Ugly Sweater Crowd at the Blue Shutters Helps Ring in the New Year

This could be the start of a new Blue Shutters tradition -- the ugly holiday sweater contest. Here are just some of the family and friends who joined in the event this New Year's Eve.

Live Video of the Blue Shutters on New Year's Eve

The Blue Shutters Beachcam is one of our most popular features, with live views of Good Harbor Beach -- but tonight we're offering a new look. Check out the Blue Shutters New Year's Eve Partycam and see how we're celebrating the coming of 2012. You can join in the festivities tomorrow, January 1 -- stop by anytime for a little holiday cheer, and if you're able, why not spend the night and enjoy the first few days of 2012 at one of the most special places on earth!

Come Join a New Year's Day Tradition at Good Harbor Beach

It's a New Year's Day tradition -- we watch from the Blue Shutters as folks flock to Good Harbor for a walk on the beach. We can't blame them -- can't think of a better way to begin the year than a walk on everyone's favorite beach (if you're really brave, you can join some of the Blue Shutters crowd for their annual "plunge" -- here's a shot of the "dippers" and their fans from New Year's Day 2011). Why not give it a try -- at least the walk, if not the plunge -- and if you do, please stop by the Blue Shutters anytime on New Year's Day to say hello (and warm up). Better yet, make plans to spend the first day and night of 2012 with us -- we're full tonight (New Year's Eve) but we have rooms available for the evening of January 1.

As the Sun Sets on 2011...We Share Some Beautiful Sunset Photos

The sun is about to set on 2011, so we thought we share with you these photos -- sunset shots taken by Marie Pelletier of Salem, whose work we've featured on this blog a number of times. This most recent pair of photos was taken last summer -- but the sunsets are just as beautiful during the winter months. Come see for yourself.

A Holiday Tradition in Rockport and Gloucester

We have a lot of holiday traditions, and one of our favorites is a gathering of family and friends on the last Saturday before Christmas in Rockport -- for some shopping and Christmas caroling -- followed by dinner at the Topside Grill in Gloucester. Each year on this Saturday in December, Rockport hosts a retelling of the Nativity, with townspeople dressed as shepherds, Roman soliders, the three kings and Mary and Joseph. The pagent takes place on the streets of Rockport and ends with the singing of Christmas carols and -- for our crowd -- a visit to Tucks to warm up (and load up on some candy). We then head over to Topside for dinner, where the Silva family -- owners of the restaurant -- save a special spot for our crowd. A big thank you to Doug, Dennis and Dawn Silva...and to all the family and friends who joined the Blue Shutters innkeepers for this evening. Maybe next year you can make this a holiday tradition of your own.

Not a Creature is Stirring...and That Makes Good Harbor Beach a Great Choice This Holiday Week

Buried under wrapping paper and empty gift boxes? Looking for a way to work off all the fruitcake and egg nog? Hoping to slip away for a little relaxation after visiting relatives and friends? Well, Good Harbor Beach may be just the spot. A year ago this time we were digging out from a big snowstorm, but this year it's bright and sunny at the beach -- as you can see from these photos. Folks are out walking along the water and enjoying some quiet time downtown. And there's no better place to kick back and chill out after a day out on Cape Ann than the Blue Shutters. Imagine yourself opening a bottle of wine and stretching out by the fireplace after that walk on the beach. It's quiet here -- very few people stirring (and no creatures) -- so you're sure to have plenty of opportunity to rest up for New Year's Eve. Call us today and make plans to visit this holiday week.

Cape Ann -- and European Royalty -- Get the "Jeopardy" Treatment

There are a bunch of Jeopardy fans around the Blue Shutters (ask the innkeepers about their history of trivia triumphs) so we were very pleased to hear that our neck of the woods was featured on tonite's show. The answer: "In 1623, this Massachusetts Cape was named after the then queen of England." The question of course was Cape Ann! However, Wikipedia says Cape Ann was named after the mother of King Charles I, Anne of Denmark. Whatever the real story, we can tell you this for sure -- Cape Ann's first name was "Cape Tragabigzanda" (don't know how you feel, but we're happy with this change).

Hold Your Holiday Business Getaway at the Blue Shutters!

The Blue Shutters is a great spot for an office getaway or business off-site anytime, but the holiday season is perhaps the best time of year for this. The beach-loving crowd has moved, and area restaurants and night-spots are a bit quieter -- but Good Harbor Beach is as beautiful as ever with a winter backdrop (here you see a group we hosted from Fairchild Semiconductor, enjoying a stroll on the beach earlier this year).

And throughout the month of December, downtown is decked out for the holidays, with many special Christmas on Cape Ann events planned in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-sea.

Our main room can accomodate small group meetings, and during the off-season, we're certain to have enough guest rooms where everyone can relax at the end of the day.

Call or email us and we'll help you plan you holiday business getaway!

Give a Blue Shutters Gift Card...and We'll Have Something For You Too!

Looking to do something special for someone this holiday season -- how about a giving the gift of the Blue Shutters?

Just call us and we'll send you a gift card along with a Blue Shutters brochure and other Cape Ann information you can pass along with your gift. If you'd like, you could even include a Blue Shutters tee-shirt, hoodie or sweatshirt.

Then, all you need to do is wait for the smiles on those faces on Christmas day or at your holiday office party.

And for those who purchase gift cards this holiday season, we have something for you -- we'll give you a $10 in card card for every $100 you buy.

You and the lucky person receiving your gift can use this anytime during the year. Don't forget, we're open all year long -- including throughout the holidays, which is a particularly special time to visit. In fact, if you live in the area, you can stop by the Blue Shutters to pick up your gift card and spend some time on Cape Ann. There are Christmas on Cape Ann events planned now through New Years, and the stores and art galleries are all decked out for holidays -- as is the Blue Shutters, as you can see from the photo here.

Decking the Halls and Helping Those in Need

Over the years, many friends, family and neighbors have contributed ornaments for the Blue Shutters Christmas tree. Look closely and you'll see shells, ships, beachchairs, Santa in sunglasses and similar beach-themed ornaments. There are also those that reflect the hometowns of our guests -- cows from Vermont, holiday wishes from Avon Lake, OH, and more. One addition to our Christmas tree this year is a basket of food items for Open Door, our local Gloucester food pantry. Thanks again to our 2011 tree-trimmers, who not only helped deck the halls of the Blue Shutters -- they also made important contributions to those in need of our help this holiday season.

You're invited to stop by the Blue Shutters this month -- to see our tree and other Christmas decorations, drop off a food item, or just join in some holiday cheer.

More Tree-Trimmers 2011

Holiday Tree-Trimmers 2011

Here are more photos from our holiday party -- shots of some of our tree-trimmers.

Scenes from 2011 Blue Shutters Holiday Tree-Trimming

A big thank you to the friends, family and neighbors who joined us for Saturday's Holiday Tree-Trimming. As you can see from the photos here, folks had a lot of fun -- decorating the tree, enjoying hot apple cider and some holiday treats and hanging with a special guest...the Coors Light girl (that's her in the Santa cap). A big thanks to Marie Pelletier who snapped all of these photos -- and others we'll pass along later.

There's still plenty of time to get experience the Blue Shutters and Cape Ann this holiday season. As you can see from these shots, the Blue Shutters is all decked out for the holidays, and there are Christmas on Cape Ann events planned right through New Year's Day.

Call us and make your reservation!

See Santa on a Lobster Boat..and Then Warm Up at the Blue Shutters This Saturday

Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? This Saturday the jolly old fat man will chug into Rockport's Bearskin Neck at 3:45 p.m., following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. And after you've taken all this in, come to the Blue Shutters to warm up by the fireplace with a cocktail. There will be plenty of holiday treats and holiday cheer that afternoon and evening as we hold our annual Blue Shutters Tree-Trimming. We're offering special discounts for those who stay with us this weekend. Call us for details. And while you're on Cape Ann, you can enjoy Christmas on Cape Ann festivities in Gloucester, Essex and Manchester-by-the-sea! What a great way to get into the holiday spirit.