[1] We are creatures of habit, and when it comes to holiday shopping, we hit the strip of malls and big-box stores with the 1,260,645 other Louisvillians to buy the same fairy princess doll house or the newest “as seen on TV” novelty. While these gifts may fit the bill for your loved ones, they’re, well, boring. Yep, I said it. So, this year, choose to be the Perfect Present Presenter by buying unique and creative gifts from locally owned stores for everyone on your naughty and nice list.
Also, The Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA) has added an extra incentive to buying locally this year. Do you like money? If you buy (or eat) from five LIBA member businesses between 11/16/11 to 1/6/12, bring the receipts to any Highlands Cleaners or Feeders Supply [3] to be entered into a drawing for $1,000 to spend at any member’s business. To find out more about the Holiday Passport Contest or to find LIBA member businesses, click here [4].
Without further ado…
Louisville’s Nice List:
Local Neighborhoods Pillows & Wall Hanging (subway sign style)
Pillows $65 individual, $120 for the set.
Louisville branding is so cool. Other cities will be envious.
Chalkboard Candle (soy wax, various scents)
$22 each.
Unleash your inner artist and make up your own designs on these candle holders.
Where to find these: Oxenrose, 632 Baxter Avenue. (502) 594-5926. oxenrosehome.com [5]
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Pop Top Mittens (made for texting) & Yarn Headbands
$12 each.
Keeping warm doesn’t have to be a fashion faux pas.
Where to find these: Pitaya, 955 Baxter Avenue. (502) 479-6006. pitaya.com [6]
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Screen Printed Bicycle Pint Glasses
$10 each.
Show how green you really are by not only riding a bike, but by drinking from one too!
Where to find these: Consider Boutique [7], 1013 Bardstown Road. (502) 409-6300. considerboutique.com [8]
Original Prints from Local Artists
$10 and up. Prices vary.
Every house needs original art. Begin your collection by starting with these affordable prints from local artists.
Killer Soaps
$5 each.
It’s safe to use these as long as you have a permit. Bang!
Where to find these: Revelry Boutique Gallery [9], 980 Barret Avenue. (502) 414-1278. revelrygallery.com [10]
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Rednek Wine Glasses
$15 each.
Okay all you secret kountry bumkin’s, drink your libations in style this season. These are grandma’s fancy drinkin’ glasses. Yee haw!
Flora/Fauna Ornaments
$5 and up. Prices vary.
Tons, I mean tons, of unique ornaments to make you cry “Oh Tannenbaum!”
Kentucky Cutting Boards
$50 each.
These Maple edge grain butcher-block cutting boards are durable, resistant to bacteria, and keep your knives sharper longer. Who can resist the ode to horse inlays?
Where to find these: Regalo [11], 982 Barret Avenue. (502) 583-1798. regaloart.com [12]
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Beer Making Kit
$65 for the Basic Kit.
They not only sell the kits, they have the ingredients, recipes, and FREE workshops to make your signature flavor. This really is the gift that keeps on giving. Bottoms up!
Where to find this: My Old Kentucky Homebrew [13], 1437 Story Avenue (502) 589-3434. myoldkentuckyhomebrew.com [14]
Bluegrass Soy Sauce (fermented in re-purposed Bourbon barrels)
$6 for 5 fl oz
$30 for 32 fl oz
bourbonbarrelfoods.com [15]
You need this, your neighbor needs this, and your kid’s bus driver needs this. After tasting this rich and complex soy sauce, you’ll never go back to that “K” brand again. Locally crafted with intensity and passion.
Moss Hill Bath & Body Products (Bourbon scented)
$4 for soaps
$10 for candles
$14.50 for lotions
Other scents are available. http://www.mosshill.net [16]
Moss Hill bath products are locally made and come in so many scents you’ll end up buying them all. Guaranteed.
Retractable Earbuds
$18 each.
Be done with tangled wires. Seriously.
A Night On The Town Onesie (His & Her)
$19 each.
Make it a black tie affair at every feeding.
Fabulous Jewelry
$5 and up. Prices vary.
Can a gal have too much bling? Uh, no. Super affordable.
Where to find these: Work the Metal [17], 1201 Story Avenue, Ste 101. The Butchertown Market (502) 584-2841. workthemetal.com [18]
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Artisian Boxed Chocolates
If you don’t know about Erika Chavez-Graziano, then shame on you. She creates the kind of chocolates that you have to sit down for and simply savor. Cellar Door specializes in truffles that come in many delectable flavors including cayenne pepper, peppermint, espresso, and champagne. Other confections like turtles, bark, and chocolate covered ginger snaps are also available. Erika is the exclusive producer for Dundee’s bourbon balls.
Where to find these: Cellar Door Chocolates, 1201 Story Avenue, Ste 109. The Butchertown Market (502) 561-2940. cellardoorchocolates.com [19]
Stainless Steel Wallets & Purses
$38 - $64. Prices vary.
These Stewart/Stand wallets and accessories are not only cool; they’re functional as well. It’s no conspiracy that there is Radio Frequency Identification chips embedded in credit cards and passports making I.D. theft easy, but the thin sheets of stainless steel protects from unauthorized access.
Whimsical Children’s Clothing
$40. Prices vary.
Nina Rosenberg or “Ninarita” is a master seamstress with the NY fashion experience to back it up. Now her models are a bit smaller. She crafts children’s clothing that is so unique you’ll wish you were still in diapers.
Cowboy Rubber Rain Boots
$59 for a pair.
The rain may have subsided for now, but it’ll be back, so why not show it who’s boss by wearing the only rain boot that I’ve ever seen with a heel. You’ll be singing and dancing in the rain.
Leather Laptop Satchel
$425. Styles and Prices vary.
This is the real genuine article. 100% leather, 100% locally made. Oscar Parsons crafts these beauties using vegetable cured leather hides, tanned with tree acids rather than chemicals. They are hand carved and hand stitched ensuring their high quality design and durability.
Where to find these: The Uncommon Art Shop, 10618 Meeting Street, Norton Commons (502) 426-0611. theuncommonartshop.com [20]
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Historical Themed Chess Sets and Chessmen
$65 - $75. Prices vary.
You’ll have a hard time focusing on the actual game of chess with these colorful chess characters and boards. No one will blame you if you just want to play with them as action figures. Historical themes include the Civil War, Medieval, Pearl Harbor, Gladiators, and many more.
The Jacqueline Kennedy Jewelry Collection
$60 and up. Prices vary.
Jewelers Camrose & Kross have created replicas of the First Lady’s gorgeous jewelry. She is the epitome of American royalty. Who doesn’t want to emulate Jackie-O?
Gettysburg War Figures and Play Mat
$10 for army men
$5 for map
Who doesn’t want to play with this? You’re in command to stage your own battles, who knows, the Civil War might have a different outcome.
Where to find these: The Frazier History Museum, 829 W. Main Street (502) 753-5663. fraziermuseum.org [21]
Bejeweled Horeshoes
$20 Each.
For the horse lover or the person that has everything. These horseshoes are authentically dirty from the track itself. They’ve also gotten a beauty boost with the addition of jewels and baubles. They come in various designs.
Ceramic Tripod Bowl and Spoon
$24 for the bowl
$14 for the spoon
Dress your holiday table with the addition of this artisan craft ware. Simple and delicate in design that will have guests talking. Would make a great salt sellar for the cooks in your family.
Rebecca Hook Jewelry
$98 and up. Prices vary.
These yellow-gold and sterling silver designs by Louisville’s Rebecca Hook are the perfect addition to any Kentucky woman’s wardrobe. These pieces are classy, refined, incredibly unique, and the Dogwood and Four Horseshoe designs truly standout.
Where to find these: Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, 715 W. Main Street (502) 589-0102. kentuckyarts.org [22]
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Re-purposed Bicycle Wheel Light Fixture
$395 each.
Your home’s interior will thank you for the addition of these hip and clever light fixtures. Artist David Metcalf uses muslin and vintage bike wheels to design a fixture that is stare-worthy.
Wood Stools
$200 each.
Craftsman Craig Bayens gives new life to heart pine timber salvaged from a tobacco warehouse. The beauty is in the simplicity of the woods’ natural design.
Where to find these: Salvo Collective, 216 South Shelby Street (502) 614-6381. salvocollective.com [23]
Orly Wexler Jewelry
$140. Prices vary.
Jewelry designer Orly Wexler gives new definition to urban chic. She combines rubber and semi-precious stones in sterling silver and gold settings. Yes, please!
Julia Comer Jewelry
$50 and up. Prices vary.
Julia’s jewelry collections are stunning. She is also the owner of Flo Gallery (formally known as Objects of Desire). Stop in, you’ll be glad you did.
Where to find this: Flo Studio and Gallery, 803 E. Market Street (502) 458-4164. flostudioandgallery.com [24]
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Custom Fedoras and Hair Fascinators
$225. Prices vary.
Look simply smashing as you strut your stuff at the various holiday parties in a Danbury Shakes original.
Milk Moustache Ring
$10 each.
As shop owner Butch Sager puts it, “anyone can have a moustache ring, but we have the only milk moustache ring.”
Where to find these: Gifthorse [25], 805 Market Street (502) 645-8000. gifthorse-shop.com [26]
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Handmade Oil Burner and Oil Essence
$20 oil burner
$15 oil essence
$33 for the set
Your nose will thank you for stopping by this store and the fact you can take these scents home with you via this oil burner/essence set is an added bonus. Scents vary from Peppermint Rosemary, Orange Cinnamon to the easy favorite Lavender Vanilla. They also feature 4 Holiday scents that will quickly lead Santa to your chimney. All products are made in-house.
Where to find this: Peace of the Earth [27], 801 E. Market Street (502) 690-5707.
peaceoftheearth.com [28]