While fighting the crowds may not be your thing, there’s just something about gift giving around the holidays that charms us into the raging storm that are retail establishments each year. However, with every purchase also comes the chance to support our local economy and the holidays are a major time to honor this commitment with our spending. Also, what if there was a way to find all of the gifts on your list stress-free? A lot of wonderful gifts can be found in Omaha’s diverse collection of locally owned businesses, and the best part is the customer service—you bring the idea with you and they will make it happen or point you in the right direction! Moreover, by planning now, you not only avoid missing out on what you want but the window of opportunity is open for personalized gifts that need to be special ordered within the next month to be ready in time.
Special Treats For Everyone On Your Gift List
Gifts related to hobbies are always a welcome treat, whether you are giving the gift of materials related to the person’s hobby or utilizing your hobbies to create your gifts. Woodworking is a perfect example of both. Gerry Phelan of Midwest Woodworkers offers a few suggestions for the upcoming holiday season:
“For your personal gift giving, how about a holiday gift that will last a lifetime? The opportunity to learn a new skill is a priceless gift. If you have someone on your list who needs a creative outlet and enjoys working with their hands, a woodworking class is a great choice. If you prefer a gift you can wrap, we have a number of reasonably priced items that would appeal to any woodworker–and if you’re completely unsure what your woodworker needs, a gift certificate can’t miss! We offer gift certificates in any amount that never expire and have no service charges.
Others may be interested in scheduling a class for a holiday party or to make their gift. Classes allow you to spend some quality time with your friends and learn a new skill at the same time. If you are planning an outing and are looking for a creative outlet that gives you a chance to work with your hands, we have some excellent opportunities. Carving, pen making, marquetry, scroll sawing – there are lots of possibilities that would work for a small group. Just let us know what you would like to do and we will try to make it happen.
However, it is important to keep in mind that woodworking takes time to do it right. If you are a woodworker, now is the time to get started on those holiday gifts. Some woodworking projects can take a while to complete. You don’t want to cut it too close – once the woodworking is done you need to allow time to get a great finish on your creation. And of course you need to allow time to wrap it.
As woodworkers start in on their fall projects, we stock more heavily on the hardwoods, particularly the exotics. We also begin looking for new useful tools and gadgets that will fill every need; from gift to stocking stuffers. It has been interesting in recent years to see more people taking classes to learn a new discipline and then using that skill to make holiday gifts for others.
We see new woodworkers from all walks of life. Recently there have been a lot more women getting involved, which is great to see. At Midwest Woodworkers, woodworking is our passion and we think it’s wonderful that people are getting involved and finding a creative outlet.
Just about anyone who takes pleasure in creating projects with their hands will enjoy woodworking. If you have ideas for holiday gifts, it’s not too early get working on them. If you want to arrange a class for a group, now is the time to start planning it before the fall schedule fills up. Check our website for ideas and a complete description of all of our classes. Still haven’t been able to find the perfect gift for your woodworker? Just call or email and we’ll do everything we can to help!”
Nebraska winters can be treacherous, and it’s always nice to have a safe, reliable vehicle. Rick Quistad of Jones Automotive says, “It may not be the most exciting gift, but the gift of services that winterize a vehicle around the holidays might be more appreciated than you think! Also, remote starters continue to be a great holiday gift year after year. With newer smartphone apps, you can safely start your vehicle remotely from longer distances away. As one prime example, if you’re on a flight returning home after a business trip and it’s snowing here, you can even start your car and get it warmed up from the plane! It also works out great for those who work a longer distance from where they park. And the only legal way you can leave your car running is by utilizing a remote car starter, which protects your vehicle from theft. All things considered, a remote starter is a solid gift idea for so many practical reasons that you just can’t go wrong.”
Furthermore, another option is giving the gift of holiday treats in the most literal sense. In addition to offering an assortment of ready-made holiday treats, Colby Ridge’s signature popcorn flavors can be customized for family, friends, clients, or employees. Jeff White of Colby Ridge explains, “Color labels can be printed for individual bags of popcorn and you have the option to include your logo, graphics, text, and colors of choice in order to create a one-of-a-kind gift—or just a really cool party favor! Colby Ridge places a major emphasis on being extremely flexible, and our staff works directly with each client to customize products in just about any way you can think of—the possibilities are endless.”
Why try just one flavor when there are so many to choose from? Colby Ridge offers plenty of bag sizes for their popcorn, but for an extra bonus they have a wide selection of themed tins that are excellent for gift giving. When a Colby Ridge popcorn canister shows up, you can be sure nobody will leave disappointed!
Holiday Tins—Tis’ the season to snack! Whether it is a treat for your holiday party or office or a gift for the person who loves the Colby Ridge classics, there are plenty of reasons why holiday tins bring cheer to those who get to enjoy them!
Sports Team Tins—Right now is the time of year when many popular sports are in high gear, and their fans are too. For the sports fanatic in your life, Colby Ridge offers popcorn tins featuring all of your favorite college, NFL, NBA, or MLB teams. These tins offer three different flavors of gourmet popcorn and are great snacks for the game while representing your team spirit.
Unique Flavors—Choose from one, or mix several! Colby Ridge offers plenty of variety and popcorn flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Along with their classic white, caramel, cheese and kettle corn varieties, some greatchoices are cheesy jalapeno, tutti frutti, cinnamon, toffee nut, rainbow, and caramel apple. They also offer chocolate covered potato chip tins, chocolate caramel corn cluster tins, or a five compartment mixture of their chocolate covered delicacies. In fact, their chocolate covered potato chips are all individually hand-dipped without the use of any machines!
Not a fan of popcorn? Consider a candy bar for your office or holiday party! Colby’s Candy is a candy store with over 200 bins of colorful candy, and custom orders are affordable, unique and festive!
Together, Colby Ridge Popcorn & Gifts and Colby’s Candy cover the sweet and salty bases and offer delicious holiday treats in a rainbow of colors and a wide variety of presentation options.
For a practical treat, give the gift of coffee this year! LaRue Coffee & Roasterie specializes in fall and holiday products. Terry Herr, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at LaRue Coffee & Roasterie offers a few recommendations. “Husker coffee is especially popular from August all the way through the holiday gift giving season. We also have many clients who go crazy over our Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino and seasonal coffees. Maple Pecan Roll Coffee is our newest fall creation that is sure to brighten up anyone’s day. German Chocolate Cake Cocoa and German Chocolate Cake Coffee will pair nicely with a midday snack or after dinner dessert. And to save the best for last, the Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee will take you away to a tropical island while you are actually drinking a fresh cup during a snow storm here in the Midwest. We also have the White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Cappuccino, which is a perfect holiday treat. These products are available from the LaRue route delivery or in our retail store, which is located at 2631 S. 156th Circle in Omaha and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Since we offer so many different products in our retail store, you can assemble your own gift baskets which can be customized with products and flavors to ensure that you have all the boxes checked off of your list. Coffee is a very affordable gift that all are sure to enjoy as it is unique and many people drink it on a daily basis. It is also a great conversation piece; it allows friends, family, co-workers and clients to come together to create some memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. At LaRue we always say, ‘Slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee. Enjoy yourself with your favorite flavor.’
Furthermore, holiday events can be somewhat stressful at times. Let LaRue ease some of that with some fresh roasted coffee to share. With over 80 different varieties in the retail store, you are sure to find your favorite variety by flavor or even let your taste buds explore some new flavors as you experience our gourmet delights. Whether it’s morning, noon or night, we are here to satisfy our clients with local, fresh roasted coffee. My best advice around the holidays is to plan early—don’t procrastinate in any aspect of preparation. It’s quite easy to feel like there is plenty of time left before a holiday arrives when in reality, it sneaks up quickly. Enjoy the special time with one another, and also remember to not pay so much attention to all of the details that you lose sight of what is really important: that the holidays are a time to spend with loved ones. Time goes so fast and everyone is always in a hurry. What really provides the most satisfaction is hearing our clients talk about the time they have enjoyed with loved ones over a cup of fresh roasted LaRue Coffee. Above all this holiday season, have fun and create some memories.”
Unique Boutique Finds
The treasures you can find at local boutiques are often just as unique as custom ordered gifts. The merchandise is hand-picked and doesn’t stay on the shelves long, so every opportunity you have to visit these retailers comes with a brand new set of options. Customers also have access to lines of clothing and jewelry that aren’t carried anywhere else in town. Many of these boutiques will be receiving loads of new merchandise this month to prepare for the holidays, which for savvy shoppers, means getting a head start this month. Even if you don’t find that perfect gift right away, there’s a good chance you’ll find something perfect to wear for an upcoming holiday party or event or the accessories that complete your holiday looks!
“Nouvelle Eve can assist with family or corporate gifts!” says Susie Keuck, owner of Nouvelle Eve. “We have several special clothing and accessory pieces that would make wonderful personal gifts. If you are seeking corporate gifts, now is the time to plan. We suggest beautiful mercury glass candles or traditional votive candles which may be ordered by the case. We also recommend Barefoot Dreams blankets, robes, or hoodies and you may choose your colors and styles. Stop in or call (402) 345-4811 for assistance with any of your gift giving needs.”
All That! Boutique and Gifts is another excellent place to check out as they have a great selection of many different types of items under one roof. Krista Dickey, owner of All That! Boutique and Gifts, says, “All That! Gift Boutique offers a lot of unique gift ideas for almost any celebration. We sell fashionable women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry for all ages. For the ladies who like to show their school spirit, our sorority selection is unmatched in Omaha. Some superb stocking stuffers can be found in the little girls’ section, and our infant section offers cute outfits, blankets and other baby accessories. As for the ‘hard to buy for’ person on your list, we offer a lot of unique gift and home décor items as well as store gift cards.
We are always receiving new merchandise, especially with the change of seasons. Many of our items are made by local artists and craftsmen, and some will even take custom orders which are also perfect for corporate gift giving. We take pride in offering personal assistance with shopping, as well as gift wrapping and a great selection of greeting cards. My best advice is to start shopping as early as possible so you don’t have to fight the crowds and you don’t lose out on getting that perfect gift. Also, don’t be afraid to ask store assistants for help!”
She adds, “Especially in retail, there is always the chance during the holidays of merchandise getting sold out. So the customers who shop early will be the ones who benefit from a large assortment of merchandise. As you get closer to Christmas, the assortment starts to slim down, increasing the chances of not finding a great gift. Stop by and visit us in Village Pointe South Plaza, 16909 Burke Street, or call (402) 905-0300 and we would be happy to help you find what you’re looking for this holiday season!”
Personalized Corporate Gifts
‘Tis the season to order your corporate gifts for clients and employees, and Roberts Advertising Company is your source for creative promotional products that double as wonderful holiday gifts! There are literally thousands of items to choose from in every price range. Not only does this get your name out and recognized, but it’s a thoughtful gesture of thanks during the holiday season. For these types of gifts, different suppliers have different turnaround times, which can be tricky. The lead time for ordering these customized products is at least a few weeks in most cases, so this is a prime example of holiday shopping that should be done in October or the beginning of November just to be on the safe side—especially since most plan to give these gifts at holiday events that begin at the end of November all the way through the month of December!
Planning Your Holiday Gift List…AND Budget
The holidays are coming, brace yourself and your bank account for some serious retail damage. Before you get started, think about organizing the mission before you tear off in the direction of the first holiday sale. Furthermore, think about where you will find your gifts and be just as conscious of where you are purchasing items as you are of what items you want to purchase. Gather yourself everyone, holiday shopping is upon us!
Here are some common holiday shopping mistakes and tips on how you can avoid them:
You Don’t Make a List, or Check it Twice
If you don’t know who is on your holiday shopping list, or set a limit for how much you are going to spend, things can spiral out of control really quickly. There’s no time like the holidays to be compelled to buy every gadget and hit every sale, but if you make a plan that allows for a little wiggle room and you stick to it, you can treat everyone on your gift list without going broke. In addition to overbuying, around the holidays if you don’t do your homework and put in a little effort beforehand you also run the risk of overpaying. Once you have all of the details in front of you, it’s much easier to get everything taken care of.
You Buy Everything Online to Avoid the Crowds
It may not be as convenient to shop locally in some instances, but making the decision to support local businesses makes the holidays that much brighter for our neighbors and our community. Plus, shipping costs can really add up. Take our word for it, you’ll get a dose of the holiday spirit in every local business you visit and you will find some really cool stuff that is just as reasonably priced with the added bonus of great customer service. Among the items that are not worth buying online are heavy items, clothing, appliances and electronics. Especially with the latter items, sales are generally much better in stores and you avoid the enormous hassle of returns via mail. This is also true for inexpensive items—don’t pay $5 in shipping for a $5 item! For diehard online shoppers, check out the websites of local businesses and give them a shot first.
You Literally Shop ‘Til You Drop
During the holidays shopping can seem like a non-stop endeavor; a constant challenge to be conquered. Not giving yourself enough time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the company of others (or even just the company of yourself) because you are sucked into a retail whirlwind really takes away from the full holiday experience. Treat yourself every once in a while, even if it’s just grabbing a festive holiday drink, cuddling up for a holiday movie, or taking time for a spa treatment.
You Forget To Spread The Cheer
Do you have a lot of holiday parties on your agenda? Don’t forget to work gifts for your hosts into the budget. If you don’t have set plans yet, buy a few standard gifts that most anyone would appreciate. You certainly don’t have to go overboard but it’s the small gestures like this that really count, and it’s just good etiquette. Also, holiday cards are a wonderful way to send your season’s greetings without overdoing it. And remember to be kind to everyone on your shopping journeys. Behave courteously at all times; after all, it’s our kids, neighbors, parents and grandparents who are all out there shopping or working in retail too. Make it a point to pass on the holiday spirit this year!
So, while we are only in October and still preoccupied with finding Elsa and Anna or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costumes, it doesn’t hurt to start thinking about holiday gifts. This way, you can have more fun and less stress when shopping, and you have the opportunity to be thoughtful instead of panic stricken when making your choices. In kicking off the 2014 holiday season, we wish all of our readers and their families a fun, safe and very Happy Halloween and we hope you all enjoy this gorgeous autumn season that is upon us.