My name is Ireland, and, as a receptionist at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, I am lucky to have a front row seat to the comings and goings in our Barn Owl Gift Shop and Welcome Center.
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, I am excited to share that our Barn Owl Gift Shop is brimming with fresh finds. From unique gifts to nature-themed trinkets, there is something special for everyone.
We have wonderful cards from Shawn Braley Illustration, an artist based in Vermont. Shawn’s cards depict the joy and beauty of the winter months with quirky animal illustrations and beautiful watercolor landscapes. The best part? Each card is made using FSC Certified paper with 100% recycled envelopes and clear eco-friendly sleeves.
For the cold weather and dry skin that sometimes comes along with it, I love our hand products from MacKenzie’s Fisherman. MacKenzie’s products are made in small batches off the coast of New Hampshire. We carry their hand lotion, knuckle wax, and hand salve in the Owl Shop. All the ingredients are vegan and cruelty-free, and the balms have a lovely lemon essential oil scent that reminds you of sunnier days.
If you are looking for a gift for a child or a stocking stuffer, we have some great science-themed items like whole geodes and owl pellets. We also carry a full line of stuffed animals including birds that make authentic calls recorded by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Want a gift that shows your pride in the Norman Bird Sanctuary? We’ve got lots of custom branded items from pens and keychains to sweatshirts and hats. As a book lover myself, and a dog-earing fanatic, I’m glad we have Norman Bird Sanctuary bookmarks in the shop! These bookmarks are made by the small business, Sunnie Lane, using real pressed flowers grown in Utah. They fit perfectly in any hardcover or paperback novel and come in a wide assortment of bright, cheery colors.
You can’t talk about winter without mentioning tea! Tea is a great way to make you feel extra cozy on those frigid nights. We are lucky to carry herbalist Maggie Hatzpanian’s signature tea blends in the Owl Shop. These blends are made using medicinal plants, including quite a few foraged here at NBS. Maggie offers winter-specific blends including “Christmas Morning” and “Keep Warm and Stay Still” that focus on immune support and calmness, which we all need during these months!
There’s nothing quite like a steaming cup of joe on these chilly mornings. We now stock ground coffee beans from Wuuds Coffee Company, a small business based in Virginia that make roasted-to-order, ethically sourced, eco-friendly coffee. Working at NBS has really opened my eyes to all the amazing things that birds accomplish. Wuuds is a bird-friendly certified brand; this ensures that they promote sustainable farming practices and help preserve critical bird habitats. Plus, their blends are absolutely delicious! What more could you want?
The Barn Owl Shop is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m (closed Christmas Day). Through December 31, members receive 20% off of every purchase! Every purchase helps further our mission to spark people’s curiosity to explore, steward, and find peace and joy in nature.
