Make the Blue Shutters Beachside Part of Your New Year's Weekend Plans

Our online diary has been pretty quiet these past few weeks as the Shutters crew has been off enjoying the holidays. But the activity level around the inn is due to change very soon -- tonight we'll be full up with family and friends here to celebrate New Year's Eve. Our tree and Christmas decorations are still up, so folks will be still be able to see the Blue Shutters decked out for the holidays (in this photo, the four of us are sprucing up the free for the party). While we're full tonite, there are rooms still open for Saturday night...and the weekend promises to be a great one, with temps in the 50's. So why not treat yourself and enjoy part of the New Year's weekend with us!

Attention All Birdwatchers (and Patriots Fans)...Special Discount for Cape Ann Birding Weekend -- Feb. 4-6

The weekend of Feb. 4-6 could be a big one for folks in our region -- the Super Bowl is that Sunday, and we're hoping the Patriots will be there!

That's also Cape Ann Birding Weekend, when birdwatchers from near and far come to our region to experience what we see every day -- we're no experts at the Blue Shutters, but we know there is some excellent birdwatching in the area,including around the beach and marshes right outside our doors.

With this in mind, we're offering a special discont to anyone visiting Cape Ann for the birding weekend. Book two nights at the Shutters and get the second night for half-price. Breakfast is included on both days – as is some relaxing time by our fireplace, where guests can warm up with a complimentary glass of wine after a day of birding. Call/email us for details.

By the way...if you're around that afternoon, you can watch the Super Bowl here at the Shutters as well.

Holiday Ideas: Blue Shutters Gift Cards (Special Discount This Month) and Girls Beauty Weekend on January 29

The Blue Shutters makes a great present to slip under the Christmas tree -- and with the events we have planned for the off-season, this could make for a very nice holiday surprise. We have a full schedule of off-season events planned -- including our popular wine and food tastings, murder mystery night and brews and blues. There will also be a few new events -- a chili cook-off, a knitting night and coming up on January 29, a Girls Beauty Getaway. That weekend, you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a mid-winter visit to the Blue Shutters and treat yourself to a bit of pampering while you're here! Beauty Specialist Kathy Farrell will be on hand all day that Saturday to provide a range of services, including hair dressing, Ayurvedic (Indian) bodywork and skin care. There'll be time for dinner in town, stops at local art galleries and shops...and quiet moments by the fire after a walk on the beach. Stay the entire weekend and get a special discount -- book one night that weekend and get the second for half price!

And one more note on discounts -- during the entire month of Decemeber we'll give you a $10 card for every $100 you buy.

You can purchase gift cards for any amount - and these can be used toward a stay at the Blue Shutters anytime throughout the year.

(We wanted to include a photo for the girls beauty getaway...and we found this shot of AnnMarie and Patty decked out for another event, our murder mystery weekend)

The Story Behind the Blue Shutters Christmas Tree

When we had our first tree trimming party a few years ago, we needed to hustle off to Walmart that morning to buy a bunch of ornaments. We decided that this wouldn't do, so we invited our friends to make this their tree, by contributing ornaments. Today, those Walmart decorations sit on the sideline, replaced by the dozens of special ornaments we've received in recent years. Lots of ships, fish, crabs and other nautical items. There are a few photo ornaments, others that celebrate other events here at the Shutters (like our Murder Mystery and Wine & Food Tastings) and some from other parts of the world (there's even one from our friends in Avon Lake, Ohio). You're invited to come by and see for yourself -- our tree will be on display throughout the holidays. And while you're here, you can take advantage of all the Christmas on Cape Ann festivities happening all around Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-sea.

Holidays Begin at Blue Shutters with Tree Trimming Party

The Blue Shutters celebrated the start of the holiday season last night with our tree trimming party. Thanks to guests, family, friends and neighbors for joining in the fun. Here's a shot of some of the party-goers. More photos to come....here and on our Facebook page.