Some of us are not great at walking into a store and finding the perfect gift for everyone on our list. And look, I understand that some people thing of gift certificates as being cop outs. But in my opinion, they can be the perfect gift! Almost all of the stores featured in the
Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide sell gift certificates, and here are a few more suggestions:
Not sure which kitchen gadgets are in your foodie brother’s home already? Get him a gift certificate to The Wooden Spoon and let him get the 9 inch tart pan of his dreams. Can’t figure out what to get the in-laws that have everything? Everyone likes to eat! How about a gift certificate to Andies Restaurant? Or a gift cerficate for flowers from Sunburst Flowers.
There are also a lot of options for people who like to stay active and healthy, or who just like to pamper themselves. Got a health nut on your list? Maybe a pilates session at Sirron Pilates Studio, or some super warm yoga at Bikram Yoga Andersonville, or some personal training sessions at Athletico. Would they prefer to just lay back and get a really great massage? Athletic offers that too, as well as Serendipity Massage Therapy and Sir Spa.
So consider getting a gift certificate in Andersonville and let your loved ones pick out exactly what they want this holiday season!
For great suggestions for gift certificates, visit the Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide at www.andersonvillegiftguide.org.
Today’s favorite thing from the Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide is from Studio Angelique, one of the dozens of tenants at the Andersonville Galleria. Studio Angelique a wide array of home decor, from bedding, curtains and pillows to other specialty gifts. In addition, they also offer a wide variety of in home design services.
Today’s items are festive Star Lights ($25) that add a burst of color to your space, whether hanging from the ceiling or in a window. They make great holiday decorations, although their designs and colors are completely appropriate for year-round use.
Also featured from Studio Angelique are the Fragrence Without A Candle and Liquid Cardboard.
Andersonville Galleria, 5247 N. Clark, 773-878-8570. Holiday hours: Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Friday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. Closed Mondays, open Monday, December 21 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
How much do we love having Women & Children First in the neighborhood? One of the largest feminist bookstores in the country, Women & Children First just this year celebrated an amazing 30 years in business. And they didn’t just have a party, they had a party and raised $30,000 for their Women’s Voices Fund.
Did you know you can order pretty much any book you can order anywhere else on their website? Don’t want to pay for delivery? Arrange to pick it up at the store! Did you know that you can save 10% on all of you purchases by becoming a member? And in addition to a first-rate gay & lesbian section and tons of books by and about women, they also have a huge selection of books for kids. And their staff is a great resource for picking out just the right gift. Seriously, I could go on and on.
Today’s featured item from the Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide is this amazing pop-up edition of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupury ($35.00). Why let the kids have all of the fun? This is a pop-up book for adults, perfect for long time fans or those just reading it for the first time.
Other items featured from Women & Children First are Shannon Martin FEEL GOODS Bath Salts (complete with saucy holiday greetings) and Hardball by Chicago author Sara Paretsky (signed copies available).
Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, 773-769-9299. Hours: Monday & Tuesday, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Happy Monday! Only a few days into Hanukkah and with only one weekend left until Christmas week, it is time to get serious about finishing up (or, in some cases, starting) that holiday shopping. We hope you have done some of that shopping in Andersonville, and used our online Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide as a resource for some of the great gifts available in the neighborhood.
We have certainly been on a bit of a weather roller coaster these past few weeks. Yet no matter the temperature or various forms of percipitation falling from the sky, you are bound to see those healthy and determined runners zipping up and down the sidewalks all over town. Now some of us are loathe to run even in perfect conditions (guilty!), but for those of you who will hit the streets no matter what there is a perfect store for you in Andersonville: The Runner’s Edge.
Today’s featured item from the Gift Guide is the Yaktrax Walker, a pair of lightweight covers with metal grips that fit on any pair of shoes to help with stability while walking on ice and snow. These are nice if you need to go somewhere but can’t really where your big snow boots – they pop on and off quickly and are so small you can just put them in your coat pocket when you reach your destination. I may not run, but I walk for 30 minutes everyday to and from work and these are essentials for those icy sidewalks!
Other items featured from The Runner’s Edge are Mizuno Thermo Hat & Gloves (perfect for the cold weather runner) and the Suunto T3 Heart Rate Monitor.
The Runner’s Edge, 5243 N. Clark, 773-649-0853. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:30 pm, Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm.
There are very few stores in the neighborhood more charming than Marguerite Gardens. When more businesses started to open south of Foster, namesake owner Marguerite Gluck decided to turn part of what had been her landscaping and gardening operation’s administrative office into a retail store. When she did she introduced the neighborhood to a fantastic new place to find unique flowers and incredibly stylish decor for the home and garden. Now having expanded the entire space for her retail and florist business, Marguerite Garden’s particularly impresses at this time of year with a great array of holiday decorations. In fact, they have won the award for best holiday window display for the past two years running!
Our Favorite Thing from Marguerite Gardens featuring in the Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide are these beautiful glass Hand Blown Hummingbird Feeders ($22.50-$75.00). They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors and are made by artists living in San Miguel de Allente, Mexico. This is a great gift for someone who loves the outdoors, and who doesn’t enjoy watching hummingbirds?
Other items featured from Marguerite Gardens are Hand Blown Bud Vases and a Contemporary Planter.
Marguerite Gardens, 5059 N. Clark, 773-506-6295. Hours: Monday & Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, Friday & Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm.
Perhaps no business that has opened in Andersonville in the past 5 years has been as welcome to those of us who enjoy a good drink (or two) as In Fine Spirits. While mostly known for featuring carefully selected wines at great prices (two tables – one red and one white – feature all bottles for $12 or less), In Fine Spirits also carries a wide selection of the best microbrews in the Midwest (Two Brothers, Three Floyd’s, Metropolitan) and artisan spirits from small producers, such as Andersonville’s own Koval Distillery. So not only is In Fine Spirits a great place to stock up for a holiday party, it is also a treasure trove of gift ideas for those people on our list who appreciate something which can be poured.
Our featured item from the Andersonville Holiday Gift Guide is sure to add a little extra holiday cheer. This very special bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon ($29.50) was bottled exclusively for In Fine Spirits from a single barrel after a strenuous morning of tasting (don’t say they aren’t dedicated!). So for dad, an uncle, grandma, or anyone who appreciates a nice brown liquor, look no further.
Also featured from In Fine Spirts is the BYOB Gift Basket and assorted Metropolitan Beer from Andersonville’s Metropolitan Brewery.
In Fine Spirits, 5418 N. Clark, 773-506-9463. Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday & Monday 12:00 noon – 7:00 pm. Be sure to check out the In Fine Spirits Lounge next door!
