a famous and fabulous decorating career, and died in 1995. Susan Crater is her granddaughter.

For some fun reading, there are several mystery writers who have set their stories in the world of antiques, and they are all available for sale on line. Try Tamar Myers’ “Den of Antiquity” series with clever titles like Poison Ivory, The Ming and I and Estate of Mind.

There is also Sharon Fiffer’s Jane Wheeler mysteries, like Killer Stuff and Dead Guy’s Stuff, set in Chicago. Jane Cleland set her mystery, Killer Keepsakes, in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire in the mythical town of Rocky Point.

We have all sorts of people looking out for the national and world economies, but our local economy is our job. Of every dollar spent in a locally owned establishment, 60 cents stays in the local economy, as opposed to only 20 cents from a national chain or discount store.

Shopping locally is good for you, and the antique, gift and novelty shops are also full of great ideas and lots of fun. While you’re out and about, however, don’t for get to drop into to some of our special local resources.

Being “Green” is always in, especially this Christmas. For fascinating educational toys, games, puzzles and books, as well as splendid notepaper, cards and artwork, check out the gift shop at The Wetlands Institute on Stone Harbor Blvd. (609-368-1211).
If you haven’t visited the gift shop at the Cape May County Historical Museum lately, you are in for a treat.

The museum is on Route 9 in Swainton (609-465-3535), and the gift shop has been revamped and the grand re-opening will be this Friday evening (Dec. 4) from 6-9 pm. Look for decorative accents to go with your decor, small rugs, table runners., glass and ceramics, as well as books on local history and culture.

The Physick Estate on Washington Street in Cape May City has a couple of very sophisticated gift shops with an assortment of old-time toys and dolls as well as Victorian and Edwardian-style decorative arts.

To reach them, call 609-884-5404; press “0" for the operator, and she will direct your call.

For your children, or for the big kid in you, a trip to the Flyertown Model Railroad Museum (609-634-3173) is an absolute must during the holidays. The museum is at 2044 Route 9 in Clermont, just north of Route 83. Their shop sells trains, accessories and books, and the layout is amazing.

Arthur Schwerdt, a certified appraiser, is the author of “The Antique Story Book: Finding the Real Value of Old Things,” and co-owner of The August Farmhouse Antiques on Route 9 in Swainton. Send your comments, questions or appraisal requests to: aschwerdt@cmcherald.com.