Bloomington's holiday gift guide: Puppets, kitchenware, alpaca slippers, more
The holiday season is in full swing, and local shops still have several unique items on the shelf ready to be gift-wrapped. Whether you're tying up last-minute gifts or have just started looking around, here are 20 gift ideas from several of Bloomington's many small businesses that can make one's holiday shopping a little easier this year.
Holiday gifts for children
Jack-in-the-boxes
Where to buy: Book Corner, 100 N. Walnut St.
Description: For that young person with an old soul, consider this enduring popular blast from the past. The jack-in-the-box comes in a dinosaur or unicorn design.
Price: $29.95.
Hand-crafted puppets
Where to buy: By Hand Gallery, Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave. Suite 109.
Description: These puppets were crafted by local artist Bob Wolanin. Each puppet is a vibrant array of colors and distinct design. According to Wolanin's artist statement, he is inspired by vintage animation, 1960s psychedelia and fringe and surreal artists.
Price range: Varies by puppet, $150-$400.
Holiday-themed puzzles
Where to buy: The Book Corner, 100 N. Walnut St.
Description: During those snow-frosted nights, families can break out these holiday puzzles in-between building gingerbread houses or making hot chocolate. Puzzle-solving is a relaxing way to spend time with family and friends, and the end result reveals a winter wonderland to fit the season.
Price: $13.99 (Twelve days of Christmas puzzle); $16.99 (Christmas cottage puzzle).
Skull, board game
Where to buy: The Game Preserve, College Mall exterior, 2894 E. Third St., Suite 108.
Description: Bid, bluff and bargain — this is a board game of luck and deception. In Skull, each card has a rose or skull printed on one side, and it's up to the players to avoid the skull at all costs while also daring others to try their luck as often as possible. Each player places a card face-down to start the game — when it's their turn again, they either put another card face down or they announce they are going to try to turn a specific number of cards face up around the table and get only roses. Other players can then overbid them by claiming they can turn more cards face up safely. The highest bidder must then turn that number of cards face up. If a player selects only roses, they win; if they pick a skull, they lose and place one of their cards out of play. Making two successful challenges wins the game.
This game can be played with three to six players and is recommended for players age 10 and older.
Price: $24.95.
Dune trilogy
Where to buy: Book Corner, 100 N. Walnut St.
Description: This cult sci-fi classic book series has experienced a surge in popularity since "Dune," the newest film adaptation, was released earlier this year. Set in an interstellar society where noble houses control planetary land, this coming-of-age story follows young Paul Atreides, whose life is upended after his family gains stewardship over the planet Arrakis. Though originally published in 1965, "Dune" provides introspection on several enduring themes — protection of natural resources, political turmoil and moral dilemmas. This box set features all three books of the original trilogy. The recommended age level for the series is 13 and older.
Price range: $30.97.
Holiday gifts for adults
Ivko cathedral scarf
Where to buy: Mirth, Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 117.
Description: Spoil someone with this large scarf that can also be worn as a shawl. It is made in Serbia.
Price: $189.
Limestone dragon carving
Where to buy: By Hand Gallery, Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 109.
Description: Crafted by local artist Sidney Bolam, this piece was crafted with locally sourced limestone from Ellettsville. This carving can be prime décor for an outdoor garden or indoor den.
Price: $500.
Netherton Foundry Spun Iron Pans
Where to buy: Goods for Cooks, 115 N. College Ave.
Description: These spun cast iron pans and tools are made in small batches in the English countryside of Shropshire. Netherton Foundry's pans and tools, which are thinner and lighter than cast iron, sear beautifully and are easier to move around. Goods for Cooks is one of only a few shops in the U.S. carrying Netherton right now.
Price range: $49.99-$499.99.
Monikers, party game
Where to buy: The Game Preserve, College Mall exterior, 2894 E. Third St., Suite #108.
Description: Charades meets word association in this chaotic guessing game. Each card has a noun that players must guess while competing in teams. In each of the three rounds, a team member describes a card that their teammates must guess with increasingly difficult restrictions on what hints can be given. Cards vary from historical figures to pop culture references. This is an accessible party game without any complicated rules or set up. The Game Preserve has three editions of Moniker to keep the fun going at any Christmas party. This game is recommended for four to six players who are 17 or older.
Price: $24.95.
Vintage outfit
Where to buy: My Sister's Closet, 414 S. College Ave.
Description: Vintage abounds at My Sister's Closet, accompanied by more modern apparel. The store fills its inventory with local donations that feature nearly every brand name and price point out there. My Sister's Closet also has various sales with a discount of at least 25% every day.
Price range: $45 (colorful jacket), $35 (pants).
Staub Enameled Cast Iron Cocotte
Where to buy: Goods for Cooks, 115 N. College Ave.
Description: The 4-quart cocotte has a glass lid and comes in various colors including cherry, black, white, truffle turquoise, grenadine and dark blue. It is perfect for baking bread, cooking batches of chili or braising small cuts of meat. Cast iron cooking has seen a renaissance over the past few years, and with people sticking close to home more often, appreciation for the benefits of cooking in iron has only grown.
Price range: $129.99-$179.99.
Hand-crafted gold necklace
Where to buy: By Hand Gallery, Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave. Suite 109.
Description: There's no other necklace on the market like it. Jewelers Jack Forney and Marian Vorgang-Forney crafted this 14-karat gold necklace with a handmade chain and an Ethiopian opal stone.
Price: $3,600.
Cocktail Syrups
Where to buy: Goods for Cooks, 115 N. College Ave.
Description: The world of cocktail syrups has recently exploded and these handy elixirs are not just for cocktails — each syrup, infused with different flavor profiles, is also a wonderful addition to sparkling water, coffee, tea, salad dressings, pan sauces and baked goods, and can be poured over ice cream or berries. Goods for Cooks carries a unique array of mixers from all over the U.S. and England. The cocktail syrups come in 12-16 ounce sizes.
Price range: $12.99-$18.99.
Holiday gifts for all
Chocolate Lover’s Mystery Box
Where to buy: Global Gifts, 122 N. Walnut St.
Description: This small chocolate-lovers mystery box offers a few different fair trade chocolate selections along with handmade accessories. Items contained within a mystery box are valued at 20% higher than the box price, so it's considered a great way to save.
Price: $19.
Head lamp
Where to buy: J.L. Waters and Co., 109 N. College Ave.
Description: Whether you're exploring a cavern, going on a midnight hike or just need to shed a little more light on a situation, these Black Diamond Revolt headlamps provide high-powered illumination.
Price: $64.95.
MicroMacro: Crime City, board game
Where to buy: The Game Preserve, College Mall exterior, 2894 E. Third St., Suite #108.
Description: This board game is pitched as "Where's Waldo for the detective crime genre." Players work together on crime-solving missions across a huge city map, finding hidden clues and tracing the trails of criminal masterminds. Together, players use various clues from cards to eventually answer some key questions such as identifying a motive, finding evidence and convicting perpetrators. The newest edition has missions with varied age ratings.
Price: $29.95.
White Alpaca Slippers
Where to buy: Global Gifts, 122 N. Walnut St.
Description: These slippers are made from alpaca wool by fair trade artisans in Peru. According to shopkeepers, the alpaca wool is so soft because of the high altitude of the Andean mountains in South America, where the alpacas live. Sizes range from small to extra large.
Price: $69
Wool blankets
Where to buy: J.L. Waters and Co., 109 N. College Ave.
Description: These wool blankets are certain to keep someone warm and cozy during the upcoming winter nights.
Price range: $80-$100.
Camper slippers
Where to buy: Mirth, Fountain Square Mall, 101 W. Kirkwood Ave., Suite 117.
Description: These slippers come in red, gray and navy, with a rubber sole.
Price range: $89-$118.
Binoculars
Where to buy: J.L. Waters and Co., 109 N. College Ave.
Description: For that astronomer or bird watcher in your life, pick up a pair of binoculars. These Celestron 15-35x70 SkyMaster Zoom Binoculars can observe objects from a great distance with crisp color and sharp detail.
Price: $120.
Contact Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com or @RachelSmithNews on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington's gift guide to local holiday shopping at small businesses
