As the leaves slowly fall and the autumn chill becomes colder, we are reminded that the autumn season is coming to a close and ushering in the holiday season! That means family, sleigh rides, figure skating in Rockefeller Center, and (most importantly)… shopping! With Thanksgiving weekend less than two weeks away, businesses around Orange County are gearing up for holiday shoppers. Many of the antique shops, restaurants, wineries, and other quaint country stores have some great specials for the holiday season. Antique lovers will want to visit some of the special, family-owned shops around Orange County, including Country Heritage Antiques in Pine Bush for 18^th and 19^th century furnishings (www.countryheritageantiques.com/), the Warwick Antique Barn in Warwick, with twenty five antique dealers (www.warwickantiquebarn.com/), or any other of the forty plus antique and collectibles shops in Orange County. For the more modern shopper, nothing beats Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7), which hosts 220 premium outlet stores that offer 25% to 65% savings no matter what time of the year. Don’t miss the after-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale on Friday November 27 through Sunday November 29 (www.premiumoutlets.com/sales/). Many Bed & Breakfasts in Orange County have “Shop and Stay” packages and VIP coupon books for guests who are interested in shopping at Woodbury Common. While shopping throughout Orange County, stop at some of the local restaurants and wineries. For those who favor historic American food, consider the Landmark Inn in Warwick, The Canterbury Brook Inn in Cornwall, or the Bull’s Head Inn in Campbell Hall. Remember to take home some local country baked goods, fruits, or wines as holiday gifts from the family owned Jones Farm and Country Store in Cornwall (http://www.jonesfarminc.com/) (be sure to visit Polly the Pig while you’re there!), Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville (www.brotherhoodwinery.net/), Warwick Valley Winery & Orchards (www.wvwinery.com/), or any of the numerous country farm markets, gift shops, apple orchards, and wineries in the area. Many of our farm markets and wineries have “U-Pick” specials for those interested in getting their hands dirty with apple picking, pumpkin picking, and Christmas trees. It’s going to be a wonderful holiday season in Orange County for the hardcore shoppers and for those who just want to curl up by the fire of a quaint Bed & Breakfast with some homemade pumpkin pie and a book. It’s not too late to plan a weekend trip to Orange County for Thanksgiving. Many B & B’s have Thanksgiving weekend specials, so make sure to ask your innkeeper about Thanksgiving and shopping discounts when you make your reservations.