“Shoptember”, the hottest tax-free shopping month of the year in Mt Washington Valley, NH

NOVEMBER IS HOLIDAY SHOPPING MONTH IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY, NH

Shoppers can get an early start on holiday buying with tax-free shopping and shop-fests throughout “Shoptember” in Mt Washington Valley, NH

North Conway, NH – Why wait until December when you can get a jump on holiday shopping in Mt Washington Valley, NH? November has become the largest shopping month in the Valley, with groups of men and women coming from as far as Texas and Canada for the month’s events. With 200 outlets, shops, boutiques and stores in Mt Washington Valley, all offering tax-free shopping, and several hotels, inns, B&Bs and resorts jumping on board to welcome them, November has been dubbed Shoptember in Mt Washington Valley.

Settlers Green Outlets leads the way into shopping season with two weekend-long events that take shopping to a new level: Treat Yourself Weekend (Nov. 6-8) and their signature 16th Annual Bring A Friend Weekend (Nov 9-12). Shoppers heading to Settlers Green for the 16th Annual Bring A Friend Shopping Weekend on November 10-13, should expect a four-day lineup of entertainment, store specials, extended hours and ridiculous amounts of fun. This event attracts thousands of shoppers every year and has been cited as the highlight of the holiday shopping season by many.

And this year, Settlers Green has upped the benefits with the all-new wristband offering extra shopping, lodging and dining values. “We’ve introduced a new concept this year involving a wristband that will give shoppers access to store discounts as well as specials at event partners around the North Conway area,” said Laura Tuveson, Assistant Director of Marketing and Events at Settlers Green. “Beyond our 60 outlets and restaurants, wristband rewards can be found at local partners including Black Cap Grille, Red Parka Pub, Mystery NH, Tuckerman Brewing Co, Shannon Door Pub, Delaney’s Hole in the Wall and many more.” The Bring A Friend Wristband is free of charge and available starting on Thursday, November 10 in the Customer Service office at Settlers Green. The wristband will be available while supplies last throughout the weekend.

Bring A Friend Weekend is packed with entertainment including performances by Jeanne Limmer Dance Center at 10:00am followed by the Kennett High School Dance Team at 11:00am then DJ Kristen Corrigan will keep the shoppers moving from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are raffles announced every 30 minutes with prizes from Crocs, Starbucks, Fragrance Outlet and many more. Back by demand once again this year is a photo booth with a slew of props.

The highlight of this event, the highly popular 2000 shopping bag giveaway, takes place at 8:00am with one shopping bag including a $500 Shopping Spree and five other bags stuffed with $50 gift certificates. Shoppers line up in a crowd that snakes throughout the center for hours before the shopping bag giveaway, just to get their prized bags filled with coupons, gifts, small samples and more.

The first 200 shoppers dressed in team uniforms, such as elf ears, special jackets, custom tights, etc., will be eligible for a free mini cupcake from White Mountain Cupcakery at the photo booth line. Other photo-themed activities include an Instagram selfie contest tagged #ShopBAF, photos with Santa sponsored by Kiwanis Club of North Conway, and a photo scavenger hunt to play while shopping. Plus, to honor Veterans Day, on Saturday, November 11, Settlers Green will host a live performance of the National Anthem in the Gazebo at 10 am and pass out American flags to all who attend, while supplies last.

For those who are just looking to shop without all the frills, an additional shopping weekend has been designed at Settlers Green the weekend prior. “Treat Yourself” is an event taking place at Settlers Green on November 4-6 that is simply focused on shopping specials. Considered a “stripped down version” of Bring A Friend Weekend, Treat Yourself features a separate wristband that access all the same store offers as Bring A Friend Weekend, plus a DJ on Saturday and raffles every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. “We’ve created a Treat Yourself Itinerary featuring our favorite spas, yoga studios and places to visit in the North Conway area before or after shopping.” said Tuveson. Shoppers will get incentives on these itineraries to partners including Christmas Farm Inn & Spa, the Oxford House Inn, The Local Grocer plus others.

Meanwhile, north of Settlers Green Outlets, the North Conway Village shops offer a variety of independently owned shops, boutiques and general stores. Look for unique and locally made items here offering everything from bikes to back scrubs. You’ll find New England made products at places like Zeb’s General Store, Handcrafters Barn, League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, North Conway Fair Jewelers, Soy Fire Candle and more. And You’ll even find items made right in North Conway and the White Mountains at Fields of Ambrosia BATH-BODY-AROMA, Bavarian Chocolate Haus, and Skinny Towel & Washcloth Co, plus a New Hampshire wine specialty store at the Penguin Gallery of NH and the opportunity to create your own wine at White Mountain Winery. There are a wide variety of clothing stores including the Rugged Mill, offering a fabulous clearance room, Spruce Hurricane, offering unique women’s clothing and Assets Jean Company, for those who want the perfect fit. Hard to fit? No problem! Beggar’s Pouch Leather has been making belts for all sizes big and small right in their North Conway store since 1978.

Black Friday (November 25) brings the next opportunity for holiday shopping with stores throughout Mt Washington Valley opening early with special bargains and sales. At Settlers Green, the outlets will open at 5:00am with special sales posted here. Throughout North Conway Village, stores will individually post opening hours. White Birch Books in North Conway will celebrate the day with Plaid Friday, designed for smaller businesses. Stop by on Friday, November 25, and notice the staff’s plaid attire to receive a 10-percent discount. Better yet, dig out your own plaid garb: kilts, scarves, hats or socks and wear it proudly into the store and receive a 20-percent discount. Other small independently owned businesses in Mt Washington Valley, including White Birch Booksellers, will observe Small Business Saturday on November 26.

In Jackson, the Traditionally Yours celebration gets underway right after Thanksgiving with many retailers offering gifts with purchase, refreshments, open houses and more. Throughout the weekend, for example, visit The Cassidy Gallery of Jackson Village, receive a gift with every $75+ purchase. There are plenty of additional open houses and holiday events taking place in Jackson this weekend too.

And up at Great Glen Trails, the annual Holiday Craft Fair takes place on Saturday, November 26 with three floors of crafters offering up woodworking, photography, knitting, specialty soaps and lotions, jewelry, wreaths, and much more plus live demonstrations.

In-between all the Black Friday events, holiday festivities will kick off with the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour in Jackson, and the Spirit of the Holidays event in North Conway. On Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 the holiday evens kick off with Spirit of the Holidays. At 4 pm a “Spirit of the Holiday” Parade in North Conway Village will begin at Depot Road and end at the south entrance of Norcross Circle. Santa will depart the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in a horse drawn sleigh, join in the parade then proceed to Schouler Park to light the Christmas tree there at 4:45 p.m. The feeling of an “Old Fashioned Christmas” continues at 5 p.m. while Santa leads the way down Main Street from Schouler Park to Eastern Slope Inn for the lighting of the Inn’s traditionally decorated tree. Followers are then entertained with stories read by Santa at the historic Eastern Slope Inn Theater, Home of the Arts in Motion theater group on the premises. Cookies and Hot Chocolate will be served.

For more information on shopping and a list of stores, visit www.ShopMWV.com. For more information on planning a holiday shopping getaway to Mt Washington Valley, www.MtWashingtonValley.org is the best resource. To talk to a vacation planning concierge, call 1-800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) for help with planning. And to learn all about trips to New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.org.

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