With a string of upcoming April birthdays – one right after the other! – I’ve been seeking out unique gifts, cards and oddities for my loved ones to make their special day even more memorable and fun. And, while there’s plenty of places in and around The Pioneer Valley where I can find some interesting presents, a place I recently saw advertised on Instagram caught my attention and I opted to make the drive a little further North to Wallingford, Vermont to check it out in person and see if anything stood out to me.
Given that the Northeast just got buried with what I’m hoping will be the last snowstorm of the 2023/2024 Winter season (fingers crossed!) the drive took just a little bit longer since some of the roadways were still in treacherous condition- but it was definitely worth it once I got there!
The Sparkle Barn, nestled right off of US-7, is a former dairy barn-turned-expansive-gift-shop that is filled to the brim with locally curated and high quality gifts for everyone and everything- from kids to pets, nature enthusiasts to astrology experts, skin/body care collectors to avid readers/writers. There is legitimately something for any person in your life- and yourself if you’re having a “Treat Yourself Day”- and I spent so much time going from room to room picking things out, and snapping photos of all the amazing and carefully assembled displays.
But one of the most incredible parts of The Sparkle Barn is their second floor, which has been transformed from a hay loft into a stunning “Fairy Garden” filled with huge flowers, cute plushie insects and one of the coolest chandeliers I’ve ever seen. The room doubles as a sitting area and activity center for younger visitors, which is such a great idea to keep kids occupied while their parents/guardians shop- but it can really be appreciated and enjoyed by all ages! Especially if you’re waiting for Spring to get here as much as I am!
I found some great gifts and cards that I’m excited to be mailing out a little later on this week, and also grabbed a really fun, kind-of-foul-mouthed divination card deck for myself that I couldn’t stop looking at- but the shop also sells a good portion of their merchandise online- so I can order anything that I may have missed or that wasn’t available in-store while I was there.
But if you find yourself driving through Vermont anytime soon, it’s worth stopping in to see the Fairy Garden and the absolutely beautiful layout of their store! As snowy as the roads were, I’m so happy I went- and I’d definitely go back in nicer weather in the future!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 