By Alicia Kelso
Send ‘em packing
Give the gift of travel and relaxation by booking a trip to Ogelbay Resort in Wheeling, W. Va., just two hours from Columbus. Guests can indulge in 1,700 picturesque acres complete with a full-service spa, cottages, a 4 ½-star Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, dining, shops, museums, horseback riding and more. Get a sneak peek for yourself at the Winter Festival of Lights Nov. 13. Overnight getaway packages vary, www.oglebay-resort.com.
A “banner” gift
For the pop culture fiend, the Wexner Center for the Arts has a new batch of “Banners into Bags” line – one-of-a-kind messenger bags, totes and fanny packs created from Wex banners promoting past events including the Andy Warhol exhibit. $40, tote; $64, fanny pack and hip bag; and $114-$192, messenger bags, www.wexarts.org.
Onesies-of-a-kind
The perfect gift for the newborns on your list, Choonimals Clothing Co.’s handmade onesies feature new, quirky designs for babies 6-9 months, 12 months and 18 months old. The Columbus-based clothing company donates portions of its profits to help organizations such as Develop Africa and Hear the Cry. $15 each or three for $36, www.choonimals.com.
Sitting pretty
Constructed entirely at the Fortin Ironworks Columbus factory, personalized garden benches are the perfect addition to any manicured lawn. These award-winning wrought iron benches can be tailored to fit any style, with the addition of names, dates, messages, logos and more. Custom sizes are available. $500-$800, www.fortinironworks.com.
Give peace a chance
One-of-a-kind, hand-woven baskets by the women of Rwanda blend the old and new, with traditional designs similar to those woven for centuries in the country and more modern pieces that mix vivid color with functional shapes. The sale of Rwanda Path to Peace Project Baskets puts sustainable income into the hands of the artisans who created them and is a partnership through Macy’s. $46-80, www.macys.com.
Stimulating creativity
For the aspiring artists, grab a Renaissance Sketchbook at On Paper in the Short North. The rugged, supple leather book is handmade with an elaborately sewn spine and heavyweight deckle edge pages. $135, www.onpaper.com.
The gift of time
Looking for that funky, unique, cool gift for someone’s home? How about a Mac Worthington clock? Each piece is custom designed to your size and design preferences and is approximately 18-24 inches. Starting at $295, www.macworthington.com.
Baby stuff
Babies can be tricky to shop for, especially if they have generous grandparents. Go the safe route and get a customized gift basket from Blankets and Booties in Dublin. The items are arranged in a white wicker basket and include gender-specific clothing, contents of your choice and a personalized gift card. Starting at $75, www.blanketsandbooties.com.
The gift that keeps on giving
For the serious reader, a Book Loft T-shirt equates to a 10 percent discount whenever worn in the German Village store, which is full of more than 100,000 books, music and much more. Shirts come in gray and white and are available at the store, 631 S. 3rd St. $14.98 (med-XL) or $16.98 (XXL-XXXL), www.bookloft.com.
How charming
Collier West carries the Heather Moore Collection, personalized custom jewelry handcrafted in Ohio and made with 100 percent recycled metals. The pieces come in gold or silver and can be embellished with diamonds or other jewels. Add these modern-day charm bracelets to your shopping list and wow that someone special. $150 and up, www.collierwest.com.
Loyal Buckeyes
Fido has been loyal enough to deserve an authentic, licensed Ohio State University football jersey from Posh Pets in the Short North. Jerseys are available for dogs 2.5 pounds up to 150 pounds and are available in pink and red. $22-25, www.poshpetsboutique.com.
Reading for a cause
Saks Fifth Avenue at Polaris has unveiled its new holiday book Twinkle Twinkle Little Flake. Written by Emmy Award-winner Mike Reiss, the book tells the story of a snowflake named Twinkle who fears the fall from her cloudy home to Earth because she’s unsure where she will land. Two dollars from every book sold goes toward St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. $16.99, www.saks.com.
The gift of pampering
For those needing a little rejuvenation, Honey Grove Botanicals in Gahanna features natural and nature-inspired bath fizzers which look and smell like cakes, cookies, sunflowers, and more. Visit the “Scent for Me” design center with more than 100 fragrances and essential oils, and mix and match a bouquet of scents specifically for your loved one. $2.25-$9.99, www.honeygrovebotanicals.com.
Off the cuff
Rivet Art Gallery carries porcelain and sterling silver Hobbs and Kent Ex.Arte artist cuff link sets, including The Four Seasons by Jeff Soto, The Four Elements by Ray Caesar and The Four Vices by Gary Taxali. Each cuff link is engraved with the artists’ signature and individual edition number, is handmade and comes with a black lacquered wooden box with signed booklet and sleeve. $395-$495 per set, www.rivetart.com.
Warm it up
Mad River Outfitters on Bethel Road offers the Barbour Classic Beaufort waxed cotton jacket to keep everyone on your list warm, dry and stylish through Ohio’s bitter winters. Each coat is treated with Barbour Sylkoil to ensure functionality, and reproofing service is available. $379-$399, www.madriveroutfitters.com.
From the heart
Denig Jewelers in Worthington offers the Hearts on Fire Fulfillment Pendant, which is available in different sizes and metals. The Hearts on Fire collections are the world’s most perfectly cut diamonds, cut and polished at 100X magnification, 10 times the industry standard. 18-karat white gold, .25 carat is $1,450, www.denigjewelers.net.
Opening Pandora’s box
Create a memorable experience for your loved one with a charming Pandora bracelet from Simply Rr’s at Tuttle Mall. Pandora creates classically modern bracelets with more than 800 charms available to capture life’s moments. Bracelets can be assembled with signature colors, diamonds, gemstones or glass, and are made of sterling silver or 14-carat gold. Starting at $25, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin, 614-734-0505
Wine on the go
For the party hoppers or avid picnickers, Art + Home in the Short North features Wine Purses – a sturdy carrying case for wine bottles. Each purse holds one bottle of wine and includes its own corkscrew. $39.95, www.art-home.com.
A gift of lifetime fitness
Surprise your loved ones with the gift everyone can enjoy forever. Your Backyard Specialists is offering $500 off a basketball hoop and rebounder from Sport Court. Add an official Sport Court multi-use surface and watch your backyard come alive with fitness and fun. Prices vary based on size, Your Backyard Specialists’ showroom is located on State Route 23 just north of Home Road, 614-352-6111
History lesson
Boast a little home state pride this season, with an Ohio flag Christmas tree ornament, made from 24-karat gold-flashed brass. The ornament shines in red, white and blue and is available at the Ohio Historical Society’s gift shop. $6.50, www.ohiohistory.org
Watch it
Conrad’s College Gifts offers an Ohio State-themed diamond bezel watch perfect for the zealous Buckeye fan who has everything scarlet and gray. This beauty features a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal face, 12 genuine diamonds, a stainless steel case and two OSU logos. $6,999.95, www.conrads.com
Something for everyone
If you’re short on time or ideas, head over to the Shops on Lane Avenue in Upper Arlington. With more than 30 shops, restaurants and a world class grocery store, you’ll be able to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list, whether it’s clothes, toys or gourmet food. For sales and promotions, visit www.theshopsonlaneavenue.com
From the (he)art
Grab $5 and head over to Ursus Gallery in Upper Arlington to vend some one-of-a-kind art out of its Art-o-mat machine. Art-o-mats are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to retail small, inexpensive pieces of original art. There are just 82 active machines throughout the country. www.artomat.org
Doggin’ it
For Bowser’s stocking, head to Posh Pets in the Short North or The Dog Works in the German Village for the Bumi, an eco-friendly, brightly colored fetch toy made of 100 percent recyclable material. $10.95 and $12.95, www.WestPawDesign.com
Two-fer
Vivabox combines two treats in one. It includes a tangible gift in a variety of different themes (wine, food, fragrance, spa, etc.) as well as a second gift that you can custom select, bridging the gap between a gift card and a real gift. For example, the wine box includes a Wine Spectator book, an annual subscription to the magazine and a gift certificate to redeem six bottles of wine. $49.50-$160, www.vivaboxusa.com
Aesthetically pleasing
Give the gift that takes away … unwanted fat, acne, acne scars, sun-damaged skin, age spots, unwanted hair, crow's feet or sunken or hollow eyes. An Anne Therese Aesthetic Medicine gift card applies to these remedying beauty services including Smartlipo, Fraxel, Thermage, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Botox Cosmetic and Dysport. www.annetherese.com
Everyone wants to be carded
Gift cards fit all tastes (and budgets).
A Prime Outlets Jeffersonville gift card can be used at any of the 100 stores, with up to 65 percent savings and only a 45-minute drive from Columbus. www.primeoutlets.com.
People are too busy to treat themselves this time of year, so why don’t you do it for them, with a nice night out to dinner? A Cameron Mitchell gift card covers each of the company’s restaurants, offering a wide variety of options – from Italian (Marcella’s) to seafood (Ocean Club) and everything in-between. www.cameronmitchell.com.
Or how about something a little off the beaten path, complete with a spectacular view? Bel-Lago Waterfront Bistro in Westerville features an innovative menu with Italian, seafood and steak options to be enjoyed on the Hoover Reservoir waterfront. www.bellagobistro.com.
Polaris Fashion Place gift cards are good at most of its nearly 200 tenants, from Saks Fifth Avenue and Swarovski to Sunglass Hut and Godiva Chocolatier. They are also accepted at most of the mall's dining options. www.polarisfashionplace.com.
If you're truly at a loss for the perfect gift, try a Giant Eagle gift card that can be used toward groceries, fuel or gift cards for more than 140 other retailers, from airlines to restaurants and sporting goods to books and movies. A complete list is available at www.gianteagle.com.