The countdown to Christmas is closing in and I’m embarrassed to say that I have not bought a single gift, yet. Yes, I’m screwed. So, in an attempt to scrap together a holiday shopping plan, I started a list of local stores, within a 10 mile range of my house where I can gifts that don’t scream “I bought this at the gas station on the way to your house.” I’m all about supporting the local economy, but when it comes to Christmas, creativity and a personal touch is key. So, will everyone be getting a 6-pack of Miller Lite? No. Surprisingly, I came up with a lot of good ideas. 50, in fact. With this many options, you could really keep procrastinating until December 23rd.
1. Alterra Gift Pack: coffee, hot chocolate, mugs, t shirt (www.alterracoffee.com)
2. Café Centraal gift card and Triple Karmeliet (2306 S. KK, Bay View)
3. Tickets to the NYE Hold Steady show at the Riverside (www.pabsttheater.org)
4. Milwaukee Brewer’s 4-pack of tickets (www.brewers.com)
5. A Montblanc pen from Daly’s Pen Shop for your boss (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.)
6. A 2011 Wisconsin State Parks pass for the nature lovers (DNR, 2300 N. MLK)
7. Mint Meltaways from Northern Chocolate (2034 N. MLK)
8. The famous assorted sampler at Kehr’s candy (400 N. Water St.)
9. Cooking class at Milwaukee Public Market (400 N. Water St.)
10. A stylish men’s Nixon watch at Moda3 (320 E. Buffalo St.)
11. “The Making of Milwaukee” by John Gurda for history buffs, (Boswell Books, 2559 N. Downer Ave.)
12. A pair of wing-tipped Allen Edmonds shoes (Allen Edmonds, 11924 N. Port Washington Rd, Mequon)
13. Milwaukee Art Museum membership (www.mam.org)
14. Milwaukee plates and platters by Peggy Karr (George Watts, 761 N. Jefferson St.)
15. Stadium sauce and tailgating gear from the Brewers Team Store (inside Miller Park)
16. Toys for the kids at Fischberger’s (2445 N. Holton)
17. A bike tune-up at Ben’s Cycles (1018 W. Lincoln Ave.)
18. Bottle of Wollersheim Wine from The Waterford Wine Co. on Brady Street (1327 E. Brady St.)
19. Marquette gear for the alumni or alumna (http://shop.marquette.edu)
20. Monogrammed mugs and accessories at Anthropologie (301 N. Broadway)
21. Tickets to Liberace or 39 Steps at the Rep (www.milwaukeerep.com)
22. Women’s Cosabella pajamas at Miss Groove (1330 E. Brady St.)
23. Scented candles from Kobo at the Home Market (222 E. Erie)
24. A T-shirt from Milwaukee hangouts like Palomino, Fuel Café, or Comet Café
(Palomino, 2491 S. Superior St.)(Fuel Café, 818 E. Center St.)(Comet Café, 1947 N. Farwell Ave.)
25. Sexy stuff at the Tool Shed (2427 N. Murray Ave.)
26. A hostess gift from Beans and Barley (1901 W. North Ave.)
27. Mini ninja toys for the kid or kid at heart from Hot*Pop (213 N. Broadway)
28. Art supplies from Utrecht (http://www.utrechtart.com)
29. A sweatshirt with beer bottle pocket from Brew City (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.)
30. Workout clothes from Lululemon (322 N. Water St.)
31. Olive Oil from Oro di Oliva in Wauwatosa (www.orodioliva.com)
32. Spice sets from the Spice House for the home chef (1031 N. Old World Third St.)
33. A big foam cheesehead for a white elephant gift (Wisconsin Cheese Mart, 215 W. Highland Ave.)
34. New power tools from Bliffert Hardware (1014 E. Chambers St.)
35. Spa gift certificate from Actaea Works (2173 S. KK, Bay View)
36. Rishi loose-leaf tea from Anaba Tea Room (2107 E. Capitol Dr.)
37. Milwaukee beer soap; try “Hop in the shower” and “Clean and Sober” (Sprecher Brewery, 701 W. Glendale Ave.)
38. Membership to the Beer Barons of Milwaukee (http://beerbarons.org)
39. Honduran cigars from Uhle’s Tobacco Company, for those affected by the smoking ban (Uhle’s, 114 W. Wisconsin Ave.)
40. Stationery sets or Thank you cards from Broadway Paper (191 N. Broadway)
41. Aveda travel size products from Neroli Salon for the avid traveler (www.nerolispa.com)
42. A Brandon Jennings Buck’s jersey (www.bucks.com)
43. Locally made fashion from Fasten Collective (2224 S. KK, Bay View)
44. A Fender or Les Paul guitar from Top Shelf Guitar Shop (2358 S. KK, Bay View)
45. A CSA Market Basket from Growing Power (5500 W. Silver Spring Rd.)
46. Aquadopt a Seahorse or Stingray at Discovery World—fancy certificate, plush toy, and animal fact book included (www.discoveryworld.org/aquadopt.php)
47. Homebrew start up kit from Northern Brewer (1306 S. 108th St., West Allis)
48. Milwaukee Public Museum membership (www.mpm.edu/membership)
49. Round trip tickets for the Lake Express Ferry (www.lake-express.com)
50. Cheese curds from the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe (6832 W. Becher St., West Allis)
