Need a really great last-minute Christmas gift idea? The Icon has an entire bag full of ideas and the best part is that you don't need to drive to the mall to make the purchase. You don't even need to surf the Internet and pay one-day delivery prices.
The Icon offers viewers its annual survey of Bluffton-made products or products that say "Bluffton." These are available at very reasonable prices. Each makes a unique Christmas gift.
Here goes:
Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.
For the person who really has everything, purchase an angel for $10, a dove for $5 or a star for $1. Place that person's name on the ornament and hang it on the library's giving tree. Remember, it's the thought that counts.
Book Reviews, 123 S. Main St.
Several books by local authors including Ruth Unrau "Who Needs an Oil Well," and "Hill Station Teacher;" Judy Clemens' "Till The Cows Come Home;" Roy Henry "Gadding About Gypsum Creek," and "Wayside Revelations;" Ruth Oyer Schumacher, "Beyond Mere Survival;" Elaine Rich, "Breaking Bread Together;" and Robert E. Sielschott, "Founding Fathers, the Lost Federalist Essays of Colonel Erasmus Milton."
Shannon Theatre, 119 S. Main St.
Buy 11 movie passes for $20.
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co., 117 S. Main St.
Currently offering 13 popcorn flavors, packages range in prices from $250 to $90. The average price is around $15.
The Food Store, 103 S. Main St.
Want to add some eats under the tree? Try homemade jams and jellies from Belle Center, maple syrup from Probst Family Farm, Bluffton, Barger Brand Honey from Carey, cheese from Berne, Ind., or eggs and meat from Luginbill Farms, Pandora.
Common Grounds, 101 S. Main St.
You can have your coffee and drink it, too. Common Ground coffee travel mugs area available for $13.99 or with one-pound of coffee for $21.99.
Forever In Stitches, 120 N. Main St.
If someone on your list loves to sew you are in luck. You'll find over 70 patterns of Raggedy Ruth Designs, created by Ruth Grihalva. You'll also find the Perfect corner Ruler, a one-of-a-kind sewing tool, a truly Bluffton product.
Deer Creek Shoppes, 124 N. Main St.
There's more than antiques at Deer Creek. You'll also find Oscar Velasquez, Bluffton resident artist's, 10th Christmas print showing a Bluffton scene. Copies are available in two sizes. The 16 by 20 inch size is $75 framed and $25 unframed. An 8 by 10 inch framed size is available for $25. The shop also has a limited selection of previous year's prints available.
Bluffton Senior Citizens Center, 132 N. Main St.
Where do we begin listing items from this shop? Here goes: rag rugs in an assortment of colors, range in prices from $11 to $20, homemade jewelry from $4.50 to $22, hand towels, table runners, hats, scarves, pillows, doll clothes and baby gifts are also in stock. You'll also find quilts made by Betty Moser and other members of the Center. Wayne Schaffer-hand crafted wooden toys are also in supply. While supplies last, the Center offers peanut brittle at $5 a pound and historic Bluffton card decks at $10 each.
Bluffton town hall, corner of Elm and Main
Swimming pool passes at discount prices are available until the end of the year. You can't swim in the Bluffton Community Swimming Pool today, but you can buy a 2012 swimming pass at a reduced rate now until Dec. 31. Passes purchased in December receive a 10 percent discount (does not apply to a $5 charge for additional children*). The 2012 pool prices follow:
$40 - senior single^aEUR"
$75 - senior couple
^aEUR"$80 - single^aEUR"
$130 - family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children ages 18 in the same household)
*Additional passes for children ages 18 and under can be purchased for $5 each.
The Black Lab Trading Co., 121 N. Main St.
Check out the Diller Farms of Gilboa lotions, salves, stress relief packs and soaps. These range from $4.25 to $14.25. Lil Pumpkin Seed Boutique includes creations by Sue Steiner, Anna Burkholder and Katie Kruse. You'll find ribbon hats, hair bows, scarves and helmet hats. Mary Beck has mother-daughter matching aprons in various price ranges plus burp clothes, blankets and bonnets. Bluffton greeting cards by Lucas Studios. Cards show various Bluffton scenes and are $2.50 each or three for $6.
The Sports Warehouse, 111 N. Main St.
If you want something with a Bluffton Pirate, Cory-Rawson Hornet or Pandora-Gilboa Rocket, you are in luck. The Warehouse offers a wide range of tee shirts, hats, athletic bags and lots more.
Family True Value Hardware, 109 N. Main St.
Yes, Virginia, you can still buy a Bluffton Slaw cutter in Bluffton. A range of Swiss-sharp cutters range in price from $7.50 to $19.99. The slaw cutters even are engraved with the wording "Bluffton made." One other Bluffton-made item is a really neat hot dog roaster made by the Messinger family, priced at $4.99.
BFR Sports & Fitness Center, 215 Snider Road
BFR Sports & Fitness offers gift certificates for memberships, indoor track passes, fitness classes and Family Reek Passes are available for the holidays. BFR has Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Gift Cards in $15 and $25 values. The gift cards may be used at any Texas Roadhouse restaurant in the U.S. A percentage of each card remains with BFR as a fundraiser. An option for stocking stuffers are headbands and hair clips for girls. Handmade by Becky Avila, the headbands feature a variety of school colors, plus volleyball and soccer and basketball graphics.
Bluffton University bookstore, Marbeck Center
You'll find a treasure trove of Bluffton University items here. This list includes hats, tee shirts, sweat shirts, blankets, license plate holders, bags, lanyards, pencils, pens, not books and three-ring binders. The bookstore also offers books by several Bluffton authors. These include Jeff Gundy, Susan Streeter Carpenter, Tobias Buckell, J. Denny Weaver, David Smucker, Elmer Neufeld and others.
Chamber gift certificates
Certificates are available at Citizens National Bank. Ask one of the tellers you are interested in a certificate. The certificates are available in any denomination. There is no extra charge to purchase a certificate. They are a check drawn on the chamber's checking account. The gift certificates may be used in any Bluffton business over the next 12 months. In addition, the certificates may be redeemed for cash at Citizens National Bank.
Bluffton calendars
Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs offers a 2012 art calendar. It features 13 pages of this year's art auction works. Calendars are available at Greg's Pharmacy and Common Grounds for a suggested donation of $10 each.
"A Good Place To Miss: Bluffton Stories 1900-1975"
Fred Steiner's book "A Good Place To Miss: Bluffton Stories 1900-1975" is on sale at Greg's Pharmacy, Common Grounds, Senior Citizens Center and Book Reviews. The book is in limited supply and sells for $15 (includes tax).
