Business & Tech

Holiday Gift Guide: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Shopping local can yield some nice surprises for gift giving.

Why travel great distances to purchase gifts this holiday season? The Bloomingdale-Riverview area has a wealth of small businesses that carry a unique array of gifts for every member of the family.

Here are some of my favorites:

  • 1046 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico

There are so many cool things at this store, it's hard to select only one. Owner Debbie Ploor has assembled a variety of items for gift giving including Michael Aram's collectible handmade holiday ornaments made from oxidized metals ($59).

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To make all your wishes come true, you can purchase Flying Wish Paper. It includes 15 wishes for $11. Simply write down your wish, light it and watch it fly.

Here's a great gift for teens. For $15, the Bondi Hang It On cell phone holders come in an assortment of colors and includes a booklet of ideas for using it. The bendable holder will fit any cell phone and allow you to hang it anywhere.

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For the man in your life, A.S. Batles graphite figures ($29 to $56) are not only cool to display but you can write with them.

For your favorite tree hugger, Marquet animal ornaments ($7 each) are made from recycled phone books and newspapers by artisans in third-world countries.

Here's a gift for the woman who has everything but can find nothing. The Minimergency Kit is a great little stocking stuffer for $15. It has everything you need for emergency fixes including a bandage, earring backs, breath freshener, mending kit, emery board, lip balm, pain reliever, double-sided tape, stain remover, safety pin, dental floss, hairspray and clear fingernail polish for the pesty stocking runs.

  • 3322B Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., Valrico

For the lover of all things vintage, this shop features such unique items as antique initial print blocks for $4.50, antique glass and paper Christmas ornaments for $8 to $15, bottle brush miniature Christmas trees for $8 to $12 and little mica house ornaments for $4 to $8.

Or go more extravagant and choose one of Lucky Day's massive antique shadow boxes filled with a variety of vintage items, all artfully arranged.

Debbie Kinney and Denise Crawford operate this Bloomingdale business from their homes, offering jewelry and accessories made from antique silverware.

The duo transform grandmother's old flatware into amazing wearable works of art including necklaces, watches, rings, bracelets, priced to sell at $15 to $25.

  • 13212 Boyette Rd., Riverview

Ramsey and Staci Bentley have stocked their boutique with an eclectic selection of new and antique items you won't find anywhere else in town.

Their one-of-a-kind cigar box purses, priced at $55 to $75, make great gifts.

When you purchase a Bridgewater candle, you'll be feeding a child for a day. These soy blend candles can be personalized with a complimentary monogram. A small candle costs $13 and a large $20.

Other ideal gifts include 18-inch burlap Christmas pillows with removable covers for $28 each and scarves in every color for $20.

More gift ideas:

Ideas for Feathered and Furry Friends

Some Ideas for Your Athlete or Outdoorsman

Ideas for the Fashionista

Don't Forget Something Sweet for Santa

Ideas for the Music Lover

Ideas for Mom

We will continue featuring more small business in the gift guide during the next two weeks. If you have a Bloomingdale-Riverview business you'd like to see in our gift guide, email local editor D'Ann White at dann.white@patch.com or call 813-334-1081.


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