Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on Omaha.com
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Still searching for that special gift to put under the tree? Got $30? Ten local stores offer advice on the one gift that will say it all.
Borsheims Fine Jewelry
120 Regency Parkway
For Men: The Wilton Armetale “N” mug, $29.92. “Say what you will about the state of Nebraska football, but fans are a diehard bunch. This is a great gift for any Nebraska fan. The mug’s non-toxic aluminum-based alloy … keeps hot drinks hotter and cold drinks colder,” company spokeswoman Adrienne Fay said.
For Women: Sterling silver gray freshwater cultured pearl and hematite drop earrings. These are a classic jewelry box staple but with a twist: gray pearls are paired with shiny, dark hematite, $30. (Matching bracelet, $50).
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Gadgeteer
7317 Douglas St.
Retro 51 rollerball pen, $21 to $33
The rollerball pen writes “really, really smooth,” the folks at Gadgeteer said. Available in red, pink, aqua, copper, pewter and glow-in-the dark colors. Add a disposable fountain pen for $2.99 and the words will flow. …
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Schmitt Music
7355 Dodge St.
Instrument stand, $13 to $25.
“It’s always better to have your instrument standing there in front of you, especially when inspiration hits, than having to open the case and get it out,” said Assistant Manager Levi Perkins. Or pick up the sheet music for Taylor Swift’s Red for Piano/Vocal/Guitar, $18, or for Easy Piano, $16.
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Parsow’s: A World of Fashion
120 Regency Parkway
For Men: Robert Graham, Bugatchi or St. Croix brand socks, $24 to $35. When you go over the fiscal cliff, be sure you’re wearing what the investors on Wall Street are wearing: Colorful socks for men in bright colors, “reds, blues, greens, black — you name it,” said David Parsow, president and owner.
For Women: He suggests stretching to $50 for a Cocoon House women’s silk scarf. “They come in a rainbow of colors: turquoise, reds, blues, greens.”
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The Bookworm
8702 Pacific St.
Pick up a copy of “Comet’s Tail: How the Dog I Rescued Saved My Life,” $23.95, by Omaha author Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa.
“It’s a tremendous book,” said General Manager Diana Abbott, “It’s not just for people who love dogs, but if you know someone who has gone through a major illness, this is a good choice,” Abbott said. Wolf, an attorney with back troubles and in “horrible shape, acquires Comet, a greyhound, and they both persevere,” Abbott said. “It’s better than that,” she added, “but I don’t want to give away the ending.”
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Old Market Candy Shop
1005 Howard St.
White chocolate! Dark chocolate! Mud balls! Mix and match candy. “We make our own chocolate,” owner Mike Pivonka said. “We have boxes, or you can bring in your own tin and we’ll put a ribbon on it; $30 will buy you 30-plus mud balls, which are Oreo cookies ground up really fine, mixed with cream cheese and dipped in Swiss chocolate,” Pivonka said. “We also make our own chocolate-covered cherries and turtles.”
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Brix: A Wine and Spirits Experience
225 N. 170th St.
Nuance wine aerator, $24.99.
“They’re easy to use, not breakable and they’re really convenient and also function as a bottle stopper and pourer,” said Ann Noodell, Brix’s lead cashier. “They aerate the wine, red or white, which opens up the flavor and lets it breathe.”
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Learning Express Toy Store
120 Regency Parkway
Boogie Board Paperless Tablet, $30.
Store employees say it’s “the New Age Etch-A-Sketch.” Write on it, draw on it, and then push a button and it erases everything. The tablet, which uses an LCD screen, is a great gift for children or adults. Available in several colors and comes with a telescoping stylus.
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International Bead Market
2800 S. 110th Court
Custom bead bracelet, about $30.
Choose the beads, choose the colors and the staff will string it and have it ready in a few days. “We have samples throughout the store. You can look at those or bring a picture of a bracelet,” said Sam Taylor, a store worker. Or give the gift of a basic bead stringing or bead embroidery class, $20 to $25, plus materials cost.
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Olympia Cycle
1324 N. 40th St. or 4910 S. 135th St., Millard.
Giro Merino Wool Cap, $30.
“These are wool caps you wear underneath your bike helmet,” said Larry Thorsen, co-owner of Olympia Bike. “They’re nice and city-stylish.” Or choose a Pearl Izumi Balaclava, a headcover that protects the face and neck, $27, or thermal gloves, $25.
Contact the writer: 402-444-1142, janice.podsada@owh.com
