Searching for a really uniquie Christmas gift? Search no more.
The Icon has an entire bag full of ideas. The best part is that you don't need to leave town to make these purchases. You don't even need to surf the Internet and pay one-day delivery prices.
LOTS OF PHOTOS EXAMPLES BELOW -
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:
Gift certificates - first, remember that many Bluffton businesses – don't forget your favorite Bluffton restaurant – offer their own gift certificates. If you are really stumped, why not start there?
BFR Sports & Fitness Center, 215 Snider Road
BFR Sports & Fitness offers gift certificates for memberships, indoor track passes and fitness center. Call 419-358-4150 for complete details.
Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.
You could purchase one book or more in someone’s name and then inform the recipient of your gift. The library’s wish list is on Amazon. It shows the fiction list if you are not signed in to Amazon. Once you sign in, it shows all of library’s lists, which includes the children's section, non-fiction, music and movies. CLICK HERE FOR THE WISH LIST.
Bluffton Senior Citizens Center, 132 N. Main St.
Peanut brittle is available in two flavors – while supplies last – peanut and black walnut. New this year are custom-made gift card holders (see photo) for $1.25 each. There's lots more including rag rugs ranging in prices from $15 to $35, homemade jewelry from $4.50 to $22, hanging towels, table runners, hats, scarves, pillows and baby gifts are also in stock. You'll also find lap quilts made by Betty Moser and other members of the Center. Historic Bluffton card decks are $8. Hand-made greeting cards are $1.50 each and Bluffton postcards are four for $1. The Center also has tablet holders and cell phone holders.
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, decals, lanyards, pencils, pens, note books and three-ring binders. Hours leading up to Christmas are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 18-20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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 are available from $14.95 to $34.95. The slaw cutters are engraved with the wording "Bluffton made."
Gallery 323, 323 N. Main St.
The shop features original art by over a dozen local artists with works in painting, ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, glass, photography and sculpture. Artists include Lois Wetherill, Mike Huffman, T.R. Steiner, Kat Luginbuhl, Jamie Nygaard, Andrew Steingass Melissa Eddings Mancuso, Maegan Rohdes, Anita Lehman, Judith Greavu, Jim Fultz, Jeanette Reineke, Bruce Chesser, Kerry Bush and others. Hours until Christmas follow: Wednesday to Friday noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday (Dec. 23), noon to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, (Christmas eve) 9 a.m. to noon.
Riley Creek Sportswear, inside The Black Lab, 121 N. Main St.
New owners Kelli and Brad Fruchey, offer lots of area school sportswear. Pirate fans will find shirts, caps, baby Pirate bibs, key fobs and other items.
Roots by Strattons, 111 S. Main St.
The shop opened on Blaze weekend and offers lots of items related to plants, trees, birds and gifts. Local items includes holiday arrangements created by staff members and Jamie Nygaard framed photographs.
Shannon Theatre, 119 S. Main St.
Purchase a book of eight (2D) movie passes for $20. These prices last through Dec. 23.
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co., 117 S. Main St.
Popped in Bluffton, the shop offers 14 popcorn flavors with purchase prices from $2.50 for a small bag on up.
The Black Lab Trading Co., 121 N. Main St.
You'll find Lil Pumpkin Seed Boutique with creations by Sue Steiner, Anna Burkholder and Katie Kruse. You'll also find ribbons, hats, hair bows, scarves and helmet hats. Also available are quilted ornaments by Jean Clum, repurposed furniture by Denny Edinger, metal art by Jim Ridge, ornamental gourds by Diane Neal, folk art by Lynda Best, aprons by Lisa Herr, pottery by Linda Renee Laing and melted bottles, wooden stars and t-shirts by Mark Williams. New this year are ornamental metal yard art work by Bruce and Amy Marshall and Bluffton Slaw Cutters.
The Dough Hook, 117 N. Main St.
Here you'll find all sorts of Christmas gifts, including gift cards, meat packages, cases of canned meat, candy and cookie baking kits plus prime ribs, ham loaf and holiday hams.
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, eggs from Little Riley Creek Farm, meat from Luginbill Farms, Pandora, and local milk from Knueven Creamery, Leipsic.
Twisted Whisk, 101 S. Main St.
You can have your coffee in a Twisted Whisk mug and drink it, too. You’ll find Twisted Whisk mugs, coffee travel tumblers, gift certificates in any amount, and new this year gift baskets from $10 and up. You may build your own basket, if interested.
