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Holiday Gift Ideas Galore in Bradenton

Find a unique present that comes with more than bows, ribbons and a hefty price tag

 

 

Having trouble coming up with a gift for that certain someone on your holiday shopping list?

Have you shopped locally?

Here are 10 great gift suggestions found at Bradenton-based businesses:

1. Jewelry, fabric and ceramics art

Cost: $45 and up

Where to buy: ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th Street West

ArtCenter Manatee is holding an art sale through Dec. 11 that gives a customers 10 percent off purchases of $20 or more. But its artist's market is always open.

The gift shop, which has cards for $2 and jewelry as expensive as $1,200, is open Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Tuesdays - Thursdays from 9 am - 6 p.m.

"The artist's market is well-stocked for the holidays," said Peggy Haynes, ArtCenter Manatee spokesperson.

2. Trollbeads bracelet

Cost: Starting at $114

Where to buy: Crowder's Gifts and Gadgets, 5409 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton; 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch

Similar to a charm bracelet, the Trollbeads bracelet can be a personal sentiment or tell a story, according to Libby Engel, the Gift Shoppe director at Crowder's Manatee Avenue location.

"You get to pick a decorative clasp, and then start with beads, and beads are gold, silver and the Italian glass beads," she said. "What the customer is doing is collecting beads to make their bracelet and make it their own. No two bracelets are ever alike."

Bracelets are $39, and clasps are $75. Full bracelets can run as high as a customer wants to spend.

3. Rock & roll shadow boxes

Cost: $69-$100

Where to buy: The Stoned Toad, DeSoto Square mall, 303 301 Blvd. W.

The shadow boxes are framed pictures with other oddball items. The collectibles typically include one or two pictures, and random items such as guitar picks or tickets. The Stoned Toad's collection features bands from the '60s through the '80s such as Black Sabbath, Kiss, The Beatles, Rush and AC/DC.

4. Flats and backcountry fishing charters gift certificates

Where to buy: Capt. Ray Markham, Backwater Promotions (941-228-3474)

Cost: $350 - $500

Surprise dad, mom, or any fishing fanatic with a full day of line-zinging fish action. Capt. Ray Markham, an artificials specialist who lives on Terra Ceia, can offer gift certificates for four-, six-, or eight-hour fishing charters. The gift certificates are good for one year. If someone cancels a trip, Markham said he will give the person the opportunity to re-book the trip within that year. If the trip is cancelled because of bad weather, Markham can simply reschedule the trip.

5. Straightening and curling irons

Cost: $50 - $79.99 

Where to buy: Sally Beauty Supply, 623 Cortez Road W., 7351 52nd Pl. E., 6375 Manatee Ave. W.

Pay less and give the illusion of an expensive gift. At Sally's, a customer can buy a straightening iron and get a mini travel straightening iron or curling iron for free.

"What girl doesn't do her hair?" said Sally Beauty Supply associate Asimo Guzman at the Cortez Road shop. "Women don't always go and spend all that much money on one gift, and if someone gives us a straightening iron for Christmas, we don't have to go buy one. You know, we replace them about every year."

6. Gift certificate for 18 holes of golf

Cost: $12 - $25

Where to buy: Greens of Manatee Golf Club, 101 Cortez Road W.

For the golf enthusiast, consider a cheap gift certificate to play 18 holes at the Greens of Greens of Manatee, formerly Heather Hills. The 18-hole, par-61 golf is located by the De Soto Square mall. The executive course is short enough so that a golfer does not have to be a professional -- or in great shape -- to walk longer courses.

7. Peace sign scarf

Cost: $27

Where to buy: The Chameleon, 2801 Manatee Avenue W.

The Chameleon owner Elizabeth Western said she received on Dec. 10 a new shipment of peace sign scarves, which are made by Green 3, a company based out of Oshkosh, Wis., that uses recycled cotton for its materials.

"I really like what the company stands for," Western said. "And you can get them for a man or woman. It's not a girly thing. They also come in charcoal, grey and white with a peace sign at the bottom."

8. Psychic reading

Cost: $65

Where to buy: Grant's Psychic Palm & Card Reader

Using tarot cards, crystals and palms, psychic reader Vivian Grant will answer questions about age, time, enemies and friends, as well as provide an hour-long cleaning. There is no time limit on the full-life reading.

"I think it would be fun, exciting and also something different," Grant said. "And someone can also come in and get a gift card."

9. "Prosperity draw" holistic basket

Cost: $14.08

Where to buy: OM Gaia Wholistic Center, 312 12th St. W.

Draw out someone's prosperity with a holistic basket from OM Gaia. The "prosperity draw" basket features the symbolism of the koi. "That is an Asian fish believes to draw out prosperity," said store consultant Barbara Millios.

There are gold and silver oils to treat the accompanying candles. And a citrine of crystals, also believed to draw out prosperity, can be carried in a pocket or pouch.

"The basket is an energy essence that cleans out any negative energy," Millios said.

10. Women's clothing from "new arrivals" rack

Cost: $10 and up

Where to buy: Restyled Rags, 417 12th St. W.

Not only would a top or skirt from Restyled Rags' new arrival rack bring a unique style to a woman's wardrobe, the fact that it would benefit the Women's Resource Center of Manatee would give it a charitable flair.

All workers volunteer time at the store, which collects donations of gently-used clothing in excellent condition, manager Diane Hackbart said.

"The new arrivals come in twice a week," she said, "and come in all sizes, for all ages."

Related Topics: holgifts
Got any local gift suggestions? Tell us in the comments.

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