2011 Holiday Gift Guide

The Heights Observer wants to help you think outside the box. You can find something for everyone on your list at the many independent merchants in the Heights. And most will gift wrap or ship your items. Here are some of our favorites:

The Foodie

Ruhlman's Twenty: 20 Techniques, 100 Recipes, A Cook's Manifesto by Michael Ruhlman, lavishly illustrated with photographs by Donna Turner Ruhlman. ($40, Mac’s Backs)

French Macaron Box. ($7 for four macarons; $13 for eight, Luna Bakery Café) 

The Deck. 52 cards, each representing a local, independently owned restaurant. Each card gives a $10 discount off a food purchase of $30 or more. Good through Dec. 30, 2012.There are many Cleveland Independents members in the Heights area ($29.95, www.clevelandindependents.com)

Ruhlman’s Set of "Spanker" Wooden Spoons. ($20,  http://shop.ruhlman.com/)

Chocolate-covered Pretzels. Light, dark or both. ($13 for ½ lb., $25.95 for 1 lb., Mitchelle’s Fine Chocolates)

Thread of Hope Pot Holders. ($11. Revive Fair Trade)

Acacia Multi-way Tray. ($38, Revive Fair Trade)

Mouse Skillet Holder. ($12, Revive Fair Trade)

Sugar Savers. ($6, Ten Thousand Villages)

 Do It Yourselfer

The Bust DIY Guide to Life: Making Your Way Through Every Day by Bust Magazine founders is a greatest hits of DIY and craft projects from this iconic women's journal. ($29.95, Mac’s Backs)

“Interior Decorating Made Easy” Class. ($60, Judith Eugene Designs)

Creatively Yours Journal Making Kit ($16, Ten Thousand Villages)

Printing Wood Blocks ($8, Ten Thousand Villages)

 Pet Lover

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Shaker Heights native Susan Orlean is a biography of Hollywood's famous canine and a terrific social history about the role of dogs in our culture. ($26.99, Mac’s Backs)

Eleven half-day romps for the pooch. ($140, Dogtopia)

Circulating Water Fountain for Cats. Six-cup capacity, with an extra 6-cup attachment available. (Coventry Cats)

Dog Bakery. Yummy, crunchy, and creamy goodies, made from human-grade ingredients, like whole wheat flour, powdered yogurt, carob, and peanuts. Sold by the piece ($0.50–$2.50 each, Coventry Cats)

Cat's Meow Coin Pouch. ($13.90, Revive Fair Trade)

Doggy Ties. ($13, Revive Fair Trade)

Thread of Hope Cat Ornament. ($11.90, Revive Fair Trade)

Capiz Shell Cat & Owl Bookmarks. ($8, Ten Thousand Villages)

Cat Eye Pillow. ($18.00, Ten Thousand Villages)

Animal Tape Measures. ($8, Ten Thousand Villages)

 

Sports Enthusiast

Six Mat Classes, Five Pilates Classes or Five Gyrotonic Classes ($80, $155 and $190 respectively, Inspiral Motion)

Iyengar Yoga. Support your friends and family in their healthy New Year's resolutions with a gift certificate for group or private instruction. (Any amount, Green Tara Yoga & Healing Arts) 

Fleece-lined Earflap Hats. ($24–$32, Revive Fair Trade)

 

College Student

Steampug T-Shirt (a pug on an airship) by Robin Latkovich, accompanied by Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Gavin Grant. ($22.99, Mac’s Backs)

Pocket Sling. Easily fits a laptop, folders, and books. ($34, Revive Fair Trade)

Follow Your Heart Leather Cuff. ($20, Revive Fair Trade)

 

Mom

Hot Stone Massage. Treat mom to a massage. Warmed basalt river rocks are incorporated to increase a deeper relaxation while stimulating the body's pressure points, promoting wellness and balance to mind and body through firm, yet gentle techniques. ($75 for 50 minutes; $115 for 80 minutes, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa) 

Paper Garden: An Artist Begins Her Life's Work at 72 by Molly Peacock. In 1772 at the age of 72, Mary G. P. Delany began creating intricate paper flower collages from bits of colored paper. Poet Molly Peacock's biography is a hybrid rumination of Delany's life, society in the 18th century, contemporary culture, feminism and art history. ($30, Mac’s Backs)

Swarovski Crystal Cross Necklaces. ($27.50, Simply Charming)

Kaleidoscope Strand Jewelry, Necklace and Bracelet. ($36 and $26, Revive Fair Trade)

Aubergine Ruched Scarf. ($46, Revive Fair Trade)

Set of Two Mugs in Reusable Box. ($17.50, Simply Charming)

“Mommy and Kids” Yoga Class. ($12 gift certificate, Loving Hands Yoga & Reiki)

 Dad

Quintana’s Signature Barber Shave. Treat dad to the luxury and closeness of a traditional shave enhanced by steaming hot towels, essential oils and rich balms. ($35.00 for 40 minutes, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa) 

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard. President James A. Garfield was assassinated months after his election in 1880. Millard focuses on the botched medical treatment Garfield received and fascinating side stories, such as Alexander Graham Bell's invention of a device to find the bullet in Garfield's body. ($28.95, Mac’s Backs)

Alpaca Striped Scarf. ($38, Revive Fair Trade)              

Leather Desk Cover. ($16, Revive Fair Trade)

Men’s Grooming Kit. Full size products with battery operated trimmer. ($130.35, Abstract-A Hair Salon)

Hand-turned Wood Pen or Wine Stopper by a local artist Richard Ruehle ($39, $32, Abrash Gallerie)

Teens

Juice Box Laundry Bag. ($28, Ten Thousand Villages)

Lucy Lu Charm Necklaces—assorted designs. ($18, Simply Charming)

Magnets. (Big Fun)

Peace Patch Bag. ($48, Ten Thousand Villages)

Bottle Cap Necklace. ($15, Revive Fair Trade)

Alpaca 'Texting' Glitten. ($24-$56, Revive Fair Trade)

Clipless Curling Wand. ($83, Abstract-A Hair Salon)

Ionic Hair Dryer. ($115, Abstract-A Hair Salon)

Alpaca Checks Scarf. ($39, Revive Fair Trade)

Kids

Momiji Dolls. ($15–$18, Simply Charming)

Give a Hoot Bank or Bear Bank. ($13.95, Revive Fair Trade)

One Love Onesie. ($26, Revive Fair Trade)

Get Up Playsuit. ($28, Revive Fair Trade)

Fun Animal Hats and Mittens. Made with New Zealand wool by a Fair Trade organization. ($24-$28, Abrash Gallerie)

Friend

Shellac Manicure. Introduce your friend to Shellac, a manicure that lasts for 14 days, with no chips, smudges, or nicks. It has a shiny mirror finish and zero dry time. ($35, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa)

“The Earth Speaks” Hanging. ($38, Ten Thousand Villages)

Mini Flat Iron. ($39.95, Abstract-A Hair Salon)

Recycled Sari Throw. ($68, Ten Thousand Villages)

Africa proverb calendar. ($12, Ten Thousand Villages)

Letter Opener. ($38, Ten Thousand Villages)

Picture Frames. ($28, Ten Thousand Villages)

Hand-turned Pottery Mug ($32, Abrash Gallerie)

 Seniors

Architecture and Interior Decorating Services. Remodeling, room-by-room spruce-ups, total makeovers, Feng Shui consultations, organizing and de-cluttering, moving planning, and accessibility modifications for senior adults and the physically challenged. ($60 gift certificate, Judith Eugene Designs) 

Life-enriching classes and activities for senior adults in their homes, including interior decorating, architecture, writing, music, yoga, Reiki and meditation. For all levels of physical and mental ability. ($60 gift certificate for any service, The Loving Hands Group)

Heating System Check-up. ($104, Verne & Ellsworth Hann)

Angel Pin. ($14, Ten Thousand Villages)

Capiz Shell Chime. ($34, Ten Thousand Villages)

Hand-made Quilt. ($250, Abrash Gallerie)

Neighbor

Cleveland Cinemas Gift Card. Purchase a $50 gift card by Dec. 8 and receive two FREE movie tickets or purchase a $25 gift card and receive one FREE movie ticket. Keep the tickets for yourself or pass them on to someone special in your life. (Cleveland Cinemas)

Door Mats with fun sayings. ($19, Simply Charming)

Hand Painted Bell Ornament. ($9, Revive Fair Trade)

Thread of Hope Towel Sets. ($26, Revive Fair Trade)

Rising Tide Felted Wool Coin/Cosmetic Bags. ($16, Simply Charming)

Dragonfly Stone. ($12, Revive Fair Trade)

Spiced Trivet. ($12, Revive Fair Trade)

Crackle Glaze Serving Dish. ($58, Ten Thousand Villages)   

Correspondence Cards by Metropolitan Museum of Art. ($26/box, Abrash Gallerie)

Hand-made Soaps from Italy. ($7.50/bar, $29/box, Abrash Gallerie)

 Significant Other

Quintana’s Couples Restoration Package. A 50-minute relaxation massage for a couple simultaneously; followed by an additional 20 minutes in the private suite as you unwind, relax and regroup. ($160, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa)

Jewelry. Michael Romanik, a Creative Workforce Fellow, is one of several local artists whose work is featured at the Holiday Store. ($30-$300, Heights Arts Holiday Store) 

Pleated Shoulder Bag. ($98, Revive Fair Trade)

Organic Knit Turning Leaf Pullover. ($88, Revive Fair Trade)

I Love You Puzzle. ($24, Ten Thousand Villages)

Couple Kisii Candle Holder ($20, Ten Thousand Villages)

Champagne Flute ($28.00, Ten Thousand Villages)

Gift certificate. (check out Abrash Gallerie's new website, www.abrashgallerie.com)

Eco-conscious

European Four Layer Facial. Experience layer upon layer of pure, fresh European organic seaweed to rejuvenate, tone and help firm the skin dramatically. The results are impressive: younger-looking skin with visibly renewed moisture and an afterglow that lasts. ($90, Quintana’s Barber & Dream Spa)

Graystone Rain Barrel. This 65-gallon rain barrel is easy to use, saves water, money and the reversible lid can be used as a planter. Sealed system prevents pest and algae-causing sunlight from entering the barrel. Locking feature for safety. ($149.99, Bremec Garden Center)

Up-cycled 'Can Do' Jewelry Collection includes: Pull Tab Cuff, Necklace and Belt ($16.95, $26 and $22, Revive Fair Trade)

Woven Plant/Organizer Baskets. ($8, Revive Fair Trade)

Natural Peace Wreath. ($24, Revive Fair Trade)

Relaxed Bottle Tray. ($20, Ten Thousand Villages)

Recycled Inner Tube Wallet. ($28, Ten Thousand Villages)

Newspaper Clock. ($28, Ten Thousand Villages)

Hand-carded, Hand-spun, Naturally Dyed Rug, size: 2’ x 2’.  ($240, Abrash Gallerie)

Under $25.00

When Parents Text: So Much Said...So Little Understood, a compendium of hilarious texts by parents (and grandparents). ($10.95, Mac’s Backs)

Personalized yoga classes in a friendly and supportive environment. No experience necessary. ($15 gift certificate, Loving Hands Yoga & Reiki)

“Believe” or “Joy” Inspirational Book. ($12.95, Simply Charming)

Celebration Tie Dye Scarf. ($28, Revive Fair Trade)

Palm Wood Servers. ($24, Revive Fair Trade)

Hand Painted Earrings. ($18, Revive Fair Trade)

Recycled Bangle Votive. ($16.95, Revive Fair Trade)

Peruvian Turquoise Ring. ($16, Ten Thousand Villages)         

 

$10 and Under

Refashioned Ring made of vintage buttons. ($4.50, Simply Charming)

Classic Candy. Great stocking stuffers for young and old. (Big Fun)

Envirosax shopping bags ($9.50, Simply Charming)

Temple Spice Incense, ten long burning sticks of a unique scent. ($4.95, City Buddha)

Buddha Head Print, 8 x 5 inches. ($8.95, City Buddha)

Cleveland Mugs. ($10 each, Big Fun)

Pooh-Pourri, essential oils mask unpleasant odors. ($10 each, Abstract-A Hair Salon)

Palm Wood Chopsticks. ($6, Revive Fair Trade)

Ikat Notepad. ($6, Revive Fair Trade)

Sands of Time Votive. ($8, Revive Fair Trade)

Tropical Tones Bracelet. ($9, Revive Fair Trade)

Chopstick Set with Cover. ($7, Ten Thousand Villages)

Cinnamon Bark Box. ($10, Ten Thousand Villages)

Owl Measuring Tape. ($8, Ten Thousand Villages)

 For the Person Who Has it All

Cleveland Inside Outside: A Thirty Year Journey by Jennie Jones is a must have book of stunning and extraordinary photographs of Cleveland ($49.95, Mac’s Backs)

Seitz Agin T-shirts, give a memento of a former Heights favorite. ($20, Heights Arts Holiday Store)

Subscription to the Funny Times, one-year (12 issues) of cartoons, essays and stories by both Pulitzer Prize-winning legends and rising stars in the worlds of topical political humor and social satire. ($25, the Funny Times)

Objects Of Desire. One-of-a-kind items for the home and office. (All price ranges, Paul Hamlin Interiors)

Egyptian Alabaster Lamp. ($98, Ten Thousand Villages)

Custom Frames. Frame children's art, photos, mementos and more. (The Wood Trader)