It may seem easy to hit the big box stores to knock out your long holiday shopping list, but why not take some time to slow down and shop local? Not only do your dollars stay close to home, it’s also fun to explore shops for unique items you won’t find elsewhere.
Here are some of our favorite things — all sold locally — that will please everyone on your list this holiday season.
For the Cocktail Enthusiast
Fee Brothers Bar Cocktail Bitters — Set of six
It’s the age of the cocktail, and this is a great set to start off any enthusiast’s home bar. With flavors like West Indian Orange, Peach, Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint and Old Fashioned Aromatic, you’ll be giving the gift of good taste. Find them at Kegworks for $43.95.
1460 Military Road, Buffalo
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929-7570;Â Kegworks.com
Buffalo-themed glasses
With cute shot glasses featuring a Buffalo (and Irish Buffalo) motif, give some regional pride this year – and a way to determine whose glass is whose. Available at Spoiled Rotten for $6.50 each.
831 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
884-3883
For the Adventurous Eater
Cheese of the month
Nickel City Cheese & Mercantile is your local spot for interesting, delicious and hard-to-find-cheeses – and now you can share the love with a foodie friend. Cheese-of-the-month-club will send a package each month that includes three 1/2-pound pieces of delicious cheese, plus tasting notes. Memberships are available for 1 month ($55), 3 months ($165), 6 months ($330), 9 months ($495) or 1 year ($660).
423 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
882-3068;Â Nickelcitycheese.com
Dinner at Martin Cooks
Dinner at Martin Cooks is an experience, and it’s perfect for an adventurous eater who’s willing to try new things. Each dinner seating serves only 12-16 people, and guests are served a 5-course prix fixe meal of the chef’s choice (menu changes weekly). The open kitchen gives diners a behind-the-scenes look at chef Martin Danilowicz as he creates his unique dishes. A Martin Cooks experience is $70, with an optional wine pairing available for an extra $40.
346 Connecticut St., Buffalo
259-9306;Â Martincooks.com
For the Art Lover
Makers Workshop for Modern Craft
Makers is a do-it-yourself workshop with some great classes coming this holiday season, including the Himmeli class, which guides participants into crafting a geometric brass-tube structure that can display plants in the air. It’s a fun night out to be creative and relieve stress. Future workshops involve crafting jewelry, scarves and dreamcatchers. Cost varies, but most classes are around $38. Gift certificates available.
1382 Hertel Ave. (Behind Blue Collar)
400-3456;Â Makersbuffalo.com
Double exposure images
Jeannine Swallow is a photographic artist from South Buffalo specializing in double exposure photography. Her photos are created in camera using analog film and without additional digital manipulation; images are then juxtaposed together to create a single photographic piece. Prints range from $25 to $65, and custom framing is also available.
Film Xposed
For the Bookworm
Bookstore membership
A thoughtful gift for the bookworm on your list is a membership to Talking Leaves, which provides a 10 percent discount at the store as well as notifications about book-related events throughout the year. Pair it with a great book, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. Membership is $10 for the year.
Talking Leaves Bookstore
951 Elmwood Ave.; 884-9524
3158 Main St.; 837-8554
Artisanal Bookmark
A Buffalo bookmark from Village Artisans is a special present for any book lover. The artists behind Road kiln and 716 Buffalos combined their talents to create this unique piece, made from locally-sourced materials. $15.
Village Artisans
5560 Main St., Williamsville
633-2384
For the Ultimate Buffalover
The Buffalo cuff
Available at Red Siren at HarborCenter, store owner Sharon Randaccio said the Buffalo cuff, made of 22 kt. gold leaf, has been a popular item since the store opened this summer. A perfect holiday gift for the discerning expatriate — or the Buffalover in our midst. Available in two widths; cost is $200 and $300.
Red Siren at HarborCenter
75 Main Street, Buffalo
856-0784;Â Theredsiren.com
Buffalo cutting board
Buffalo cutting boards are locally handmade from various wood grains and finished with mineral oil. Serve cheese, meats, and appetizers on this food-grade cutting board, available for purchase at Thin Ice. The cutting boards range in size and price; small is $20, medium is $34, and large is $45.
719 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
881-4321;Â Thiniceonline.com
