Not sure what to buy your friends and family this holiday season? Before you head out of town for your annual shopping trip, try instead looking locally – chances are, the perfect gift can be found in your backyard. Check out these fantastic finds, courtesy of dozens of Westerville shops.
For the Person Who Has Absolutely Everything
Available at stores throughout Uptown Westerville, the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association gift card is redeemable at 15 retailers. From vintage clothing to handmade furniture to gorgeous jewelry, the recipient of this card can support local shops and find something they really want. www.ShopUptownWesterville.com
For Loved Ones with Rhythm
Give the gift of waltz this holiday season… or the cha-cha…or even hip-hop. Dance lessons are a popular item for couples, kids and those just looking for a new hobby. A gift card at either of these local dance studios will be sure to get someone moving: Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 8 Westerville Square, 614-890-9790, www.fredastaire.com, or Straub Dance Center, 501 McCorkle Blvd., 614-891-5525, www.straubdance.com
For the Beer Connoisseur
Nothing enhances a draught of fine lager like the perfect sipping vessel. Barstow’s Gifts & Engraving offers a wide assortment of collectible beer steins for the hops head in your life, from Anheuser-Busch mugs to specialty German imports. Starting at $25, Barstow’s Gifts & Engraving, 4 S. State St., 614-794-3957
For the Friend Who Loves Variety
Instead of the traditional fruit basket, send Santa’s Bag of Goodies from My Gift Basket Ideas. The Westerville company loads this velvet pouch with a variety of tasty holiday-themed treats, from festive popcorn to hard candies and more. $49.95, My Gift Basket Ideas, 800-846-1078, www.mygiftbasketideas.com
For Dog Lovers
Whether their favorite breed is a Great Dane or a basset hound, you can find it on a dog-themed Christmas ornament. This holiday must-have from Captivating Canines has all 170 American Kennel Club breeds available. $16.95, Captivating Canines, 31 N. State St., 614-882-8863
For the Pirate at Heart
Try fencing lessons with Profencing-Proesgrima, which teaches fencing at locations in Dublin and Westerville. Kids ages 7-16 can try introductory fencing during a four-week course. Currently offering classes out of The Yoga Factory Studio and the Community Center in Westerville, Profencing-Proesgrima will soon expand into a new location and add adult classes, too. $75 for introductory youth class, Profencing-Proesgrima, 614-256-8503, www.profencing-proesgrima.com
For the Kids
Hat and scarf sets from Hey Diddle Diddle feature a colorful array of Christmas icons, from Santa Claus to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. $23 for hat and scarf set, $11.50 for knit gloves, Hey Diddle Diddle, 38 N. State St., 614-818-5437, www.heydiddlediddle.com
For that Extra Personal Touch
Personalize a gift with monograms, messages and special designs at Embroidery Deluxe. The store offers undecorated items – from handkerchiefs to blankets –ready for personalization. Choose from multiple fonts, colors and designs. Handkerchiefs $4-$15, blankets $10-$30, Embroidery Deluxe, 39 W. Main St., 614-890-4020, www.embroiderydeluxe.com
For the Cigar Aficionado
Classy cigar lovers will enjoy the streamlined beauty of XIKAR lighters from Uptown Cigar Company, each of which carries a lifetime warranty. From $99, Uptown Cigar Company, 33 N. State St., 614-392-2302, www.uptowncigarcompany.com
For the Retro Chick
Women of all ages appreciate one-of-a-kind accessories. At A Gal Named Cinda Lou, find a true original. The store carries funky necklaces made from keys and other unique items. From $10, A Gal Named Cinda Lou, 20 N. State St., (614) 776-1409, www.cindalou.org
For the Organized Oenophile
Store your favorite wine of choice on a modular wine rack from Vino 100. Lightweight, affordable and made from strong hardwood and baked enamel steel, the racks allow you to start small and add on later, making room for your growing collection. Starting at $30, Vino 100, 522 Polaris Parkway, 614-895-VINO, www.vino100polaris.com
For the Bling Collector
Score major brownie points with this gorgeous necklace from Morgan’s Treasure. The shimmering pear-cut pink tourmaline is surrounded by white diamonds, making it the perfect addition to any jewelry fan’s collection. $1,995, Morgan’s Treasure, 12 W. Main St., 614-882-4401, www.morganstreasure.com
For the Caffeine Addict
Get a jolt of energy and class from Java Central, which sells a variety of fair trade, organic, 100-percent Arabica coffee beans. Ground coffee is also available – and ready for brewing – in half-pound bags. Coffee $5.99 a bag, Java Central Café & Gifts, 20 S. State St., 614-839-0698, www.java-central.com
For the Aspiring Decorator
Amish Originals carries home décor elements that run the gamut. Check out this fun and original lamp for a unique tabletop ornament. $49.99, Amish Originals Furniture Co., 8 N. State St., 614-891-6257, www.amishoriginals.com
For the “Frugalista”
Your thrifty, eco-conscious or vintage apparel fans will love gifts from Déjà Vu Consignment, a women’s consignment store rife with treasures. Jewelry fans will drool over a large collection of Brighton jewelry. From $10, Déjà Vu Consignment, 11 N. State St., 614-890-1150
For the Handmade Appreciator
If you know someone who relentlessly shops farmer’s markets or Etsy.com in search of handmade goods, head to Serendipity Ice Cream and Coffee House for the perfect gift. Local artist and Otterbein College student Adena Griffith’s hand-crafted mugs and bowls get rave reviews at the ice cream and coffee shop, and their original designs are sure to impress. From $8, Serendipity Ice Cream and Coffee House, 33 E. College Ave., 614-392-2352, http://sites.google.com/site/serendipitywesterville/
For Just About Anyone
Decorate with a sense of playfulness: this painted bucket from It’s All In The Name features customizable vinyl lettering. Girlfriends, co-workers and kids alike will find unique uses for this gift. From $16, It’s All In The Name, 13 E. College Ave., 614-890-1332, www.itsallinthename.net
For the Next Hendrix/Segovia/Great Musician
Kids and adults with an ear for music and a passion for learning will enjoy musical instruction at Uptown Strings. Lessons for guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, drums, piano, ukulele and dulcimer are available. $90 a month, Uptown Strings, 18 N. State St., 614-794-2183, www.uptownstrings.com
For the Consummate Hostess
A triple-votive bottle candelabrum, such as this lovely piece from Outside Envy, gives any holiday table extra pizzazz. Candelabrum $17.50, Outside Envy, 15 N. State St., 614-895-3689,
www.outside-envy.com
For the Happy Couple
The “Dinner for Two” wine gift basket from Meza makes a lovely his-and-hers gift. The basket comes with gourmet pasta and pasta sauce, gourmet bread dipping oil and a tasty bottle of wine, all of which is customizable. $45-$65, Meza, 48 N. State St., 614-264-7244, www.vinomeza.com
For a Colorful Personality
The designer jewelry of Patricia Locke, available at encircle, proves classy doesn’t have to mean conservative. Locke’s antiqued designs are hand-crafted and employ a wide variety of semi-precious stones, crystals and pearls for a lovely look at reasonable prices. $35-$350, encircle, 30 N. State St., 614-891-9123
Kate Seegraves is editor of Westerville Magazine.